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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.1 


1.25 


2.2 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions 


institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


1980 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibiiographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6tA  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 
D 
D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommag6e 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicui^e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I — I    Coloured  maps/ 


D 
El 

D 


n 


n 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bieue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
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lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  fiim^es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  peiliculdes 

I — "y  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
1/1    Pages  d6color6es,  tacheties  ou  piqudes 

n    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

□    Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgaie  de  I'impression 

□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl6mentaire 

□    Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refiimed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  fiimdes  d  nouveau  de  faqon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


[^ 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indlquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  A  la 
g6n6rositd  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  iteeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  filmds  en  commen(:ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —»•  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  11  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

I.:    ;     ^ 

$ 

6 

THE    WATER    BIRDS 


OF 


NORTH   AMERICA. 


VOL,  I. 


f^mc^ 


^ 


I)  5 


// 


i«emoirs  of  tjje  iHuscuni  of  (JTomparatibc  Zodloflg 

AT    IIAKVARD    COLLEGE. 
Vol.  XII. 


THE 


WATER     BIRDS 


OF 


NORTH     AMERICA. 


BY 


S.   F.   BAIRD,    T.   M.    BREWER, 


AND 


R.  RIDGWAY. 


ISSUED    IN    CONTINUATION    OF    TIIF 

PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY  OF  CALIFQllNIA. 
J.  D.   WHITNEY,   ST4TE  Geolooist. 


Volume  I. 


BOSTON: 
LITTLE,  BROWN,   AND    COMPANY. 

1884. 


2  A  ci  r,  //  /» 
V  fi  o  i  o 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  tlie  year  1884, 
By  J.  D.  Whitney, 
In  the  office  of  tl»e  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


i* 


;4 


CONTENTS. 


IXTEODUCTIOX       .... 

SYNOPSIS   OF  NORTH   AMERICAN  ORDERS   OF 

Order  HERODIONES 

Family  Abdeii>.e.     The  Herons    .... 

Sul)-Fiimily  Abukix.k    .... 

Sub-Fiimily  ISotaubix.k    . 
Family  Cicoxiid.k.     Tho  Storks 

Sub-Family  CicoxrTx.T; 

Sub-Family  Taxtalix.e 
Family  Ihiuid.k.     Tlio  Ibises 

Sub-Family  EuDociMrx.K 
Family  Plataleid.i:.     The  Spoonbills 

Order  LIMICOL.E 

Family  H.EMATOPODin.E.     Tho  Oyster-catchers 

Family  Stkepsimd.t.:.     The  Turnstones 

Family  CnAUAinMiD.E.     The  Plovers 

Family  Pakuid.e.     The  Ja(;anas 

Family  ScotoPACiCE.     The  Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc' 

Family  Piialakopodid.e.     The  Phalaropes 

Family  Rkcukvikostbid.e.     The  Avocets  and  Stilts' 

Order  ALECTORIDES     .... 

Family  Rallid^e.     The  Rails,  Gallinules,"and  Coots 
family  Auamtd.e.     The  Courlans 
Family  Gkuid.e.     The  Cranes 

Order  PIIffiNICOPTERI 

Family  Pnajxi(orTEKiD.E.     The  Flamingoes 
Order  ANSERES  (not  completed  in  this  volume) 

Family  Axatid.e.     The  Swans,  Geese,  and  Ducks    " 
Sub-Family  Cvgxix^e    . 
Sub-Family  Axskkix.e 
Sub-Family  Axatix/E    ,  .  " 


WATER   lURDS 


Page 

vii 
x-xi 


.    1-106 

2-76 

.      4-66 

66-76 
.    76-85 

78-80 
.    80-85 

.      85-100 
86-100 

100-106 

107-349 
108-118 
118-128 
128-175 
175-177 
178-325 
326-339 
340-349 

350-413 
350-398 
398-403 
403-413 

414-418 
414-418 

419-537 

419-537 
420-433 
433-487 
487-537 


'wf. 


iM 


iill-..,aw«;. 


i 


INTRODUCTION. 


% 


As  this  work  will  in  nil  pmlmbility  fall  into  the  hands  of  thoso  who  have 
not  soon  tlu!  ornithol(>j,'ical  volunio  issued  ns  n  j)art  of  the  Publications  of  the 
State  ffeoI()f;ic'al  Survoy  of  California,  it  is  proper  that  the  origin  and  connection 
of  those  two  contributions  to  this  branch  of  American  natural  history  should 
be  here  explained. 

The  Act  authorizing  a  rroologioal  survey  of  the  State  of  California,  which 
became  a  law  in  1860,  ro(]uirod  of  the  State  (roologist,  in  addition  to  the 
topographical  and  geological  work  usually  expected  on  such  a  survey,  "a  full 
and  complete  description  of  the  botanical  and  zoological  ]>roduction8  of  Cali- 
fornia." In  accordance  with  thi.s  requirement,  the  eflbrts  of  the  head  of  the 
Survey  were,  from  the  time  of  the  beginning  of  the  work,  directed  toward  the 
collection  of  such  material  as  would  be  of  value  for  use  in  the  preparation  of 
Reports  in  the  various  departments  of  the  natural  history  of  California  and  the 
adjacent  regions  of  the  Pacific  coast.  The  establishment  of  a  State  museum 
of  geology  and  natural  history  was  also  contemplated  —  although  not  provided 
for  —  in  the  Act  authorizing  the  Survey,  as  supplementary  to  the  preparation  of 
such  Reports  on  the  various  branches  of  science  as  should  make  possible  the 
study  of  geology,  botany,  and  zoology  in  the  schools  and  colleges  of  California 
and  the  adjacent  States  and  Territories. 

The  Survey  as  thus  organized  went  on  without  interruption  until  1868, 
when  appropriations  were  withheld  for  two  years  ;  but  the  worlc  was  not  brought 
to  an  absolute  stoppage,  all  the  materials  having  been  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
State  Geologist,  without  any  direction  as  to  what  was  to  be  done  with  them, 
and  also  without  any  appropriation  of  money  to  pay  either  for  the  care  and 
preservation  of  collections  then  on  hand,  or  for  the  continuation  of  publications 
at  that  time  actually  in  progress. 

Nevertheless  the  work  did  go  on ;  and  among  the  volumes  completed  during 
the  stoppage  of  the  Survey  was  one  on  which  considerable  progress  had  been  made 
at  the  time  the  appropriations  were  suspended.     This  volume  belonged   to  the 


I 


vni 


INTIIODUCTION. 


Natural  History  Hories,  an<l  was  (Usvoti'il  to  a  (IcHcription  of  tlu!  Ijiiid  WmU  occur- 
riti}^  west  of  tho  |{oi'ky  Moimtaiiis  ami  iiortli  of  Mt-xico,  having  boiui  Holiicteil 
as  the  volume  most  suitaltle  to  suoceed  tlKtse  of  (leology  ami  Palu'ontology 
already  ])ulilishetl,  partly  Wecause  it  was  thouglit  tiiat  the  sulijeet  would  prove 
popularly  attractive,  and  i)artly  because  circumstances  favored  its  being  more 
rapidly  completed  than  the  other  volumes  of  the  Natural  History  Series  possibly 
could  be. 

For  the  volume  of  Land  l?irds  published  in  1870  by  the  California  Survey, 
the  biographical  portion  was  chictly  drawn  from  the  notes  of  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper, 
Zoologist  of  the  Survey ;  and  by  mutual  con.sent  these  notes  were  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Professor  Baird,  at  that  time  in  charge  of  the  Natural  History  Depart- 
ment of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  in  order  that  they  might  be  worked  up 
at  the  place  where  a  more  copious  supply  of  materials  and  greater  facilities  for 
such  an  undertaking  existed  than  at  any  other  scientific  centre  in  this  country. 

The  result  was  the  publication,  in  1870,  of  a  volume  entitled :  "  Ornithol- 
ogy. Volume  I.  The  Land  JJirds."  It  was  illustrated  by  nearly  eight  hundred 
woodcuts,  each  species  (except  in  the  case  of  the  Rnptorc^)  being  represented 
by  a  head  of  life  size,  introduced  witii  the  text,  and  intended  to  bo  colored  by 
hand,  and  each  genus  by  a  fuU-lengtli  Kgure,  together  with  numerous  diagrams 
giving  the  details  of  wings,  claws,  and  such  other  parts  as  are  of  special  value 
in  generic  determination. 

During  the  preparation  of  this  ornithological  volume  of  the  California  series 
of  Reports,  it  was  agreed  between  the  State  Geologist  and  Professor  IJaird  that 
the  illustrations  of  that  volume  should  l)e  used  by  him  in  a  work  of  larger  scope, 
including  the  Land  Birds  of  all  North  America;  and  this  plan  was  carried  out, 
the  result  being  the  well-known  work,  in  three  volumes,  entitled  "A  History  of 
North  American  Birds :  Land  liirds,"  by  Messrs.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway. 
This  work  —  completed  in  1875  —  followed  clo.sely  the  California  volume  in  its 
general  style,  appearance,  and  manner  of  illustration ;  the  principal  exception  to 
this  being  that  the  heads  were  placed  together  at  the  end  of  each  volume,  and 
printed  by  the  chromolithographic  process,  uistead  of  being  colored  by  hand.  For 
these  volumes  between  seven  and  eight  hundred  illustrations  were  furnished  by 
the  California  Survey  ^vithout  charge  —  Professor  Baird  having  promised,  in  return 
for  this  favor,  that  the  portion  of  the  Ornithology  remaining  to  be  completed 
and  published  as  a  part  of  the  California  Report  should  include  all  the  Water 
Birds  of  the  continent  north  of  Mexico.  The  propriety  of  this  stipulation  must 
be  evident  to  all,  since  it  was  clear  that,  after  the  appearance  of  the  work  of 
Messrs.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway,  there  would  be  only  the  most  limited 
demand  for  the  much  less  comprehensive  one  previously  issued  by  the  California 
Survey. 


:M 


<ifl 


^^ 


INTIIDDICTIUN. 


ix 


As  it  tunit!il  nut,  liowovcii',  tliis  .stiimlatiitii  was  not  mu)  of  so  imuli  iiriuticai 
iiupDitaiKu  lis  luul  ItoL'U  exiMicti'tl,  sincn  tlio  cost  of  the  imlilication  of  the  "  Land 
llinls  of  North  America  "  was  so  great  that  the  publialiers  of  that  work  would 
have  been  unwilling  to  continue  it  at  tlioir  own  risk  and  expense  —  and,  in 
fact,  did  decline  to  do  so,  when,  after  the  stoppage  of  the  ('aliforniii  Survey,  the 
present  work  was  offered  to  them  for  pidjlication  by  joint  consent  of  the  authors 
and  the  former  State  (teologist  of  California.  The  latter,  however,  having  devoted 
himself,  subsequently  to  the  second  and  linal  stoppage  of  the  Survey  in  1H74, 
to  a  continuation  —  chietly  at  his  own  risk  and  oxihsuso  —  of  the  publication 
of  the  material  left  in  a  more  or  less  fragmentary  condition  in  his  hands,  finally 
concluded  to  take  up  the  unfinished  volumes  of  Ornithology;  and,  with  the 
generous  co-operation  of  the  Director  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology, 
now  presents  them  to  the  public,  as  forming  at  the  same  time  a  portion  of  tho 
series  tjf  Alemoirs  of  that  institution,  and  a  continuation  of  tho  Reports  of 
the  Geological  Survey  of  California. 

As  in  the  previously  pul)lished  volumes  of  the  North  American  Birds,  tho 
technical  or  descriptive  portion  of  the  present  division  of  that  work  has  been 
projjared  l)y  Messrs.  Baird  and  UidgWily ;  and  the  latter  has  had  the  opportunity 
of  making,  during  tho  printing,  such  additions  and  corrections  as  were  rendered 
necessary  by  the  fact  that  several  years  have  elapsed  since  the  manuscript  was 
originally  prepared  for  publication.  The  biographical  portion  of  the  volumes 
devoted  to  the  Water  Birds  is  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  T.  M.  Brewer  —  who,  however, 
did  not  live  to  see  the  beginning  of  the  printing  of  this,  the  final,  portion  of 
a  work  on  which  he  had  bestowed  so  much  labor.  The  task  of  revising  his 
not  entirely  completed  manuscript  has  fallen  upon  tho  undersigned,  who  has 
endeavored  to  do  the  best  he  could  with  it,  esjiecially  as  regards  the  occasion- 
ally somewhat  uncertain  orthography  of  tho  names  of  persons  and  places.  In 
this  he  has  had  the  assistance  of  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative 
Zoology. 

The  illustrations  of  this  volume  were,  with  few  and  unimportant  exceptions, 
drawn  upon  the  wood  by  Mr.  Edwin  L.  Sheppard,  of .  Philadelphia,  and  engraved 
by  Mr.  Hobart  H.  Nichols,  of  Washington.  The  coloring  of  the  heads  was 
done  under  the  direction  of  Mrs.  F.  H.  llussell,  of  Brookliue,  Mass.,  from  patterns 
prepared  by  Mr.  Ridgway. 

J.  D.  WHITNEY. 
Cambridqe,  Mass.,  March  31,  1884. 


ii 


SYNOPSIS 


OF 


NOKriI   AMEHICAN   OKDEKS   OF   WATER   BIRDS. 


A^    Leys  li'ii^tlK'iied,  tin-  tiliiiu  usually  lU'iiuiU'il  for  u  coiisidfralili'  distauci'  aliovt-  tlic  kiii.'e. 
not  fully  wi'libed,  fXi'i'iit  in  Iticiirriivntru  iiiul  J'lMiiicopUriis.     (Waders.) 


TOL'S 


I.  HERODIONES.  Nirk  uml  logs  inuch  longthiMied.  Hind  toe  inucli  Ienjj;tliened,  and 
inserti'd  at  the  saiui-  li'Vcl  as  tlii'  anturior  toes  (sliovtiTand  sli:,ditly  ulevati'd  in  Cicuniida). 
llaliits  altricial '  and  youn^  dasyjuLMlii'.'-     Palate  desniO},'iiatlious.     Carotids  double, 

II.  XiIMICOLiB.  Xi'tk  and  legs  usually  elongated  (tlii>  latter  siinii'times  excessively  so), 
the  tibiio  usually  more  or  less  naked  lielow.  Hind  toe  short  or  rudinienttiry,  sonietiiues 
absent,  and  inserted  above  the  level  of  the  anterior  toes.  Habits  pneeocial,*  and  young 
dasy]iiwlio.     Palate  sehi/.ognathous.     Carotids  double. 

III.  AIiBCTORIDES.     Hind  toe  small  and  elevated  (but  neck  much  lenRtheued  and  bill 

strong  and  hard)  in  llntiilif ;  lengthened  and  ineumbent  in  Ammiihv  and  liallidiV. 
Wings  eoniparatively  short  and  rounded,  anil  body  eoniiiressed  (except  in  Gntidn). 
Habits  jiriueoeial,  ami  young  dasypiedic.     Palate  .scbizognathous.     Carotids  double. 

IV.  PHCBNICOPTERI.     Xeek  and  legs  excessively  elongated,  the  anterior  toes  webbed, 

and  the  tibia'  naked  fur  the  greater  part  of  their  length.  Hind  toe  snnill  and  elevated, 
or  wholly  absiyU.  Hill  of  very  peculiar  form,  being  greatly  thickened  and  abruptly 
bent  downward  from  the  middle  portion,  the  tomia  provided  with  lamellie,  as  in  the 
Anisens.  Habits  pr.vcocial  and  young  dasypa-dic.  Palate  saurognathous.  Carotids 
double,  but  the  left  much  reduced  in  size. 

B»  Legs  short,  the  tibia-  wholly  or  mostly  feathered,  .\nterior  toes  distinctly  (usiudly  fully) 
webbed,  or  else  broadly  loU'd  and  provided  with  bruiul  ilat  nails  {Fodicipidie'). 
(Swimmers.) 

v.  ANSERES.  Hill  liroad  and  dei>ressed  (nearly  cylindrical  in  Mirijince),  the  tip  provided 
with  a  distinct  nail  or  unguis,  and  the  tomia  with  vertical  lainelhu  or  straiiun-s  (more 
tooth-like  in  ^Vdv/iiki).  Habits  priucocial,  young  dasypx>dic.  Palate  saurognatLous. 
Carotids  double. 


1  Altricial  biids  are  those  whoso  young  are  hatched  in  ii  blind  and  helple.ss  condition,  and  are  reared  in 
the  nest  luitil  able  to  tly. 

"  Young  birds  which  luv  covered  with  down  when  hatched  are  said  to  Iw  da.sypajdie  ;  «'.  g,,  chicks  of  the 
Domestic  Fowl  and  other  gallinaceous  birds,  (hickliiigs,  etc. 

'  I'ra'cocial  birds  arc  tliu.se  whose  young  arc  cajiable  of  running  about  as  soon  as  hatched,  and  although 
led  and  otherwise  oared  for  by  the  parents,  are  not  fed  by  them  ;  e.  ij.,  the  young  of  the  Domestic  Fowl 
Ducks,  Oeese,  etc. 


INTUODL'CTION. 


XI 


)S. 


IH.'0. 


Toes 


liencd,  aiul 
Cicimiidw). 
ilouble. 

issively  so), 
,  souietimos 
'  and  youiij,' 

led  imd  bill 

|ul  lialliihv. 
liniiihr). 
louble. 

08  webbed, 

elevated, 

abnijitly 

us  in  the 

Carotids 


€9 


•^ 


VI.  STEOANOPODES.  iliiid  tue  leii^tiieiied  ai\d  iiu'iiiiibe:ed,  and  united  to  the  inner 
toe  by  a  complete  web  (small  only  in  Tiuhijiwtitli).  Hill  extremely  variable,  but 
usually  with  a  more  or  less  extensible  naked  f,'ular  sac  between  the  mandibular  rami. 
Nostrils  olisolete.  Habits  altriciai,  youn;,'  dasyiiiudie  in  Tachiipitidtr,  PhalacrocDnicnltr, 
Phlidir,  and  I'lmrlhiintiilw.  j^ymnoiiiodic  *  in  Vdecanidie  aiid  SulUhv.  Palate  8auro},'na- 
thous.     Carotids  doiilile. 

VII.  LONOIFBNNES.  Hind  toe  small  or  rudimentary,  and  elevated,  sometimes  ahnost 
obsolete  ;  anterior  toes  fully  weldieil.  Hill  more  or  less  eomiiressed  (nearly  cylin- 
drical only  in  some  Sttrcuniriiila),  the  nostrils  linear,  never  tubular.  Habits  altri- 
ciai, youuj,'  dasypiedic.  Palate  schizo},'natUou.s.  Carotids  double.  Ejjgs,  two  or  more, 
colored. 

VIII.  TUBINARES.  Hind  toe  absent  or  very  rudinientary  ;  anterior  toes  fully  webbed. 
IJill  variable,  but  usually  nearly  cylindrical  or  compressed  (rarely  itepressed),  the  ter- 
minal portion  stronj;ly  hooked.  Xo.strils  tubular.  Habits  altriciai,  younj^  da-sypaxlic. 
Palate  schi/.ognathous.     Carotids  double.     E<,'gs,  never  more  than  one,  white. 

IX.  PTOOPODES.  Le-^s  inserted  far  backward,  the  tarsi  extremely  compressed.  Anterior 
toes  fully  webbed  or  else  8troni,dy  lobed  and  with  broad  flat  miiU  (Podicipida).  Rill 
extremely  variable.  Habits  jira'cocial  in  Podicipid(r  and  Culijtidiida-,  altriciai  in  Alfid(T  ; 
young  dasypa'dic.  Palate  schizoi^nathous.  Carotids  double,  except  in  Podicipida  and 
some  Akid(c  (c.  (/.,  genus  Alli). 

The  above  arrangement  is  not  strictly  natural,  but  the  division  of  Water  Birds  into  "  Waders  " 
and  "Swimmei-s"  is  adopted  for  the  convenience  of  the  student.  The  Oiilers  most  nearly  related 
are  tlie  Herodintus  and  Sligaiiopodes,  Limico!(e a\u\  Alectoruh.t,  Phcenicopteri  and  Ansereg,  and  Lomji- 
pcnncs  and  Tithiiiarrg.  Of  the  Pijucipodts  (which  as  here  defined  is  certainly  not  a  properly 
limited  group)  the  Alcidw  present  many  points  of  true  relationship  to  the  Tubinnrrs  and  Longi- 
pennes,  while  the  latter  are  not  far  removed  from  the  Limicolw.  The  Podicipidw  also  appear  to 
resemble  in  some  respects  (perhaps  only  teleological)  the  Ster/aiwjyodes. 

>  Young  birds  nro  gymnopwdic  when  naked  or  very  inioniplptely  covered  with  down  when  hatched  ; 
e.  g.,  the  young  of  all  Passcres,  Woodiieckore,  Pigeons,  etc. 


tally  fully) 
'odicipidu'). 


ip  provided 
i;rs  (more 
•oynathous. 


.re  reared  in 
hicks  of  the 


1  idthough 
icstic  Fowl 


i  ■  \ 


ill 


THE 


WAT  E  R    BIRDS 


OF 


NORTH    AMERICA. 


Order     HERODIONES/ 


ALTRICIAL   GRALLATORES. 


Char.  Altricial  Grallatores,  with  the  hallux  lengthened,  and  nearly  or  quite 
incumbent ;  in  habits  more  or  less  arboreal  (generally  nesting  on  trees,  while 
all  are  "Perchers").     Palate  desmoguathous.     Carotids  double. 

The  above  brief  diagnosis  is  sufficient  to  succinctly  characterize  this  eminently 
natural  group  of  birds.  The  Jhrodloncs,  Avhich  inchule  the  Boatbills  {Cuncromida'), 
Herons  (Ardt'!d(v),  Storks  (Clronlida'),  Ibises  (Ibididw),  and  .Spoonbills  (Flutaleidce), 
with  perhaps,  but  not  certainly,  some  other  nunor  groups,  are  at  once  distinguished 
from  the  Prttcocial  Grallatores  {Limlcolw,  Alectorides,  and  I'/iwnicojjtcri)  by  their 
altricial  nature,  the  young  being  comjiletely  helpless  at  birth,  and  having  to  be  reared 
in  the  nest,  instead  of  being  at  once  capable  of  active  movement  and  able  to  shift 
for  themselves,  although  thvy  folloiu  their  ])arents  for  a  considerable  time.  There  are 
also  important  peculiarities  of  the  osteological  and  anatomical  structure,  which  alone 
are  sufficient  to  demonstrate  the  fact  that  this  group  is  not  intimately  related  to 
other  Waders,  their  general  exterior  reseniblauce  to  them  being  one  of  analogy  and 
not  of  affinity.  According  to  Huxley  (P.  Z.  S.  1807.  4()1),  the  osteological  characters 
.  of  this  group  are  as  follows :  Ther"^  are  no  basipterygoid  processes ;  the  ])alatines 
■'Sare  usually  united  for  a  greater  or  Ibl^s  distance  behind  the  posterior  nares,  and  are 
destitute  of  a  vertical  plate  depending  from  their  junction;  the  maxillo-palatines 
large  and  spongy  ;  the  sternum  bioad,  and  with  two  to  four  posterior  notches.  The 
relation  between  the  phalanges  is  the  same  as  in  the  "  C/ten&morphw"  {=  Anatidfe) 
and  ^'AmpIiimorj)ha'"  (=  PlKPnicojJterl). 

The  Water  Birds  most  nearly  related  structurally  to  the  present  group  are  the 
Stcganopodcs.  —  Pelicans,  Cormorants,  Gannets,  and  their  allies,  —  which  are 
likewise  both  desmoguathous  and    altricial ;    and  what  is  an  important  fact    in 


vol,,  r.  —  1 


An  analysis  of  the  Orders  of  Water  BiiJs  is  given  on  pages  x,  xi. 


2 


ALTRICTAL  ORALLATORES  —  IlEUODIONES. 


this  coimcction  is  the  circuinstiiiii'c  thiit,  bt'siilcs  bciii},'  altricial,  thoy  are,  witli 
very  few  cxcoptions,  also  dccidi'dly  arboreal,  most  of  them  evi'U  jdaciiij,'  their 
nests  on  trees.  Tliey  an-  all  s-^vimmevs,  however,  instead  of  being  strietly  or  in 
l)art  waders. 

Withont  disenssing  further  the  characters  which  distinguish  this  ''order,"  wi- 
jiroceed  to  d  'tiue  the  families  into  which  it  seems  nu)st  naturally  divisible. 


ii'li: 


Synopsis  of  the  American  Herodionine  Families. 

A.  Ptcrvlie  very  iiiiitdw,  iiitiTsiKTsucl  willi  "iiowiler-dDWii ''  traits.     Hallux  porfirtly  iiicuiiihenl ; 

iuui'r  L'dgt'  of  middle  claw  distinctly  iicctiiiatcd.  {Hcrodiunta  ardcifurmts,  z=  Ilerodii, 
Sl'NDKV.  Meth.  Nat.  Av.  Disp.  Tent.  1H7:2,  U-2.) 

1.  Caucromidee.     I'nur  jiairs  nl'  iiowder-down  tiacts.     Bill  ^ircatly  deiirc^sed  ae.d  excessively 

dilated  laterally,  the  lateral  (mtlines  much  bowed  ;  gony.s  excessively  short,  not  lonjjtr 
than  the  wiiltli  of  the  mandilmlar  rami. 

2.  Ardeidae.     Two  to  three  pairs  of  jiowder-down  tracts.     l>ill  compressed,  elongnte-eonical, 

the  lateial  oatliues  slraij^'ht  or  even  a  little  concave  ;  the  vertical  outlines  nearly  straiylil, 
sbghlly  conv  x  terminally  ;  gonys  lengthened,  several  times  longer  than  the  width  of  the 
manitihular  rauii. 

B.  I'teryhe  liroad,  without  powder-down  tracts.     Hallux  elevated  at  the  lia-sc  above  the  base 

of  the  anterior  toes  ;  inner  edj^e  of  middle  (daw  not  pectinated  ;  claws  restliiy  vpon  a 
honnj,  cnscviitic  '■nlwc"  {Hcrodiimus  cicuiiii/niiius,  =  I'danji,  SfXUEV.  Meth.  Nat.  Av. 
Disp.  Tent.  187-',  1:2.$.) 
a.  Sides  of  the  maxilla  witlnuit  any  trace  of  lateral  groove.  Skull  holorhinal.  Angle  of  the 
maniliblu  truncau'd.  I'ectundis  nuijar  nuiscle  in  two  easily  .sei)aralde  layers,  l^o  acccss<inj 
femoro-caudid  muscle  ;  scmitemUnosus  nuiscle  tembnous  for  its  distal  half ;  hiccpa  cuhili 
and  teiicor  pdtitijii  Ioikjus  muscles  unconnectcMl.     ((J.vruoi),  P.  Z.  S.  187r),  801.) 

3.  Cicouiidae.     ]>ill  elongate-conical,  either  straight  or  curved  a  little  up  or  down  at  the  end. 
6.  Sides  of  the  maxilla  with  a  deep,  narrow  groove,  extending  uninterruptedly  from  the  na.sal 

fossiu  to  the  extreme  tip  of  the  bill.  Skull  schizorliiual.  Anglo  of  the  mandilile  jim- 
duced  and  decurved.  I'edomlis  mnjor  nuiscle  simiile  (not  separable  into  distinct  layers) ; 
accessonj  femoro-candid  muscle  well  developed  ;  semitendinogus  muscle  muscular  tliroiij,'li- 
out ;  biceps  cuhiti  and  tcnsnr  patafjii  hmgus  luuscle.s  connected  by  a  small  muscular  "  belly." 

((bvHROD.) 

4.  Ibldidae.     Bill  slender,  atteuuateil  terminally,  nearly  cylindrical  or  somewhat  compressed, 

conspicuously  decurved,  or  arched  above. 

5.  Flataleidae.     Bill  very  broad,  excessivcdy  deju'essed  and  greatly  expanded  terminally,  inucli 

narrowed  across  the  middle  iiortion,  the  extreme  tip  only  much  decurved. 


A. 


In  addition  to  the  above  well-defined  families,  all  of  Avhich  have  American 
rejiresentatives,  while  one  (Cunrromnhr)  is  jieculiarly  i'nerican,  there  are  sev- 
ei'al  others  which  probably  belong  to  the  I/owl ioncs,  but  which,  excepting  the 
Kiiri/p>/(/!(I(r  (Sun  Bitterns),  are  peculiar  to  the  Old  World,  and  may  therefore 
be  passed  by  withont  further  notice. 


Family  ARDEID.E.  —  The  Herons. 


Char.  Altricial  waders  havino;  the  bill  compressed,  pointed,  all  the  outliiu's 
nearly  straight ;  the  lores  and  orbits  naked ;  the  rest  of  the  head  (except,  some- 
times, the  malar  region,  or  part  of  the  throat)  feathered,  the  occiput  frequently 
with   ornamental   plumes.     Lower  part  of    the   neck,  back,   or    scapnlars,  fr(^- 


AHUKID.K  — THE   HERONS. 


3 


arc,  witli 
ciug  tlu'ii- 
ictly  or  in 

order,"  W' 
ble. 


•  incuuibeiil ; 
I,  i=  llcrodil, 

il  excessivt'ly 
t,  not  loi4;ti' 

ignte-conii'iil, 
arly  striiiylil, 
width  ol'  tlie 

lOve  the  l);ist' 
sting  upon  a 
Ah.  Nut.  Av. 

Aii{,'le  ol'  the 

No  accessonj 

1  hicvps  cuhiti 

n  at  the  eii<l. 
1)111  the  nasal 
iiaiulilile  ju'ii- 
tiiict  hiyi'i's) ; 
liar  tlirou;,'li- 
uhir  "  belly." 

t  compressed, 

liually,  imuli 


Amorican 
•e  are  sev- 
;t'pting  the 

therefore 


le  outlines 
3ept,  some- 
fre(|ueutl.v 
ulars,  fre- 


quently with  oriiaincntal  plumes.     Pluniage  {generally  haiulsoiao  and  variegated. 
Two  to  three  jiairs  of  powder-down  traets.     Other  charaeter.s  variable. 

The  Herons  are  amonj,'  the  most  wi(U'ly  dittu.sed  of  birds,  one  siiecies,  onr  eomnion 
Night  Heron  {yi/rflrora.r  ijrisrii.s),  being  nearly  or  «iuite  cosinoijolitan.  Many  of  the 
Old  World  fcn-nis  have  not  boen  examined  in  the  present  connection,  but  there 
is  good  reason  for  believing  that  the  number  of  sub-families  here  recognized  as 
rojircsented  in  America  can  be  consistently  increased. 

Sub-family  Ardelnee.  Outer  toe  eriual  to,  or  decideilly  longer  than,  the  inner.  Claw.s  u.^ually 
short,  generally  strongly  curved.  Three  pairs  of  powder-down  tracts.  Rectrices  lengthened, 
stitlish,  twelve  in  number  (except  in  /thrilnn). 

Sub-family  Botaurinee.  Outer  toe  decidedly  shorter  than  the  inner.  Claw.s  long,  slender,  slightly 
curved.     Two  puir.s  only  of  powder-dowu  tracts.     Rectrices  very  short,  soft,  only  ten  in  miniber. 

Synopsis  of  American  Genera.' 

«.  Sun-FAMiLY  AUDKIX.E.  —  Tni;  TnuE   Hkuoxs. 
A<    Rfctriccs  twelve;  tihiiv  u-ith  the  Imrer  portion  more  or  less  nnlMl. 
(I.  Pectoral  tmd  iwji'inid  powder-down  tracts  widely  separated. 
J.    Malar  region  completelij  feathered  (except  in  I'tlherodins,  where  anterior  part  is  biire).    Bill 
shorter  than  the  tarsus  and  middle  toe  (usually  shorter  than,  or  aiioiit  ('(pial  to,  the  tarsu.s). 

1.  Ardea.     Size  very  large.    Adnlt  with  scapular  iiliimes  elongated,  narrowly-lancecdute,  and 

with  comj)acl  webs;  in  the  breeding  seasaii,  the  occiput  with  two  long,  slender,  compact- 
webbed,  penilaiit  jduines.  Color  mainly  iilnmbeons- or  slate-l due  (rarely  —  c.  jf.  white 
phase  of  yl.  oecidentalis  —  wholly  pure  white).     C'ulnien  shorter  than  the  middle  toe. 

2.  Herodias.     Size  huge,  but  smaller  than  the  species  of  the  preceding  genus.     .l(?i(ZMvith 

the  scapular  plumos  greatly  elongated,  reaching  far  beyond  the  end  of  the  tail,  the  shafts 
thick  and  rigid,  the  webs  decomposed,  hair-like,  and  distant.     Cohir  entirely  pure  white. 

3.  Garzetta.    Size  small.     Adnlt  with  occipital,  jugular,  nu<l  scapular  plumes,  the  latter 

reaching  to  (n-  a  little  l)eyoiid  the  end  of  tin!  tail  ;  the  shafts  moderately  rigid,  and  re- 
curved terminally  ;  the  webs  decomposed,  with  long,  hair-like,  but  not  distant  libres 
Other  plumes  varying  in  structure,  according  to  the  species.  Color  entirely  pure  white. 
4  Dichromanassa.  Size  medium.  Adnlt  with  the  feathers  of  tin;  entire  head  and  neck, 
excepting  the  throat  and  foieiieck,  elongated,  linear,  lanceolate,  and  stitlish,  most  elon- 
gated on  the  occiput  and  jugulum.  Scapular  plumes  extending  beyond  eml  of  tail  ;  the 
shafts  rigid,  the  webs  decomposed,  with  rather  do.se,  hair-like  librilhe.  Color  wlndly 
pure  white,  or  plumbeous,  with  or  without  reddish  neck.  Tarsus  twice  as  long  as 
middle  toe. 

5.  Hydranaasa.     Size  medium.     Adult  with  an  occipital  tuft  of  .several  elongated,  laiiceidate 

white  feathers.  Jugular  featliei-s  broadly  lanceolate,  with  distinct  outlines.  Scapular 
plumes  hair-like,  extending  a  little  beyond  the  tail.  Color  mainly  plumbeous,  with  lower 
parts  and  rump  white.     Bill  longer  than  tarsus. 

6.  Florida.     Size  small.     Adult  with  scapular  plumes  elongated,  extondiug  to  or  beyond  end 

of  tail,  linear-huiceolate,  with  compact  webs  ;  jugular  plumes  similar  ;  occipital  pinnies 
hair-like,  a  few  of  them  much  elongated.  Color  pure  white,  with  bluish  ti|)s  to  outer 
primaries,  dark  slate-blue  with  maroon-colored  head  and  neck,  ov  variously  "  patched  " 
with  blue  and  white. 

7.  Butoridea.     Size  small.     Adult  with  scapular  iihimes  elongated,  compact-webbed,  lance- 

olate, but  with  rounded  tips.  Feathers  of  the  pileum  elongated,  lanceohite.  Jugular 
plumes  broad,  blended.  Culmen  longer  than  tarsus  ;  middle  toe  almost  ecjual  to  tarsus. 
Color  much  variegated. 

*  The  genera  enclosed  in  bnickets  are  cxtraliinital. 


w^^ 


I    !!■ 


IT'''; 


4  ALTRK'IAL  GRALLATORES  —  IIERODIOXES. 

8.  [Syrlgma.J    Size  medium.     Ailnll  witii  several  elni);,'ute(l,  iinrrow,  compnet-webbed,  round- 

tipped,  Hoiiu'wlmt  rij,'id  and  .nli^'litly  recurved  idiimes  on  lower  part  of  occiput.  Jugular 
feathers  soft,  broad,  l)lended.  No  seapular  plumes.  Culmon  ul)out  e(]ual  to  middle  toe. 
Color  mucii  variegated,  the  tail  and  lower  parts  white. 

9.  [Pilberodiua.J     Size  medium.     Orbits  and  anterior  i)art  of  malar  region  naked.     Occiput 

with  two  extn^niely  elongated  linear,  compact-webbed  plumes.  Jugular  plumes  broad, 
blended.  No  scapular  jdunies.  Color  white,  the  crown  and  occiput  black.  Middle  toe 
shorter  tiian  culmen  ;  culmen  sl",rter  than  tarsus. 

10.  Nyotioorax.     Size  medium.     Adult  with  several  extremely  elongated  linear,  compact- 

webbed  occipital  plumes.  No  scapular  jilumes.  Jugular  feather-<  broad,  blended.  Cul- 
men about  eipial  to  tarsus  ;  tai-sus  slightly  longer  than  middle  loe.  Lateral  outlines  of 
bill  cducave  ;  gonys  nearly  straight.     Adult  and  young  exceedingly  dilferent  in  plumage. 

11.  Nyctherodius.     Size  medium.     .!(/»/<  with  several  extremely  elongated  linear,  compact- 

webbed  occipital  plumes.  Scapular  plumes  elongated,  narrow,  round-tii)peii,  the  webs 
somewhat  decomposed.  Jugular  feathers  broad,  blended.  Culmen  much  shorter  than 
tarsus  (a  little  longer  than  middle  toe)  ;  tarsus  much  longer  than  mid(lle  toe.  Color 
much  variegated.  Lateral  outlines  of  the  bill  straight ;  gonys  very  conv.  /.  Adult  nnd 
young  e.\ceedingly  different  in  plumage. 

§§.     Malar  region  entirely  naked.     Hill  lonyer  than  tarsus  and  middle  toe. 

12.  [Agamia.]     Size  medium.     Bill  extremely  elongated,  narrow,  and  compressed.     Adult 

with  greatly  elongated,  broadly  lanceolate,  acute  occipital  plumes  ;  lower  back  with  simi- 
lar, but  more  loosely  webbed,  plumes  overhanging  rump.     Sides  of  neck  with  recurved, 
sickle-shaped,  narrow,  and  acute  plumes.  Jugular  feathers  broad,  blended.   Tarsus  nearly 
twice  middle  toe. 
6.  Pectoral  and  imjutnal  2}ovjder-down  tracts  imited  into  a  continuous  strip, 

13.  [Tlgrisoma.]     Malar  region  and  throat  naked,  the  latter  with  or  without  a  medial  feath- 

ered strip.  Tarsits  with  hexagonal  scutellw  in  front.  Outer  toe  longer  than  inner  ;  claws 
short,  strongly  curved.     Plumage  much  variegated ;  feathers  of  neck  loose,  "fluffy." 

B«  Rectriccs  ten.     TibUc  with  the  lower  portion  completely  feathered.     Pectoral  and  inguinal  powder- 
down  tracts  widely  separated.     Malar  region  completely  feathered. 

14.  [Zebrilus.]    Size  very  small  (among  the  smallest  of  Herons).     Plumage  exceedingly  lax 

and  "  fluffy."  Bill  and  feet  very  small.  Culmen  about  ecpial  to  tarsus,  both  longer  than 
miildle  toe  ;  outer  toe  longest.  Plumage  dull,  with  transverse  undulations  of  dusky  and 
light  fulvous. 

6.  ScB-FAMii.Y  BOTAURIN.E.  —  TuK  Bittkrks. 

15.  Botaurus.    Size  medium,  or  rather  large.     Sexes  similar  ;  young  similar  to  adult. 

16.  Ardetta.     Size  extremely  small   (the   smallest  of  Herons).      Sexes  dissimilar   (in   all 

species  I) ;  young  slightly  different  from  adult. 


ii'Hl 


Genus  ARDEA,  Linn'.eu.s. 

Ardea,  Link.  S.  N.  I.  1735;  cd.  12,  I.  1766,  233  (type,  A.  cincrca,  Li\n.). 
Atidubonia,  Bonap.  Consp.  II.  1855,  113  (type,  Ardea  occidentalis,  AuD.). 

Chaii.  Herons  of  largest  size  (of  Stork-like  stature),  the  adults  distinguished  by  lengthened, 
narrowly-lanceolate,  acute  Jugular  and  scapular  jdumes  (tlie  former  rather  rigid,  the  latter  over- 
h.anging  the  wings  and  rumj)) ;  a  tuft  of  broad  feathers  on  each  side  the  breast  (having  a  different 
color  from  adjacent  parts),  and,  in  the  breeding  season,  by  the  presence  of  two  or  three  extremely 
lengthened,  narrow,  pendant,  occipital  plumes. 

Culmen  almost  straight ;  gonys  ascending,  more  or  less  convex,  about  equal  in  length  to  the  man- 
dibular rami ;  upper  and  lower  outlines  of  the  bill  parallel  for  the  basal  half.  Mental  apex  anterior 
to  half-way  between  point  of  bill  and  anterior  angle  of  the  eye ;  frontal  apex  a  little  posterior  to 


I 


AUUEID.E  -  'Tin:   IIKHOXS  -  ARDEA. 


6 


tlu>  nostrils  and  sli;,'litl.v  nntorior  to  tlif  malar  apex*  Miildlo  toe  more  timn  half  tliu  tarsus,  and 
iibout  etiuiil  to  Ijari'  |iorlioii  of  tiliia  ;  outer  toe  reaching,'  to  ahniit  the  niiddle  of  the  penultimate 
piialanx  of  the  middle  toe  ;  inner  toe  decidedly  shorter,  reaehinj;  only  to  the  second  articulation  of 
the  middle  toe  ;  hallax  a  little  lon^,'er  than  the  basal  phalanx  of  the  outer  toe  ;  claws  rather  ehort, 


A.  herodias 

strongly  curved.  Front  of  tarsus  with  broad,  transverse  scutellcc,  in  single  series,  for  upper  half. 
Pileum  crested,  the  feathers  of  the  crown  and  occiput  being  elongated,  lanceolate,  and  decurved. 
Primaries  reaching  decidedly  beyond  tertials.  Second,  third,  and  fourth  quills  nearly  equal,  and 
longest ;  first  longer  than  tifth  ;  inner  webs  of  outer  three  slightly  siuuated  near  ends. 


Synopsis  of  the  American  Species.' 

Com.  Char.  Above  bluish-i)lumbeous,  the  penicillate  scapular  plumes  more  hoary ;  remiges 
and  rectrices  slate-color.  Lower  parts  longitudinally  strijied  with  black  and  white.  Young  with- 
out any  plumes,  and  with  the  colors  much  duller,  the  pattern  badly  defined. 

At   Tibia:  and  border  of  tin:  wiwj  purplish-cinnamon  or  rufous. 

1.  A.  occideutalis.    Pileum  and  occipital  jilunies,  with  rest  of  head,  white  ;  forehead  streaked 

with  black.  Sovwtinies  whole  plumage  pure  white!  C'ulnien,  6.40-6.75;  tarsus,  8.00- 
8.7;")  ;  wing,  I!).()()-21.()0.     Hah.  Florida  to  Southern  Illinois  ;  Cuba  ;  Jamaica. 

2.  A.  Wardi.     Similar  to  ,1.  occideutalis,  the  white  phase  apparently  undi.stinguishable,  but 

colored  [jhase  combining  the  head-pattern  of  A.  herodias  with  light-colored  under-parts 
and  large  size  of  "U'iirdemnum."  Culmen,  6.50-7.00 ;  tarsus,  8.50-9.00;  wing,  20.00- 
■20.50.     Hab.  Southwestern  Florida. 

3.  A.  herodias.     Pileum  and  occipital  plumes  black  ;  forehead  and  central  feathers  of  the 

crown  white  ;  culmen,  4.;j0-6.25  ;  tarsu.s,  6.00-8.25  ;  wing,  17.90-20.00.  Hab.  North 
America  in  general ;  Middle  America  ;  Galapagos  ;  Venezuela  ;  West  Indies. 

1  The  terms  "mental  apex,"  "malar  npex,"  aiul  "frontal  apex"  are  here  employed  to  denote  the 
apices,  or  points,  of  the  feathering  of  the  liead  at  the  ba.se  of  the  bill. 

*  Of  the  exotic  species  properly  referable  to  this  gcnu.s,  we  have  .seen  only  A.  purpurea,  Linn.  (Euro- 
pean). This  sccnis  to  be  strictly  congeupric  as  to  details  of  form,  except  that  the  claws  are  much  length- 
ened ;  but  it  has  a  very  difl'erent  system  of  coloration. 


:»,«„, 


.i:/ 


Q  ALTRICIAL  GIIALLATOUES  — IIERODIONES. 

B«   Tibiw  and  border  of  the  wing  white. 

4.  A.  cinerea.     I'ilcum  aixl  occiiiitiil  jduincs  bkck  ;  forclicad  niitl  cptitro  of  crown  white  (ii^ 

ill  A.  heroiliiin).     Ntrk  riiu'ivous.     CiiiiiicM,  4.80;  tursuH,  G.tKMi.iJ ;  wing,  I8.fil».  Halj. 

Europe,  etc.     Accidi-ntal  in  Southern  (irecnhind. 
[5.  A.  cocoi.']    Entires  iiiicuni  (indudini,'  lorclK iid,  etc.)  nnd  occipital  plumes  Mack.     Neck 

white.    (Julnicn,  5.«5-(i.76  ;  tarsus,  7.:i(.>-8.CK.» ;  wing,  18.50-19.60.    llaO.  South  America 


Ardea  occidentalis. 

THE  OBEAT  WHITE  HEBON ;  WttBDEUAKirB  REBOH. 

a.  White  i)li(ise. 

Ardea  oecidenMii,  Atrn.  Orn.  Biog.  III.  1835,  542;  V.  1839,  590  |  Synop.  1839,  264;  W.  Am.  VI. 
1843,  111),  1)1.  308.  —  CouKS,  Key,  1872,  2(i7  ;  Clicck  List,  1873,  no.  451  ;  2d  cd.  1882,  no.  050. - 
Sci,.  &  Sai.v.  Noni.  Ncotr.  1873,  125.  —  Kidow.  Bull,  U.  S.  Gcol.  &  ticog.  Survey  Terr.  IV.  no.  1, 
1878,  227  (critiad).  —  linuiW.  Noiii.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  48(i. 

Audttbiinia  oceidoitalh,  Bonat.  t'onsp.  II.  1855,  113.  —  Baiiid,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  670;  Cat.  N.  Am. 

B.  1859,  no.  489. 

b.  Colored  phase, 

Ardea  U'ilrdemaiinii,  BAinn,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  669;  cd.  1860,  pi.  86  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1869,  no.  488. 

—  CouES,  Key,  1872,  207  ;  Check  Li.st,  1873,  no.  450. 

Had.  The  "Austroriparian"  region*  of  eastern  North  America,  from  Florida  to  Southern 
Illinois  (Waba.sh  River) ;  Januiica. 

Sp.  Char.  («.  White  ])h(m;  =  occidentalis,  Avd.).  yWit/^*  Entire  plumage  pure  white.  "Pjill 
yellow,  the  upper  mandible  dusky  green  at  the  base  ;  loral  space  yellowisli-greeu  ;  orbital  spac(^ 
light  blue  ;  iris  bright  yellow.  Tibia  and  hind  part  of  tarsus  yellow  ;  fore  part  of  tibia  [tarsus  >.] 
olivaceous  ;  sides  of  latter  greenisli  yellow  ;  claw.s  light  brown"  (Audubon,  I.  c.).'  Yoitng ;  Simi- 
lar in  color  to  the  adult,  but  destitute  of  any  plumes. 

*  Ardea  cocoi,  Liun. 

Ardcii  cocoi,  Linn.  S.  N.  I,  1706,  237.  — BoNAr.  Consp.  II.  18,').'5,  110.  —  Okay,  llnnd-list.  III.  1871, 
27,  no.  10103.  —Sru  &  Salv.  Xom.  Neotr.  1873,  125.  —  Boitakd,  Cat.  Av.  1870,  49,  no.  1372, 

—  Kidow.  Bull.  U.  S.  Gei>l.  &  Geog.  Survey  Terr.  IV.  no.  1,  1878,  244  (critical). 
Ardea fuscicollis,  Vieili,.  Nouv.  Diet.  XIV.  1817,  410. 

Ardea  soco,  Vieill.  t.  c.  423  (ex  Lath.). 

1  Ardea  major,  FitAsEii,  1'.  Z  S.  1843,  110  (Cliili). 

Ardea  pi umbca,  Mi'.iiitEM.  Krsch.  Gruljcr's  Encycl.  V.  1820,  177.—  Reiciienow,  J.  F.  0.  1877,  204. 

Ardea  maguari,  Si'ix,  Av.  Bras.  II.  1825,  171. 

Ardea  })alliata,  "Illig."  Waol.  Syst.  Av.  1827,  Ardea  sp.  2. 

*  From  the  fact  of  this  species  having  lieen  observed  nt  Jlount  Cnrmel,  Illinois,  on  several  occasions,  ii 
is  inferred  that  its  range  may  comprehend  the  Austroriparian  region,  or  Louisianian  fauna  in  general, 
although  jirobably  nowhere  common,  except  in  parts  of  Florida. 

'  The  following  measurements  are  given  by  Audubon  :  — 

^ :  "Length  to  end  of  tail,  54  inches  ;  to  end  of  wings,  54  ;  to  end  of  claws,  70  j  extent  of  wings,  83: 


\\ 


AUDKID.*:  -  THE  HERONS  -  A IIDEA.  7 

6.  lihwphm  (=  ''U'iinkmauiii"  ]\.\uw). 

Adult:  Entire  hcml,  inclmliiiK  occiintal  .n-st,  imiv  white  ;  tiic  1.  ivhcad  strwikf.l  with  Muck  (the 
r.iitlu'M  i'ilj,'c(l  witli  l.hu'k,  tiu-  median  M\\\h'  luin^'  wliiie).  Al«l.>nifn  and  crissiini  \>\\\i'  white,  tlu- 
runner  Hparsely  Htreaked  with  l.laek  (these  stieal:^  on  the  inner  e.l-e  III'  llie  feathers,  and  broader 
anteriorly) ;  crissiini  iniinacuhite.  Neek  deeii  viohiceoii.'^-diah  (dnrker  and  more  viohiceoua  than  in 
.1.  Ii.roiliiu  anil  endin;,'  ahnost  aljuiplly  a^jainst  the  wl  if  the  h-aii)  ;  tlie  throat  with  a  narrow 
series'  of  l)hiek  and  riifons  danlie.s  on  a  white  ),'ronnd  ;  i>Iunies  of  llie  hiwer  neek  white,  most  of  them 
edh'L'd  witii  black,  bnt  tbu  lunyer  without  ^jrayish  tin;{u.    Lateral  jugular  tufts  blue-black,  witli 


Southern 


wide  median  stripes  of  pure  white.  Upper  parts  exactly  a**  in  A.  herodias,  except  that  the  lower 
win^j-coverts  have  conspicuous  median  streaks  of  white,  wliile  the  edj,'e  of  the  winj,'  from  the  carpus 
back  is  irhiti;  tinj,'ed  with  rufous,  instead  of  irhollij  rufous.  Tibial  feathers  paler  rufous  than  in 
A.  herodias,  j,'ro\vin)^  almost  white  next  the  body  on  the  inner  side.  Naked  tiliiro  yrUow ;  niuler 
side  of  toes  i/(7/()i(' ;  rest  of  lej^s  ;  id  feet  wlhu-ish-oliiv,  Youuy :  Similar  to  youn^'  i>(  A.  herodias, 
but  lesser  winj,'-coverts  widely  tipped  witli  lirij,'hl  I'erruj^inous,  producin;,'  thereby  a  conspicuous 
spottin;,'  of  this  color  ;  all  the  lower  wing-coveils,  larj,'u  and  small,  witii  a  lftr},'e,  terminal,  wedge- 
shapeil  >ipot  of  white.  Forehead  and  crown  dusky  slate-color,  most  of  the  feathers  with  whitish 
shafts;  occipital  ]il(inies  all  whitisli  at  tiie  base,  only  the  ends  bein;,'  dusky. 

Win},',  21.(M);  tail,  8.00;  culmen,  (!.-4o  ;  depth  of  bill  (throU',']!  middle  of  nostrils),  1.15;  naked 
portion  of  tibia,  5.50;  tarsus,  8.(K);  middle  toe,  4.80.     [Type,  No.  8G90,  South  Florida.] 

The  specimen  described  above  as  the  youuf,'  of  .1.  "  If "iirdcnuuini"  is  a  very  younj;  bird,  with  the 
downy  tilametits  still  adherinj,'  to  the  tips  of  all  the  feathers  of  the  crown,  and  with  the  remiges 
only  half  grown  out.  It  is  much  larger  than  any  .specimens  of  ,1.  herodias  of  corresponding  age, 
the  culmen  measuring  5.15,  the  tibia  5.00,  the  tarsus  7.80,  and  the  middle  toe  -1.(50.  The  ])lumage 
is  even  more  different :  In  the  young  of  A.  herodias,  the  dusky  of  the  crown  includes  the  entire 
ujiper  half  of  the  head,  the  occiput  being  wholly  blackish  and  the  cheeks  slaty  ;  in  the  specimen 
under  consideration  the  cheeks  are  entirely  white,  like  the  throat,  and  the  occipital  feathers  white, 
tipped  with  dusky,  thus  restricting  the  continuous  dusky  to  the  forehead  and  crown.  The  con- 
spicuous white  spots  ou  the  wing-coverts  agree  with  the  similar  but  smaller  markings  seen  in  the 
adult  of  A.  "  U'iirdemanni,"  but  wanting  in  all  ages  and  stages  of  A.  herodias. 

The  identity  of  Ardea  Wilrdeminni,  I'aird,  with  A,  occidentalis,  AfDUBON,  although  not  proven, 
is  inferred  from  a  number  of  circumstances  and  coincidences  iu  the  history  of  each,  which,  together 


wing  from  flexure,  19  ;  tail,  7  ;  bill  along  the  back,  ej  ;  along  the  edges,  82  ;  bare  part  of  tibia,  6  ;  tarsus, 
8i ;  middle  toe,  418  ;  its  claw,  IS.     Weight,  94  lbs." 

?:  *'  Length  to  end  of  tail,  50  ;  to  end  of  wings,  50  ;  to  end  of  claws,  65  ;  extent  of  wings,  75  ;  wing 
from  flexure,  182  ;  tail,  6}  ;  bill  along  the  back,  518  ;  along  the  edges,  72  ;  its  depth  at  base,  1ft  ;  tarsus, 
7i  ;  middle  toe,  4i  ;  its  claw,  A.     Weight,  7i  lbs."  — Aun. 


8 


ALTRICIAL  (UlAM.ATOltKS—  HKHODIONKS. 


with  tht'ir  entire  similarity  of  Hizo  ami  form,  rentier  it  extri'mcly  proliablo  that  the  cane  of  Anlm 
riifd,  lt()(l<laert,  aiitl  .1."  I'mlii"  ISonaiiiirtc,  is  rcpt'iitfcl  in  tlic  pri'Mcnt  instanei'  ;  thu.iu  twoHUpiiusfcl 
si)ecies  in  all  i)r()l)al)ility  iK'in^,  an  has  hccn  inconlestahly  i>ri(Ven  with  rnfa  ami  "  I'mlti,"  "dichrn- 
inatic "  phaseH  of  the  wimu  HiieciuH.  The  facts  Itearinj,'  directly  njinn  the  ciwc  have  already  been 
(,'iven  at  length  elsewhere,'  and  ari'  too  voluminoUH  to  reiaiHlnie  hiiv. 


M'!' 


|i 


I 


I : 


The  Groat  White  Ht'voii,  so  far  a8  wo  arc  awan",  lias  a  rt'sidcin-i'  rcHtrlctcd  to 
Florida  and  the  West  India  IwlandH.  It  was  first  nu't  with  l»y  Mr.  Aiidulion  at  Indian 
Key,  Floriihi,  in  April,  IS,'}!'.  Alth()uj,'h  Kt'ii*'>"ill.V  nnniuii'sti'd  l)y  nnm  at  that  time, 
he  found  it  shy,  and  extrenudy  ditKcult  to  procure.  Sonu'tinu's  it  wcmhl  rise  when 
at  the  distant^'  of  half  a  mile,  and  Hy  out  of  si>,'lit ;  and  it  was  inipossihle  to  approa<li 
one  while  perched  or  standing,'  in  the  water,  lie  found  it  a  constant  rcsich'ut  on  tlie 
Florida  Keys,  and  nn)re  aliundant  there  duriii},'  the  iu'cediuf,'  sca.son  than  anywhere 
else.  It  was  rare  as  far  eastward  as  Cape  Florida.  It  has,  however,  been  seen  in 
Southern  Illinois,  and  may  have  a  more  extended  distrihntion.  It  ))airs  early  in 
March,  Imt  nniny  did  iu)t  lay  their  eggs  until  the  miihlh'  of  April,  Their  nests  were 
usually  found  at  considerable  distancre  from  each  other,  although  nuiny  were  found 
on  the  .same  keys.  They  were  generally  oidy  a  few  feet  above  high-water  mark,  were 
quite  large,  averaging  about  three  feet  in  diameter,  built  of  sticks,  without  any  lining, 
quite  fiat,  and  several  inclu's  thick.  He  was  infornu'd  that  incubation  lasted  abo\it 
thirty  days.  Hoth  birds  sit,  the  female  being  the  most  assiduous,  with  their  legs 
stretched  out  before  them.  The  young,  from  ten  days  to  a  month  old,  showed  no 
signs  of  a  crest,  and  were  pure  white,  with  a  tinge  of  cream-color;  and  even  those 
that  had  been  kept  nn)re  than  a  year  exhibited  nothing  of  the  kind.  It  is  described 
as  quite  sedate,  and  less  animated  than  the  /irroitlns.  It  walks  with  firmness  ami 
great  elegance,  collects  in  flocks  at  its  breeding  grounds,  soinetinu's  a  hundred  or 
more  being  s«'en  together,  betaking  themselves  to  the  nuid-flats  and  sandbars  at  :i 
distance  from  the  keys,  on  which  they  roost  and  breed.  It  is  diurnal  in  its  habits,  as 
our  observations  appeared  to  show.  While  on  the  banks  it  stands  motionless,  wait- 
ing until  its  prey  conu'S  near ;  and  then  it  strikes  it  and  swallows  it  alive,  or  when 
large  beats  it  on  the  water  or  shakes  it  violently.  It  renuiins  on  its  feeding-ground 
until  driven  off  by  the  tidi>.  When  roosting  it  stands  on  one  foot,  the  other  being 
lifted  up,  draws  in  its  long  neck,  and  places  its  head  tinder  its  wing.  When  sur- 
prised it  leaves  its  perch  with  a  rough  croaking  sound,  and  flies  directly  to  a  great 
distance,  but  never  inland.  Its  flight  is  said  to  be  iirm,  regular,  ami  greatly  pro- 
tracted. It  propels  itself  by  regular  slow  flaps,  the  head  being  drawn  in  after  it  has 
proceeded  a  few  yards,  and  its  legs  exteiuled  behind.  It  occasionally  rises  high  in 
the  air,  where  it  sails  in  wide  circles,  and  rarely  re-alights  without  performing  this 
circling  flight. 

Mr.  Audubon  carried  several  of  these  herons,  taken  when  quite  young,  alive  witli 
him  to  Charleston.  Two  that  had  been  allowed  the  liberty  of  the  deck  killed  and 
devoured  the  young  of  other  and  smaller  species ;  and  Avhen  placed  in  a  coop  witli 
young  of  the  hemdias,  would  have  killed  the  latter  if  they  had  not  been  separated. 
Two  others,  which  had  been  kept  in  conflnement  on  Indian  Key,  he  found  with  their 
bills  very  much  broken  by  the  force  with  which  they  struck  at  the  flsh  thrown  to 
them  on  the  rock  of  their  enclosure.  They  never  evinced  the  least  animosity  towards 
one  another,  but  would  on  every  occasion  seek  to  attack  and  kill  those  of  other 


1  Sec  Bulletin  of  the  U.  S.  Geol.  &  Gcog.  Survey  of  tlie  Territories,  Vol.  IV.  No.  1  (Feb.  .''.,  1878), 
pp.  229-236,  uml  Bulletin  of  tlie  Nuttall  Oriiithologiial  Club,  Vol.  VII.  No.  1  (January,  1882), 
pp.  1-6. 


m 


AKDKIU.K  -  THK   HERON'S  -  AHDKA,  0 

^"  "^  ^''"'''1'  Hporii's.     Four  rciidii'd  Cliuilt-ston  iilivi-,  and  wi'it-  kept  hoiiic  tiino  by  Pr.  Baohmaii, 

"  "'aklirii  ^^''-  <^''''''^''^'  '""I  '^''-  ^Vilsuii.     Tht's;-  provi'd  to  Ik-  troublcsomo  pets,  devouring  bucdi 

I'muly  bttii  quantitifs  of  ti.sli  that  it  was  difficult  to  provide  for  them.  They  woidd  strike  at 
and  kill  ehiekeiis,  ducks,  and  grown  fowl,  and  in  one  instance  stallted  throu},'h  and 
pinned  to  the  wooden  steps  of  the  veranda  a  sleeping  cat.     They  even   pursued 

tricted  to  and  threatened  the  children;  and  it  bfcanie  necessary  to  ilestroy  them, 

lit  Indian  Dr.  Hryant  met  with  this  Heron  in  Florida  in  only  two  places.     One  of  tliese  was 

that  time.  on  the  headwaters  of  the  St.  Sebastian,  where  it  was  breeding  in  comi)any  with  the 

rise  when  Wood  Ibis;   the  other  was  on  a  small  island  in  Lake  Jessup,  without  any  other 

I  approacli  birds.     The  attachment  of  this  sju'cies  to  its  i)reeding-place  was  strikingly  shown 

iMit  on  the  at  this  island.     About  a  month  before  Dr.  Jtryant's  visit  a  dense  tangled  growth 

anywhere  of   coarse  marsh  grasses  and  bushes,  with  which  it  was  covered,  had  been  acci- 

■H  seen  in  dentally  set  on  fire,  and  numy  of  the  birds  and  the  majority  of  the  nests  destroyed. 

i  early  in  At  the  time  of  his  visit  the  latter  had  been  rebuilt,  and  the  birds  were  again  sit- 

iiests  well'  ting  on  their  eggs.     In  the  few  nests  which  had  not  been  destroyed,  and  in  most 

•ere  found  instances  had  been  blackened  by  the  tire,  the  young  were  already  hatched  and  nearly 
nark  were              ^     l''i't  gi'own.     He  found  it  breeding  on  many  of  the  Keys.     Two  nests  were  rarely 

my  liniu".  8''*'"  "^''i'"  ''^'"1^  other,  and  oidy  in  one  instance  <lid  he  find  two  within  twenty  feet  of 

sted  about  one  another.     They  did  not  seem  to  object  to  the  company  of  other  species,  as  he 

their  le^'s  found  one  on  the  same  bush  with  a  nest  of  a  (ireat  IJlue  Heron;  and  at  Sandy  Key, 

ihowed  m>  ''''''''  ^'^>*~'  ^able,  he  found  several  jtairs  breeding  on  tlie  cacti,  whii'h  were  growing 

■ven  those  amidst  trees  covered  with  the  nests  of  the  Louisiana  Heron.     He  never  .saw  more 

described  *'•'"'  ^^'t*  "i"  ^^^  individuals  feeding  near  each  other,  and  regarded  it  as  much  more 

mness  and  solitary  than  the  hfroi/liKi,  as  the  latter  is  than  other  species,  and  as  by  far  the  wildest 

undred  or  ^'''^1  "^  '^**  genus  with  which  he  was  acciuainted.     As  he  found  many  of  its  young 

Ibars  at  ii  nearly  fledged  by  the  L'Oth  of  April,  and  as  at  that  time  none  at  the  Keys  were  less 

,  i,.^ijits  [IS  than  half  grown,  and  all  older  than  the  young  of  the  herodius,  he  thinks  it  must  com- 

iless  wait-  nience  laying  by  the  1st  of  February. 

I'  or  when  According  to  Mr.  March,  this  species  occurs  occasionally  in  Jamaica,  but  is  rare 

n"-trrounil  ^^  *'''^*  island.     It  may  always  be  readily  recognized  by  its  superior  size,  the  absence 

ler  bein"  ^^  occipital  plumes,  and  by  the  lengthened  feathers  of  the  back  of  the  head.     It  is 

/hen  sur-  regarded  as  a  straggler.     Mr.  Audubon  states  that  the  eggs  are  always  three  in  num- 

to  a  great  ^*^'''  "I'^'i'*"!'^  two  and  three  quarters  inches  in  length,  and  one  and  two  thirds  inches 

■atlv  pro-  *"  breadth,  and  have  a  rather  thick  shell  of  a  uniform  plain  light  bluish-green  color. 

ter  it  has  -^'^  ^^'o  "'  "'^  collection  (No.  L'8."))  collected  by  Mr.  Audubon  in  18,'{L',  is  of  a  slightly 

j^  jjj„]j  i,,  oblong  oval  shape,  and  nearly  ecpially  rounded  at  either  end.     Its  color  is  somewhat 

min"  this  faded,  but  seems  to  have  been  a  light  wash  of  Prussian  blue  mingled  with  rather 

more  than  the  usual  proportion  of  green  than  in  most  of  the  eggs  of  the  Heron  fani- 

alive  witli  *^'^'     ^^  nieasures  li.To  inches  in  length,  and  LOO  inches  in  breadth,  having  the  same 

cilled  and  length,  but  a  greater  breadth,  than  in  the  measurements  given  by  Mr.  Audubon. 

coon  witli  '^'^'^  ^^"*^  known  us  A.  Wiifthnnanni,  which  Mr.  Kidgway  regards  as  merely  the 

separated.  colored  phase  of  this  species,  is  even  more  rare  than  the  white  form  called  occidcn- 

rt'ith  their  '"''"*'•     ^^^  habits  may  be  safely  presumed  to  be  not  essentially  different  from  those 

thrown  to  °*  either  of  these  two  species.     So  far  as  known,  its  residence  seems  to  be  confined 

V  towards  *°  Southern  Florida  and  to  the  AVest  India  Islands.     It  is  enumerated  by  Mr.  March 

of  other  ^^  ""^  '^^  *^"^  ^'""^^"'^  "*  Jamaica,  where  the  fishermen  and  the  gunners  on  the  coast 

regard  it  as  the  male  of  the  hevodlus  in  its  summer  plumage.     Mr.  March's  obser- 

b.  5^  i878)_  vations  led  him  to  the  conclusion  that  the  two  are  entirely  distinct  species.     Eggs 

lary,   1882),  ^^^  this  species  collected  by  Mr.  Maynard  in  Southern  Florida  are  more  rounded  than 

^the  eggs  of  most  of  the  Heron  family,  and  have  the  same  uniform  color  of  light 

;S  VOL.   I.  —  2 


M. 


10  ALTUirrAI,  fiHAr.LATOHKS- HKHoniON'KS. 

KhmmiIhIi    I'mssiaii  blui'.      Tluy  mcuMiii'i'  'J.'JH  inclifs  in  k'iit,'th  l»y  I.H5  inches  in 

lUfillltll. 

Mr.  \.  II.  .Mtidiv  (Ir-oMis  it  iii;,'lilv  |iri>lnililf  tliat  liii'  hinls  now  Htandinp,' as  A.  Wiir- 
lirmiiinil  may  innvc  to  !«•  only  a  ran'  ami  (•l('j,'ant  variety  oi'  /iiniiUns.  He  was  liii 
to  tliiri  (■onciiisiitii  l)y  t-.xamininK'.  at.  a  ilistaiu'c  of  alxmt  a  iinn<lri'<l  yards,  a  tiork  ot 
Herons  wiiii'li  sermnl  to  iiim  to  rorn'S|ion(i  with  tlir  ili'scription  of  this  ran>  variety, 
ami  yet  to  li;'  ratlier  varieties  of,  tlian  a  spt'cies  ditferinj,'  from,  tlie  tnu-  /ii  rut/Ins.  We 
ai)riil;,'e  iiis  acconnt :  Seated  in  shade  of  a  huneli  of  "saw-nniss,"  near  a  ]>ond  uhoiit 
iialf  a  niih'  from  Sarasota  Hay,  Keli.  I'O.  1H74,  lie  saw  a  (Jreat  JMne  Heron  dewend  ami 
|iereii  on  a  Imsli.  Ity  tiie  aid  of  a  s|iy-t,dass  he  was  'ii)h'  to  see,  on  wiiat  seemed  to  lie 
a  trne  .1.  /irrni/lns,  an  oceipital  wiiite  plnme  nearly  ioni'  inches  in  len^'th.  In  a  few 
miinites  three  others  appeared ;  one  had  a  head  that  was  pnre  white  in  every  part, 
and  occipital  pinnies  of  the  same  color,  sI.k  or  seven  inches  lonj,'. 

He  spent  the  remainder  ot  the  day  watching  their  movements,  and  at  altont  snn- 
down  the  stranp'  liirds  rose  and  Hew  away  towards  the  north  without  coniin;,'  within 
the  roach  of  his  },'nn  or  nearer  than  ahont  ei{,'hty  yards.  During  five  hcnirs  of  obser- 
vation he  saw  it  in  every  position  and  under  every  jiossiiile  direction  of  siinheam  and 
shadow.  The  heail  was  entirely  a  pure  white,  as  were  also  the  occipital  streamers. 
The  lower  i)arts  appeared  to  l»e  white.'  than  those  of  its  adult  (omiianion.  The 
ui)per  ]tarts  of  shonlders,  hack,  and  lanceolate  plumes  seemed  rather  li},diter  ami 
nuu'o  silvery  than  those  (d'  the  other.  The  tibial  feathers  in  both  were  riifons,  ami 
lK)th  iiad  black  at  the  lower  neck  where  uncovered  at  the  carpus.  The  upper  parts 
of  the  neck  in  both  were  washed  in  cinnamon,  and  both  had  the  m'ck  below  an  ashy 
lilae.  llail  he  seen  it  by  itself  or  in  any  other  eomjiany  than  .1.  /irrtK/lun,  he  would 
have  unhesitatin^dy  rcj,'arded  it  as  an  elc.ifant  specimen  of  .1.  \\'iir<l(iii(iiiiil. 

Aiiplyin^^  what  he  considers  a  never-failing'  test — the  habits  of  Herons  in  general 
when  in  company  with  those  of  their  own  sjiecics  —  .Mr.  .Moore  was  sure  that  this 
bird  was  an  .1.  /irrm/ins.^  At  this  season  this  bird,  the  most  unsocial  of  all  the  Jleroiis, 
will  admit  to  the  same  pond,  to  feed  in  si^dit  of  it,  one  or  more  of  its  kind ;  but  its 
disposition  to  tease  and  harass  all  but  its  mate  is  occasionally  exliibited,  and  oceurred 
repeatedly  here.  These  appeared  to  be  migrants  moving  north.  One  was  a  young 
bird  of  the  first  year.  None  <d'  the  others  attempted  to  annoy  it  until  it  chanced  to 
pierce  a  siren,  when  the  master  bird,  in  the  true  dress  of  an  herodius,  rushed  at  it 
and  caused  it  to  liberate  its  |)rey.  The  one  with  a  white  head  when  pursued  seemed 
to  act  as  if  in  deference  to  its  companion,  and  to  ap|)roacli  it,  though  not  very  near. 
On  being  teased  it  seemed  to  submit,  as  if  well  acquainted  with  its  ojjpressor.  These 
Herons  came  from  the  south,  were  evidently  strangers,  and  moved  on  toward  the 
north.     The  young  bird  was  the  last  to  leave,  but  soon  followed  its  companions. 


Ardea  Ward! 

WABD'S  GREAT  BLUE  HEBON. 

AnUa  fVnnU,  Rid«w.  Bull.  Niitt.  Oni.  Club,  Vol.  VII.  No.  1,  January,  1882,  p.  5  (Oyster  Bay,  Soutli- 
western  Florida). 

Sp.  Char.    Colored  jilinse  cxixctly  like  A.  Wiirdemanni  (=:  dark  plinse  of  .4.  occidentalis  ?),  but 
with  the  liead  colored  as  in  A.  hrodias.     Dlflering  from  hcrodias  in  nuich  larger  size  (culmeii, 

•  Mr.  Moore's  observations  in  respect  to  this  matter  do  not  correspond  at  all  with  the  experience  nf 
others.  His  inferences  are  duubtless  incorrect,  and  the  birds  he  saw  were  in  all  probability  A.  "  IFilrdc- 
manni"  ami  A.  Wardi.  —  U.  K. 


•»». 


AUDKin.E  -  TIIK   IlKFlONrt  -  AUDKA. 


11 


lu'hcs  ill 

1 .1.  mi,. 

'  was  It'll 
I  tlock  (I I 
I'  varifty, 
'his.  \\>' 
mil  iilidiit 
it't'iiil  ami 
iH'd  to  lie 
III  a  t't'W 
vn-y  part, 

iboiit  Hilli- 
ng' witliiu 
(iT  ohst'i- 
ilicaiii  ami 
■drcaiiiiM's. 
on.  Tiu' 
Hhtcr  ami 
li'oiis,  ami 
lipcr  iiaits 
w  an  asliv 
,  ho  would 

in  gencriil 
that  this 

1'    llt'l'dllS, 

;  but  its 

ocoui'n'd 

a  youiit,' 

laiicod  til 

led  at  it 

I  sconicil 

ery  near. 

Dr.    Thcsi' 

)\vard  the 

uious. 


Bay,  Soutli- 

talis  ?),  but 
y.e  (culuu'ii, 

'xpcrience  nf 
4.  "  JFUrdc- 


«,V)-7.()n  inrlipn  ;  tnr«ns  H  .'i(M).(H)  imlicn),  linliltr  ({fiii'ml  Lolniulinn,  and  (iti  ilrlwl  Hkiii)  li^'lit 
liMwii  iiiMltiul  of  black  K-^jh.  Diiliroiimlic  ;  llii'  wliiU-  itliiwi!  iH'iiin  iiid;-tiiiKui*lml)lf  fnuii  tliul  of 
A.  ofiiilmlidiH  (.'). 

Aihilt  i  (No.  H-2,:\-2\),  U.  8.  Nut  .Miii.,  O.VNtcr  l»<iy,  Kloiidii,  Manli,  ImhI  ;  ClmrliH  W.  Ward)  ; 
Iliiid  wliilf,  willi  tliu  Hidi'H  i>{  till'  cidUii  ami  iiitiiv  ni(i|iut  ( iinlinliii;,'  llii'  liii^-tlicinil  |i|iuiic.'«) 
dr.'p  lilaik  ;  neck  lavi'inlrr-niay  (much  liniilcr  lliaii  in  liif  ly\n'  nf  ll'ihili iiniiiiii),  ihv  iDic-iuTk 
wliitf,  lliirkly  stivakid  with  Mack  lor  the  iowir  Iwn  tinrds  ;  juj,'iilar  iiIiiiiii'm  ciii.ljy  wiiiti-,  tlicii 
li'iif^lliciicd  laiH'iinj,'  iiiirliiiii  culinly  hd.  rpiicr  Hintacc  niiit'iinii  liliii-li  ipliinilM'im",  the  l(ii;,'tliciiiMl 
MiMimlar  iiliiim-t  Imaiy  wliilidi  or  ludc  hilvciy  ^lav.  V\>\\i.v  \>ivn^\  uniforiii  lilack  ;  alKloiufii  and 
JMWcr  lircat-l  while,  lallicr  imlistimtly  stifakcd  with  dark  nmy  ;  mud  r»'K'i<'ii  ini.xi'd  Muck  and 
white,  in  liin;;iludinal  da^lii'^  (tlic  lilack  ratlin-  ini'dnniinatiii^,')  ;  ciisHniii  iniinaciilatc  imic  while. 
Tibiiu  iiiiilbnn  li;;hl  cinnuimin  ;  ed-e  ufthe  win^,'  (i"<iieciallv  ni'ar  the  l>i.nd)  dei|pei-  cinnaiiiou,  hut 
thin  much  ini.\L'd  with  white  tnwunl  the  Iiuhch  of  the  i|imI1m  ;  lining  of  the  wiii;{,  M.\illur!<,   niden, 

and  llallk^<,  imifiinn  iihiinl n^.     liill,  aiipareiilly,  entirely  olivuceoiis-yellow  ;   naked  [lortion  of 

tiliiiu  very  jiale  lnown  (eviilently  yellowish  or  llesh-colored  in  lile)  ;  tarsi  lij,'ht  liiowii  (ulivaceoiiH 
in  life  I),  darker  in  front ;  toes  li^jlit  hiowii.  Win;,',  :i<)..''i(» ;  cnlnien,  (I.Tri  ;  dt'iith  of  hill  through 
nostril,  l.l(»  ;  tarsus,  S.T.')  ;  miiiille  toe,  .'"i.io  ;  naked  imttion  of  tiliiie,  ,'1.50. 

Mr.  W.  II.  Collins,  of  Detroit,  who  kindly  ]ire>enteil  the  s|ieiinieii  descvilied  ahovi;  to  the  Na- 
tional Museum,  has  sent  measureinents  of  two  other  s|)eciniens,  one  in  his  own  jiossession,  the 
other  inoinited  fi/C  Mr.  Ward.  .\s  niay  he  seen  helow,  they  a;,'ree  closely  in  tlilnelisions  with  the 
type,  tliwHlireasiirements  hein;;,  respectively,  win;,',  :J(i.(H>-2(i..')0  ;  culinen,  (!..")0-7.(Kl ;  depth  <if  hill 
tlirmyh  nostril,  1.2.') ;  tarsus,  H.7.">-!t.<Mi;  niiddh^  toe,  r).i,')-.'i.4r> ;  nuked  portion  of  tihiu,  .').".'>-(t.(Ki. 
^' 

Tho  lollowing  tacts  in  ndation  to  this  apiiarciitly  distinct  species  oi-  race  of  large 
Heron  is  siilistantially  the  same  as  that  printed  in  the  original  account  cited  above. 
The  specimens  desciihed  were  olitaineil  liy  Mr.  Cliarles  W.  Ward,  of  I'oiitiac,  Miidi- 
igan,  who  spent  several  weeks  at  the  hreeding-gronnds  of  the  bird  in  (pie.stion,  and 
was  thus  enabled  to  make  niaiiy  very  interesting  observations  on  its  habits,  et<'.  Air. 
Ward's  memoranda,  \vhi(di  are  esiiecial'y  interesting  in  connection  with  the  question 
of  Ai'diii  oir!(/r)ttit/is,  Aii>.,  and  J.  Wiinlnntuni'i,  I'iAIUD,  are  as  follows  :  — 

"  My  (di.servations  of  the  Herons  during  the  past  sea.son  do  not  correspond  with 
those  of  Mr.  N.  J$.  Moore,  as  recorded  on  page  L'.'ili  of  your  artiide,'  in  regard  to  their 
feeding  habits.  1  found  them  generally  living  in  comniunitie.s,  roosting,  nesting,  and 
feeding  together,  like  Pigeons,  and  often  (d)served  flocks  of  the  Little  White,  Heddish, 
and  other  Egrets,  feeding  together  like  Teal  Ducks.  Two  sjiecimens  of  J.  oiTltfciifn/ls 
were  .seen  feeding  quietly  within  twenty  feet  of  one  of  the  Herons  procured  by  me 
[.I.  W'tinU,  n(d)is].  They  were  feeding  on  a  inudd)ar  at  low  tide.  I  was  once  con- 
cealed in  the  low  brush  near  a  small  po(d  watching  three  Louisiana  Egrets  cdiasing 
minnows,  when  two  of  them  making  for  the  .same  minnow  sipiared  off  for  a  knock- 
down, while  the  third  coolly  aiipropriated  the  jirize,  leaving  the  combatants  situated 
like  eom|dainant  and  defendant  at  the  close  of  a  lawsuit.  Li  all  my  observations  of 
the  Herons  I  have  seen  nothing  to  lead  to  a  conclusion  that  one  of  these  birds  ludd 
any  particular  antipathy  against  its  own  siiecies  while  feeding.  In  tin;  many  squab- 
bles between  Herons  on  their  feeding-grounds,  the  enoountors  occurred  (|uite  as  often 
between  different  species  as  members  of  tho  same  species,  it  may  be  that  during 
the  breeding  sciison  they  are  more  friendly  than  at  other  times.  In  order  that  you 
may  understand  my  opiiortunities  for  observing  those  birds,  1  imdose  a  rough  map  of 
Mound  Key  and  surr()unding.s,  my  camping-place  from  January  20  till  A])ril  10.  As 
you  will  see  by  the  figures  marked  ....  it  was  in  the  midst  of  their  feeding-grounds, 
these  places  being  mud-  and  sandd)ars,  bare  at  h)w  tide,  Kegarding  the  lieddish 
Egret,  among  many  thousands  of  them  I  saw  only  one  in  the  pure  white  plumage, 

1  Cf.  Bull.  U.  S.  ticol.  Gcog.  Survey  Terr.  Vol.  IV.  No.  1,  pp.  231,  232. 


12 


AMTJCIAL  (lUALLATOUH.S-  IIKHODIONES. 


yp 


and  no  white  young;  but  one  of  my  dark  spccinicus  lias  white  feathers  on  the  head 
and  in  tiu>  tail,  while  one  of  the  seeoudary  (juills  has  the  outer  weh  ehiefly  white. 
My  eonipauion  of  last  winter's  Florida  trii)  reports  that  he  saw  no  Keddish  Egrets 
with  white  exeejjt  on  the  secondaries. 

"Regarding  the  large  Herons  [i.  e.  A.  Ifarill],  I  am  much  inclined  to  think  them 
a  geographical  variety  .  .  .  the  siiecimens  being  very  uniform  in  color.  ...  I  exam- 
ined some  thirty  nests  at  least,  fifteen  of  which  contained  young,  all  being  dark  col- 
ored, in'fk  one  e.vvfjttlini.  'riicsc  birds  are  comnuui  in  Southwestern  I''lori(hi,  and  their 
nests  are  fre(pu'ntly  found  along  the  coast.  From  all  the  infornuition  at  my  com- 
mand, connected  with  my  own  observations,  I  am  almost  convinced  that  the  bird  in 
(juestion  is  sei)arate  and  distinct  from  .1.  orcidcntdlls  and  A.  ff'iinfciinnni!,  and  the 
fact  that  Audubon  found  the  former  in  immense  uund)e"s  anumg  the  mangrove 
islands  of  Eastern  Florida  is  strong  evidence  that  he  happene.'.  in  the  vicinity  of  one 
of  their  rookeries.  As  you  will  observe  l>y  exaniining  the  diagram  of  my  eam])ing- 
phice,  and  noting  the  rookeries  of  large  Herons,  .  .  .  these  birds  were  ([uite  common 
in  that  vicinity  ;  whiles  I  saw  only  a  few  specimens  of  ./.  iici'idriitdHs.  The  white 
bird  found  in  the  nest  with  the  blue  might  liavc  come  there  from  an  adjoiinng  emjit y 
nest,  some  thirty  or  forty  feet  distant,  as  it  could  easily  have  done,  being  nearly  full- 
grown.  This  surmise  is  strengthened  Ity  the  circumstance  that  1  saw  a  large  white 
Heron  on  the  islaml  nmrked  '*,'  and  my  com])anion  killed  a  similar,  if  not  the  same. 
specimen  on  the  large  island  marked  '1','  which  he  threw  away,  supj)osing  it  to 
be  a  common  White  Egret  {_I/fro(liiis  r;/)rffii'\.  'I'hesc  I  now  believe  to  have  been 
A.  orr!</riitiil!s ;  the  other  [//.  f(jfvftti'\  was  then  laying  its  eggs,  while  the  description 
of  A.  ocridcntdlls  corresponds  to  my  recollection  of  the  bird  he  killed.  At  the  time, 
I  was  not  familiar  with  the  descri[)tion  of  A.  orrli/rvfa/is. 

"In  tlie  Little  Ulue  Heron  [I'londit  nrnt/ca']  and  Jieddish  Egret  [_Dichromniiasfin 
rafd'},  where  dichromatism  appears  to  be  an  establisheil  fact,  ca<'h  species  presents 
different  pliascs  and  mixtures  of  both  colors,  esjx'cially  the  Little  lUue,  which  shows 
.almost  every  variety  of  curious  markings  of  blue  and  white ;  while  in  the  Heddisli 
Egret,  one  specumen  shows  white  on  the  head,  tail,  and  wings,  ajid  others  reported  by 
Mr.  Adams  show  white  on  th(>  wings. 

"  As  before  said,  I  believe  the  bird  to  be  a  geographical  variation  of  A.  hcrodiax, 
residing  pernmnently  and  breeding  in  South  I"'lorida.  I  think  that  further  searcli 
and  observation  will  develop  more  evidencH!  concerning  A.  orrhlciitiilis  and  A.  If'iin/i- 
manni,  which  may  result  in  confirming  your  theory  of  their  being  (uie  and  the  same 
species.  You  will  pardon  my  opposing  your  opinion  ;  but  my  convictions  are  so 
strong,  that  only  the  finding  of  white  birds  with  blue  young,  and  more  cases  of  blue 
parents  with  white  young,  or  adults  showing  mixtures  of  both  phases,  would  over- 
come them." 

Assuming  that  tin;  large  white  birds  observed  by  Mr.  W ard  were  really  a  wlute 
phase  of  the  dark-colored  birds  obtained  by  him,  which  were  so  numerous  in  the 
locality,  it  certainly  appears  strange  that  so  few  of  the  former  were  seen.  The  case 
of  the  Reddish  Egret  which  he  cites,  affords,  however,  an  exact  parallel,  and  it  is  now 
considered  established  beyond  question  that  "  I'eale's  Egret"  (Ardea  J'ealeiyBoyAr., 
—  a  pure  white  bird)  is  merely  a  white  phase  of  this  species.  As  to  the  comparative 
rarity  of  these  large  white  birds,  in  the  locality  where  observed  by  Mr.  Ward,  mili- 
tating against  any  theory  of  their  specific  identity  with  the  dark-colored  birds,  it 
should  be  remembered  that  in  the  case  of  nearly  every  dichromatic  si)ecies  of  bird 
this  condition  is  more  or  less  variable  with  locality.  A  pertinent  example  may  be 
cited  in  the  case  of  Demiegretta  sacra,  a  Heron  of  wide  distribution  in  the  Ear  East. 


I: hi  h 


ARDEID.E  —  tup:  HERONS  —  AUDEA. 


13 


the  head 
Hy  wliitc. 
jh  Egrets 

ink  them 
.  1  exiiiu- 
:  (lark  eol- 
aiul  tlieii 

my  eom- 
IP  bird  ill 
I,  and  tlic 
niangrovi' 
ity  of  one 

cainpiiif,'- 
?  coninum 
rhe  wliitc 
injjt  enijity 
early  fuU- 
irge  white 
the  same, 
■iing  it  to 
have  been 
eseriptioii 
,  the  time, 

rommiasso 
s  presents 
ioh  shows 
e  Heddisli 
ported  by 

,  hrrodiax, 
ler  seareli 
A.  Wiinlr- 
the  same 
ns  are  so 
es  of  bbu' 
onhl  over- 

y  a  white 
|)UH  in  the 
The  case 
it  is  now 

/,  liOXAI'., 

m])arative 
Tard,  mili- 
l  birds,  it 
les  of  bird 
le  may  be 
Far  East. 


This  species  inliabits  a  consideraWe  number  of  ishmds  in  the  Polynesian  group,  and 
it  has  l)eeu  noticed  and  recorded  by  naturalists  who  have  visited  that  region,  that  on 
some  islands  all  or  nearly  all  the  birds  of  this  species  are  dark-<'olored,  on  others  all 
or  nearly  all  are  white,  while  on  others  still  there  may  be  a  more  eipial  proi)ortion 
of  tlie  two  phases.  It  may  be  remarked  that  the  two  jihases  in  this  species  are  even 
more  distinct  in  coloration  than  in  the  case  of  Dir/iruintiiinssa  rufn,  the  colored  pliaso 
being  darker  than  in  the  latter  species.  Ujion  the  whole,  even  admitting  the  po.ssi- 
bility  of  the  white  young  bird  seen  l)y  Mr.  Ward  having  of  its  own  volition  taken  up 
its  aboile  in  a  nest  containing  dark-colored  young,  I  am  strongly  inclined  to  believe 
that  it  belonged  to  the  same  species  with  the  latter,  th<'  (]ue.stion  of  its  i)arentagc 
(/■.(■..  whether  its  parents  were  white  or  dark-colored  birds)  being  a  comparatively 
unimportant  consideration,  as  atfecting  the  main  ipiestion.  I?ut  in  adopting  the  view 
of  their  specitic  identity,  a  problem  arises  which  in  the  light  of  our  present  knowledge 
aj>pears  un.solvable,  aii<l  which  may  be  briefly  stated  thus:  — 

The  large  *'blut^"  Herons  obtained  by  Mr.  Ward  are,  in  every  respect  as  regards 
size  and  proportions,  identical  with  Ardea  ocrii/enfa/ls,  Ai;n.,  and  A.  Wiinlcmanni, 
IJ.viun;  in  i'oloration  they  agree  exactly  with  the  latter,  except  only  in  the  pattern 
of  the  head  and  tint  of  the  neck,  which  are  precisely  as  in  A.  heroil'ui.s.  The  bird  in 
question  is  apparently  "dichromatic,"  liaving  a  white  jihase  ;  lience,  assunung  that 
A.  nrridrnfdh's  and  ./.  ff'iirdrniniui!  are  dichromatic  phases  of  one  sjjccies,  it  necessa- 
rily follows  that  white  individuals  of  the  bird  in  (picstion  would  be  iihxohitclif  indis- 
thifiu'ishdhlv  from  irliltr  I'.rdiii/drs  of  A.  urchlnttdHs !  Still,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
the  colored  phase  dilfers  from  A.  fHirdcmiiiiii!  in  its  most  essential  feature  of  colora- 
tion, i.i:  the  i)attern  of  the  head-markings,  it  seems  impossible  to  unite  them,  unless 
it  can  be  shown  that  the  type  of  A.  WiirdiniKtiuil  does  not  represent  the  perfect 
colored  phase  of  that  species.'  There  are  hence  several  hypotheses  which  might  be 
plausibly  argued  upon  theoretical  grounds,  and  which  nuiy  be  stated  as  follows: 

(1)  That  A.  o(r!(/ciif(i/!s,  A.  ff 'iirdfi/iinnii,  A.  If'ardl,  and  A.  /irivdliis  all  belong  to  a 
single  S])ecies,  which  reaches  its  extrenu-s  of  variation  in  tiie  first-  and  last-nanu'd ; 

(2)  That  these  nanu'S  include  three  distinct  nu'cs  or  species :  A.  hcrodias,  wh'wh  is 
never  white ;  ./.  i>crldriif(i/is,  which  is  dichromatic  (having  separate  white  and  colored 
phases),  and  ./.  Ildn/I,  also  dichromatic,  its  white  phase  indistinguishable  from  that 
of  A.  occidcntoHn,  and  its  colored  phase  distinguishable  from  that  of  the  same  species 
(.(.  Wiii'drmann!)  by  the  different  pattern  and  color  of  the  head  and  neck  alone;  and 
(;j)  that  there  are  two  species,  A.  orvldvntalU  and  A.  /irrodlns,  which  in  Florida 
hybridize  on  an  extensive  scale,  producing  the  intermediate  specimens  which  have 
been  distinguished  as  A.  Ifiirdrmnnni  and  A.  Ward!. 

Of  these  hypotheses  I  have,  after  careful  consideration  of  them  all,  concluded  to 
adopt  the  second,  as  being  most  consistent  Avith  known  facts,  and  have  accordingly 
proposed  for  the  bird  in  question  ihe  name  given  above. 

Ardea  herodias. 

THE  OBEAT  BLUE  HEBON. 

A^-dca  hcrndias,  LiNN.  S.  N.  I.  17.'')S,  143,  cd.  12,  I.  17t)ii,  '237.  -  Wii,s.  Am.  Orn.  VIII.  1814,  28, 
)>1.  65,  fig.  5.  —  Sw.  &  Rich.  F.  H.  A.  II.  1831,  373.  —  Nurr.  Man.  II.  1834,  42.  —  Aui).  Orii.  Biog. 

'    .  tor  many  careful  examinations  of  the  tyiw  speeinien,  I  am  led  to  the  conclusion  that  it  docs  rcpre- 
?^8cnt  the  pei-fect  colored  pliase,  since  no  combination  or  division  of  the  markings  of  A.  herodias  and 
:  y/.  occidenfa fin  — or,  in  other  words,  no  jiartial  development  of  the  head-pattern  of  the  former— would 
,1  give  the  peculiar  markings  which  ilistinguish  A,  inirdemanni. 


14 


ALTRICIAL  GRALLATOllES  —  IIERODIONES. 


:il'r 


llilir: 


II.  1835,  87  ;  V.  1839,  599,  pi.  211  ;  Syiiop.  1839,  205  ;  H.  Am.  VI.  1843,  122,  pi.  369.  —  Baiiih, 
IJ.  N.  Am.  1858,  (308;  Cat.  N.  Am.   U.  1859,  no.  487.  —  ('ol-es,  Koy,  1872,  207;  Check  l.i>t, 
1873,  no.  449  ;  2d  eel.  1882,  no.  655  ;  Binls  N.  W.  1874,  517.  —  liiuow.  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881, 
no.  487. 
Ardea  Undsonias,  LiNX.  S.  N.  I.  1766,  238. 

Had.  Tlio  whole  of  North  ami  Middle  Aincrica,  I'xcpptin^  Arctic  districts;  north  to  Ilud.son's 
Bay,  "  Fur  Couiitrie.'*,"  and  Sitka  ;  south  to  New  Uranada,  Venezuela,  and  the  Galapagos  ;  Bermu- 
das, and  throughout  the  West  Indies. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult:  Length,  about  42.(M)-.')(».(K) ;  e.\teiit,  72.00  ;  weight,  .')  to  8  pounds.  Fore- 
head and  central  feathers  of  tlie  crown  pure  white  ;  sides  of  crown  and  wliole  of  the  occiput, 
including  the  long  plumes,  blue-black.  C'iiiu,  throat,  and  malar  region  pure  white.  Ncrk 
lavender-gray,  fading  gradually  above  into  the  white  of  cheeks  and  throat.  Foreneck  with  a 
narrow  medial  series  of  iilack  and  ferruginous  dashes  nii.xed  witii  white  ;  lower  neck-plumes  pule 
lavender-gray.     Lateral  jugular  tufts  uniform  blue-black  ;  breast  and  abdomen  black,  almost  uni- 


I'll  .   ;, 


>!* 


*-4liil,ll!! 


form  laterally,  but  the  middle  feathers  with  broad  medial  .stripes  of  white.  Crissum  white,  the 
feathers  sometimes  edged  witli  rufous.  Tibial  feathei-s  deep  chestnut-rufous,  not  growing  conspicu- 
ously paler  toward  the  body.  Upper  parts  fine  slate-blue,  the  dorsal  and  scapular  plumes  jjalcr, 
more  pearl-gray,  —  the  lightness  of  the  tint  proportionate  to  the  length  of  the  plume  ;  remigcs 
black,  the  inner  .secondaries  growing  gradually  more  slaty,  so  that  the  innermost  are  scarcely 
darker  than  the  tertials.  Tail  deep  slate-blue,  a  shade  darker  than  the  tertials.  Entire  bonier  of 
the  wing,  from  the  armpit  to  the  metacarpo-phalangeal  joint,  rich  purplish-rufous,  scarcely  mi.xed 
anywhere  with  white,  and  nmch  the  widest  at  the  bend.  Bill  olive  above,  the  culmen  blackisli ; 
lower  mandible  wax-yellow,  brighter  terminally  (sometimes  wiiolly  yellow)  ;  iris  bright  yelluiv  ; 
bare  loral  space  cobalt-blue  in  spring,  olive-greenish  or  yellowish  after  breeding  season.  Leys  ami 
feet  dud-ii-hlack  throughout.  Youmj :  Above  slate-gray  (less  bluish  than  in  the  .idult),  destitute  of 
any  penicillate  plumes  ;  anterior  lesser  wing-coverts  bordered  terminally  with  light  rufous  ;  border 
of  the  wing  (broadly)  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  rufous,  especially  at  and  near  the  bend, 
where  this  color  prevails.  Entire  pileum,  including  all  the  occipital  feathers,  blackish-slate,  with 
a  narrow  median  crest  of  more  elongated  darker-colored  feathers,  with  pale  fulvous  shaft-streaks. 
Cheeks  dark  grayish  ;  malar  region,  chin,  and  throat  only,  pure  white.  Neck  dull  gray,  some- 
times tinged  with  rufous,  some  of  the  feathers  with  itidistinctly  lighter  shaft-streaks  ;  forenei  k 
with  a  narrow  longitudinal  series  of  black,  rufous,  and  whitish  dashes,  much  as  in  the  adult. 
Breast  and  abdomen  broadly  striped  Avith  dark  cinereous  and  white,  in  nearly  equal  amount 


m 


ARDEIDvE  —  THE  UERONS  —  ARDEA. 


15 


.  —  Baikh, 
Jheck  List, 
111.  B,  1881, 


3  Iludsoii's 
s  ;  Beriiiii- 

ids.  Foiv- 
,he  occiiml, 
ite.  NiMk 
leck  with  a 
iliunos  iiiilc 
almost  uiii- 


n  white,  the 
g  conspicu- 
uines  puhr, 
reiuij,'c'S 
are  scarcely 
re  border  nf 
rcely  mixid 
u  blackish  ; 
,'ht  yelluw  ; 
Legs  (did 
destitute  <if 
1)118  ;  border 
r  the  bend, 
i-slrtte,  witli 
haft-strcaUs. 
gray,  soiiic- 
s  ;  foreiicik 
the  adult. 
ual  anioiiiit 


(sometimes  suffused  with  rufous).  Tibia;  very  pale  nifous,  sometimes  almost  white  ;  crissum 
white.  Upper  mandibln  black,  paler,  or  hoiu-color,  along  the  toiiiium  ;  lower,  pale  pea-greeii, 
deepening  into  clear  horn-yellow  on  terminal  half;  eyelids  antl  horizontal  space  on  lore  light 
ai>]>le-^;reen  ;  iris  gamboge-yellow  ;  tibiie  and  soles  of  toes,  apple-green  ;  rest  of  legs  and  feet 
blaek.i 

Wing,  17.!)()-2().0()  ;  tail,  7.3()-8.(W  ;  culmen,  4.3(Mi.(H)  ;  depth  of  bill,  through  mi.ldle  of 
nostril,  0.85-1.10;  naked  portion  of  tibia,  ;3.,^)0-5.(Kt  ;  tar.sus,  (i.00-8.(K)  ;  middle  toe,  3.50-4.50, 
[I'].\lrenies  of  17  adult  speiiniens.] 

(!i:()(iKAi'Hit'.vi.  ASi)  IxiJiviurAi,  Variations.  So  far  as  is  indicated  by  the  rather  scant 
material  before  me  (17  adult  specimeii.s),  tiiere  is  little,  if  any,  variation  in  proportions  or  coloi's 
which  can  bi;  considered  strictly  geographical.  Esiiecially  is  this  so  with  regard  to  dimensions  and 
relative  measurements  of  different  i)arts  in  an  individual,  —  a  fact  which  is  dearly  shown  by  the 
carefully-made  measurements  of  the  whole  series.  The  typical  style,  indeed,  prevails  with  such 
iinifoi  iiiity,  that  of  seventeen  specimens  only  four  dilfer  in  any  noteworthy  respect  from  the  average 
style.     These  "alierrant"  examples  are  the  following  :  — 

No.  CS300,  from  Florida,  is  decidedly  tht;  largest  in  the  whole  series,  its  generol  size  almost 
e(iualliiig  that  of  A.  occidoifalix.  The  liill  also  apiii'oaches  (piife  nearly  to  that  of  the  latter  species, 
both  in  size  and  form.  In  colors,  however,  it  is  true  lumdias,  so  far  us  essential  characters  are 
concerned,  the  head-pattern  being  exactly  as  in  typical  specimens  of  that  species  ;  the  abdomen 
with  black  largely  pn^vailiiig,  etc.  The  only  obvious  difference  from  ordinary  specimens  of  the 
species  consists  in  the  jieculiar  plumage  of  the  neck,  which  at  first  sight  ajipears  to  be  white 
throughout.  A  dose  examination,  however,  reveals  the  fact  thai  the  feathei-s  are  very  much 
Worn  oi'  abraded,  and  that  wherever  they  are  least  so  a  lavender-gray  tinge  is  distinctly  visible  ! 
N(;w,  if  we  examine  closely  the  neck  jduniage  of  typical  A.  huroduis,  we  find  that  it  is  only  the 
siirfiicc  which  has  tliis  lavender-gray  color,  the  concealed  portion  of  the  feathers  being  irliitish  ;  so 
that  the  white  appearance  of  the  neck  in  this  specimen  is  thus  readily  accounted  for.  As  probably 
indicating  a  tendency  to  albinism,  it  may  be  remarked  that  there  are  in  this  specimen  many  pure 
white  feathers  mixed  through  the  rum])  and  upper  tail-coverts.* 

The  most  important  specimen  of  all,  since  its  peculiarities  are  real,  and  not  merely  ap)>arent, 
is  No.  8005,  from  Mexico,  also  an  adult.  This  example  represents  the  opposite  extreme  in  size 
from  that  just  noticed,  being  much  the  smallest  in  the  whole  series.  As  to  plumage,  it  is  typical 
A.  hiradias.  The  shades  of  c(dor  are  very  deep  and  dark  throughout,  however,  though  not  more 
80  than  4524,  from  Cajie  Flattery,  W.  T.,  which  almost  exactly  resembles  it  in  this  respect.  The 
neck  of  this  specimen  is  of  precisely  the  same  shade  as  that  o(  A.  nrcidentalis  ("  Wiirdemanni"). 
The  chief  i)eculiaiity  of  this  spi'eimen  is  that  the  bill  is  thi'oughout  of  a  dear  bright  yellow, 
whereas  in  true  hcmdins  only  part  of  the  lower  mandible  is  of  this  color,  the  npper  being  mainly 
dusky.  Should  this  latter  character,  taken  together  with  the  very  small  size,  prove  constant  in 
Mexican  adult  specimens,  they  may  rank  as  a  geographical  race,  for  which  the  term  "Ardea  Lessoni," 
BoNAP.,  would  jirobably  have  to  be  employed. 

The  Cape  Flattery  specimen  alluded  to  above  agrees  exactly  with  the  Mexican  specimen  as  to 
colors,  but  its  proportions  are  very  iieeuliar.  Thus,  while  the  wing  is  above  the  average  length 
and  the  tail  up  to  the  maximum,  the  bill  is  considerably  below  the  average,  being  smallest  of  all 
except  that  of  the  Mexican  specimen  ;  the  tibia  and  tarsus  represent  the  minimum  length,  while 
the  middle  toe  is  shorter  than  that  of  any  other  in  the  entire  series  ! 

The  only  other  specimen  in  the  collection  worth  mentioning  in  this  connection  is  No.  33134, 
Cape  Saint  Lucas.  This  specimen,  also  an  adult,  is  remarkable  simply  on  account  of  its  rei-y  liijht 
colors.  There  is  an  unusual  predominance  of  white  on  the  breast  and  jugulum,  and  the  colors 
generally  (excepting,  of  course,  the  bhick)  are  two  or  three  shades  lighter  than  in  the  average.  Its 
measurements  come  near  the  maximum.  In  these  pecnliarities,  however,  we  see  only  the  result 
of  an  extremely  dry  and  hot  climate,  the  bleaching  effect  of  which  is  ])lainly  visible  in  all  the 
birds  of  brown  or  grayish  plumage  in  that  region  of  continued  droughts,  which  embraces,  besides 

»  Notes  taken  from  fresh  specimen  [Xo.  84,  D78,  Nat.  Mus.,  9  juv..  Mount  Carmel,  Illinois,  Sept. 
26,  1870.     Length,  42.00  ;  expanse,  08.50]. 

••'  Since  the  above  was  written,  a  re-examination  of  the  specimen  proves  it  to  be  A.  Wardil    The  first 
,  inspection  was  made  several  years  jirevious  to  the  discovery  of  the  latter  species. 


16 


ALTRICIAL  GRALLATORES  —  HERODIOXES. 


I'l  I 


lj"l' 


the  neiiinsula  of  Lower  California,  the  whoh;  of  the  desert  refjion  of  the  Southwestern  United  States 
and  Western  Mexico. 

Younger  specimens  (probably  in  the  second  year),  of  which  No.  12070,  is  a  fair  example,  hnvi' 
the  forehead  dusky-slate,  there  being  only  a  few  white  feathers  in  the  crown  ;  the  cheeks  strongly 
tinged  with  bull'.  The  specimen  alluded  to  is  eciually  dark  with  that  from  Cape  Flattery,  W.  'I'., 
and  that  from  Mexico. 

Seasonal  Variations.  Although  the  plumage  of  this  species  is  essentially  the  same  througli- 
out  the  year,  there  are  certain  differences  dei)ending  on  the  season  which  are  worthy  of  note,  in 
the  spring,  or  at  the  commencement  of  the  breeding  season,  thi!  bill,  except  on  the  culmen,  is 
almost  entirely  yellow  (generally  a  wax-yellow,  brighter  on  the  lower  mandible)  ;  and  the  bare 
orbital  space  col)alt-blue,  while  from  the  occiput  grow  two  long,  slender,  ]>endant,  black  plunics. 
After  the  young  are  hatched,  these  plumes  are  droi)ped,  the  bare  skin  around  the  eye  has  changed 
to  a  yellowish-green  hue,  and  the  upper  mandibk'  become  almost  wholly  dusky  blackish-olive,  witli 
only  the  tomia  and  lower  mandil)le  yellowish.  Of  some  twenty  specimens  killed  June  11,  1877, 
at  the  Little  Cypress  Swamp,  of  Knox  Co.,  Indiana,  none  had  the  white  occipital  plumes,  while  the 
bill  and  orbits  were  colored  as  last  stated  (djove.  These  birds  were  all  shot  at  their  Ijreediiij; 
grounds,  where  were  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  occupied  nests,  mostly  containing  full-grown 
young.  A  male  killed  at  Washington,  D.  ('.,  April  !),  1875,  and  conseiiuently  in  perfect  plumage, 
had  the  bill  and  soft  parts  colored  as  follows:  —  Bill  dull  wax-yellow,  brighter  on  the  lower 
mandible  ;  bare  orbital  space  cobalt-blue  ;  iris  bright  chrome-yellow  ;  legs  black,  the  tibia3  inclin- 
ing to  brownish  ;  soles  of  toes  dull  grayish  naples-yellow.  A  female  obtained  in  .spring  at  Mount 
Carmel,  111.,  was  similarly  colored. 


The  Great  Blue  Heron  —  one  of  the  most  eminently  charaoteristie  birds  of  North 
America — is  found,  in  varying  abundance,  tliroughout  the  continent,  south  of  the  more 
northern  regions,  from  the  I'acitic  to  tlie  Atlantic  coast;  it  is  also  found  in  several 
of  the  West  India  Islands  and  in  Central  America.  Kiclmrdson  regarded  it  as  only 
an  accidental  straggler  in  the  Fur  Region ;  but  Captain  lilakiston  notes  it  as  a  regular 
summer  visitant,  and  as  breeding  on  th'^  Sa.skatchcwan.  It  was  found  by  JI.  15our- 
geau,  in  July,  1858,  breeding  on  one  of  the  tributaries  of  the  north  branch  of  tlie 
Saskatchewan.  There  were  several  nests  in  a  poplar  grove,  situated  in  a  large  ravine 
near  a  lake ;  they  were  all  about  fifty  feet  from  the  ground.  One  nest,  containing  six 
eggs,  was  taken.  This  bird  was  found  at  Sitka  by  Bisclioff,  where  it  was  rare  ;  and  it 
is  included  by  Mr.  R.  Rrowne  in  his  list  of  the  birds  of  Vancouver.  In  CalifV)ruia, 
Dr.  Cooper  speaks  of  it  as  everywhere  common  about  the  shores  and  marshes,  almost 
forming  one  of  tlio  characteristic  features  of  the  landscape  of  that  region.  It  is 
resident,  not  even  migrating  from  the  Columbia  River,  though  wandering  to  a  consid- 
erable distance  for  food.  It  visits  the  islands  along  the  coast,  and  occasionally  stands 
to  feed  on  the  floating  kelp  at  some  distance  from  the  shore.  He  found  its  nest  with 
fresh  eggs  about  April  24,  near  San  Diego.  The  nests  were  built  in  oak  trees,  up  dry 
ravines,  at  some  distance  from  the  water.  Sometimes  there  were  two  or  three  nests 
in  the  same  tree.  At  Santa  Barbara,  he  found  them  in  lofty  poplars,  three  miles 
from  the  shore.  They  were  loosely  constructed  of  coarse  sticks,  laid  flat.  The 
eggs,  four  in  number,  measured  from  2.(50  to  2.G8  inches  in  length,  and  1.78  to  1.80  in 
breadth.  The  birds  made  no  attempt  to  defend  their  nest,  but  flew  around  uttering 
a  low  croaking. 

It  usually  fishes  in  the  early  morning  and  in  the  evening,  often  wading  up  to  its 
tarsal  joint  in  the  water,  standing  motionless,  watching  until  its  prey  comes  near, 
and  then  seizing  it  by  a  very  rapid  stroke  of  the  bill,  and  swallowing  it  head  down- 
ward. It  also  feeds  on  meadow  mice,  frogs,  small  birds,  grasshoppers,  etc.  Its  flight 
is  rapid  and  easy,  and  when  migrating  is  sometimes  very  high;  but  it  usually  kecjis 
near  the  ground  or  water.     It  is  at  all  times  very  vigilant,  and  difficult  of  approach. 


AUUEID.E  -  THE  HEKONrt  -    ARDEA. 


i: 


lited  States 

imple,  liiivi' 
iks  strou^'lv 
:ery,  W.  T., 

lie  tlirougli- 
il' note.     Ill 

I  culmcii,  is 
k1  the  bari; 
lick  pluiiKS. 
luiH  clmiij,'((l 
i-olive,  witli 
lie  11,  1877, 
IS,  while  the 
eir  hreeiliiij,' 
;  fiill-i,'ro\vu 
;ct  i)luniaj,'f, 

II  the  lower 
;ibia3  incliii- 
iig  at  Mount 


s  of  Xortli 
)f  the  inoiv 
I  in  sevcnil 
it  as  only 
IS  a  vef^ulai' 
y  M.  l?unv- 
,nch  of  till' 
u'ge  ravini' 
taining  six 
ire ;  and  it 
Califoniiii, 
les,  alnujst 
ion.     It  is 
o  a  consiil- 
ally  stands 
nest  with 
es,  np  dry 
hree  nests 
iree  miles 
flat.     The 
to  1.80  in 
d  uttering 

g  up  to  its 
omes  near, 
lead  down- 
Its  flight 
lally  keejis 
approaeli. 


When  wounded  it  defends  itself  witli  its  bill,  and  ean  inflict  a  dangerous  wound.  In 
flying,  it  doubles  back  the  neck  between  the  wings,  and  allows  the  legs  to  stick  out 
straight  behind.  It  has  been  known  to  collect  in  flocks  of  two  hundred  or  more,  near 
the  Columbia,  when  the  herring  w(!re  entering  the  bay  in  August.  It  is  said  to  be 
quite  eatable  when  young,  if  properly  cleaned. 

Captain  Bendire  mentions  this  species  as  a  very  common  summer  resident  through- 
out the  h)\ver  Harney  Valley,  in  Eastern  Oregon.  It  breeds  on  one  of  the  small 
islands  in  Malheur  Lake  in  great  nuudiers,  in  company  with  the  Double-crested  Cor- 
morant and  the  White  Pelican.  Its  nests  were  placed  on  greasewood  bushes,  from 
two  to  four  feet  from  the  ground,  nearly  every  bush  containing  a  nest.  They  were 
all  flat  structures,  built  of  such  materials  as  were  close  at  hand  —  dry  sticks  and 
reeds,  with  a  little  swamp-grass  for  a  lining.  The  usual  number  of  eggs  was  five. 
The  measurement  of  the  largest  egg  was  2.7.*{  X  l.UO ;  of  the  smallest,  2.4(1  X  1.82; 
and  the  average,  2.(!r>  X  l.-SO.  The  first  laid  eggs  in  a  set  were  usually  of  a  lighter 
or  faded  color.  The  female  began  to  lay  about  the  2()th  of  Ai)ril.  The  young  for 
the  first  two  weeks  were  nearly  destitute  of  featliers,  and  made  a  hissing  noise  when 
disturbed.  They  sit  close  together  in  a  circle  on  their  nests,  with  their  heads  all 
turned  toward  its  centre.  When  one  of  their  colonies  is  disturbed,  the  old  birds  at 
once  depart,  without  any  manifestation  of  concern. 

This  Heron  is  also  known  occasionally  to  breed  on  precipitous  and  rocky  sides  of 
streams,  where  other  opportunities  are  not  present,  making  use  of  projecting  ledges 
of  rocks  instead  of  trees  or  bushes. 

Mr.  S.alvin  notes  the  occurrence  of  this  Heron  near  the  Lake  of  Duefias,  in 
"Guatemala ;  it  was  seen  fishing  on  the  Iliver  (Juacalate ;  he  also  met  with  it  fre- 
quenting the  lagoons  on  the  Tacific  coast  of  that  Itepublic,  and  mentions  its  great 
shyness.  Professor  Newton  cites  this  Heron  as  occurring  in  St.  Croix  in  March  and 
April,  and  again  in  August,  IXoT.  ^Ir.  E.  Newton  had  no  doubt  that  it  breeds  on  the 
island,  as  it  was  observed  there  on  the  10th  of  .Fune.  According  to  Dr.  (Jundlach, 
it  breeds  in  Cuba;  and  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Richard  Hill  and  j\Ir.  March,  in 
Jamaica.  Mr.  Dresser  found  it  common  in  Tamaulipas,  Mexico,  all  the  year,  excejit- 
ing  oidy  the  two  coldest  mouths ;  and  Dr.  IJerlandier,  in  his  manuscript  notes, 
mentions  its  occurrence  in  Eastern  Mexico  from  November  to  the  end  of  February, 
and  as  abundant  throughout  the  entire  State  of  Taniaulii)as. 

Major  Wedderburn  gives  this  species  as  resident  in  the  Bermudas,  many  arriving 
in  autumn,  and  a  few  remaining  throughout  the  year.  In  184()  a  nest  of  this  bird 
containing  two  eggs  was  found  among  the  mangrove-trees  in  Hungry  Bay,  and  the 
Rev.  H.  B.  Tristram  is  said  to  have  kept  one  alive  in  his  garden,  at  the  parsonage 
on  Ireland  Island,  which  was  once  seen  to  seize  a  Ground-dove  and  swallow  it  entire, 
Mr.  Hardis,  however,  regards  it  as  entirely  migratory  in  Bernmda;  first  seen  about 
the  loth  of  Sejitember,  continuing  to  arrive  in  October,  when  it  becomes  common, 
and  occasionally  met  with  from  that  period  to  April ;  it  then  disai)pears  for  the 
summer  months.  During  the  violent  gale  of  October,  184S,  a  number  sought  refuge 
in  the  Bermudas,  appearing  on  all  parts  of  the  coa.st,  and  landing  in  a  state  of  such 
gi-eat  exhaustion  that  five  were  taken  alive.  In  arriving  it  was  seen  to  keep  close  to 
the  surface  of  the  water. 

Professor  Verrill  found  this  Heron  1  ceding  in  the  interior  of  Maine,  a  hundred 
miles  or  more  from  the  coast ;  and  Mr.  Boardman  informs  us  that  it  is  found  in  New 
Brunswick  and  Nova  Scotia,  as  far  to  the  north  as  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  Accord- 
ing to  the  observations  of  Mr.  Giraud,  it  is  common  on  all  the  salt-marshes  of  Long 
-Island,  where  it  confines  itself  almost  entirely  to  the  wet  and  miry  flats  in  the  vicinity 


VOL.    I. 


18 


ALTKICIAL  GIIALLATUUES  —  HEKODIONES. 


i 


II 


of  the  beach.  In  its  habits  it  is  (liumal  as  wi-U  as  nocturnal.  It  may  bo  observid 
by  (lay  wadiuf,'  out  on  the  shoals,  collecting  (ii-abs  and  various  species  of  shell-fisli. 
and  at  other  times  standinj,'  in  the  water  up  to  its  knees,  witii  its  hill  poised  ready  to 
strike  its  prey.  It  is  then  especially  shy,  intently  observing,'  everything'  that  is  pii>.s- 
ing  within  a  wide  circle.  Yet  even  this  bird,  vij,'ilant  as  it  is,  nuiy  be  enticed  iiy 
decoys  within  gunshot;  and  by  mauy  its  tiesh  is  very  highly  esteemed. 

It  will  venture  even  more  fearlessly  forth  at  night  in  (juest  of  food,  always  stand- 
ing  in  the  same  motionless  po.sture,  with  bill  ready  ii,)ised  for  the  coming  of  its  jtrcv. 
While  in  this  position  its  plumage  is  parted,  exposing  a  portion  of  the  breast,  whiili 
is  .said  to  be  furnished  with  a  downy  s\distance  emitting  a  i)hos))horeseent  light,  i'.y 
some  this  is  called  the  bird's  lantern,  and  is  said  to  be  serviceable  to  it  while  tishini,', 
both  by  attracting  its  prey,  and  by  showing  it  where  to  strike.  Even  in  dead  sjhi  i- 
mens  this  luminous  substance  is  said  to  give  out  a  pale  glow,  not  unlike  that  i)roducc(l 
by  decaying  wood. 

This  Heron  was  nu>t  with  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  in  September,  in  the  Valley  of 
Great  Salt  Lake,  where  it  w.as  (piite  common.  Mr.  Kidgway  also  found  it  an  abun- 
dant species  in  the  wooded  valley  of  the  Truckee  River,  and  breeding  in  nund)ers  im 
all  the  rocky  islands  in  i'yramid  Lake.  Several  of  its  nests,  containing  from  three  to 
four  young  each,  were  found  on  the  large  island.  These  were  very  bulky,  but  well 
made,  composed  of  sticks,  ami  jjlaccd  on  the  tops  of  the  greasewood  bushes  (O/iiomj, 
about  live  feet  from  the  ground.  Those  on  the  '*  I'yramid"  were  placed  among  tiic 
rocks,  at  varying  heights  above  the  water.  Among  the  marshes  around  (treat  Salt 
Lake,  and  in  the  txhi  lagoons  near  Sacramento,  he  also  found  it  abundant. 

Wilson  fcmnd  this  Meron  breeding  in  tlu^  gloomy  solitudes  of  the  tallest  cedar- 
swamps  in  the  lower  parts  of  New  Jersey,  where,  if  uiulisturbed,  it  continues  many 
years  in  succession.  The  young  are  hatched  about  the  middle  of  May,  and  are  unable 
to  fly  until  they  are  as  large  as  their  i)arents.  It  breeds  l)ut  once  in  a  season.  Tlic 
noise  which  this  Heron  makes  when  disturlx'd  in  its  breeding-place  is  said  sometimes 
to  resemble  the  honking  of  a  goose ;  at  other  times  it  is  a  hoarse,  hollow  grunting 
sound,  like  that  of  a  hog,  but  louder. 

Like  the  common  Heron  of  Eurojx',  which  it  closely  resenddes  in  many  otlicr 
respects,  this  bird  is  of  solitary  habit,  excepting  during  the  breeding  season,  going  in 
pairs  only  from  March  to  August;  the  rest  of  the  year  leading  a  solitary  life.  I-'u- 
rious  battles  are  said  to  take  place  between  the  males  at  the  beginning  of  the 
pairing  season. 

Mr.  X.  15.  Moore  has  supplied  some  very  interesting  observations  upon  the  habits 
of  this  species,  tracing  the  history  of  a  pair  from  the  first  labor  of  making  a  nest, 
through  the  periods  of  egg-laying,  incubation,  and  rearing  their  young.  They  were 
observed  at  the  nest  with  a  field-glass,  and  were  first  seen  Feb.  o.  One  was  carrying 
sticks  to  a  certain  willow  growing  in  a  pond.  The  other  was  standing  in  a  part  of 
the  tree  near  the  toj),  or  fifteen  feet  from  the  mud  below.  This  was  the  female,  and 
a  few  sticks  were  jilaced  near  her.  The  sticks,  broken  from  the  blasted  Avillow-to]is, 
were  brought  by  the  male.  He  generally  alighted  with  them  a  little  higher  than 
she.  The  latter  reached  up  her  bill,  took  them,  and  placed  them  on  the  pile,  each  in 
its  proper  place.  The  work  was  so  carried  on  to  its  completion  —  the  male  acting  as 
procurer  of  materials,  his  mate  as  architect.  During  these  labors,  the  female  seems 
by  far  the  more  impatient  to  advance  the  business.  She  takes  the  stick  from  him  and 
lays  it  in  its  place  ;  and  if  he  stops,  and  seems  loath  to  leave  her  side,  she  motions  him 
to  leave,  though  no  sound  is  heard,  and  away  he  goes  for  another  stick.  The  sticks 
were  carried,  not  across  the  bill,  but  pointing  out  before  it,  in  a  line  with  it.     Neither 


AUnKID.E  —  THP:   IIKKoXS  -  AUDEA. 


19 


observi'd 
shell-tisli. 
I  ready  to 
at  is  jKi^s- 
;utict'd  liy 

■ays  staml- 
if  its  ])i('y, 
ast,  wliicli 
lif^lit.  \<y 
ill'  tisliiii;^', 
cad  s]M'ii- 
t  product'd 

Valloy  of 
it  an  al)uii- 
iiiubors  (in 
m  thiTc  to 
y,  but  Well 
s  (Ohloiiij, 
among  the 
(Jroat  Salt 

Host  ccdar- 
iiucs  many 
are  imalile 
ison.  Tlip 
sometimes 
r  gvuntini,' 

lany  otlicr 
,  going  in 
life.  1  "li- 
ng of  the 

the  habits 

ing  a  nest, 

riiey  were 

,s  carrying 

a  part  of 

'male,  and 

illow-tojjs, 

;her  than 

e,  each  in 

e  acting  as 

ale  seems 

n  him  and 

ations  him 

The  sticks 

Neither 


the  eggs  nor  the  young,  until  the  latter  arc  able  to  use  their  bills  well  for  defence, 
are  ever  left  by  l)oth  birds  at  once.     Copulation  takes  })laco  in  the  nest. 

Hoth  parents  ineuliate,  and  both  l)ring  food  to  the  young.  After  these  are  able  to 
strike  with  their  l)ills.  the  old  liirds  spend  little  time  with  them,  or  even  in  sight. 
The  eagerness  and  the  (hish  of  tiie  bill  of  a  hungry  nestling,  as  well  as  its  powerful 
,  gripe,  are  interesting  peculiarities.  The  struggle  Ix-tween  the  young  Heron  and  the 
parent  seems  like  a  wrestling-match,  the  fornu'r  standing  up  almost  as  high  as  the 
latter,  tlu?  tree  swaying  to  and  fro,  and  both  birds  staggering  ui»on  the  nest,  to  such 
an  extent  that  tiu-  nu)ther  is  (x^casionally  compelled  to  step  off  and  stand  on  one  of 
the  branches,  to  avoid  falling.  This  struggle  occurs  when  all  the  food  has  been  given, 
and  the  mother  is  seeking  to  extricate  her  bill  from  that  of  her  young.  On  one  occa- 
sion Mr.  Moore  saw  one  of  the  jjarcnts,  after  having  fed  its  young,  jiick  up  a  good- 
sized  eel  from  the  nest,  deliberately  swallow  it,  and  then  fiy  away. 

This  s[)ecies  is  never  known  to  run,  or  even  to  walk  briskly ;  and  it  never  rakes 
the  bottom  for  its  food.  It  is  sonu'tinu's  seen  in  the  water  watching  for  its  prey  at 
two  o'clock  in  tlu;  morning.  It  often  feeds  on  sirens,  eating  the  posterior  ])ortion  only 
of  the  larger  ones.  In  vi'ry  c(dd  winters  many  more  are  seen  in  Florida  than  in  milder 
seasons.  After  swallowing  a  good-sized  tish,  it  drinks  by  dipping  its  bill  into  the 
water  from  one  to  live  timi's.  The  larger  the  tish,  the  more  water  it  drinks.  Mr. 
Moore  has  seen  one  take  a  large  lish  that  lay  Hirting  its  tail,  ami  Hy  two  hundred 
yards  before  laving  it  on  the  sand.  On  being  ajjproached  tlu^  l»ird  again  carried  it 
off  as  before.  In  catching  tish  tins  Heron  usually  .strikes  its  prey  through  the  body. 
Now  and  then  it  is  said  to  strike  at  a  fish  so  large  and  strong  as  to  endanger  its  own 
life.  Audubon  was  a  witness  to  an  incident  of  this  kind,  where  a  Heron,  on  the 
Florida  coast,  after  striking  a  fish,  was  dragged  several  yards,  and  was  able  to  dis- 
engage itself  oidy  after  a  severe  struggle.  This  species  is  said  to  take  three  years 
in  attaining  maturity;  and  even  after  tiuit  period  it  gains  in  size  and  weight.  AVhen 
fii'st  hat(du'd  it  has  a  very  grotesqxie  ai)pearance :  the  legs,  neck,  and  bill  seem  dis- 
proportionately long,  and  it  is  nearly  bare.  It  is  soon  covered  with  a  silky  down  of 
dark  gray  color. 

In  Florida  the  nundjer  of  its  eggs  is  nearly  uniforndy  three ;  but  farther  north  the 
number  increases  to  four  or  live,  and  in  a  few  instam^es  to  six.  The  egg  resembles, 
in  its  rounded  oval  shape  and  in  its  color,  the  eggs  of  most  of  the  Heron  family. 
This  color  is  uniform  and  uusjjotted,  and  is  a  faint  wash  of  a  greenish  Prussian  blue. 
Tlie  eggs  vary  sonu'what  in  size,  and  sonu'  are  nu)re  oblong  in  shape  than  others ; 
eggs  from  Florida  are  noticeably  smaller  than  those  from  .Massachusetts.  Three 
in  my  (tabinet  exhibit  the  following  measurements  :  No.  GO,  from  (fraud  ilenan, 
2.50  X  1.80  inches;  Xo.  01,  from  Naushon,  Mass.,  2.'>0  X  1.70;  and  No.  !>77,  from  Cape 
Charles,  Va.,  2.07  X  1.80  inches. 


Ardea  cinerea. 

THE  COMMON  HEBON  OF  EUROPE. 

Arden  cinerea,  Linx.  Faun.  Suen.  1746,  59  ;  S.  N.  I.  1766,  236.  —  Fabh.  Faun.  Oroenl.  1780,  106 
(Grocnland).  —  Omku  S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  627.  —  Xacm.  Viig.  Deutsihl.  IX.  1838,  24,  pi.  220.  — 
OoL'Ln,  n.  Vmv.  1837,  \>\.  273.  —  Hdnai-.  f'onsi).  II.  IS.IS,  111.  —  Kkvs.  &  Ri.as.  Wiib.  Eur. 
1840,  79.  —  Ma('(!II,i..  Man.  Hiit.  Oni.  II.  1842,  128.  — Giiay,  Cat.  Brit.  B.  1863,  145.— 
Ueixh.  Ibis,  1861,  9  (Xcnortalik,  niwnland).  —  Hrwiw.  N'oin.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  488.— 
Coi'ES,  CliPi'k  List,  2(1  cd.  1SS2,  no.  657. 

Anha  miijor,  I.inx.  S.  N.  1.  1766,  236. 


20 


ALTRICIAL  CiUALLATOliKS-  IIEUODIONES. 


!(    ; 


Ardea  rhennnn,  Sandeu.  Niitiirf.  XIM.  177!>,  105. 

Ardca  Jokitniin;  (iMi:i,.  S.  N.  I.  ii.  17^S,  t>'2». 

Ardcii  ciniriicai,  IlliKllM,  Vil};.  DnitMlil.  1H31,  .180. 

Ardea  vitlyni-i.i,  Hkciist.  Orii.  Tasili.  Ifio:),  'J'.ri. 

ArdeabviKj,  (ii;i(KK.  .I:ini.  V<iy.  liiil.  IV.  1^44,  85. 

Ardia  1,'iioiphmi,  Oori.n,  1*.  Z.  S.  1848,  58. 

Ardai  einmu  mnjoi;  minor,  media,  H  bracJu/rhijncki,  UiiEiiM,  Verz.  Siimiiil.  C.  L.  Urelini's,  1860. 

12(/iVi(7i«»"i''.). 

Hub.   Pnlii'iirt'tic  ri'<;inii,  south  to  Austmlia  ;  accidental  in  Soutliem  Greenland. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult:  Koivliciid  and  centre  of  i.ilmini  pure  white  ;  siden  of  tro^vn  and  occipital 
plunu's  deei)  Mack  ;  rest  of  lii-ad  wholly  white.  Neck  li;,'ht  cinereous,  with  a  very  faint  lavender 
tinge,  gradually  fading  into  the  white  of  the  head  ;  the  front  part  with  a  naiTow  longitudinal  series 


of  black  dashes  on  a  white  ground.  Upper  parts  bluish-gray,  the  penicillate  plumes  of  the  back 
and  scapulars  much  lighter  or  pale  jiearl-gray.  Border  of  the  wing  jiure  wliite  ;  antea.\illur  tufts 
deep  blue-black.  Sides  and  flanks  uniform  pale  blue-gray.  Medial  lower  parts  white,  heavily 
striped  laterally  with  blue-black.  Tibia;  and  crissum  pure  white.  Bill  yellow,  usually  with  the 
culmen  brownish  terminally  ;  bare  loral  space  green  ;  iris  yellow  ;  feet  dull  green  ;  tibias  yellow. 
(Macgillivray.)  Juv.  :  Pileum  deep  ash-gray ;  occipital  plumes  black.  Neck  nsh-gray,  the 
front  with  a  narrow  longitudinal  series  of  bhick  and  rufous  dashes,  mixed  with  white,  the  former 
predominating.  Upper  parts  uniform  slate-gray,  destitute  of  penicillate  plumes.  Malar  region, 
chin,  and  throat  white.  Anteaxillar  tufts  white,  tipped  with  a  rusty  tinge.  Edge  of  the  wing  and 
entire  lower  parts  wholly  wliite,  tinged  with  buff. 

Wing,  18.50  ;  tail,  8.00  ;  culmen,  4.80  ;  depth  of  bill  through  middle  of  nostril,  0.85  ;  bare 
tibia,  3.25  ;  tarsus,  6.25  ;  middle  toe,  3.80.     [No.  57006  ;  Europe.] 


The  Common  or  Gray  Heron  of  Europe  has  small  claim  to  a  place  in  the  fauna  of 
North  America.  Two  specimens  are  recorded  as  liaving  been  known  in  Greenland,  — 
one,  seen  in  August,  1765,  by  the  missionary  Sta«h ;  the  other,  a  young  bird  found 
dead  near  Nenortalik  in  ISAG.  It  is  a  familiar  European  species,  as  also  one  of  the 
most  numerous  of  this  peculiar  and  well-marked  family. 

Formerly,  before  falconry  had  become  one  of  the  lost  arts,  it  was  the  typical 
Heron  of  olden  times,  and  occupied  an  important  place  in  the  sporting  world.     The 


ARDEID.E  -  THE   HEIIONS  —  IIEnODIAS. 


21 


localities  in  which  it  bred  were  forbidden  ground,  except  to  th((  servants  of  royalty  5 
the  bird  itself  was  exclusively  royal  giuue,  and  penal  eiuictnienta  preserved  it  for 
rciyid  s|)ort.  But  now  that  it  must  depend  upon  itsi'lf  for  safety,  it  has  bei'onie  shy, 
watiiiful,  and  solitary,  and  during  the  winter  sehloui  more  tiian  one  is  seen  at  the 
sanii'  time  and  in  the  same  jdace.  In  the  spring,  hov  ever,  nundjers  coHect  together, 
mill  resort  anew  to  the  favorite  wood  in  which,  for  years  in  succession,  they  have 
siieiit  the  breeding  season.  At  this  time  their  habits  are  said  to  resendjle  those 
of  the  Kook;  and,  like  that  bird,  the  Heron  builds  on  high  trees  —  generally  large 
oiiks — and  associates  in  such  great  numbers  that  Vennaut  counted  more  than  eighty 
nests  of  this  species  upon  one  oak  at  Cressy  Hall — an  estate  then  belonging  to  the 
Heron  family.  In  some  instances  it  has  been  known  to  build  on  precipitous  rocks 
near  the  coast,  and  at  otners  on  the  ground  amongst  reeds  and  rushes.  The  nest  is 
usually  of  large  size,  formed  of  sticks,  and  often  lined  with  wool. 

The  usual  number  of  eggs  in  the  nest  of  this  Heron  is  said  to  be  four  or  five,  and 
incubation  lasts  about  four  weeks.  The  parents  sit  on  the  eggs  by  turns,  the  sitting 
bird  being  supplied  with  food  by  its  mate.  When  the  young  are  hatched,  both  parents 
assist  in  the  supi)ly  of  food.  If  the  heronry  is  visited  during  the  breeding  season, 
the  old  birds  betray  great  anxiety,  sailing  in  circles  high  above  the  trees.  It  feeds 
the  young  with  tish  and  reptiles,  o(;casionally  with  small  uuinnnalia  also.  It  is  assid- 
uous in  collecting  food  during  the  breeding  season,  but  at  other  times  it  usually  fishes 
only  late  in  the  evening  t)r  very  early  in  the  morning,  sitting  the  whole  day  perched 
on  the  branch  of  a  large  tree. 

It  stands  motionless  in  the  water  when  fishing,  the  head  drawn  back  toward  the 
shoulders,  ready  to  strike  with  its  sharp  beak  the  approaching  prey.  When  a  large 
eel  has  been  secured,  it  is  often  disabled  by  beating  it  on  the  ground.  Mr.  Dana 
states  that  in  the  Orkney  and  Shetland  Islands,  where  this  Heron  is  very  plentiful, 
it  always  selects  the  lee  side  of  the  island  for  its  fishing  operations. 

iMr.  Yarrell  states  that  this  Heron  is  said  to  be  very  long  lived.  It  Avas  in  former 
years  held  in  great  esteem  as  an  article  of  food.  The  heronries  are  occupied  for 
breeding  purposes  from  spring  until  August.  During  the  winter  a  few  stragglers 
only  are  seen,  who  seem  to  be  left  to  pay  occasional  visits  to  maintain  the  right  of 
occupation.  Occasionally  furious  battles  take  place  between  the  Kooks  and  the 
Herons  for  the  possession  of  particular  trees. 

This  Heron  is  a  summer  visitant  of  Scandinavia,  going  occasionally  as  far  north 
as  the  Faroe  Islands  and  Iceland,  from  which  it  straggles  to  the  south  coast  of  Green- 
land. It  is  found  in  Russia  and  Siberia,  and  thence  southward  over  the  whole  Euro- 
pean continent.  It  is  said  to  be  specially  abundant  in  Holland.  In  its  uiigrations  it 
is  found  in  most  of  the  islands  of  the  Mediterranean,  and  winters  in  North  Africa. 
It  has  been  traced  to  the  Island  of  Madeira,  and  is  even  said  to  visit  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope.  It  has  been  found  in  the  coxmtries  about  the  Caucasus,  is  said  to  inhabit 
In(li4j,..Cl).ijia,  and  Japan,  and  is  included  by  Horsfield  among  the  birds  of  Java. 

The  eggs  are  of  a  uniform  pale  sea-green  color,  and  are  of  a  rounded  oval  form, 
2.25  inches  in  length  by  1.75  inches  in  breadth. 


22 


ALTRiriAL  rtRAIJ-ATORKi^  —  IlKUoDIONES. 


Gksvh  HERODIAS,   ItoiK. 

HerodiiU,  BiilE,  UU,  lS2'.'.     TyiH-,  Jnlea  rgntla,  LiSN. 

Oen.  Chah,  Wliiti!  Herons  of  hv^t-  ni/r,  ami  witlidiit  pluiiii'M,  except  in  the  hrcedinf?  Benson, 
when  ornnuu'nted  simply  (in  most  Hpcties')  liy  a  lonj,'  train  of  strainlit  ifathiTs.  wiiii  tliiik  shafts, 
anil  Ion;,',  sparse,  (Icromiinsi'il,  slcmlfr  IhiiI)^,  wliicli  <^vo\v  from  the  ilorsiil  ic^^ion  ami  overhang;  the 
tail.  15111  mislerati'ly  slcndfr,  the  upper  ami  Inwer  (nitliiies  alimist  puraUel  to  near  the  eml,  when- 
({untly  eurvetl,  the  culmeii  more  ahniptly  so  limn  the  ^'onys,  tlmn^'h  the  curve  is  (juite  gradual. 
Mental  apex  reaiddn^'  a  jioint  ahout  midway  hetween  ihe  tip  of  the  hill  and  the  eye  ;  malar  apex 
decideiUy  anterior  to  thtt  frontal  apex,  and  extcmlinj,'  to  liuneath  the  jiosterior  end  of  the  nostrils. 
Toes  very  lon^',  the  middle  oni!  ahout  two  thirds  the  tarsus,  the  hallux  much  less  than  one  half  the 
former.     Tihiie  bare  for  about  one  half  their  length,  i>v  lor  about  the  lenyth  of  the  middle  toe. 


'^ 
.;  .» 


//.  eifreffa. 


Anterior  scutellie  of  tarsus  lar^'e,  distinct,  and  nearly  quadrate.  Nuptial  plumes  confined  to  the 
anterior  part  of  the  back,  whence  spring  numerous  long,  straight,  and  thick  shafts,  reaching,  when 
fully  developed,  to  considerably  Ix-yond  the  end  of  the  tail  ;  each  stem  having  along  each  side 
very  long,  slender,  and  distant  fibrilUe.  Tail  even,  of  twelve  broad  feathew.  Lower  nape  well 
feathered.     Plumage  entirely  pure  white  at  all  stages  and  seo-sons. 

This  genus,  like  Anlm,  (larrxtta  etc.,  is  nearly  cosmoi)olitan,  being  wanting  only  in  the  islands 
of  the  South  Pacific  and  in  the  colder  latitudes  of  other  regions.  It  comprises  but  a  single  Ameri- 
can species,  which  has  a  more  extensive  range  than  any  other  of  the  American  IIeron.s,  excepting 
only  Nycticmlea  grisca  mevia,'^  its  regular  habitat  extending  from  the  United  States  to  Chili  and 
Patagonia.  In  their  inunaturc  stage  and  in  winter  plumage,  the  .several  Old  World  species  closely 
resemble  the  American  species,  as  well  as  one  another.  But  it  is  believed  that  in  full  dress 
the  following  distincti<nis  will  be  found  to  hold  good  in  the  forms  which  we  have  been  able  to 
compare.  Gray's  Jfaml-Ust  (vol.  III.  p)).  27,  28)  recognizes  the  following  species  :  (1)  //.  (Ma,  L., 
of  Europe,  Africa,  India,  and  Australia  ;  (2)  H.  egntta,  Gmkl.,  of  America  ;  (3)  H.  intennedia,  V. 

1  An  Old  World  species  (IT.  phanifcrus,  CUnn.i))  has  long  jugidav  feathers  with  decomposed  webs. 
*  It  is  an  unsettled  iiuestion,  however,  whether  the  Night  Heron  of  Chili,  Patagonia,  etc.,  may  not  be 
a  distinct  race  {N.  yrisea  obacum  ;  see  page  r>ii). 


ARDEID.K  — TIIK   IIKUONH-  IIKUODIAS. 


23 


ll.vrtrtELg.,  of  Jiivft,  Iiidiii,  .laimii,  Ni-w  Simtli  Wales,  imd  TiiHiiiaiiiii ;  (\)  II.  timorentit,Viv,,  ot 
Tiiiicir ;  uiul  (■>)  II  lu-iriji, ^,  \  kuu.  &  Dk.sm.,  Iintii  New  CalidDiiiu.  To  wliichof  tht'Hc  the  fourth 
rtin'cifs  of  lliu  lollowini,'  syuoiwi.-*  IkIoiij,'',  1  am  at  [iii'si'iit  iiiialile  to  dutermiiie. 

Synopsis  of  Species. 

A.   Jiiiinldr  i>Uimen  ullijhllii  linijlhiiinl,  irilli  hntiul  niiil  iiiiilitiiiiijioiial  vvIih, 
K.   Witli  li;,'lit-(ip|orfil  U"^>i  ami  tccl,  ami  tin-  liiil  ii^-iiaily  inimiiiaiiy  tliisky. 

1.   H.  elba.'     I'liiim'^  of  the  tiiiiii  reaching'  to  o;iIy  almiit  2-:i  imiii'.-i  lii>yo)iil  the  tnil  ;  Itill 
rhii'tly  ilinky  in  tin-  lnvicliu-  ipjiima;<c  ;  li;,'s  ami  I'lcl  (•liiiily  ii),'lii   licKJi-colorcd,  with  tin- 
lar^i'r  .Hiiitcliiu  more  luowniMli,     \Viii',',   1(!.(m»  |n.;j(i  ;  ciilim'ii,  4.7.j-()(mi;  tarmis,  (i.-ld- 
7.!X) ;  initl.llc  Un;  :}.(Mt-4.(iO.     /I,il,.  \']\u>'\>i-  ami  other  imrts  of  Old  World. 
h.    Willi  dee|i  lilacU  ]i"^t  ami  feet,  the  hill  Usually  Mloslly  yellow. 

:;.  H.  ■yrmatophoruB.''  With  a  .short  traiu,  liki.'  //.  itlbn,  hut  hill  wludly  yellow,  nnd  the 
le;;s  and  feet  deep  Iduek  (e.\t'i'|it  lihiir,  which  are  pale  dull  yellow),  as  in  //.  eijnilu.  ^V'iiij,', 
U.riO  ;  eulnieii,  l..")0  ;  tarsus,  (i.J.'i ;  luidiUe  toe,  ;{.(i").     Ifiih.  Australia. 

3.  H.  egretta.     Hill  usually  chielly  yellow,  with  more  oi  less  of  the  teruiiiiul  portion  block; 

soMU'tiuies,  howevir,  with  thn  niuuilla  wholly  lilaek  or  entirely  yellow  ;  tihito  black. 
Train  e.vteudiu;;  usually  <•  inches  or  more  lieyoiid  the  tail.     Win^;,  14.  l()-l(i.8() ;  culineii, 
4.20-4. !J(»  ;  tarsus,  ."i..")(i-(!.S()  ;  niiildle  toe,  ;i.")0-4.;}(».     llah.  Warmer  parts  of  Ainericu. 
B>  JiHjiilar  }iliimi,i  .iiniilur  In  //nwc  nf  tin:  (lunid  Imiii,  imbj  KuviUir. 

4.  H.  plumiferiiB."     liill  with  aliout   the  terminal  half  of  both  nmndibles  black,  the  bivtnl 

portion  pale-colored  (yellow  in  life  f)  ;  h-j^s  and  feet  deep  black.  Wing,  12.50  ;  culniLMi, 
3.10;  tarsus,  4..S0  ;  middle  toe.  :}.  //((/).  Chimi  (No.  85747  U.  S.  Nut.  Mu».  ;  $  ad., 
Woo  Snn^',  ("hina,  May  23,  iMSl ;  Shauj,'liai  Museum) ;  Australia  (Gould). 


Herodias  egretta. 

THE  AMERICAN  EOBET. 

LnGrmdi-  AigrHtrif'Amfriqnr,  Wvvv.  I'l.  KnI.  1770-80,  pi.  925. 

Ureal  JFIiitc  Ifrroii,  Latu.  Synop.  111.  Mi^'i,  !»1. 

Great  Egret,  Lath.  t.  c.  by  (lia.sod  on  I'l.  Knl.  \*2:i). 

Anka  eijretta,  (!mki..  S.  \.   I.   1788,  t;2it,  no.  34  (ha.sed  on  PI.  Enl.  92,5,  and  Lath.,  1.  c).  —  WiLs. 

Am.  Oin.  VIL  1813,  in(i,  pi.  61,  tig.  4.  —  Xnr.   Man.  II.  1834,  47.  —  Ari).  Orn.   Diog.  IV. 

1838,  (iOO,  pi.  38t) ;  Synop.  183!t,  20.')  ;  B.  Am.  VI.  1843,  132,  pi.  370.  —  CouES,  Key,  1872, 

207  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  45".: ;  liinls  N.  W.  1874,  519. 
Herodias  egretta,  Oiiay,  (ien.  IJ.  III.  1849.  — Baiud,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  666;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859, 

no.  486.  —  Coi-Es,  ("heck  List,  cd.  2,  1882,  no.  658. 
Ifcmilias  alba,  var.  rgrrlta,  HiixiW.  Am.  Lyi'.  N.  Y.  Jan.  1874,  386. 
Herodias  alba  egretta,  Uidgw.  Hull.  E.sso.\  Inst.  Oct.  1874,  171  ;  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  489. 


1  Hkuodias  ai.iia,  Linn.     European  Egret. 

Ardra  alba,  Linn.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  I.  1758,  144  ;  cd.  12, 1. 1760,  239. 
Herodias  alba.  At'i'T. 

Ardta  cgrel.oides,  S.  O.  C.MEI,.  Reisc,  II.  193,  pi.  24. 
Erodius  VictoriiT,  Macoii.!,.  Man.  N.  11.  Orn.  II.  131. 
Herodias  Candida,  BilKIlM,  Vi>g.  Deutschl.  584. 
^  Hkuodia.s  .SYiiMAToi'iionus,  Gould.     Australian  Egret. 

Herodias  syrmatnphnrus,  OoiTi.n,  B.  Austr.  A'l.  1848,  pi.  56. 
It  is  somewhat  doubtful  whether  this  bird  can  bo  separated  from  //.  egretta.     A  Floridian  specimen  of 
the  latter  is  in  all  rc.ipects  identical,  except  as  to  size,  the  measurements  Ix'ing,  wing,  15.50  ;  cuhnen,  4.50  ; 
tar.sus,  6.00  ;  and  middle  toe,  3.85,  —  certainly  not  as  great  a  dilfcrcnco  as  occurs  between  specimens  of 
cither  //.  albn  or  //.  egretta. 

'  Hf.ixodias  vi.i'MiFERr.s,  Gould.     Plumed  Egret. 

Herodias  pi umi/erus,  Gori.D,  P.  Z.  S.  1847,  221  ;  B.  Austr.  VI.  1848,  pi.  57. 


24 


ALTllICIAL  UKALI.ATOlUvS-  IlKUODIONES. 


U.r.xfin.,ff,rrtt„,  v«r.  r„/./..nt.>-.,  H.MI.1..  I».  N.  Am.  1858,  667  ;  Cat.  N.  An..  D.  1850,  no.  486a. 
Ar<l.iilnirf,  "  Ii.I.mikh."  I.l'in.  \  .r/.  DoiiU.  ISW,  no.  7U3. 
Anlia  nihil,  m\n\wi:  gulaltn,  KririiKNow,  J.  f.  <>.  1877,  'il'L 

IlAii     Tlic  whole  of  t.-nipfnitc  uiul  tn.pi.al  Ani.-iini,  from  Novn  Seotin,  CiiniMla  Wwt,  Minnc 
»<)t«,  (UkI  On'K'on,  to  Chili  .m.l  I'alaK'oniii ;  tliiouKlioiit  thu  Went  liidicH. 

S|.  ('ii.\R.     b-.Kth,  al.out  :«7.(H^-:«!MHH  .•.xfi.l,  uhout  5.-..(H>-57.(K) ;  wing.    14.10-10.80;  tnil, 

6.«M>-7.:iO  ;  culm 4.2(M.!H)  ;  .l.-pth  of  ImH,  .70-.mo  ;  Uww,  n..')(M!.H(»  ;  iiii.l.ll.>  tor,  .3.Ii(M.:iO  ; 

mk.'.l  imrlion  of  til.irt,  WM^.M  ;  weiKht,  ulnMit  i]  H.^.  Color  .'i.tirrly  ,.iir.'  uhlt.'  at  all  H'.w.onR 
anil  at  all  a;,'cH.  Kill  an.l  lort's  ri.h  iliroiii.'  yellow  (the  latter  HoimlimcH  tiiiKC'l  with  li«ht  K'reen), 
the  .•iilmeii  ucually  l.la.k  near  the  tip,  MometimeK  nearly  the  eiiliro  maxilla  black ;  iris  miples- 
ycllow  ;  le>,'s  ami  feet  onlinly  <leep  hiaek. 

HoviiiK  (.pccimcns  Infore  w*  fnuii  all  parts  of  its  raiine,  wo  are  unable  to  tlotcct  in  this  upcciei 
any  variations  of  a  geo^fraphical  nature.     The  chief  ilillerence  between  imlividuals  consists  in  the 


'r 

1  i 


i 


amount  of  black  on  the  maxilla,  this  bcin*;  sometimes  almost  nil,  while  attain  the  maxilla  may  be 
entirely  black.  Thui  this  variation  has  no  relation  to  season  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  in  a  consid- 
eral)le  series  shot  from  one  "rookery"  in  Florid s,  and  all  liearin^,'  thu  nuptial  train,  the  extremes 
ore  presented  by  different  individuals,  others  beiujj  varioufly  intermediate. 

The  Amerioui  Ejjret  may  l»e  easily  enou>,'h  distiiiyuished  from  tliat  of  Europe  (//.  alba)  by  its 
smaller  size,  jet-bluck  instead  of  pale  llesli-colored  lo},'s,  bri{,'hter  yellow  bill,  etc.  ;  but  I  have  thus 
far  been  unsuccessful  in  my  search  for  characters  which  will  serve  always  to  distinjjuish  the 
Australian  Eyret  from  //.  tijretta.  Australian  specimens  a},'ree  with  the  latter  in  black  le(,'s  and 
feet  (thoujjh  the  tibiic  are  said  to  be  pale  dull  yellow),  yellow  bill,  and  .smaller  size.  A  single 
specimen  in  nuptial  plumage  has  the  train  short,  like  II.  nlba  ;  but  a  Florida  example  o{  H.  egretta 
differs  in  no  respect  whatever,  that  I  can  see,  except  measurements  ;  and  in  this  respect  the  dis- 
crejmncy  is  much  less  than  between  examples  of  //.  egretta  shot  at  the  same  time  in  the  same 
locjility  I    Following  are  the  measurements  of  the  two  specimens  in  cj^uestioii :  — 

^o.  7^567,  If.  si/rmatoplwrus,         14.50         4.50         6.25         3.05         New  South  Wales. 
No.  73524, /r.  cyrcWa,  15.50         4.50         6.00         3.85         Florida. 

It  is  possible,  however,  that  a  larger  series  of  H.  syrmatophorxis  than  the  one  which  I  have  been 
able  to  examine  might  show  differences  which  have  as  yet  escaped  my  notice. 

The  Great  White  Egret  of  America  lias  an  extended  distribution,  breeding  through- 
out North  America  as  far  as  New  Jersey,  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  in  the  interior  as  far 
north  as  Southern  Illinois,  and  throughout  South  America,  almost  to  Patagonia.  It 
is  a  great  wanderer,  and  stragglers  have  been  met  with  from  the  Straits  of  Magellan 
to  Nova  Scotia,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  where  it  is  found  as  far  to  the 
north  as  the  Columbia  River,  and  probably  beyond.     In  midsummer  it  wanders  to 


AHr)KII).H  -  TflH   lIKROVa  -  HKKODIAS. 


86 


l,.iki*  MicluKim  iiitil  otlii't's  of  tht>  l!U'K<'>'  liikcs.  Mr.  Salviii  foiiiul  it  coiuiiioii  in  C'fti- 
trill  Aiufi'ica,  lM)tlM>n  tlit>  Athiiitic  mid  tlic  I'lu-iHc  coastM.  It  waH  miich  iiinro  Nolitary 
ill  its  liiiliits  tliiiii  tlir  iiniiHiHsMimii.  Mr.  (r.  ('.  Taylor  alsci  met  with  it  at  TIkt" 
Islaiiil,  ill  liiiinliiras,  wlicic  it  was  ui>t  tmcommoii,  It  is  an  occasional  visitant,  l>oth 
ill  tlu>  Hpi'iiiK  ami  in  tlic  tall,  to  licriaiida.  I.cotaiid  Hpeaks  of  it  as  a  very  coniUKm 
species  in  Trinidad,  where  it  was  principally  t'oiind  on  the  lianks  ol  the  sea,  or  of 
rivers  iiithieiiced  liy  the  tiiles.  It  is  said  to  jmiit  lnr  lish  in  the  (hiytinie,  and  also  to 
iced  on  soft  inollnsk.s.  It  reposes  on  tlu-  liranidies  of  the  nian^rove-trees  in  a  state  of 
ciiiitiiuied  iininoltility.  It  is  fuuiiil  usually  siii^^ly,  or  not  niort>  than  two  or  threu 
toi,'cthcr.  .Mthoni,'h  very  shy  in  its  wild  state,  it  is  readily  reconciled  to  ca|itivity. 
Coiitiiied  in  a  I'ourtyard  or  a  K'l'dcn,  it  liecome.s  a  very  attractive  ornament.  Tiie 
lirilliunt  wliitem's.H  of  its  plumaj,'e,  tiu*  Kracefuliu>.ss  of  its  movements,  the  elegance  of 
its  Illumes,  ami  the  di^jnity  of  its  carriaK'f,  comliine  to  make  it  very  attractive.  It  will 
watcii  for  a  rat  or  a  mouse  with  complete  imnioliility,  when  suddenly,  and  with  a 
siirprisiiij,'  rapidity  of  nutvement.  it  seizi'S  its  prey.  It  devours  everything  it  meets 
with,  sparing,'  neither  insect  nor  reptile.  If  another  of  this  si)e('it'H  is  put  in  the  same 
enclosure,  a  furious  contest  is  sure  to  ensue,  which  not  nnfrecpiently  ends  in  the  crip- 
pling' of  one  ol  the  combatants.  They  strike  furious  lilows  at  each  other  with  their 
iicaks,  hut  these  are  usually  warded  off.  In  the  struj,'j,'le  they  int«'rlace  their  feet  ami 
n  iiii,'s.  and  not  unfrc(picntly  one  of  the  wings  gets  hrokeii  :  this  ends  the  contest. 

The  Kgret  is  a  resident  of  Trinidad,  iireeds  there,  and  never  h-aves  the  island.  It 
is  given  liy  Dr.  (Jundlach  as  hreeding  in  Cuba,  and  l>y  Mr.  (io.sse  and  Mr.  March  as  a 
resident  in  .lamaiea;  ami  it  is  found  in  other  \Ve.st  India  Islands.  Mr.  C.  W.  Wyatt 
iiiciitioiis  meeting  with  this  species  on  the  Lake  of  I'atnria,  in  Colombia,  S.  A.  Dr. 
iiurnicistcr  records  it  as  found  everywhere  throughout  the  La  I'lata  region  in  South 
.\nierica.  on  the  banks  of  the  rivers  and  among  the  higoons,  or  aiuung  the  reeds  in 
niursliy  ground  from  the  iSanda  Oriental  as  far  as  the  Andes.  Specimens  were 
taken  by  Dr.  Cunningham  (Ibis.  ISdT)  near  Port  Ordway.  in  the  Straits  of  Magellan. 

During  the  summer  this  s]iecies  straggles  along  our  entire  Atlantic  coast,  and  even 
into  the  interior.  Mr.  Hoarduum  informs  nie  that  it  not  only  oeeasioiially  is  taken 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Calais,  but  that  individuals  have  been  shot  as  far  up  the  Way 
of  Fuiidy  as  Windsor,  Nova  Scotia.  Several  instances  are  on  record  of  its  having 
been  taken  in  Ma.s.sachusetts.  Mr.  Allen  reports  two  taken  near  IIud.son  by  Mr. 
.lillson  in  1H()7 ;  these  were  in  immature  pliuuage.  Several  others  were  seen  at  the 
same  tinu*.  A  male  in  full  jilumage  was  taken  at  Ashland,  in  ^lay,  several  years 
since,  and  another  near  Lynn  by  Mr.  Vickary.  Mr.  II.  A.  I'urdie  records  the  capture 
of  a  line  specimen  in  Westford  in  the  summer  of  1S73.  In  the  summer  of  1809  an 
example  of  this  species  was  shot  on  the  ( )nion  or  Winooski  Hiver,  in  Vermont.  Though 
rare  in  the  interior,  it  is  yet  found  in  suitable  localities.  Professor  Kundien  informs 
me  that  in  the  months  of  August  and  Septend)er  it  is  to  be  seen  every  year,  fishing 
on  the  edge  of  Lake  Koskonong,  Wisconsin.  New  tJersey  is  the  most  northern  point 
on  the  Atlantic  coast  where  it  has  been  known  to  breed.  On  Long  Island,  according 
to  (iiraud,  it  is  not  a  frequent  visitor.  Occasionally  one  may  be  seen,  during  the 
suuuuer  months,  on  the  marshes  or  niea<lows,  or  wading  about  on  the  shoals  in  pursuit 
of  small  tish,  oji  which  it  feeds,  as  well  as  frogs  and  lizards.  The  largest  number 
ever  in  sight  at  one  time  is  five.  These  were  seen  on  Coney  Island,  and  were  ex- 
tremely shy  and  vigilant,  eluding  all  attempts  to  secure  them.  In  Wilson's  time,  or 
about  1810,  this  Heron  bred  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  extensive  cedar-swamps 
in  the  lower  part  of  New  Jersey,  where  their  nests  were  built  in  societies  on  trees. 
The  young  made  their  first  appearance  in  the  marshes  in  August,  in  parties  of  twenty 

VOL.  I.  —  4 


26 


ALTRiriAL  (IRALLATORES  -  IIERODIOXES. 


or  tliirty.  an«l  were  frequently  sliot.  Tlie  old  birds  were  too  shy  to  be  often  secured. 
Their  food,  as  shown  by  tlie  reuiuins  found  in  their  stomach,  consists  of  frogs,  lizards, 
small  tish,  insects,  seeds  of  a  si)ecies  of  iii/mji/ura,  water-snakes,  mice,  moles,  and 
other  kinds  of  vermin. 

Audubon  nu-t  with  this  species  abundantly  in  Florida,  where  it  is  resident  through- 
out the  year.  It  is  found  along  the  (Julf  coast  to  Mexico;  but  is  rarely  met  with 
inland,  and  \isually  not  more  than  fifty  miles  from  the  coast,  and  then  always  near 
some  large  river.  It  freciuents,  for  purposes  of  reproduction,  low,  nuirshy  districts 
covered  with  large  trees,  the  nuirgin  of  streams,  jtonds,  or  bayous,  or  gloomy  swamps 
covered  with  water.  In  a  few  instances  Mr.  .\udubon  met  with  its  nests  in  low  trees, 
and  on  sandy  islands  at  a  short  distan<^e  from  the  mainland.  Early  in  December  Mr. 
Audidion  found  this  Jleroii  congregated  together  in  vast  numbers,  ai)i)arently  for  the 
purjiose  of  nuiting,  in  East  Florida.  He  dt'scribcs  the  courtship  of  the  males  as  very 
curious  and  interesting.  Their  throats  swelling  out  in  the  manner  of  Cormorants, 
emitting  gurgling  sounds,  they  strutted  round  the  fenuiles,  raising  their  long  plumes 
almost  erect,  and  pacing  majestically  before  the  objects  of  their  selection.  Conflicts 
now  and  then  took  place,  but  they  were  not  so  frequent  Hi,  he  had  been  led  to  siqjpose. 
These  performances  were  continued  from  day  to  day  for  nearly  a  week,  occupying 
the  warnun-  ])ortion  of  the  day. 

The  flight  of  this  Heron  is  well  sustained  and  vigorous.  On  foot  its  movements 
are  graceful,  its  step  meusurcd,  its  long  neck  being  gracefully  retracted  aiul  curved. 
Its  long  and  silky  ti'ain  makes  its  appearance  a  few  weeks  i)revious  to  the  love 
season,  and  continues  to  grow  and  to  increase  in  beauty  until  incubation  has  com. 
menced.  After  this  period  it  begins  to  deteriorate,  and  disappears  about  the  time  the 
young  bird  leaves  the  nest. 

Tliose  that  migrate  northward  leave  Florida  about  the  first  of  March ;  but  none 
reach  New  Jersey  before  the  middle  of  May.  In  Florida  the  young  are  full  grown 
by  the  8th  of  ^lay ;  in  Xew  Jersey,  not  l)efore  the  1st  of  August :  in  the  former 
State  two  broods  are  raised  in  a  season. 

Regarding  the  supi)osed  California  form  of  the  White  Egret  as  identical  Avith  the 
eastern  ff/rcffn,  T  can  find  no  mention  of  any  jHCul'ir  characteristics  differing  from 
those  found  on  the  Southern  Atlantic  or  the  (Julf  coast.  Dr.  Cooper  has  found 
the  Californian  birds  abundant  in  the  southern  part  of  that  State  throughout  the  year. 
Being  without  doubt  the  bird  referred  to  by  Dr.  Newberry  as  the  Ardt'ft  orcidenUd'is, 
it  is  found  in  the  sunnuer  as  far  north  as  the  Columbia  Hiver.  It  in  all  probability 
breeds  throughout  this  extended  range,  chiefly  in  swampy  woods  near  the  sea.  Dr. 
Cooper  met  with  a  large  number  in  June,  in  a  grove  near  the  mouth  of  the  Santa 
Margarita  Hiver.  He  also  met  with  it  in  Fay  near  Santa  Barbara,  and  has  procured 
examples  also  near  Fort  Mojave. 

Mr.  Ki(,'gway  mentions  having  met  with  this  \)ird  once,  in  June,  near  Sacramento; 
and  on  several  occasions  in  the  vicinity  of  Fyra  rid  Lake,  in  the  months  of  December 
and  May. 

Cai)tain  Bendire  informs  me.  January,  1875,  that  a  large  heronry  of  this  species 
exists  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Harney,  about  seventy -five  miles  south  of  Canyon 
City,  Grant  (U)unty,  Oregon. 

The  nests  of  this  Egret  vary  greatly  in  position  :  some  are  found  on  the  tops  of 
lofty  cypress  trees  from  erne  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  from  the  ground, 
others  on  low  .nangroves  not  six  feet  above  the  water,  and  others  in  intermediate 
positions.  T),"  nest  is  always  a  large  flat  stnu'ture,  comjwsed  of  sticks  loosely  put 
together.     It  usually  overhangs  the  water,  and  is  resorted  to  year  after  year  by  the 


ARDEIDJ']  —  THE   IIKROXS  —  GAHZETTA. 


27 


same  pair.     When  the  nest  is  on  a  tall  tree,  the  young  remain  in  it  or  on  the  branches 
until  they  are  able  to  Hy ;  but  when  it  is  near  the  water  or  ground,  they  leave  much 

sooner. 

The  number  of  eggs  in  a  nest  in  Florida,  iiceording  to  Audubon,  is  invariably 
three.  According  to  Wilson,  in  New  Jersey  the  number  is  four  or  five.  Audubon 
(fives  their  size  as  two  and  a  (quarter  inches  in  length  and  one  and  five  eighths  in 
hii'iulth,  and  their  cohn- a  [)ale  blue,  which  soon  fades.  Two  eggs  in  my  collection, 
olitaiued  in  Florida  by  Dr.  Hryant,  measure,  oiu-  i;..'5()  x  l.'>'2  inches;  the  other  2.28 
X  1.00  inches.  They  are  oval  in  .shape,  nearly  equal  at  either  end,  and  their  color  is 
that  uniform  unspotted  washing  or  faint  shading  of  greenish  Prussian  blue,  common 
to  all  our  herons,  the  two  bitterns  alone  excej)ted. 

Genis   GARZETTA,   Kaup. 

Ganctta,  Kaup,  Nat.  Syst.  Eur.  Tliicrw.  18ai»,  7t).     Bonap.  C'onap.  II.  1855,    118   (type,  Ardea 
(jarzctta,  Li.VN.). 

GrEN.  Char.  .Small  wliitc  Herons,  crested  nt  all  ages  and  seasons,  and  in  the  nuptial  season 
iulnrned  with  jugular  and  dorsal  plinucs.  Bill  slender,  very  little  compressed,  the  culnien  decidedly 
liut  ascending  ;  the  lower  edge  of  the  mandibular  rami  straight  or  appreciahly  concave.  Mental 
curved  for  the  terminal  halt',  somewhat  depressed  for  the  basal  half;  the  gonys  nearly  straight, 


O.  candidiasima. 


apices  falling  far  short  of  reaching  half-wi 
malar  apices  reaching  just  as  far  as  the  fr 
the  nostrils.  Toes  short,  the  middle  one 
about  one  half  iti<  length  ;  bare  portion  of 
scutelloe  as  in  Ilerndias. 

Nuptial  pbuiics  adorning  the  occiput, 
of  similar  structure,  having  decomposed  \vi 
(uid  jugulum  narrow  and  with  compact  w 
beyond  the  tail,  and  strongly  recurved  at  e; 


ly  from  the  middle  of  the  eye  to  the  point  of  the  bill ; 
tntal  apices,  and  falling  far  short  of  the  posterior  end  of 
but  little  more  than  one  half  the  tarsus,  the  hallux 
tibia  nearly  three  fourths  as  long  as  the  tarsus.    Tarsal 

jugulum,  and  back  ;  these,  in  the  American  species,  all 
obs  ;  but  in  the  Old  World  species,  those  of  the  occiput 
ebs.  Doi-sal  plumes  (in  all  species)  reaching  but  little 
lids. 


§;■•  -i 


28 


ALTRICIAL  GRALLATDUES  —  HERODIONES. 


Of  the  extraliniitiil  species  of  this  genus  we  have  only  0.  nivea,  Gmel.,  of  Europe  nt  hand  for 
comparison.  This  species  bears  a  close  general  resc'iul)iance  to  (i.  aindidissivvi,  bein,!,'  of  nearly  tlie 
same  size,  and  liavini,'  exactly  similar  scapular  plumes.  The  ,)uj;ular  plumes,  however,  are  acicular 
and  somewhat  ri<,'iil,  instead  of  hairliku,  with  decomposed  webs ;  while  the  occipital  plumes  are 
entirely  different,  there  beinj,'  two  very  long,  narrow  feathers  springing  from  the  occiput,  very 
much  like  those  of  the  species  of  Anlm.  The  differences  between  the  two  species  are  more 
precisely  expressed  in  the  following  table  ;  - 

Com.  f'HAK.  Plumage  wholly  jnire  white  at  all  ages  and  seasons.  Dorsal  plumes  reaching 
to  about  the  end  of  the  tail,  their  shafts  rigid  and  more  or  less  strongly  recurved  at  ends,  the  webs 
decomposed,  with  the  tiimlla;  liairlike,  and  rather  widely  separated. 

1.  O.  candidissima.     Occipital  crest  composed  of  numerous  elongated  feathers  with  their 

webs  decomposed  and  liairlike;  jugular  plumes  similar.  Bill  black,  yellow  at  base;  iris 
and  eyelids  yellow ;  tibiffi  and  tarsi  black,  the  lower  part  of  the  latter,  with  toes,  yellow. 
Culmeu,  2.08-3.5')  ;  tarsus,  3..'it)-4.4() ;  wing,  8.2()-10..5().    Hah.  Warmer  parts  of  America. 

2.  O.  nivea.'    Occipital  crest  composed  of  two  or  three  long,  slender,  decurved  or  pendant 

plumes,  with  compact  webs ;  jugular  plumes  acicular,  somewhat  rigid.  Bill  black,  the 
base  light  green  ;  tibia  and  upper  half  of  tarsi  black  ;  lower  half  of  latter,  with  toes, 
greenish-yellow.  Culmen,  3.25-3.75  ;  tai-sus,  3.60-4.(K) ;  wing,  10.75.  Ilab.  Europe  and 
parts  of  Asia  and  Africa. 

3.  O.  immaculata.^    Similar  to  G.  nivcu,  but  without  occipital  crest,  and  with  the  toes 

blackish.     Culmen,  3.70  ;  tarsus,  3.75.     Hab.  Australia. 

Oarzetta  candidissima. 

THE   SNOWY   HESON. 

Ardcanivca,  Jacq.  Beitr.  1784,  18,  no.  13  (not  of  S.  G.  Gmel.  1770-1774).  —  Lath.  Ind.  Om.  H. 

1790,  696  (part). 
Little  While  Heron,  bATH.  Synop.  III.  1785,  93. 
Little  Egret,  Latu.  Synop.  III.  1785,  90  (part ;  includes  also  G.  nivea). 
Ardea  candidissima,  Gmki,.  .S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  633,  no.  45.  —  \Vii,s.  Am.  Orn.  VII.  1813,  120,  pi.  62, 

fig.  4.  —  Ntrrr.  Man.  II.  1834,  49.  —  .\v\k  Oni.  Hiog.  III.  1835,  317  ;  V.  1839,  606,  j.I.  242  ; 

Synop.  1839,  267  ;  Minis  Am.  VI.  1843,  163,  pi.  374.  —  Cones,  Key,  1872,  267  ;  Check  List, 

1873,  89,  no.  453  ;  Birds  X.  W.  1874,  521.  —  Keicuf.xow,  ,I.  f.  0.  1877,  273. 
Garzetta  candidissima,  Boxap.  Cons|).  II.  1855,  119.  —  Baiuo,  Birds  X.  Am.  IS.'iS,  665;  C.it.  N. 

Am.  B.  1859,  no.  485.  —  Ridu\y.  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  490.  —  CouES,  Check  List,  2d  ed. 

1882,  no.  659. 
Ardca  oula,  Gmki,.  S.  X.  I.  ii.  1788,  633  (Chili). 
Ardea  thula,  L.vru.  Ind.  Orn.  II.  1791,  688. 
Ardca  carol incnsis,  Oitn.  ed.  Wils.  VII.  1825,  125. 
Ardea  lacfca,  "Cuv."  Less.  Tmite,  I.  1831,  575  (Cayenne). 

Hab.  The  whole  of  temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  the  northern  United  States  to  Chili 
and  Buenos  Ayres  ;  suunncr  or  autumnal  visitant  only  at  the  northern  and  southern  extremes  of 
its  range.    West  Indies. 

Sp.  Char.  Length,  about  20.(X)-24.00 ;  expanse  of  wings,  about  36.00-40.00  ;  wing,  8.20- 
10.50  ;  tail,  3.00-4.80  ;  cidmen,  2.08-3.65  ;  depth  of  bill,  .40-.55  ;  tarsus,  3.15-4.50  ;   middle 

I  GAiiZETTA  nivea,  Gmcl.     Tlie  Little  Egret  of  Europe. 

Ardca garzetta,  Lisn.  S.  N.  I.  1766,  237.  —  Xaum.  Vog.  Dcutschl.  IX.  1838,  101,  pi.  223. 

Egretta garzetta,  Macgii.l.  Hist.  Brit.  R.  IV.  1852,  471  (Little  White  Egret). 

Ardcanivca,  S.  G.  Gmki..  Nov.  Comm.  Petrop.  XV.  458,  pi.  17. 

Ilcrodim  nivea,  Buemm,  Viig.  Dcutscld.  p.  587. 

Heroditts  JHbata,  Bkeum,  Vog.  Deutsehl.  p.  586. 
»  Garzetta  immaculata,  Gould.    Australian  Little  Egret. 

fferodias  immaculata,  GouLn,  B.  Austmlia,  vol.  VI.  1848,  pi.  68. 


ARDEID.E  — THE  HERONS  —  GARZETTA. 


29 


too,  2.20-3.20;  hare  portion  of  tibin,  1.70-2.75  ;  weif^ht,  about  10-14  ounces.  Color  entirely 
nure  white,  at  all  ages  and  seasons.  Bill  black,  the  basal  portion  of  the  lower  niantlible  (some- 
times one-half)  yellow,  or  light  colored  ;  lores,  iris,  and  eyelids,  yellow  ;  tibiie  and  tarsi  black, 
the  lower  posterior  portion  of  the  latter,  with  the  toes,  yellow  ;  claws  blackish. 

Nuptial  plumes  slender  shafted  and  loose  fibred,  those  of  the  back  reaching  to  or  slightly 
bevoiid  the  end  of  the  tail,  and,  normtJly,  recurved  terminally  ;  those  of  the  occiput  some- 
times exceeding  the  bill  in  length  ;  those  of  the  jugulum  slightly  less  developed.  In  the  young 
tliese  are  all  absent,  except  on  the  occiput,  where  they  are  but  slightly  developed  ;  in  the 
adults  the  occipital  plumes  appear  to  be  permanent,  the  others  assumed  only  during  the  breed- 
iu''  season. 


'-5fe'^- 


^^■. 


\^ 


.s_ 


\' 


In  this  extensively  distributed  species  there  is  a  wide  range  of  variation  in  size,  and,  to  a  less 
extent,  in  proportions  ;  specimens  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  California  and  Mexico  averaging  con- 
siderably larger  than  those  from  the  eastern  United  States,  while  those  from  northeastern  South 
America  are  still  smaller  than  the  latter.  There  is  not  a  suiHcient  amount  of  material  avail- 
able to  determine  whether  this  variation  is  strictly  geographical,  or  whether  other  difterences 
constantly  accompany  these  variations.  It  seems  to  be  a  general  rule  among  the  birds  of  this 
family  to  vary  in  the  same  way,  however. 

As  a  rule,  specimens  from  Losver  California  average  a  little  larger,  and  those  from  Demerara 
considerably  smaller,  than  examples  from  otlier  localities.  Examjjles  from  Chili  are  intermediate 
in  size  l)et«^.,n  Demerara  specimens  and  others  from  the  etistern  United  States,  In  the  full  dress, 
the  bill  is  deep  black,  witli  the  extreme  base  and  the  lores  yell(jw  ;  the  tarsus  deep  black,  the 
toes  yellowish  (bright  yeUow  or  orange  in  life),  in  more  or  less  marked  contrast.  Winter  speci- 
mens, however,  even  if  possessing  the  plumes,  have  more  or  less  of  the  basal  portion  of  the  lower 
mandilile  yellow,  but  are  not  otherwise  obviously  different.  Among  individuals,  even  from  the 
same  locality,  there  is  a  great  range  of  variation  in  size  and  proportions  ;  there  is  also  a  con- 
siderable individual  variation  in  the  color  of  the  feet,  the  yellow  being  as  a  rule  confined  to 
the  toes,  but  sometimes  occupying  a  greater  or  less  extent  of  the  lower  part  (if  the  tarsus. 

Between  specimens  of  tlie  same  stage  from  the  eastern  United  States,  tiie  West  Indies,  Lower 
California,  Demerara,  Chili,  and  Brazil,  we  can  detect  no  differences  other  than  those  of  an  indi- 
vidual nature  except  the  very  slight  geographical  one  of  size,  alluded  to  above.^ 

The  Snowy  Egret  is  one  of  the  most  abundant,  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  widely- 
distributed,  of  its  family.  It  is  found  on  both  the  Pacific  and  the  Atlantic  coasts, 
wimdering  on  both  shores  several  liundred  miles  farther  north  than  it  is  known  to 
breed.  On  the  Atlantic  a  few  are  supposed  to  be  summer  residents  as  far  north 
as  Long  Island.  From  thenee  southward  it  is  found  along  the  entire  Gulf  coast, 
and  the  shores  of  both  oceans,  throughout  a  very  large  extent  of  South  America, 

'  Since  the  above  was  written  we  linvn  noticed  very  nearly  the  extremes  of  size  in  a  series  of  these 
birds  from  Florida,  collected  at  the  same  place  and  at  the  same  time. 


80 


AI/riU("lAL   (iUALLATOKKS  —  IIKRODIONES. 


,^^- 


incliiding  the  West  India  Islands.  Mexico,  and  Central  America.  It  is  also  found 
distril)uted  throngli  tlie  interior  as  far  north  as  ()ref,'on  and  the  (treat  Lakes.  ;Mr. 
Salvin  found  it  (luite  connnon  on  tiie  Atlantic  coast  of  Central  America,  and  .states 
that  it  also  occasionally  visited  the  Lake  of  Dnefias  in  the  interior.  When  observed 
it  was  usually  in  companies.  On  the  coast  of  Honduras  he  visited  one  of  the  breed- 
ing places  of  this  si)ecies.  l)Ut  tlie  nests  were  mostly  deserted,  as  all  the  young  birds 
of  tliose  still  inhabited  were  able  to  run  along  th((  branches  and  make  their  escape. 
The  nests  were  composed  entirely  of  sticks,  and  jdaced  near  the  end  of  a  horizontal 
bough.  He  also  found  this  species  abundiint  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  (Juatemala.  It 
occasionally  visits  lierniuda,  both  in  the  spring  and  in  the  fall.  Leotaud  speaks  of 
it  as  a  very  common,  and  once  a  very  abundant,  bird  in  Trinidad,  where  it  frequents 
the  borders  of  the  .sea  and  the  vicinity  of  streams  and  marshes  affected  by  the  influ- 
ences of  the  tides.  Its  habits  are  said  to  l»e  very  similar  to  those  of  the  larger 
egrrtta.  Its  n>unbers  were  rapidly  diminishing,  and  it  promised  soon  to  become  an 
extinct  species  in  that  island.  It  is  given  by  Dr.  (Jundlach  as  an  abundant  s))eeies 
in  Cuba,  where  it  is  resident,  and  brecls  in  large  communities.  In  flamaica,  accord- 
ing to  (losse.  it  is  not  so  common,  and  occiu's  chiefly  as  a  visitant  in  midwinter.  31  r. 
ALarch  mentions  it  as  of  frt'(|uent  occurrence.  Mr.  C.  W.  AVyatt  found  it  in  Colom- 
bia, S.  A.,  on  the  borders  of  Lake  I'aturia.  Dr.  lUirmeister  found  it  througlumt  the 
region  of  the  La  Plata  even  nu)re  numerous  than  the  Jli'militm  vr/rcffa,  especially  in 
the  more  westerly  jjortions. 

This  species  is  found  in  the  summer  months  as  far  to  the  northeast  as  Calais,  Me., 
and  a  fcAV  straggle  up  the  Hay  of  Fundy,  even  to  the  extreme  eastern  arm  of  that 
bay  at  Windsor,  X.  S.  .1.  ^latthew  .lones  states  that  it  has  been  recently  (1<S()8) 
captured  on  the  sea-coast  of  that  province,  near  Halifax.  A  specimen  was  taken  at 
Windsor,  \.  S.,  in  the  summer  of  1X72. 

()n  Long  Island,  according  to  (iiraud.  it  occurs  during  the  summer  months,  but  is 
not  abundant.  Yet  it  is  by  no  nu'ans  unconunon,  and  is  well  known  to  nu)st  of  the 
gunners.  It  is  said  to  fre(pu>nt  tlie  salt  marshes  in  small  parties,  and  may  be  seen 
wading  about  over  the  nuid-flats  and  sand-bars,  or  in  the  shallow  w.ater,  in  search  of 
small  crabs,  lizards,  and  worms,  which,  with  sevei'al  species  of  aquatic  jdants,  con- 
stitute its  principal  food.  The  Snowy  Heron  always  feeds  by  day ;  and  when  wading 
about  in  search  of  its  favorite  food,  or  while  making  short  excnraions,  it  is  rendered 
so  conspicuous  by  the  snowy  whiteness  of  its  jdumage,  that  it  seldom  parses  unolv 
served  by  the  gunners.  It  visits  Long  Island  late  in  the  spring,  and  may  be  seen  on 
the  salt  marshes  until  late  in  the  autumn,  though  it  usually  migrates  southwards  in 
the  last  of  September.  It  is  not  positively  known  to  breed  on  any  part  of  Long 
Island. 

In  August,  18G3,  Mr.  Dresser  saw  large  flocks  of  this  Heron  visiting  the  lagoons 
near  JLatamoras,  in  such  large  lunnbers  that  on  one  occasion  he  killed  thirteen  at  one 
discharge.  In  the  spring  of  1804  he  noticed  several  near  San  Antonio,  and  found  a 
few  breeding  on  (ialveston  Island  in  June,  and  received  one  from  Fort  Stockton. 

Dr.  Cooper  speaks  of  it  as  common,  at  all  seasons,  along  the  southern  coast  of  Cali- 
fornia. In  summer  it  migrates  to  the  summits  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  to  Lake  Tahoe, 
and  probably  throughout  California  and  Oregon.  He  has  always  found  it  very  shy, 
more  so  even  than  the  larger  white  one.  Abo\it  the  end  of  April  it  migrates  to  some 
extent  from  the  southern  parts  of  the  State  in  large  flocks,  but  he  has  met  with  it  in 
July  near  San  Pedro,  when  he  supposed  that  it  was  nesting  in  the  mountains,  or 
some  other  retired  places,  in  the  vicinity. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  Wilson  visited  an  extensive  breeding  place  of  this  Heron 


auioii}. 
shelter 
water 
to  rend 
four  nt 
1,'  inc 


ARDEID.K  —  TIIK  HERONS  —  OAIJZKTTA. 


31 


aiiHMij,'  the  red  eedars  of  Sninmci's  Jieaeh,  on  the  coast  of  Cape  ^^^ay.  The  place  was 
slii'lteied  from  the  AtUvntic  liy  a  iiin},'e  of  sand-hills,  and  on  its  land  side  was  a  fresh- 
Uiitcr  mai'sli.  Tlie  cedars  wei'c  not  hij^h,  luit  were  so  closely  crowded  toj^ether  as 
to  render  it  ditticult  to  penetratt*  throngh  tlieni.  .^onie  trees  contained  three,  others 
Idiir  nests,  built  wholly  of  sticks.  The  ej,'j,'s,  usually  three  in  nund)er,  measured 
1 ,'  inches  l)y  l.}.  The  birds  rose,  without  clamor,  in  vast  nund)ers,  and  alighted  on 
the  t(ii>s  of  the  trees  around.  Wilson  adds  that  this  Heron  was  seen  at  all  tinu'.s 
(luriiig  tiie  siininier  among  the  salt  marshes,  searching  for  food,  or  ptissing  in  flocks 
iruiu  (lue  jiart  of  the  l)ay  to  the  other.  It  often  made  excursions  up  tiie  rivers  and 
iulets,  l)tit  returned  regularly  in  the  evening  to  tiu'  cedars  to  roost.  He  also  found 
th(?  siimt'  species  early  in  dunt^  on  the  Mississijipi  as  far  u\)  as  Fort  Adams,  among 
the  creeks  and  inundated  woods. 

According  to  Audid)on,  it  is  a  resident  tiiroughout  the  year  in  Florida  and  in 
Ldiiisiana.  It  is  very  sensitive  to  cold,  and  does  not  remain  in  severe  weather 
lu'ur  Ciiarleston,  nor  return  there  in  the  spring  before  the  liStii  of  March.  It 
reaches  New  .Jersey  the  first  week  in  May.  in  its  migrations  it  Hies,  both  by  night 
and  by  day,  in  loose  flocks  of  from  twenty  to  a  hundred,  sometinu's  in  lines,  but 
usually  in  a  straggling  manner.  It  is  silent,  and  Hies  at  a  height  rarely  more  than 
a  hundred  yards.  Its  Hight  seems  uiuletermined,  yet  is  well  sustained.  In  the 
breeding  .season  it  has  been  observed  to  exhibit  the  most  singular  nujvcments.  now 
and  tlien  tundding  over  and  over,  in  the  nuiniu'r  of  the  Tumbler  Pigeon.  It  breeds 
ill  large  communities,  is  very  social,  and  does  not  disturb  such  birds  as  seek  to  breed 
in  its  neighborhood.  Several  nests  tire  sometimes  built  in  the  same  tree,  and  occa- 
sionally so  low  that  a  ])erson  can  easily  see  into  them.  Where  it  has  been  disturbed 
it  breeds  in  taller  trees,  but  very  rarely  in  high  ones.  The  nest  is  usually  over  water. 
The  structure  is  ratiu'r  snuill.  is  built  of  dry  sticks,  and  has  a  shallow  cavity.  The 
eggs  are  usually  three,  nu'iisuri'  1{|V  inches  in  length,  and  \\  in  breadtii,  and  are 
broadly  ellii)tical  in  form.  Audubon  .•^tates  that  while  in  the  Candinas,  in  the  month 
of  April,  this  bird  resorts  to  tiu>  borders  of  the  salt-water  nuirshes,  and  feeds  prin- 
cil)ally  on  shrimps.  At  the  time  the  shrim])s  are  ascending  the  ^lississippi  River 
this  Heron  is  fretpuMitly  seen  standing  on  floating  logs  busily  engaged  in  ])icking 
them  up.  At  later  periods  it  feeds  on  small  fry,  crabs,  snails,  aquatic  insects,  snuill 
lizards,  and  young  frogs. 

This  Heron,  more  than  any  other  kind,  is  what  Mr.  N.  15.  Moore  designates  as  a 
scriipi'i;  or  rnkcr,  because  it  uses  its  legs  and  claws  to  start  from  their  hiding-places 
such  aiumals  as  it  wishes  to  seize  for  food  —  namely,  crawfish,  tadpoles,  suckers, 
a(piatic  insects,  etc.  In  this  movement  it  far  surjjasses  all  other  species,  and  man- 
ages its  legs  with  greater  adroitness  and  rajjidity.  On  Feb.  IS.  1873,  he  watched  a 
Hock  of  seventy  nuiking  their  meal,  being  himself  concealed  within  a  few  steps.  In 
tiie  same  pond  were  a  nund)er  of  the  i-rjri'ttd,  and  a  few  of  other  kinds.  Scarcely  one 
of  tiiis  species  obtained  any  food  without  raking  for  it.  nund)ers  being  thus  engaged 
at  the  sanu>  time.  The  use  of  the  foot  was  so  rajjid  as  to  cause  the  whole  body  to 
(piiver.  The  scrapers  will  thus  work  sometinu\s  in  water  so  deej)  as  to  reach  their 
bellies,  and  at  times  in  water  only  an  inch  or  two  deep.  Each  species  has  its  own 
lieculiar  mode  of  managing  its  feet. 

On  April  27,  18G7,  Mr.  Moore  visited  a  heronry  in  Louisiana,  where  this  species 
and  the  Little  Blue  Heron  were  breeding  in  close  proximity.  He  climbed  to  a  tree- 
top,  where  he  could  look  down  ujion  many  nests.  In  seventy  belonging  to  this  species 
he  found,  in  ten  five  eggs  in  each,  in  a  large  majority  four  eggs  in  each,  while  some 
had  only  one  egg. 


\0 


ALTRICIAL  GRALLATORES  -  HERODIONES. 


During  the  suininer,  in  Louisiana,  the  younj,'  of  this  spt'cics  resort  to  connnons  and 
dry  pastures,  to  feed  on  insects  of  many  kinds.  Mr.  Moore  lias  seen  a  floek  of  a  dozen 
hovering  pretty  close  together  ahove  a  shoal  of  minnows  in  the  bay,  settling  down 
with  their  legs  hanging  and  dangling  near  the  water,  and  attempting  to  seize  them 
by  reaching  (h)wn  their  bills.  In  the  confusion  of  wings,  legs,  and  necks  so  near 
together,  it  was  impossible  to  tell  whether  they  took  any  tish,  but  he  i»resunies  that 
they  did.  He  has  found  their  eggs  from  the  10th  to  the  2uth  of  April,  and  u  .second 
brood  on  the  1st  of  dime.  Two  eggs  of  this  Heron,  in  iny  collection,  taken  by  l)v. 
Bryant  in  Florida,  have  an  oval  shape,  are  ecpially  rounded  at  either  end,  and  are  of 
a  uniform  light  greenish-blue  tint.  There  is  just  a  shade  more  of  green  tinting  the 
Prussian  blue  in  this  than  in  the  other  kinds  of  Heron.  One  egg  measures  1.87  inches 
in  length  by  l.'M  inches  in  breadth;  the  other  is  1..S0  inches  long  by  1.30  inches  in 
breadth.  The  egg  is  more  oblong  than  that  of  the  cwruleit,  but  is  more  rounded  than 
that  of  the  Imhviciunu. 


Genus  DICHROMANASSA,  Eiduway. 

<"Demiegrcna"  (nee  Bi.ytii),  Baikd,  B.  N.  Am.  18.58,  CGO  dmit). 

=  I)k-linmum(ssa,  Kidgw.  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  &  Geog.  Survey,  Ttrr.  IV.  no.  1,  Feb.  5,  1878,  246. 

Type,  Anlca  rufa,  BuJd. 
<£rodiiis,  Kkiciiesow,  Jour.  I'iir  Orn.  1877,  268  {inchnXes  Hydmnassa,  Ilcrodius,  Lcpthcrodius,  and 

Oanctta). 

Gen.  Chars.  Medium  sized  Herons,  of  uniform  white  or  plumbeous  plumage,  with  (adult)  or 
without  (young)  cinnamon-colored  head  and  neck ;  the  form  slender,  the  toes  very  short,  and  the 
legs  very  long ;  the  adults  with  the  entire  head  and  neck  (except  throat  and  foreneck)  covered 
with  long,  narrowly  lanceolate,  compact-webbed  feathers,  which  on  the  occiput  form  ati  ample 
crest,  the  feathers  of  which  are  very  narrowly  lanceolate  and  decurvetl. 

Bill  much  longer  than  the  middle  toe  (about  two  thirds  the  tarsus),  the  ui)per  and  lower  out- 
lines almost  precisely  similar  in  contour,  being  nearly  parallel  along  the  middle  portion,  where 
slightly  approxinuited  ;  the  terminal  portion  of  both  culmen  and  gonys  gently  and  about  etiually 
curved.  Mental  ape.x  e.xtending  to  a  little  more  than  one  third  the  distance  from  the  middle  of 
the  eye  to  the  tip  of  the  bill,  or  to  about  even  with  the  anterior  end  of  the  nostril  ;  malar  ape.x 
about  even  with  that  of  the  frontal  feathers.  Toes  very  short,  the  middle  one  less  than  half  the 
tarsus,  the  hallux  less  than  half  the  middle  toe  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia  more  than  half  as  long  as 
tarsus  ;  scutellation  of  tarsus,  etc.,  as  in  Jferodias,  Ganetta,  ami  allied  genera. 

Plumes  of  the  adult  consisting  of  a  more  or  less  lengthened  train  of  fostigiate,  stitf-shafted  feath- 
ers, with  long,  loose,  anil  straight  plumules,  ami  extending  beyond  the  tail  ;  in  addition  to  this 
train,  the  scapulars  a'  '  the  feathei's  of  the  wholi;  head  and  neck,  except  the  throat  and  foreneck, 
are  long  and  narrow,  distinctly  lanceolate,  and  acuminate,  with  compact  webs,  and  on  the  occiput 
are  developed  into  un  ample  decurved  crest. 

Affinities.  —  This  genus  is  perhaps  most  nearly  allied  to  Demicgretta,  Blyth,^  with  which  it 
agrees  quite  closely  in  the  form  of  the  bill,  and  also,  to  a  considerable  extent,  in  coloration. 
Demiegretta,  however,  is  at  once  distinguished  by  its  e.xtremely  short  tarsus  (nuich  shorter  than 
the  bill,  instead  of  nearly  a  third  longer  I),  which  is  altogether  more  abbreviated  than  in  any 
American  genus  of  this  group,  in  proportion  to  the  other  dimensions.  The  plumes  also  are 
entirely  different,  there  being  none  on  the  neck,  with  the  e.xception  of  the  jugulum,  while  those 
of  the  back  are  slenderly  lanceolate,  with  compact  webs,  almost  exiwtly  as  in  Florida  cctrulea. 

1  Type,  Ardca  jiigidaris,  Blyth,  Notes  on  the  Fauna  of  the  Nicobar  Islands,  Journ.  Asiatic  Soc. 
Bengal,  xv.  1846,  376,  Hcrodias  concolor,  Bosav.  Consp.  ii.  1855,  121,  -=  Ardca  sacra,  O.mei..  This 
Heron  also  is  dichromatic,  having  a  pure- white  phase  as  in  DichronuMMSsa  rufa,  the  normal  plumage 
being  uniform  dark  plumbeous  or  slate. 


m 


AKDEII).*:       THE   HERONS  -  DICIIRO.MANASSA. 


88 


I'lif  very  gitut  difference  in  form  between  Demieijntta  tinil  the  present  genus  n»uy  be  more  cleurly 
shown  by  the  statement  that  while  the  bill  niid  win;,',  as  well  as  the  jjiMieral  bulk,  are  nearly  the 
same  ill  the  two,  Ikmieijrettu  has  the  tarsus  aljout  2.7")  instead  uf  ti.HU  inches  lou},',  the  miilille  toe 
2.10  instead  of  2.8l>,  and  the  bare  iiortionof  the  tibia  1.2(»  instead  of  3.501     It  will  thus  be  seen 


D.  rii/a. 

that  the  proportions  are  entirely  different  in  the  two  forms.     The  bill  of  Demiegrettu  is  also  very 
nuich  more  obtuse  than  that  of  Dichromanassa. 

Ikmiegretta  nova'-lwllumUw  (Lath.)  is  of  more  slender  build  than  the  type-species,  and  is  scarcely 
strictly  conj,'eneric  ;  but  it  is  otherwise  similar,  especially  in  the  character  of  the  plumage.  The 
bill  is  more  slender,  approachiuj,'  in  form  that  of  Hydranassa,  but  still  different  ;  the  legs  are  also 
mure  elongated,  but  are  decidedly  less  so  than  in  the  genus  under  consideration. 


Dichromanassa  rufa. 

THE  REDDISH  EGRET;  FEALE'S  EORET. 

((.    Volovi'd  phase. 
L' Aigrette  rousse,  de  la  Louisiane,  BfFF.  PI.  Enl.  1777-1784,  pi.  902  (adult). 
Anica  rufa,  Bonn.  Tabl.  P.  E.  1783,  54  (based  on  PI.  Erd.  902).  —  CorEs,  Key,  1872,  268  ;  Check 

List,  1873,  no.  455.  —  Reichenow,  .1.  f.  0.  1877,  2G9. 
Demiegrctta  rufa,  Baiiu),  Birds  N.  Am.  18.'.8,  6f"2  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  483. 
Dichromanassa  rufa,  RiDOW.  Bull.  V.  S.  (ii'ol.  &  Geog.  Sarv.  Terr.  IV'.  no.  1,  1878,  236  (in  te.\t).  — 

Coue:s,  Check  List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  661. 
Reddish  Egret,  Lath.  Synop.  III.  1785,  88  (ipiotcs  PI.  Enl.  902). 
Ardca  rufcsccns,  C.MEi..  S.  N.  I.  ii.  178S,  628,  no.  33  (based  on  PI.  Enl.  902).  —  Aun.  Om.  Biog.  111. 

1835,  411  ;  V.  1839,  604,  pi.  256  ;  Birds  Am.  VL  1843,  139,  pi.  371  (adult  ;  both  phases). 
Ardca  cubensis,  "GusuL.  MSS."  Lkmb.  Avcs  de  Cuba,  1850,  84,  pi.  13,  lig.  1  (young). 
Ardea  rufa,  var.  Pcalei,  Reichenow,  J.  f.  O.  1877,  270. 

b.    White  pluxse. 
Ardca  Pealci,  Bonap.  Am.  Lye.  N.  Y.  II.  1826,  154.  —  Nutt.  Man.  II.  1834,  49. 
Bemiegretta  Pcalei,  Baiud,  B.  N.  Aiu.  1858,  661  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  182. 
VOL.  I.  —  5 


34 


ALTRICIAL  nUALLATOIlES  -  HEUODIONKS. 


Hah.  Warm-temperate  and  tropical  North  America,  Mouth  to  (hiateiimla  ;  in  the  United 
States,  apparently  restricted  to  the  Ka.-<tern  rrovince,  but  in  Mexico  oceurrinK  on  both  cottsti* ; 
north  to  Southern  Illinois  ;  Jamaica  ;  Cuba. 

Si'.  (.'HAU.  Length,  about  27.(K)-;J2.(K)  ;  e.xpanse,  about  45,(M>-50.(X) ;  weight,  about  1^  lb». 
(Audubon).  Wing,  il.!X)-13.«0  ;  tail,  4.i(>-r).m);  culmen,  3.:K>-4.0(I;  dq.tli  of  bill,  .M-.TO; 
t^u-sua,  4.!K)-5.75  ;  middle  toe,  2.5l>-2.S5  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia,  2.ti(»-:j.75.  Colors  uuiforu  or 
unvaried. 


Colored  phase. 

Adult:  Plumage  in  general  uniform  plumljeous,  darker  on  the  back,  a  little  li^'hter  beneath  ; 
entire  bead  and  neck  rich  vinaceous-cinnamon,  endinj^  alirujUly  below  ;  the  peiiicillate  tips  of  some 
of  the  longer  feathers,  particularly  on  the  occiput,  lighter  ;  train  similar  to  the  buck  anteriorh',  but 
pas.sing  into  a  more  brownish  tint  towards  the  end,  the  tips  sometimes  whitish.  Terminal  half  of 
the  bill  black  ;  basal  half,  including  the  lores  and  eyelids,  pale  tlesh-color  ;  iris  yellow  or  white  ; 
legs  and  feet  ultramarine-blue,  the  scutellio  and  elaw.s  black  (Audubon). 

Younij  :  No  train  on  the  back,  and  no  lanceolate  feathers  on  head  or  neck,  except  sometimes 
(in  older  individuals)  on  the  occiput  orjugidum.  Prevailing  color  uuU  bluish-ashy,  tinged  here 
and  there  with  reddish-cinnamon,  principallv  on  the  throat  and  jugulum. 

A  specimen  from  Mazatlan  (No.  02,832.  $  Nat.  Mus.)  is  the  most  richly-colored  one  we  hove 
seen.  In  this  the  train  and  back  have  a  very  decided  lilac-])urple  tinge,  the  former  without  any 
trace  of  the  usual  brownish  cast,  and  the  tips  of  the  longer  jdumes  scarcely  whitish.  The  jugular, 
occijiital,  and  medial  plumes  of  the  most  delicate  light  pinkish-vinaceous,  deejier  and  more  purplish 
beneath  the  surface.  No.  39,320  has  the  malar  region  on  the  light  side  mostly  white  ;  there  are 
likewise  a  few  white  feathera  over  the  lore  on  the  left  side,  while  the  anterior  i)art  of  the  forehead 
is  distinctly  pearl  bluish. 

JFhite  phase. 

Adult :  Plumage  entirely  pure  white,  the  jdumes  exactly  as  in  the  adult  of  the  colored  phase. 
Iris  white  ;  color  of  bill,  lores,  and  eyelids  in  life  also  similar,  but  legs  and  feet  "  dark  olive-green, 
the  soles  greeni.sh-yellow  "  (Audubon). 

Young:  Entirely  pure  white,  and  destitute  of  the  plumes  and  train  of  the  adult. 
The  evidence  proving  the  specific  identity  of  Ardea  ritft,  Bodd.,  and  A.  Pculei,  BoNAP.,  has 
been  discussed  in  full  by  Dr.  Brewer  in  the  American  Sportsman  (West  Meriden,  Conn.)  for  Feb.  6, 
1875,  294.  This  matter  being  far  too  complicated  for  discussion  here,  the  reader  is  referred  to  Dr. 
Brewer's  article,  as  above,  or,  as  being  perhaps  more  ea.sy  of  access,  a  rei)rint  of  it  by  Mr.  Ridg- 
way,  in  his  remarks  upon  the  relation  between  Ardea  occidentalis,  Aud.,  ami  .1.  Wilrdemanni, 
Baird,  in  the  Bulletin  of  the  U.  S.  Geol.  &  Geog.  Survey  of  the  Territories  (Department  of  the 
Interior,  Washington,  published  Feb  5,  1878),  Vol.  IV.,  No.  1,  i>p.  229-232.  For  the  benefit  of 
those,  however,  who  may  not  be  able  to  consult  either  publicntion,  we  will  state  brieHy  that  in 


ARDKID.K  —  THK   HERoNS  —  DICHHOMANASSA. 


86 


I'liiriiln,  where  A.  PenkinwA  A.  rufn  brcwl  alniiidaiifly,  both  Jbrnw  hove  been  foiiiul  in  tlu;  same 
tiint,  atti'iidi'il  liy  pari'iitH  cillicr  Imth  iX'ildisli,  lioth  white,  or  oiu;  in  cacli  of  thuw  Htaj^es  of  iihima^i; ; 
ntiuT  circuiiistanci'tt  at  tlie  Hainc  time  h'adiii;,'  irrcsintildy  to  thi;  roiicliiHioii  tliat  tlie  two  jihaws  arc 


^m 


'"''^ 


'N. 


'^ 


\ 


\^n' 


Wkitc  p'uisc,  =  h.  "  I'ealei." 

not  only  not  specifically  distinct,  hut  that  they  have  nothing  to  do  with  either  sex,  age,  or  season. 
Tlip  same  condition  of "  dicluDniatisni "  exists  idso  in  several  Old  World  species  of  this  family, 
and  probably  also  in  the  American  Ardea  occidentalis,  Auu. 


^ 


AViiile  aecppting  the  ideutity  of  the  two  forms,  rtifti  and  Pectlei,  as  one  and  the 
same  siu'cntically,  notwithstanding  the  incongruities  of  their  plumage,  it  will  be  con- 
vciiii'iit  in  giving  its  history  as  that  of  one  species,  at  the  same  time  to  distinguish 
tiic  white  form  as  IVale's  Egret,  and  tlu^  bliie-and-russet  (me  as  the  Reddish  Egret, 
or  ruf'i.  I'cale's  Egret  is  an  extremely  southern  bird  to  the  United  States,  occurring 
only  in  Florida  and  on  the  (}ulf  coast  to  Mexico.  It  is  found  in  several  West  India 
islands,  on  the  ^lexican  coast,  in  Central  America,  and  the  northern  parts  of  South 
Anu'rica,  in  the  last  of  which  its  distribution  is  not  ascertained.  It  is  common  iu 
Cuba,  where  it  breeds  abundantly,  and  from  whence  I  have  received  its  eggs  from 
Dr.  (Jundlach.  It  is  not  given  by  either  Gosse  or  March  as  a  bird  of  Jamaica.  !Mr. 
Uri'sser  mentions  it,  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Heermann,  as  not  uncommon  near  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  and  throughout  the  eastern  part  of  that  State  iluring  the  summer 
mouths. 

Mr.  Salvin  nu't  with  it  on  the  Pacilio  coast  of  Guatenuila,  where  it  was  very 
generally,  though  nowhere  very  commoidy,  met  with  among  the  mud-flats  that  sur- 
round the  salt-pools  in  the  neighborhood  of  Chiapam.  Mr.  (r.  C.  Taylor  mentions  it 
as  i)lentiful  in  all  suitable  localities  in  Honduras.  In  the  Bay  of  Fonseca  he  noticed 
large  trees  overhanging  the  water,  that  seemed  nearly  covered  with  birds  of  this  form. 
Audubon  regarded  it  as  the  young  of  the  Eusset  Egret,  supposing  that  in  its  third 
sunnuer  the  white  bird  would  put  on  the  plumage  of  that  bird.  The  two  forms  are 
now  regarded  as  distinctly  permanent ;  and  it  is  impossible  to  separate  froni  Audu- 
bon's account  of  the  nifescens  that  which  may  be  peculiar  to  the  whitc-plumaged 
bird.  It  is  not  probable  that  there  exist  any  very  material  differences  in  the  habits 
of  the  two  forms.  It  is  very  evident  from  Audubon's  account  that  they  breed  together 
in  the  same  heronries,  and  that  they  permit  no  other  kind  to  frequent  the  same  settle- 


;](> 


ALTKICI.VI-  CltAI.LATORES-  IIKRoDH»\Ea 


lutMit.  This,  howpvcr,  is  not  always  tin-  case.  Tin-  f^KS  of  tlu-  wliitc  l'f<il,'i  aro 
luuch  Hinallor  than  arc  those  of  thi"  i)hu'-aiHl-nisH('t  form. 

Mr.  Aii(hil)oii  staffs  th;it  tlu'  ,v<>iiii^'  whi'ii  just  Imfclu'd  arc  nearly  iiaki'il,  and  aro  of  a 
(lark  color,  tlitT.'  Ix-inK  only  a  IVw  scanty  tufts  of  1(Uik,  soft  down.  When  the  fcatiu-r.s 
Ix'K'in  to  appear,  they  are  white.  Tlie  yoiuiK  are  fed  hy  rt-Kurwitation,  Rit'w  fast,  and 
soon  l)oeonio  noisy.  When  ahout  a  month  old  tliey  sit  uprij,dit  on  tiieir  nest,  and 
soon  crawl  out  into  the  !  ranchei.  lieecuuiiiK'  .sensilth-  of  danKi'r.  they  hide  anions 
the  foliai,'!'  whenever  ii  boat  aiiproaches,  or  seek  the  interior  of  the  Keys,  wliero 
it  is  very  ditJieidt  to  follow  tiieni.  They  do  not  fly  until  they  are  at  least  sovoii 
weeks  old;  and  even  then  th)  not  venture  to  leave  the  island  on  which  they  were 
roared.  Mr.  Audubon  canj,'ht  several  youn.i,'  birds  of  this  form  ami  kept  them  alive. 
Thoy  fed  freely,  and  became  tolerably  docile.  'I'iiey  were  supplied  with  pieces  of 
groon  turtle,  and  sonu'  of  them  reaidied  Charleston  in  p>od  health.  One  was  kept 
alive  for  nearly  two  years  by  Kev.  Dr.  I'.achman.  It  was  allowed  to  walk  at  lar^e  in 
the  Ranh'n  and  pcmltry-yard.  ate  an  enormous  amount  of  fish  and  all  kinds  of  ^^arba^o, 
contenting  itself,  when  other  food  was  seareo,  with  the  entrails  of  fowls;  and  it  (ivon 
fed  freely  on  moistened  corn-meal  or  mush.  It  canf,'ht  insects  with  great  dexterity, 
was  gentle  and  familiar,  and  a  favorite  in  the  kitchen,  living  to  be  twenty-two 
months  old,  and  retaining  its  white  plunuige  to  the  last.     This  was  a  male  bird. 

Two  eggs  of  this  Egret,  collected  in  Cuba  by  Dr.  (Jundlach,  are  of  a  rounded  oval 
shape,  eipial  at  either  end,  ami  in  color  aro  of  a  very  ])ale  wash  of  Trussian  blue  very 
.slightly  tinged  with  green.  One  measures  1.90  inches  in  length  by  l.."»(t  inches  in 
broadtli ;  the  other  L'.OO  inches  by  l.oO. 

The  russet  tVuni,  known  as  riifn,  is  ixlso  eonfiiu'd  to  the  extreme  southern  border 
of  the  Tnitod  States.  It  is  aiunidant  in  Florida,  occurs  along  the  (lulf  coast  to 
Mexico,  and  is  common  in  the  sonthein  i)art  of  Texas.  It  breeds  in  Cuba  and  in 
several  others  of  the  West  Indian  Islands.  It  has  been  nu't  with  on  the  I'acilie  coast 
of  Guatemala,  l)ut  has  not,  that  I  am  aware,  been  traced  farther  north  on  the  racitie. 
Mr.  Dresser  states,  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Heormann,  that  it  occurs  in  the  summer 
months  near  San  Antonio,  and  also  in  the  more  eastern  parts  of  Texas.  Mr.  March 
includes  it  in  his  list  of  the  birds  of  .Jamaica,  where  it  is  nuMitioniMl  as  rare.  It  is 
also  included  by  Dr.  Gundlaeh  in  his  list  of  the  birds  of  Cuba,  and  marked  as  having 
been  found  breeding  there.  Mr.  Salvin  found  it  in  company  with  its  kindred,  the 
D.  Profri,  on  the  nnid-flats  near  Chiapam,  on  the  J'acilic  coast  of  Guatemala.  It  was 
the  more  abundant  of  the  two  forms. 

According  to  Audubon,  this  Egret  is  a  constant  resident  on  the  Florida  Keys,  to 
which  it  is  so  partial  at  all  seasons  that  it  never  leaves  them.  Some  imlividuals 
were  observed  by  him  as  far  ea.st  as  Capo  Florida,  and  westward  along  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  He  never  saw  it  in  other  than  salt  water,  and  was  not  aware  thiit  it  ever 
feeds  in  fresh.  It  is  more  plump  than  most  of  the  Herons,  but  possesses  all  the 
gracefulness  of  its  tril)e.  In  walking  it  lifts  its  feet  high,  and  usually  proceeds  at 
a  quiet  pace.  It  alights  with  ease  on  trees,  and  can  walk  about  on  the  larger 
branches.  It  is  rarely  seen  to  feed  on  the  edges  of  the  water,  but  resorts  to  the 
shallows  of  extensive  mud  or  sand  flats.  There  comiianies  of  twenty  or  thirty,  or 
even  more,  may  be  seen  v  ading  up  to  the  knee-joint  in  pursuit  of  prey,  usually 
standing  in  silence,  awaiting  the  approach  of  the  object,  and  then  striking  at  it. 
The  prey  is  either  swallowed  immediately,  or,  if  too  large,  taken  to  the  shore 
and  beaten,  and  then  torn  in  pieces.  It  usually  remains  on  the  flats,  thus  feeding, 
until  the  advancing  tide  compels  it  to  retire  to  the  land.  This  account  of  its 
habits  differs  from  the  observations,  referred  to  below,  of  Mr,  Moore. 


n.^   J;i 


AKnKin.M  — Till",    IIKKON'S—  DICIIROMAN'ASSA.  37 

Tlu>  flij,'lit  of  this  HiK'cit'M  is  saiil  to  Im'  more  olcvatod  and  it'K'uliir  than  that  of  tin- 
KiiiiilU'r  lli'roiin.  It  is  lUTuliarly  Knuu-fnl  UiiriiiK  tlic  matiii^  Hcasoii,  t'spccially  when 
uiii'  \iiiiiiiiti'cl  iiiiili'  is  pmsiiinj,'  aimtlifr.  It  is  said  to  pass  thnm^rli  tin-  air  witii  j,'ri'at 
ci'lcritv.  tiiriiiiiK  and  cutting,'  alimit  in  ciiriiiiis  cnrvt's  and  zigzag's,  tiu!  pursiiinj,'  i)ird 
tri'iiiicntiy  froctin^  its  l)i'antiiiil  ircst  and  nttfrinj,'  a  cry  at  tlic  moment  it  is  al)oiit  to 
;;ivt'  a  tiirnst  at  thf  otiicr.  Wlu-n  travelling'  to  and  from  tiieir  feedinj,'-(,'ronndH,  it 
picipels  itself  with  the  usnal  ii  ','idar  tlappin;,'.  and  in  the  cnstoniary  manner  of 
liiL;iit  of  other  Herons.  <  >n  ai)proaehin^' a  landin^'-plaee,  it  performs  several  eircnm- 
vohitioiis.  as  if  to  satisfy  itself  that  all  is  safe  before  ali^'htin^.  It  is  niiieli  more  shy 
and  wary  than  the  smaller  Herons;  and  after  the  hreedinj,'  season  is  over  it  is  almost 
iiiipossil)le  to  shoot  one,  except  when  it  is  taken  hy  surprise,  or  when  Hyinj;  overhead 
anion;,'  the  nian},'roves. 

Aiidnlxin  re;,'ariled  the  two  forms  as  identical,  and  mentions  tindinj,' them  in  what 
he  ro;,'arded  their  mature  and  their  immaturt!  conditions,  breeding,'  to^'ether.  At  this 
time,  id  jjassin},'  and  repassing  they  are  said  to  utter  [leenliar  rough  sounds  which  it 
is  inipossibhi  to  descrihe.  He  states  that  their  nests  are  phiced  for  the  most  part  on 
tlie  southwestern  sides  of  the  mangroves  inuuediately  bordering  the  Keys.  Tliey  are 
rarely  near  together,  and  in'ver  on  trees  at  a  distance  from  the  water.  Some  are 
]ilaced  on  the  tops  of  the  mangroves,  other.s  only  a  foot  or  two  above  high-water 
mark.  The  nest  is  (piite  flat,  is  large  for  the  i)ird,  and  formed  of  dry  !itick.s  inter- 
spersed with  grass  and  leaves.  The  eggs  are  usually  throe  in  number,  average  an 
incli  and  three  (piarters  in  length,  and  one  and  three  eightlis  in  In'eadth,  iiaving  an 
elliptical  form,  and  are  of  a  uniform  pale  sea-green  color;  they  are  ex(;ellent  eating, 
iioth  birds  incubate,  as  is  the  ease  with  all  Herons. 

lu  its  habits  it  seems  to  l)e  as  strictly  marine  as  the  Great  White  Heron.  When 
wounded,  it  strikes  with  its  bill,  scratches  with  it.s  claws,  and,  tlu'owing  itself  on  its 
hack,  emits  its  rough  and  harsh  notes,  keeping  its  crest  erected  and  expanded,  and  its 
featiiers  swollen. 

Mr.  \.  I>.  .Moore,  of  Manatet',  Florida,  is  of  the  opinion  that  Peale's  Egret  and  tlie 
Reddish  Egret  are  identical  as  species.  He  does  not  think,  with  Audubon,  tliat  the 
wliite  form  is  the  young  bird  and  the  recldish  the  adult,  but  that  old  and  ycmng  may 
he  white  like  the  I'lulrl,  l>luc  and  reddish  like  the  nifcirms,  or  may  exist  iii  a  pied 
form.  On  the  liith  of  .luly  he  found  a  nest,  where  the  jjarents  were  in  the  plumage 
of  nifi'svens,  one  of  the  young  pure  white,  the  other  a  blue  or  gray  bird.  The  nest 
was  in  a  mangrove  tree  on  a  wet  Key,  and  was  the  only  Heron's  nest  there.  Both 
pait'uts  were  seen.  The  young  were  taken,  and  the  attempt  was  made  to  keep  tliem 
alive  in  ordar  to  watch  their  change  of  plumage;  but  it  was  not  successful.  Except 
in  the  color  of  the  down,  the  young  birds  were  alike  in  many  respects  —  e.g.  the  bluish- 
ash  color  of  the  skin,  the  proportions  and  color  of  the  eyes,  etc. 

^Ir.  Moore  has  twice  met  with  specimens  of  })ied,  or  white  and  blue  varieties  of 
this  species,  and  feels  (piite  positive  that  the  white  bird  is  an  unchanging  variety 
of  the  Reddish  Egret,  and  that  the  pied  varieties  are  equally  permanent  in  their 
plumage.  The  young  bird  in  the  white  plumage  renuiins  the  same  for  at  least 
twenty-two  months,  as  is  proved  by  the  one  kept  by  Dr.  IJacihnmn. 

The  fact  that  Dr.  Gambel  has  seen  the  young  of  the  nifrscens  in  purple  plumage, 
while  it  does  controvert  Audubon's  views  that  the  young  are  always  white,  by  no 
means  necessarily  shows  that  none  of  the  young  are  white,  or  that  a  large  portion 
may  not  be  so. 

Mr.  Moore  refers  to  the  peculiar  petulance  displayed  by  all  Herons  while  feeding, 
and  which  is  only  manifested  towards  their  own  species.     Several  Herons,  each  of 


fl 


38 


Al.ilMCIAI,   (iK.VI.I.ATHKKS       IIKKODIUXKH. 


■ 


ilitliTfiit  HpfcioM,  will  f 1  iiiiii'tly  lu-ar  i<w  iiiiotluT ;  hut  let  anotlu'r  uppiDiuli,  iiiitl 

iM'forc  it  is  within  a  hiiiidri'tl  viiids  it  will  Iw  at  ouct-  pursued,  and  tin-  attempt  nuulc 
to  drivi"  it  awa.v  ;  and  the  pul•^>ni•l  and  puisiied  will  always  lie  ol  tiic  sann- H[«'fi('s. 

hut  if  the  approai-liiuK  l>iiil  i«  <>•  ii  spi'fit-s  liitTenMit  from  any  of  tlnwe  f linj,',  it  may 

descend  anmnj,'  them  withonl  iieinj,'  distiiri>e(i.  In  this  petulance  to  one  of  its  own 
species  a  Meion  never  niaki's  any  mistake.  Kven  the  small  lllue  llenm,  whosj;  youn>; 
are  for  a  year  as  white  as  tin-  White  Hnwt,  never  mistakes  the  latter  for  on«  of  its 
own  kind.  It  is  this  hahit  of  attacking  only  hirds  of  its  own  species  that  lirst  led 
.Mr.  Moore  to  re^'ard  the  ni/n  and  the  /*/■(//// as  identical ;  lor  the  purple  (ha.se  the 
wiiite,  and  the  white  pursue  the  purple,  ixit  they  never  tease  any  other  species. 

ThPHu  birds  use  thi'ir  le^'s  and   toes  to  scrape  tin zy  hottom,  (tr  amcuig  the 

plants,  in  (U'der  to  luicover  thi'ir  hidden  jirey.  It  is  a  nuide  peculiar  to  this  speeie.s, 
and  not  to  1m'  mistaken  for  that  of  any  other;  hut  hoth  of  the  two  varietie.s  pcr- 
f(U'm  this  a<t  in  the  same  manner,  and  their  unity  of  action  in  other  respeets  is  said 
to  Ik*  very  conspicuous.  No  other  Heron  is  so  awkward,  im|)etiums,  and  clumsy  a 
tisher.  In  clear  water  it  ^ives  chase  to  its  ]Ufy  with  expanded  winj,'s,  which  are  Hirted 
up  and  tlowii,  or  are  held  open,  as  it  r\ins  or  ho]is.  souictiiiies  out  (d'  the  water,  sonu'- 
times  turning  entirely  rotind.  In  all  the.se  wild  and  awkward  niovenu'uts  tlu'  two 
forms  exactly  imitate  e.ich  other.  In  si/e.  ton,  they  arc  exactly  the  sanu-.  .\s  cha.sers 
the  two  forms  an*  not  only  alike,  Imt  are  superior  to  all  others  of  the  family.  They 
pursue  their  prey  —  which  is  alnuwt  exclusividy  fishes  —  by  ha.sty  steps,  hops,  and 
(louhIin>,'.s.  In.stead  of  \m\m  shy  and  suspicious,  as  Auduhon  .states,  they  are,  ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Moore,  almost  as  unsusiiicious  as  the  (ireen  Heron.  This  bird  breeds 
in  eomj)any  both  with  its  own  ami  with  other  s[)ecies.  su(di  as  ri/nffn,  iiiii</!(l!ssii)iii, 
fiuiorlrlinid,  n'irsrrn.i.  etc.  If.  when  wounded,  it  falls  into  the  water,  it  ean  swim 
readily.  So  far  as  Mr.  .Moore's  experience  goes,  the  proportion  in  numbers  of  the 
white  to  the  blue  is  as  one  to  eight. 

Two  eggs  of  this  spt'cie.s,  obtained  by  Mr.  .\udubon  in  IS.'Jli  on  the  Florida  Keys, 
are  of  a  rounded  oval  sliaiie,  are  larger  than  the  eggs  of  the  I'cuh-'i,  and  the  shell 
is  thicker  and  rougher.  They  have  the  uniform  greenish-blue  shading  eomnion  to 
the  eggs  of  all  our  true  Herons.  —  a  washing  of  Prussian  blue  with  a  slight  tinge  of 
green.  One  (No.  9.S)  measures  LM4  inches  in  length,  by  l.Oo  inches  in  breadth.  The 
other  (784)  measures  li.L'O  inches  by  l.(>(). 


Gkms  HYDRANASSA,  Baird. 

<  " Demirgretta"  (not-  Blytii),  BAnut,  B.  N.  Ain.  1858,  660  (part). 

=  /[iidraiKisim,  Bmisi",  B.  N.  Am.  18.">8,  660,  in  text.    Tvin',  .trdin  htdoviciana,  Wil.s.,=.4.  tricolor, 

Miillcr. 
<Erndinii,  Beiciiesow,  J.  f.  0.  1877,  268  (iiiclndf.s  Dkhromnnansn,  Lrptcrodiics,  Hcrodiua,  nnd 

GarzctUi). 

Gen.  Char.  Small  Herons  of  variogatcd  colors,  white  liencnth,  phunboous  above,  the  bill 
equal  to  or  longer  timii  the  tarsus,  and  very  slender.  Bill  long  and  slender,  but  little  compre8.sed  ; 
the  upper  and  lower  outlines  appreciably  concave  about  the  middle,  the  gonys  almost  straight  and 
but  slightly  ascending,  the  cuhnen  gently  convex  towards  the  end.  Mental  apex  reaching  less 
than  one  thinl  the  distance  from  the  middle  of  the  eye  to  the  point  of  the  bill,  but,  at  the  same 
time,  about  as  far  forward  as  the  anterior  end  of  the  nostril ;  malar  apex  reaching  about  as  far  for- 
ward as  the  frontal  feathers.  Tarsus  long,  about  e(pial  to  the  bill ;  middle  toe  about  two  thinls 
the  length  of  the  tarsus,  the  hallux  about  half  a.s  long  as  the  latter ;  bare  portion  of  the  tibia 
decidedly  shorter  than  the  middle  toe.    Adnlt,  with  feathei-s  of  the  neck,  except  throat,  distinctly 


Ifiilill 


AUnKlD.K  —  TIIK  IIKUONS  —  IIVDIIAN'ASMA. 


a9 


liiiui'iiliUi',  with  riiiMpui't  wflir* ;  tin-  iM'ci|iut  with  ii hiujiU  ]N>nilaiit  <i(^<t  ofwvi'nil  floiiKiitt'd, browUy 
l.iiiri'iiliUi'  wliitr  rcullit'iN;  I't'ittlii'rx  of  llii'  iiiitiTiiir  iiiirliiiii  III'  tilt'  liiu'k  ami  i4t'ii|iuliti><  iilsn  lunccolutv  ; 
luiiiji  I'livcrril  liy  u  iimri-  or  Ic^.i  I'lmi^iili'il  tiitiii  nl'  Irii^tlu'iH'il  I'urttiKiiittf  I'iuiIUlth  witii  ImHt'iu'd 
WL'li.->,  lliL'  |ilmiiiiLL'  hU'ikIi'I',  \<>uh,  ami  :<iirt. 

Hydranaasa  tricolor  ludoviciana. 

THK  LOUISIANA  HERON. 

Ilt'ron  bleudtre  (>  vrnlir  Umn;  ,(,■  r„iiniiir,  Hi  kk.  I'l.  Kill.  17*0-84,  jil.  350  (lulult). 
./,■,/..(  //'.Vci/i-/-,  MI'i.i.Kii,  s.  N.  .Siiiipl.  177tl.  Ill  (Iki.miI  on  I'l.  Kiil.  ;).lo). 
Ilijilrammt  trkului;  Coi'Ks'  Kry,  "Jil  imI.  18s:!,  no,  Olio, 

AidM  Itiicixjivilir,  HoDi).  Tiilil,  i'.  K.  1784  (biiiwil  on  PI.  Knl.  USO).  —  U.mkl.  .S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  028,— 
ItKiriiK.Miw,  .1.  I'.  ().  1N77,  ami. 

Jhmi   /■.;//•'■/,  I-.\IM.  .Synop.  III.  178.'i,  88  (.[lloti'H  PI.  Knl.  a-'iO,  iti'.). 

Jf,ron  hrun,  df  (Jiijintin;  \Uvh.  I'l.  Kill.  177ii-84,  \<\.  HM  (Yiuiiik). 

Ilruini  Utrun,  K.vrii.  Symni.  Suiipl.  ii.  1801,  yo4,  no.  17  (umitus  I'l.  Knl.  8.18). 

Ardiii  fuaca,  La'I'II.  Iml.  Orn.  II.  1700,  700,  iiu.  8:i  (liiim-d  on  tlio  iircri'iliiig). 

Arilid  hiiliiviiiuna,  Wii.m.  Am.  <>iii.  VIII.  1SI4,  13,  |il,  .\vi,  tig,  1  (i l.inii.  17tJtt,  =  lluturidea  vires. 

f./iv).  —  N'riT.  .Miiii,  II.  I.s;il,  .''il.  —  Arn.  Oiii.  liioj,'.  111.  1m:!.1,  l;)tl;  V,  I83li,  tioo,  pi,  217; 

.Synop,  1831t,  'Jtlil;  llinls  Am.  VI,  18»;t,  XW,  pi.  :i7;Mailiill). 
DaiiiajrMti  Indovicima,  H.vmii,  H.  .N.  Am.  I.s,-i8,  (103;  Cat.  N.  Am.  II.  18.1'.t,  no.  484. 
Ai'diii  leucoyaati'd,  SuIihimt.  ludiwiciunit,  ItKiciiKMivv,  J.  I',  O.  1877,  201». 
tliiiliiiiuitHii  Irii-tilnr  ludiivicidiiii,  Uiniiw.  Nuin,  M.  Am.  H.  18»1,  no,  41i2, 
K'/Mhi  nifu-ollii,  (liissK,  II,  ,Iiiiii.  1817,  338;  IHiistr.  II,  .lam.  pl.  113  (Vouiik). 
IliriuUiiH  /cticii/i/irifiiiiKi,  "  KiiiiT."  IliiNAi'.  Coiiip.  II.  Jan.  IS-'lI,  124, 
Anlxi  Inicii'j'islni,  var,  liuoi/ihrifinnn,  Coi'i;.-*,  Key,  1.S72,  208;  C'link  List,  1873,  no.  4.14.— C'imv, 

niriU  Balmina  l.sl.  1880,  108. 
Ardiit  fiiiiniru.ilriii,  < 'onv,  llirili  lialiaina  Isl.  1880,  108,  ]ilati>  (Iiia^iia,  Bahamas  ;  ailult  in  brcfiliiig 

lIll'SS  '). 

UaU.  Warni-toinperati'  I'listtTii  Noilh  AiiiiMica,  MiiUilc  Aiiierii'a,  uiul  We.st  Iinlius,  North, 
casually,  to  Iiuliaiia,  ami  New  JiTsey.     In  Mc.xicn,  rimml  mi  liotli  coasts.     C'lipu  St.  LiiciLs. 

Si'.  CiiAii.  Lcn^rlh.  about  2-l.(H)-2S.(K> ;  ixpan.si',  ahout  ;M).(ki  ;  wiiij,',  H.:jo-l(i.8() ;  tail,  3.(K»- 
4.1((;  culiiR'n,  ;i.;j(i-4.1.");  depth  of  bill,  .4.")-.."i.') ;  tarsus,  3,2<i  4.15;  iiiiddlu  toe,  2.2(>-2.7(» ;  bare 
portion  of  liliia,  l.)Mt-2.7<> ;  wei^dit,  about  I  lb.  (Al'UI'uon). 

Adult:  I'rcvailiii;,'  color  ubove,  including'  tin-  Iicad  and  iii'ik,  iduiubeous-blue,  with  a  gluucoua 


cast  to  the  lanceolate  feathers,  and  darker  on  the  head  and  upper  part  of  the  neck  than  on  the 
wings.  Lanceolate  feathers  of  the  occiput  and  upper  part  of  the  nape  rich  nmroon-purplish,  from 
which  springs  a  crest  of  several  feathers  of  similar  form  but  much  more  elongated,  and  white  in 


40 


ALTRICIAL  GKALLATORES  —  IIERODIOXES. 


■;i     ']] 


i  I 

if  : 


color;  lanceolate  feathers  of  the  jiij,'iiluni  luixeil  inaroon-puiple  and  idumbeous-blue,  the  former 
^irevailing  Uiterally,  the  latter  nuMlially  ;  chin  and  ni^ier  part  of  throat  pure  white  ;  rest  of  the 
throat  briglit  cinnamon-rufous  (tin- feathers  wliile  heiieatli  the  surface),  this  gradually  l.ecominf,' 
narrower  and  finally  broken  up  at  about  the  middle  of  the  foreneck,  \.  hence  continued  downward 
in  a  series  of  mixed  touches  of  white,  rufous,  and  plumbuous  ;  rest  of  the  lower  parts,  including 
the  whole  liidng  of  the  wing,  and  also  the  rump  (the  latter  concealed  by  the  train),  pure  white. 
Upper  parts  nearly  uniform  plund)eous-blue,  excej)!  the  train,  which  is  light  drab,  paler  towards 
the  extremilv  of  the  feathers.  In  tin-  hnalinij  .iidson,  the  terminal  third,  or  more,  of  the  bill  black, 
"the  rest  sky-ljjue,  shading  into  lilac  at  the  base,  the  latter  color  extending  to  the  eye;  legs  slate- 
color  ;  iris  red"  (CouY).  At  other  stasuns,  "bill  brownish  black  on  the  greater  part  of  the  npper 
mandible,  and  on  the  sides  of  the  lower  mandible  towards  the  point  ;  the  rest  yellow,  as  is  the 
bare  space  before  and  around  the  eye  ;  iris  bright  red  ;  feet  light  yellowish  gr<'eii,  the  anterior 
scutellie  dusky,  a.s  are  the  claws''  (Audi  itoxj. 

Yoitiiij:  Head  and  neck  light  cinnamon-rufous,  the  feathers  plumbeous  beneath  the  surface,  the 
pileuni  overlaid  with  jplnmbeous,  and  na|ie  tinged  with  the  same  ;  chin,  throat,  and  malar  region 
uniform  white;  fo-eneck  white,  with  a  median  longitudinal  scries  of  cinnamon-colored  streaks, 
these  more  broken  posteriorly,  where  the  white  is  much  wider.  Entire  lower  parts  (including 
axillars  and  lining  of  the  wing),  w  ith  entire  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts,  uniform  white.  Uj>per 
parts  uniform  bluish-plumbeous,  the  wing-coverts  widely  tijpped  with  light  cinnamon-rufous,  and 
the  back  more  or  less  tinged  with  the  same.  Occipital  feathers  slightly  elongated,  forming  an 
inconspicuous  pendant  crest,  the  feathers  similar  in  color  to  those  of  adjacent  parts  ;  no  dorsal 
plumes.  Bill  mostly  yellow,  the  culmen  and  terminal  third  of  upper  mandible  blackish ;  "legs 
deep  greenish  olive  "   (Audubon). 

Demerara  specimens,  representing  the  true  JI.  tricului;  are  very  much  smaller  than  more  north- 
ern examples.  They  are  also  decidedly  darker,  the  neck  being  in  some  specimens  plumbeous- 
black,  in  others  dark  plumbeous,  and  the  ferruginous  of  the  throat  very  deep. 

The  Loiii.siaiia  Heron  is  eoninioii  on  our  southern  Atlantic  coast  from  the  Chesa- 
peake to  the  Florida  Keys,  and  is  found  from  thence  to  Central  America  in  abun- 
dance. It  is  common  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  Guatemala,  but  lias  not  been  met  with 
farther  north  than  Mazatlan.  It  straggles  along  the  Atlantic  coast  as  far  north 
at  least  as  Long  Island.  ( Jiraud  imdudes  it  among  liis  birds  of  Loi'.g  IsUind,  but 
states  it  to  be  only  a  very  rare  and  accidental  visitant.  A  single  specimen,  shot  at 
Patchogue  in  the  summer  of  IS'M),  was  the  oidy  individiuil  of  this  species  known  to 
have  been  procured  in  that  vicinity.  Mr.  Lawrence  includes  it  among  his  list  of  birds 
found  near  New  York  City.  Mr.  TiirnbuU  states  that  it  has  been  occasionally  ob- 
tained on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey.  Wilson  speaks  of  it  as  sometimes  found  on  the 
swampy  river  idiores  of  South  I'arolina,  but  more  freipiently  along  the  borders  of 
the  Mississippi,  particularly  below  New  Orleans.  Mr.  Dresser  speaks  of  it  as  common 
at  Matamoras,  and  also  near  San  Antonio.  He  also  received  it  from  Fort  Stockton, 
taken  there  in  the  summer.  At  San  .\ntonio  he  obtained  one  so  late  in  the  season  as 
to  render  it  not  improbable  that  some  remain  through  the  winter.  In  June,  18G4,  he 
found  a  luimber  breeding  on  Galveston  Island.  They  build  a  heavy  nest,  either  on 
the  ground  or  in  the  low  bushes.  The  number  of  the  eggs  was  four.  In  Florida. 
Mr.  Boardman  found  it  breeding  invariably  upon  low  bushes,  and  always  in  comjiany 
with  the  condldistilma.  Mr.  Salvin  states  that  he  found  this  Heron  common  about 
the  lagoons  that  line  the  whole  Pacific  coast  of  Guatemala,  but  he  met  with  none  in 
the  interior.  It  is  given  by  Dr.  Gundlach  as  breeding  in  Cuba,  and  is  described  as  a  new 
species  by  Gosse,  among  the  birds  of  Jamaica,  under  the  name  of  Et/rcffn  ruficoUis  : 
but  he  oidy  met  with  a  few  specimens,  though  he  regarded  it  as  undoubtedly  a  per- 
manent resident  in  the  island.  Mr.  March  speaks  of  it  as  one  of  the  most  common 
birds  of  the  island,  where  it  is  known  as  the  Red-necked  Gaulin. 

Audubon  characterizes  it  as  among  the  most  delicate  in  form,  beautiful  in  plumage, 


AUDErD.1<:  -  TIIK   HKHONS  —  IIYDRANASSA. 


41 


:inil  j^raceful  in  inovt'inent.i,  of  its  family.  Its  ineaHured  stop  is  so  liglit  that  it  leaves 
nil  iiupression  on  tlie  saiul.  it  feeds  on  inseets,  tisli,  snails,  lizards,  and  the  like, 
mill  iiothinj,'  escajies  its  notiee,  its  (piick  eye  instantly  detecting'  any  object  available 
lor  food,  from  a  small  fly  on  a  blade  of  grass,  to  the  minnow  in  the  wave. 

It  is  said  to  be  a  constant  resident  in  the  southern  part  of  Florida,  seldom  ramblinj^ 
l;iv  from  its  liannts  in  tli(>  winter  season,  and  at  that  period  rarely  seen  beyond 
Siivannali,  to  the  east.  To  the  west,  it  extt-nds  to  tlu'  broad,  sedgy  flats  that  border 
till'  mouths  of  the  Mississippi,  along  the  whole  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  farther  south. 
In  111!'  spring  it  is  found  abundantly  in  the  (larolinas  and  even  as  far  east  as  Mary- 
hiiiil,  and  up  the  Jlississippi  JJiver  as  far  as  Xat''hez.  It  is  never  found  inland 
fiirtlicr  than  forty  miles  from  the  sea.  It  is  eminently  a  social  bird,  and  moves  about 
in  company  with  the  White  Egret  or  the  Hlue  Heron.  It  frequently  associates  with 
the  larger  species,  and  breeds  in  the  same  places  with  the  White  Heron,  the  Night 
Heron,  and  tlie  Y'ellow-crowned  Heron.  More  fretiuently,  howevfr,  it  keeps  by 
itself,  assembling  in  imnu'nse  nund)ers  to  brei'd,  and  resorting  to  particiular  spots  for 
that  puri)ose. 

Jlr.  Audubon  states  that  he  found  this  sjiecies  extremely  abundant  in  January  at 
St.  .Vugustine ;  but  after  a  hard  frost  of  a  few  days  all  had  disappeared,  the  other 
Herons  remaining,  apparently  unaffected  by  the  cold :  it  returned  again,  however,  when 
the  thermometer  rose  to  80°,  and  was  in  fidl  spring  jdunuvge  by  the  end  of  February. 
Though  timid,  it  is  nuu-h  less  shy  than  most  of  the  other  species,  ami  is  more  easily 
procu.ed;  and  on  account  of  its  apparent  insensibility  to  danger  is  called,  in  Lower 
l-onisiana,  /i;/n'ffr  folic. 

'{"lie  flight  of  this  Heron  is  described  as  light,  rather  irregular,  swifter  than  that 
of  any  other  species,  and  capable  of  being  cousiderably  protracted.  It  moves  in  long 
tiles,  widely  separated,  in  an  undulating  manner,  and  with  constant  fla])pings.  When 
pioi'cediug  to  or  from  their  roosting-jdaiH'S,  or  when  on  their  migrations,  this  species 
passes  as  high  over  the.  country  as  any  of  the  other  Herons.  On  being  shot  at.  it 
scliloni  flies  to  a  great  distance  ;  and  its  attachment  to  a  particular  place  is  such,  that 
you  are  sure  to  find  it  there  during  its  stay.  If  one  of  its  niuuber  is  wounded,  it 
sympathizes  with  its  eomjianion,  and  keeps  about  in  the  nuiuner  of  the  (Julls  and 
Terns,  and  a  nund)er  nuiy  in  this  manner  be  obtained. 

On  the  liOth  of  April,  in  visiting  one  of  the  Florida  Keys,  Mr.  Audubon  came 
upon  one  of  the  breeding-phu'es  of  this  Heron.  The  southern  exposures  of  the  island 
were  overgrown  with  low  trees  and  bushes,  matted  together  with  smilax  and  other 
vines,  internungled  with  which  were  several  kinds  of  cactus.  Among  the  branches 
were  si'veral  hundred  lu'sts  of  this  species,  so  low  and  so  close  that  several  would  be 
within  reach  at  once.  The  birds  made  loud  and  bitter  complaints  at  being  disturbed. 
Tlie  nests  were  fornu^d  of  snuiU  dry  sticks  crossing  each  other  in  varif>''s  ways. 
Tiiey  were  flat,  had  but  little  lining,  and  each  nest  contained  three  eggs ;  and  this 
number  ]\rr.  Auduljou  thinks  is  never  exceeded.  He  gives  as  the  nu'asurement,  a 
length  of  one  inch  and  six  and  a  half  twelfths,  and  a  breadth  of  an  inch  and  a  quar- 
ter. The  period  of  incubation  is  twenty-one  days ;  and  he  expresses  the  oi)inion 
tliat  but  one  brood  is  raised  in  a  season.  The  notes  of  the  young  bird  are  extremely 
l)laintive,  and  resembh^  the  .syllables  ivlrc-ir'n'c-vln'.  When  taken  by  the  liand,  the 
young  bird  defends  itself  to  the  utmost.  Several  were  caught  and  kept  in  conflne- 
nient  on  the  vessel ;  they  fed  on  any  garbage  thrown  to  them  by  the  sailors.  Mr. 
Audubon  found  this  sjjecies  breeding  as  far  to  the  eastward  as  Charleston,  S.  C. 
During  the  summer  and  autumn,  after  the  old  birds  have  separated  from  their  young, 
it  is  frequently  seen  among  the  rice-flelds  feeding  ah)ng  the  ditches,  and  at  this  sea- 

vor..  I.  —  6 


42 


ALTRICIAL  fJRALLATORES  —  IIEUODIONES. 


I 

I' 


son  is  extremely  unsuspicious  and  easily  approached.  It  acquires  its  full  plumage 
the  second  year,  but  continues  to  increase  in  size  for  several  years.  The  flesh  of 
the  young  bird  is  said  to  afford  good  eating.  Its  food  consists  of  small  fry,  water 
insects,  slugs,  snails,  leeches,  and  aipiatic  lizards. 

According  to  Mr.  Moore,  it  is  a  true  Kn-dpi'r  or  rukrr  ;  but,  like  the  Jleddish  Egret, 
resorts  to  this  practi(!e  much  less  freipiently  than  the  mndklissliHU.  It  saunters 
about  at  times  in  tlie  waters  of  tlie  l>ay,  ne.;;  the  shores,  on  sandbars,  and  in  the 
fresh  jKUids,  in  an  awkward  and  heedless  manner.  There  is  less  dash  and  impetuosity 
in  its  style  of  fishing,  or  seeking  its  i)rey,  than  in  that  of  the  Reddish  Egret,  although 
it  runs  through  the  clear  water  of  the  J>ay,  with  its  wings  exi)anded,  and  sonu'tiuu's 
flapping,  suddenly  .vheeling.  and  halting  to  keej)  its  eyes  on  the  flying  flsh.  At 
other  times  —  imitating  the  little  (ireen  Heron  —  having  noticed  some  object  near  the 
surface,  a  yard  or  more  distant,  it  lowers  its  head,  d(mbles  up  its  neck,  draws  its  head 
back  to  its  shoulder.s,  holds  its  bill  in  a  line  with  its  back,  which  is  parallel  to  the 
surface  of  the  water,  and  creeping  al -ng  by  very  slow  steps  till  within  striking 
distance,  thrusts  its  bill  forward  suddenly  at  the  object.  This  is  a  very  common 
practice,  either  in  the  liay  or  in  fresh  ponds,  and  only  this  bird  and  the  Green  Heron 
adopt  this  catlike  mode  of  creeping,  crouching,  and  springing  upon  their  prey. 

Eggs  of  this  species  in  my  collection,  obtained  by  Dr.  Bryant  in  Florida,  measure 
1.80  inches  in  length  by  LS'2  in  breailth.  They  are  oval  in  shape,  one  end  but  just 
perceptibly  more  obtuse  than  the  other.  Their  color  is  Prussian  blue,  with  a  slight 
shading  of  green,  and  of  a  deeper  tint  than  most  of  the  eggs  of  this  family. 

Mr.  Moore  thinks  that  this  bird  has  at  least  two  broods  in  a  season,  as  he  has 
found  fresh  eggs  laid  April  10,  May  10.  and  June  1.  On  the  ."lOtli  of  March,  1874. 
he  found  a  nest  of  this  species  containing  six  eggs,  and  on  April  15  it  had  Ave  young 
and  one  egg. 


■  i^ 


Genus  FLORIDA,  Baird. 

Florida,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  l£r>8,  tl71.    Type,  Jnlcu  cccrulea,  Linn. 


I 


F.  carulea. 


Gen.  Char.   Small  Herons,  ilurk  plumbeous,  with  maroon-colored  necks  ;  pure  white,  with 
bluish  tips  t<j  some  of  the  primaries  ;  or  with  the  plumage  variously  intermediate  between  these 


ARDEIIXE  —  THE  IIEUUNS  —  FLORIDA. 


43 


cxtrciiK'S.  Bill  sknck-r,  acute,  npiiri'cialily  curved  toward  tlie  tiii,  tlie  culnieu  somewhat  depressed 
juf^l  iiliove  the  anterior  end  of  the  nostril ;  lower  edge  of  the  niamliliuUir  rami  slif,ditiy  concave, 
ilio  ^'iiiivs  nearly  strai^'ht,  hut  ascending,' ;  anterior  jxiint  of  the  mahir  feathers  reaching;  just  about 
us  far  forward  as  that  of  the  frontal  fcatliers,  and  very  far  posterior  to  the  posterior  end  of  the 
nostril ;  anterior  point  of  cliiii  feathers  almost  directly  beneath  the  anterior  end  of  the  nostril,  and 
ii  little  over  two  thirds  the  <listance  from  the  nuddle  of  the  eye  to  the  point  of  the  bill.  Toes  long, 
ihc  niiildle  one  two  thirds,  or  more,  as  loii>,'  as  the  tarsus,  the  hallux  a  little  less  than  half  its 
kii.uili ;  bare  portion  of  tibia  considerably  less  than  the  middle  toe.  Tarsal  scutello)  as  in  Ganetta 
and  lliriiilias. 

Nu])tial  jilumes  (occipital,  jugular,  and  scapular)  long,  slenderly  lanceolate,  the  webs  rather 
cdinpai't,  especially  tlio.se  of  the  dorsal  region  ;  those  of  the  back  reaching,  when  fully  developed, 
fur  beyond  the  tail. 

Florida  caerulea. 

THE  UTTLE  BLUE  HERON. 

Ardea  ctcruha,  Catesby,  Carolina,  I,  1731,  pi.  7t5  (blue  adult). 

n.rnn  hUudlrc  dc  C'mjennc,  Wvvv.  I'l.  Kid.  1770-84,  pi.  34!)  (blue  ad\dt). 

Anhacctridm,  Linx.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  1758,  143.  no.  13  ('V  Brown,  Jam.  478  ;  Catesby,  I.e.),  I.  1766, 

238,  no.  17.  —  WiLs.  Am.  Oni.  VII.  1813,  117,  pi.  6-2.  —  Ni'tt.  Man.  II.  1834,  58.  —  Aun. 

Orn.  Bing.  IV.  1838,  58,  pi.  307  ;  Synop.  1839,  266  ;  B.  Am.  VI.  1843,  148,  pi.  372.  —  CouEs, 

Key,  1S72,  268  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  456. 
Florida  cwnilcn,  Haiiu),  Birds  X.  Am.  1858,  671  ;  Cat.  X.  Am.  15.  1859,  no.  490.  —  Ridow.  Norn. 

X.  Am.  1$.  1881,  no.  493.  —  Covks,  Check  List,  2d  cd.  1882,  no.  662. 
niKc  Hirnn,  var.  A.,  LATir.  Syuoi).  HI.  1785,  79  (blue  adult.     Quotes  I'l.  Enl.  349). 
Ardcd  ricriilciccns,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  II.  1790,  690,  no.  40  (based  on  the  above). 
Lc  Civhkr  bleu  i)  eoii  brun,  BUFK.  Ois.  VII.  399  (blue  adult). 
liliic  Ifenm,  Latu.  .Synop.  IH.  1785,  7S  {([{wtea  Ardca  carnlea,  Linn.). 

?  Lilfle  While  lleron,  var.  B.,  Lath.  .Synop.  HI.  1785,  94  (.Mexico.     Probably  young  white  bird). 
Ardm  arde.fiacru,  Li:ss.  Traite,  I.  1831,  575  (Cayenne.     Individual  in  pied  plumage). 
Ihmlias  Pomheli,  BoXAf.  Consp.  II.  1855,  123  (blue  adult). 

"  Kijretla  niivii,"  Oosse,  Birds  ,Fam.  1S47,  334  ;  lUustr.  B.  Jam.  pi.  90  (young  white  bird). 
Ardm  cwrulca,  vnr.  albu,  l!i:i(  iiEXow,  .1.  f.  (1.  July,  1877,  264  (white  phase). 
Arden  earnlen,  vnr.  n/rinn/ms,  Heiciienow,  I.e.  (intermediate,  or  pied,  phase.     Ex  Ardca  eijanopus, 

Gmel.  S.  X.  1.  ii.  1788,  644). 
Arden  mcrieann  ciiierea,  Biass.  Orn.  V.  1760,  404  {intermediate  phase), 
Arden  americana  cincreit,  Blilss.  t.c.  406. 
Arden  cnnernphitrius  hrn.iilieii.si.'t,  BlMss.  t.r.  479. 
Ardea  ehnbjbcn,  Stei'IIEXs,  Shaw's  ticn.  Zoul.  XI.  ii.  1819,  582. 


IIau.  Warm-temperate  eastern  North  America,  the  whole  of  the  West  Indies  and  Middle 
America,  and  northern  .South  America  ;  north  to  Massachusetts,  Illinois,  Kansas,  etc.  ;  south  to 
Xew  (iranada  and  Guiana. 

Sp.  Chah.  Length,  about  20.(M)-2.").(M>  inches  ;  expanse,  40.(M)-42.(K) ;  wing,  9.00-10.60  ;  tail, 
3.(i(»-4.7(l ;  culmeii,  2. 7(^-3.30  ;  depth  <if  bill,  .4')-..-).-)  ;  tarsus,  3.15-4.00;  middle  toe,  2.35-2.60  ; 
bare  porticm  of  tibia,  2.(K)-2.ao.     Weight,  about  1  l-l(i  ounces. 

JVliite  phuse . 

Adult:  Prevailing  color  white,  with  the  ends  of  several  outer  primaries  plumbeous,  the  plunuige 
tinged  here  and  there  (in  quantity  varying  with  the  individual)  with  delicate  pale  bluish  pearl- 
gray.  Colors  of  the  soft  parts  as  in  the  blue  adult.  Yotoirj :  Similar  to  the  adult,  but  with  the 
plumes  absent  or  but  slightly  develo]ied.  Rill  pale  lilaceous,  beconnng  gradually  black  on  ter- 
minal thinl  ;  legs  and  feet  uniform  pea-green,  lighter  and  brighter  than  in  the  blue  phase  ;  iris 
Xajiles  yellow.i 

*  Fresh  colors  of  a  specimen  killed  August  6,  near  Washington,  D.  C. 


44 


ALTRICIAL  GUALLATOKES  -  IIERODIONES. 


Blue  phase. 
Adult:  Head  and  neck  rich  purplish-maiocm,  with  a  glaucous  cast,  the  feathers  more  cliestnut 
beneatli  the  surface  ;   rest  of  the  ]pluiua;4e  uniform  (hirk  Muish-iilumUMius,  tlie  idumes  with  a 
gUiucous  cast,  the  maroon  and  jiluMihcous  i^'iadually  blended.     In  Inrnliuij  Kidxini,  hill  ultramarine- 
blue  at  the  base,  the  end  black  ;  lores  and  eyelids  tdtramarine-blue  ;  iris  pule  yellow  ;  tibia,  tarsi, 


i'  tt 


! '      'tW 


and  toes  black  (ArnrnoN).  In  nntumn,  bill  li^'ht  idumbeous  on  the  basal  half,  the  terminal  half 
black  ;  lores  and  eyelids  veiy  j)ak'  dull  j,'rcenish  ;  iris  sulphur  yellow  ;  Ic^s  and  feet  uniform  pea- 
green,  darker  at  the  joints.'  Voitny ;  Similar  in  color  to  the  adult,  but  with  less  developed  plumes, 
or  with  none  at  all ;  the  head  and  neck  more  plumbeous. 

rial,  or  intermediate,  phuse. 

The  plumaf,'e  mixed  white  and  pUunbeous,  in  proportion  varying,'  with  the  individual,  forming 
a  series  connecting  unbrokenly  the  two  extremes  described  above. 

Many  specimens  show  an  irreguhir  admixture  of  blue  and  white  in  the  i)lumage  ;  but  seldom, 
so  far  as  we  have  observed,  is  there  any  of  the  maroon  color,  seen  on  the  liea<l  and  neck  in  the  perfect 
plumage  ;  the.«e  parts  being,  in  particohiicd  bird-s  usually  tinged  with  a  i)early-gray  or  bluish.  The 
comparative  amount  of  the  blue  and  white  varies,  of  course,  with  the  individual.  A  male  from 
Florida  (N'o.  84591),  apparently  adult,  though  not  in  full  breeding  idumage,  appears  at  tirst  sight 
to  be  entirely  i)Ure  white,  with  the  exception  of  the  usual  blue  on  the  ends  cif  the  jirimarics.  A 
close  in.«pection,  however,  shows  that  the  feathei-s  of  the  pileum  ami  nape,  as  well  as  tho.se  of  the 
whole  back  and  anterior  lesser  wing-coverts,  are  more  or  less  strongly  tinged,  mostly  beneath  the 
surface,  with  pale  pearl-blue  or  glaucous  ;  this  tinge,  particularly  on  the  dorsid  region,  partaking 
of  the  character  of  minute,  more  or  less  denseljxsprinkled,  dots. 

No.  (50319,  from  Porto  Rico,  an  adult  with  perfectly  develoiwd  jdumes,  is  white,  the  pileum, 
nape,  and  back  washed  with  pearl-blue,  th(^  long  back-jdumes  deeper  blue,  with  the  terminal 
third  or  more  white,  finely  and  sparsely  sprinkled  with  blue.  S'.'veral  of  the  slender  occipital 
plumes  are  marooii-i>urple.  One  of  the  secondaries,  on  each  side,  has  the  outer  web  nearly  uniform 
blue,  and  the  inner  web  sprinkled  with  the  same. 

No.  39650,  from  the  same  locality,  is  pure  white,  with  the  long  dorsal  jdumes  and  many  of  the 
feathers  of  the  back  uniform  dark  phind)eous-blue,  the  head  anil  neck  pur]ilish-ldue,  the  throat 
and  foreneck  white.  Tliere  is  scarcely  a  trace  of  blue  on  the  entls  of  the  )irimaries  ;  but  as  these 
are  much  abraded  terminally,  it  is  probable  that  the  spots  of  this  c(d(n-  are  worn  oif. 

No.  72892,  Jacksonville,  Florida,  has  the  jilumage  pied  blue  and  white,  in  irregular  blotches 
and  patches,  the  two  colors  nearly  eipial  in  extent. 

No.  70687  Demerara,  is  mostly  blue,  with  the  throat  and  foreneck  medially,  some  of  the 
jugular  plumes,  and  a  few  o*"  the  wing  coverts,  white,  the  latter  mostly  finely  sprinkled  with  bluish. 
In  this  specimen  the  white  of  the  throat  is  almost  as  abruptly  defined  and  conspicuous  as  in  adult 
Ifydraiiassa  tricolor. 

•  From  a  fresh  spflcimen,  killed  August  6,  near  Wnslungton,  D.  C. 


ARDEIDJ']  —  THE  IIKllONS  —  FLORIDA. 


46 


Xn.  3040,  i  iidult,  Liljerty  Co.,  GeorKiii,  lias  the  iHU'iiml  liliui  pluinago,  exccjit  that  three  of 
ilm  si'i'inidaiu's  (lU  each  side,  niiil  weveial  ol'  the  l'eutlier.s  of  tlie  liase  of  the  wiii(,'  near  its  junction 
Willi  till'  l>otly  (mostly  concealed  liy  the  overhaiij,'iiij,'  scapulais),  are  pure  white.  It  is  a  noteworthy 
111  I  lliat  iu  this  s))ecinieli  these  white  feathers  are  (greatly  ahrailed,  while  the  rest  of  the  jduniajie, 
iiiiliidiiif,'  the  iukniediately  adjacent  renii.Ljes,  have  the  fresh  texture  of  new  feathers.  It  is  also  a 
cinuiiistance  of  imiiortance  that  on  the  two  sides  of  this  sjiecinien,  a-  M-ell  as  of  all  other  [larticolored 
i\iiniiilt's  which  we  have  seen,  the  pattern  is  symmetrical  ;  that  is,  the  two  colors  correspond  in 
lliiir  (li>tril)Utiou  and  patteru  on  the  two  opposite  sides,  there  not  beinj,'  that  iwyminetry  of 
|ialleni  almost  always  seen  in  alhinescent  hiiHls. 

Spi'cimens  from  Demerara  are  ratlier  smaller  than  others,  hut  the  difference  is  very  8li;,'ht  (not 
nearly  so  ;,'reat  as  in  the  case  of  Uiidnnni.-iHd  Irirular  and  (landta  atiuUdminM),  while,  so  far  as  we 
can  see,  there  is  no  constant  dilference  in  c(jlorati(jn. 

Nearly,  if  not  <|uite,  all  specimens  in  the  white  plumage  have  a  more  or  less  j)erceptible  tin{,'e 
(if  pcarl-hlut!  on  the  pileum.  Many  adults  have  a  well-ilelined  plumbeous-lilue  stripe  down  the 
tlirnat  and  foreneck. 

That  the  vounj,'  of  this  species  is  not  always  white,  and  the  adult  invariably  plumbeous,  as  has 
^'pncrally  been  supposed,  is  <onclusively  ])roven  by  the  series  we  have  been  enabled  to  examine ; 
till' true  state  of  the  case  beinj,'  that  the  white  and  blue  plumaj^es,  usually  suitjiosed  to  rejiresent 
respectively  the  younj,'  and  adult  staf,'es,  are  in  reality  "dichromatic"  i>hases.  The  ease,  although 
p;ii'allcl  in  its  nature  to  that  of  Dirlirniiinnassit  rttfa,  differs,  however,  in  the  circumstance  that  the 
white  phase  is  seldom  perfectly  developed,  while  intermediate  specimens  are  very  much  more 
iiuiiierous. 

Audubon  thus  describes  the  successive  chanj,'es  of  plumaf,'e  in  this  species,  as  understood  by 
liiiM  :  1  — 

"The  youu},'  bird  is  at  first  almost  destitute  of  feathers,  but  scantily  covered  with  yellowish- 
wliile  down.  When  fully  ileuyed,  its  bill  and  lei,'s  are  yreenish-black,  and  its  jilumaHe  |uii'e  white, 
III'  sliL;htly  filliped  with  cream  color,  the  tijis  of  the  three  outer  primaries  lij,dit  j,'rayisli-blue.  Of  this 
color  the  liird  remains  until  tlu^  breedinj^  sea.son,  when,  howe\fr,  some  individuals  exhibit  a  few 
stiM,u;,']iiij,'  pale-blue  feathei-s.  When  they  have  entered  on  their  second  year,  these  youn^'  birds 
licidiue  spotted  with  deeper  blue  on  some  ])arts  of  the  body,  or  on  the  head  ami  neck,  thus  appearinj^ 
siiif,'ularly  patched  with  that  color  and  pure  white  ;  the  fornu'r  iui'reasin;,'  with  the  aj,'e  of  tlie  bird 
in  so  remarkable  a  manm-r,  that  you  may  see  s[)ecimeiis  with  portions  even  of  tiii'  pendant  feathers 
iif  their  head  and  shoulders  so  marked.  And  these  are  produced  liy  full  moultin^'s  ;  by  which  1 
mean  the  unexpected  appearance,  as  it  were,  of  feathers  i^'rowin^.'  out  of  the  skin  of  the  bird  colored 
eutiiely  blue,  as  is  the  case  in  many  of  our  land  birds.  In  all  these  staj^'es  of  jdumai,'e,  and  from 
the  first  sprin;,'  after  birth,  the  younj,'  binls  breed  with  others,  as  is  e((ually  the  case  with  Ardca 
nijiso  Hs.  You  may  see  a  jture  white  individual  paired  with  one  of  a  full  blue  color,  or  with  one 
patched  with  blue  and  white." 

Tiio  lUuo  Egret  is  a  Soutlioru  species,  imich  more  abundant  in  the  (riilf  States 
than  farther  north,  yet  breeding  along  the  Atlantic  States  as  far  nortli  as  New  Jer- 
sey, and  straggling,  in  niidsiunnier,  even  as  far  eastward  as  Massaclmsetts.  It  is 
found  tliroughout  Mexico,  Central  America,  and  in  tin*  more  northern  portions  " 
Soutli  America,  as  far  south  as  the  Mercedes  iJivcr  and  the  l\io  Negro.  It  is  also 
tomid  in  nearly  or  (juite  all  the  West  India  Islands,  and  is  a  visitant  of  Bermuda 
liiitli  in  the  spring  and  in  the  fall. 

This  bird  was  found  iit  Coban  in  Guatemala  by  ^Ir.  Salvin.  and  is  also  sjioken  of 
as  conunon  near  Omoa  by  Mr.  Leylaml.  Mv.  E.  C.  Taylm-  mentions  it  as  abundant 
in  Trinidad,  especially  near  the  month  of  the  Caroni  Kiver.  He  afterward  found  it 
enninion  at  Porto  Rico.  Leotaud  iilso  sjieaks  of  it  as  common  in  Trinidad  —  in  fact, 
the  nn)st  common  of  the  Egret  Herons  found  there.  It  frequents  the  borders  of  the 
sea,  and  the  banks  of  the  rivers  near  their  outlets.     This  species  is  said  to  seek  its 


1  Birds  of  America,  VI.  p.  ir>2. 


46 


ALTIUCIAL  (IIJALLATUUES  —  IIEUODIONES. 


I 


food  tliroughont  the  day,  from  inoniiiij,'  until  nij,'lit,  and  this  consists  of  tisli,  worms, 
(•rustaci'a,  and  tlic  like.  It  is  always  to  lu'  scimi  in  tiocks  of  various  ap's  and  jilu- 
niaj,'i's,  i)ri'st'nting  a  sinj,'ular  sij,dit,  some  bcin;;  entirely  blue,  others  wholly  white, 
and  again  others  presentin},'  a  sin}j;ular  condiinatiou  of  both  i-olors  very  irregularly 
distributed.  Towards  night  the  whole  tlock  rej)airs  to  a  tree,  usually  the  same  one, 
to  pass  the  night.  This  bird  can  lie  accustomed  to  captivity,  but  only  with  dittieulty. 
It  is  a  resident  species  in  Triniihid,  and  perhaps  in  all  the  West  India  Ishxnds.  It  is 
abundant  in  Cuba,  where  it  breeds,  It  is  also  resident  and  breeds  in  Jamaica;  but, 
according  to  (Josse,  is  not  very  abuuihmt  on  that  island.  Mr.  C.  W.  Wyatt  mentions 
finding  it  in  Colombia,  South  .Vmcrica.  near  the  Lake  of  Paturia,  and  Dr.  lUirmeister 
found  it  conuuou  on  the  shores  of  the  Rio  Negro  and  the  Alercedes  Kiver. 

This  Heron  has  been  found  breeding  in  all  favorable  districts  intermediate  be- 
tween Florida  and  Xew  Jersey,  on  the  coast,  and  a  few  wander  into  the  interior'. 
Mr.  Brewster  met  with  a  single  individual  in  Western  N'irginia.  During  the  sum- 
mer it  wanders  along  the  .Vtlantic  coast.  Well-attested  instances  are  known  in 
Avhicli  several  examples  have  been  taken  in  3Iassachusetts ;  usually  these  occur  in 
the  fall.  It  is  said  to  be  rare  on  the  shores  of  Long  Ishmd.  It  occurs  along  the 
Gulf  coast  from  Florida  to  Mexico,  and  thence  southward,  probably  to  Hrjizil.  Mr. 
Dresser  found  it  very  common  near  ^latamoras  during  the  sunnuer.  He  did  not  find 
it  frecpienting  the  lagoons,  but  generally  met  with  it  on  the  Eio  (irande,  either  close 
under  the  banks,  or  perched  on  some  old  log  in  the  stream.  He  noticed  a  few  near 
San  Antonio,  and  also  on  the  IJrazos  and  Colorado  rivers. 

Gosse  speaks  of  this  s])ecies  as  less  susjiicious  than  most  of  its  tribe,  frequently 
allowing  the  beholder  to  stand  and  admire  it  without  alarm.  Its  nuitions  are  delib- 
erate and  slow  while  watching  for  prey,  yet  in  the  act  of  seizing  as  sudden  as  the 
lightning  flash.  It  feeds  principally  on  small  crabs,  which  are  usually  found  miudi 
changed  in  the  stomach  by  the  process  of  digestion.  In  others  he  has  found  (pian- 
tities  of  small  eel-like  tish  and  insects.  An  individual  that  fell  wounded  into  deep 
water,  although  one  foot  was  disabled,  swam  vigorously  for  several  yards,  keeping 
in  an  uj)right  posture. 

"Wilson  mentions  finding  this  species  breeding  among  the  cedars  near  the  sea- 
beach  at  Cape  May,  in  company  with  the  Snowy,  the  Night,  and  the  Green  Herons. 
He  shot  two  specimens  in  May,  and  found  their  nests ;  these  were  composed  of 
small  sticks,  were  built  in  the  tops  of  red  cedars,  and  contained  five  eggs  each. 
Although  only  found,  in  the  Atlantic  States,  in  the  nt  ighborhood  of  the  sea,  this  bird 
seemed  particularly  fond  of  freshwater  bogs  or  the  edges  of  salt-marshes.  These 
it  often  frecpiented,  wading  in  search  of  tad|)oles,  lizards,  mud-worms,  and  various 
insects.  In  pursuit  of  these,  it  moves  actively,  sometimes  making  a  run  at  its  i)rey. 
It  is  very  silent,  intent,  and  watchful.  In  the  winter  it  is  confined  within  narrow 
limits  along  our  southern  coast.  In  most  parts  of  Florida  it  is  a  constant  resi- 
dent, some  going  northward  in  the  summer  to  breed,  others  leaving  in  the  winter 
for  Texas  and  Mexico.  About  New  Orleans  the  migrants  ajjpear,  moving  north, 
in  March.  They  never  leave  the  shores  of  rivers  and  estuaries.  On  the  ^Mississippi 
few  are  found  above  Natchez.  They  return  southward  in  September.  In  Florida, 
Mr.  Audubon  found  this  si)ecies  associating  with  the  crjMtn  and  the  liulovk'uma, 
roosting  with  them  in  the  thick  evergreen  bushes  which  cover  the  central  portions  of 
the  islands.  It  spends  the  day  princii)ally  on  the  head-waters  of  the  rivers  and  the 
freshwater  lakes  of  the  interior,  i)ref erring  tlu>  soft  nuui-l)anks,  where  small  crabs 
are  abundant.  In  fishing,  this  bird,  instead  of  jjatie  .\v  watching  the  approach  of 
its  prey,  like  the  larger  species,  moves  briskly  through  the  water,  striking  here  and 


i 


ARDEID.K  —  THE   IIKllOXS  —  FLORIDA. 


47 


tilt  re  in  rapid  suceossioii.  Wiicii  it  liiis  ()l)tiiiiu'(l  ciioui,'!!.  it  ivtircs  to  some  quiet 
ntii'iit,  and  there  remains  in  reiiusc  until  its  luuij{er  returns.  In  this  state  it  is 
usually  well  on  its  j,'uar(l  ajjainst  the  approach  of  (lan<,'er.  .hist  before  sunset  it  may 
iihvavs  be  .seen  a},'ain  searehiny  for  food.  When  satisfied,  it  usually  ri.ses  to  the 
hiij;lit  of  fifty  or  sixty  yards  in  the  air,  and  then  Hies  in  u  straight  line  to  its  roost- 
iii.;-plaee.  Very  few  were  seen  on  the  St.  .John  in  the  winter,  but  on  several  oeca- 
sidiis  sonu'  were  nu't  with  on  small  ponds  in  the  pine-barrens,  attraeted  there  by  the 
l;u';,'i'  numlx-r  of  froj,'s.  its  tiij;ht  is  said  to  l»e  very  similar  to  that  of  the  /lofuririnnii. 
\\  Inn  just  about  to  alight,  it  descends  with  eireidar  sailing;,  but  otherwise  Hies,  with 
constant  Happin}j;s,  in  a  direct  line;  during'  adverse  winds  it  Hies  very  low.  Except 
when  breeding,  it  is  very  shy  and  vij,Mhint;  but  when  engaged  in  incubation  it 
appears  to  lay  aside  all  its  usual  watchfulness. 

Mr.  Audubon  regarded  it  as  strictly  diurnal  in  its  habits.  Mr.  Moore  is  very 
positive  that  the  statenu'ut  made  by  Mr.  Audubon  in  reference  to  the  habits  of  this 
bird—  namely,  that  where  fish  are  i)lentiiid  on  the  shallows  near  the  slunx'  it  will  run 
briskly  through  the  water,  striking  here  and  there,  capturing  several  in  suecessiou 
—  is  very  incorrect  as  apjdied  to  this  bird,  though  true  of  the  /iitlurln'tniii,  tho  nnit/!- 
ilissi'iii'i,  and  the  mfn.  It  is  not  kiujwn  even  when  very  ycnnig,  at  an  age  when 
all  birds  are  rather  imiu'tuous  feeders,  to  run,  or  even  walk  briskly  through  the 
water;  it  never  forgets  to  move  slowly.  Such  acts  of  indiscretion  r.nd  greediu'^ss 
have  never  been  detected  in  the  manners  or  motions  of  this  Heron.  Only  wluMi 
suddenly  alarnu'd  will  it  lay  aside  its  calm  and  dignitted  demeanor,  and  then  nuini- 
fcst  the  utmost  confusion,  awkwartlness,  and  end)arrassment. 

This  species  is  more  disposed  to  Hy  about,  with  its  neck  stretched  forward  to  its 
full  length,  using  it  as  a  front  rudder  to  assist  its  legs  —  the  true  rudder — in  guiding 
its  ccmrse.  This  Heron  is  not  a  serajjer  or  ralcer ;  and  although  it  often  feeds  in 
close  proximity  to  the  rtindidisnimu,  does  not,  so  far  as  known,  imitate  its  manner 
(if  procuring  food. 

in  Florida  it  breeds  as  early  as  the  first  of  Mareh  —  a  full  month  earlier  than  in 
ijouisiana,  and  two  months  sooner  than  in  New  Jersey.  In  the  Florida  Keys  it 
places  its  nest  upon  the  tops  of  the  tangled  cactus ;  in  Louisiana,  on  low  bushes  of 
tlic  water-willow ;  and  in  its  more  northern  abodes,  on  the  tojjs  of  cedars.  Wherever 
I'diuid,  it  is  almost  always  sure  to  be  in  eompany  with  other  species.  The  heronries 
in  the  southern  portions  of  the  country  are  often  of  astonishing  size.  The  nest,  in 
whatever  situation  it  nuiy  be  placed,  is  always  formed  of  dry  sticks  intermixed  with 
the  leaves  of  various  trees,  grass,  or  moss.  It  is  nearly  flat,  aiul  without  regular 
lining.  In  Florida,  the  miml)er  of  eggs  is  three,  rarely  four,  and  never  five,  and 
their  average  size  is  said  to  be  1.75  inches  in  length  by  1.25  in  breadth.  They  are 
about  the  size  of  the  eggs  of  the  raiK/idlsshiKi,  and  of  the  same  color,  but  are  more 
elongated. 

Two  eggs  of  this  bird  (Xo.  117),  taken  by  Dr.  Uaclnnan  from  a  nest  near  Charles- 
ton, S.  C.  measure,  one  1.80  inches  in  lengtli  by  l.l'O  in  In-eadtli,  the  other  1.81 
inches  by  1.30.  They  are  of  an  elongati'd  oval  shai)e,  more  so  than  those  of  any  other 
Herons,  and  the  greenish  tinge  of  Prussian  blue  with  wiiich  they  are  uniformly 
washed  is  also  deeper  than  is  usual  in  the  egg  of  a  Heron. 

^Ir.  Moore  states  that  at  Sarasota  ]>ay  the  eggs  of  this  species  are  laid  from  April 
loth  to  May  loth  —  not  agreeing  with  Mr.  Audubon  in  point  of  time. 


48 


ALTRICIAI,  (JitAM-AToKKS-  limtODlUNKd. 


Gknis  BUTORIDES,  1!i-ytii. 

lUiluriiliS,  "Bi.YTii,  1810,"  UnNAi'.  C'lMLsp.  II.  lS5r.,  I'JS  (tjin',  .h;l,u  juvaiiku,  lIoiiSF.). 
Uniseii.i,  t'AUAN.  J.  f.  O.  IV.  165(5,  343  (tyiir,  Ankit  vinncenn,  Linn.). 

Gen.  CiiAii.  Small  IIltoii'*,  uttlaikisli,  iikhv  or  less  viiiif^atid,  lolors,  tlie  iiik-um  and  oocipul 
m-atiMl.  lilll'  ratliiT  stcmt,  ili'Litk'tlly  Uiw^'V  lliaii  llif  Uikw.  Mental  a|  I'X  iva.iiin^,'  lo  a  little 
k'SH  than  halt'  way  (in  />.  ^nnni.sci /i.i  exarlly  hall'  way)  lioni  the  middle  of  the  eye  to  the  iioint  ul' 
the  hill,  anil  to  deeidedly  heyond  the  anterior  end  of  the  nostril  ;  mnLir  ajiex  about  uvun  with  thu 
I'rontal,  and  deeidedly  iiosdrior  to  the  hinder  end  of  the  no.-tvil  (in  /.'.  hniiitiim-ni.i  this  iioint  falls 
eonsiderahly  short  of  the  frontal  one).  Middle  toe  very  nearly  oi  unite  eiiual  to  the  tarsus  (etjual 
to  it  in  n.  jiimnicits,  a  little  shorter  in  the  Amerieun  forms,  the  dill'erence  bein;;  most  nnuked  in 
H.vimcem);  outer  tue  scarcely  or  not  at  all  lon^,'er  than  the  inner  (except  in  IJ.  bruiuiesccns) ; 


«|i('i  le 
may  1 1 

llle   ill 

('ill 

wllill' 

i'iiii^|ili| 
iii<li~lifl 

.4.     N| 


B.  virescena. 


hallux  about  half  the  lenjjth  of  the  middle  toe  ;  bare  portiou  of  tibia  eriual  to  or  shorter  than  the 
hallux. 

Pileuni  with  a  full  crest  of  broadly  lanceolate,  compact-webbed  feathers,  these  longer  and  more 
narrowly  lanceidate  on  the  occiput.  Scapulars  and  interscajmlars  elongated  and  lanceolate  in  the 
adult,  but  not  reaching  the  end  of  the  tail  (very  much  as  in  Anhit). 

It  will  be  (d)served,  from  the  terms  of  the  above  diagnosis,  that  the  spccie.s  of  this  genus  vary 
somewhat  in  tln^  minor  details  of  external  form  ;  the  diti'erences  aie  so  slight,  however,  that  they 
are  evidently  of  not  more  than  sjtecilic  importance.  As  stated  above,  li.javniiiai  dilfers  from  the 
American  species  in  the  contour  of  the  bill,  the  culmen  being  slightly  dei>ressed  about  the  middle 
portion,  as  in  IHchromanassa  riifu.    It  should  also  Ije  noted,  however,  that  the  several  American 

*  There  is  a  decided  (liU'ercncc  in  the  form  of  the  bill  lietwoen  the  type  of  this  gemis,  Ardca  jnvnnica, 
IIoiisFiui.n,  and  the  four  American  sjiecies,  it  being  in  the  former  abnost  exactly  as  m  Dichromnnassn 
riifa,  in  nil  its  outlines  and  i)roportions,  uUlumgh  it  is,  of  course,  very  mncli  smaller.  All  the  other  char- 
acters, however,  even  the  system  of  coloratimi,  corresiioiid  so  entirely  with  those  of  the  Amerienn  foniis 
that  the  latter  nmy  lie  all  considered  typicid.  The  jjeneric  cliaraeters  are  therefore  nioililicd,  as  to  the  bill, 
so  as  to  include  all.    S.  jKitrwNs,  1'kalk,  fiom  Tahiti,  is  cpiite  similar  in  form  to  //.  juvanica. 


AUDKID-K  -  TIIK   UKllON.S  —  KUTOIMDIX 


40 


j|iciic.'s  iliU'iT  unite  ns  iiiiicli  anion;,'  tlii'niselvcw  in  I'citiiin  ic^ipctts.  l'[»<u  llio  wiiulc,  tliis  ^onuw 
i;i;iv  lit'  oonKltii'i'iMJ  iini'  III'  the  most  stron;^ly  inaikiil  in  llii'  cntiif  ^;ionii. 

I.i'iiviii;,'  lint  II.  pi II lulling  III'  llic  ( iiiliiiiii^'iH,  of  wliii'li  Wf  have  M^n  imly  an  inimatniv  cxuniiilc, 
ill,,  ihii'i'  irniainin;;  Anicriian  spfiics  of  this  ^'cniis  may  lu'  ili.-lin:;iii>litil  as  rollnws  ;  — 

CiiM.  Chau.  Nftk  nnilorni  clifslnnl  or  asli-;^iay,  willi  an  anltiior  ion^itndinal  sciics  oi' 
uliili'  ami  rnl'iinrt  stii|n's.  I.anccolah'  Teatin'is  of  llif  iiiicnni  ;^lo»y  ^'ii'i'iiisli  Mark  ;  win^'-covcits 
.(iii-liicnonsly  Imnluivd  willi  nisty  or  whitinL.  Ynniuj  willi  thu  tiolors  (luilei',  untl  tliu  jiatti'm 
iMilisliiu'-t. 

,4.     Niik  ilicstnnt  or  rnfonn. 

1.  B.  bruniiesoens.-     Hoail  ami  ni;ck,  exci'iit  i>ilc\ini,  nnit'orni  cliestnut-rnrous ;  wiii^^-covi'Hs 
very  narrowly  i'ii^'c<l  witii  rnfoiH,    Y'lmmj;  nearly  unilonn  rusty  brownish.    Win^',  (l.K)- 

1  linoi;ini;s  I'l.i-Miir.A  (Sunilcviill). 

Ai-il'ii  /iliiiiihf,!,  Si'Nnr.v.  I'.  Z.  S.  Fdi.  7,  Kh71,  125,  127  (.lanics  1.,  OalajMiKos). 

lliiliiriilin  /iliiiii/inis,  Sci,.  i  Sai.v.   Noim.   N'rotr.  Ih7-'',  125.  —  Hai.vin,  Trans.  Zool.  Soi'.  IX.  ix. 

187"),  l!>7. 
Anl'ii  Siiiiilri-iiNi,  ItKIcHKNow,  .1.  I'.  ().  .Inly,  1h77,  'J,'.:!  (s.  <^.  /Iiilnriili.t). 

Viiini't  9.  Ii'inisiliiiii  jil.  (iiiiirhi  iiiliill)  :  Wljipji'  piliiiiii  iniil'orni  niriiiisji  liiaik,  sli^litly  nliis.sy.  I'lijiev 
luiits  ia  f,'i'in'ial  dark  liriiwnisli  slati',  tlir  siii|iMliir  |iliiniis  in  rorlain  li;.;lits  ajuii'ariiig  ^lancinis  witli  wiiitu 
sliiil'ts,  in  iitliiM'  lii,'litM  slif^lilly  nictailic  l"illli't;irfiii>)i.  IJi'ini^'is  liinish  iiinniliiMms,  lii'ciili'iily  c^laurous. 
Wiiin-i'DVrrts  (ni'w  I'catiicrs,  ailult  |i]iniia^'r),  ilaik  slaty,  with  iKitlli'-^'nrii  hIuss,  narrowly  cil^cd  with 
li;,'lit  lasty.  t'liin  and  throat  white,  sparsely  marked  with  dnsky.  Sides  and  I'oie  part  of  the  neek  dusky, 
like  the  nape,  bat  tin^'ed  with  pinplisli  liiowii,  the  foieiieek  marked  with  loni,'itMilinal  streaks  of  white 
;uiil  lij,'ht  rusty,  liemainin^'  lower  parts  uniform  dark  lirowiiiiih  slate.  Lining  of  the  win>,'s  dusky,  nar- 
Kuvly  streaked  with  fulvous  white. 

Wing,  fi.'.Mi  ;  tail,  2.70  ;  enhiien,  2.riii  ;  dei>th  of  hill,  through  nostril,  .50  ;  tarsus,  l.!)"!  ;  middle  toe, 
l.r.'i ;  liare  part  of  tihia,  .la. 

||)eserilied  from  a  speeiuien  in  Mus.  S.\rviN  A:  OiinMAN  ;  Indefatigable  I.,  (lalapagns,  Aug.  25,  1808. 
Leiiitili,  IS. nil  ;  extent,  2i).iiO.     Iris  oriinge  yellow,] 

-  BiTniaoKs  iiui-Nsr.scF.Ns.     The  Urown  Heron. 

Avikit  hriiii>it:wi)i.t,  "Oi-Nni,.  MS.S."  Lkmii.  Aves  de  Culm,  1.S50,  84,  pi.  12.  —  Rnif iir.Ninv, 

.1.  f.  O.  1877.  255  (s.  g.  P,iit,i,-!,l<s). 
Biitoridrs  lirinnicsiviiD,  Baiimi,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  077  (in  text);  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1S50,  no.  4HI. 

Sr.  CnAl:.  Length,  alxait  lO.OO-moOO;  extent,  27.11;  wing,  0.10-7.00;  tail,  2. 50-:!. (10  ;  culmen, 
■J.-.'n-'_>.7.-, ;  ili.pth  of  tijll,  .45;  tarsus,  1.,'*5-2.:H0  ;  middle  toe,  1.70;  bare  portion  ol  tibia,  .50.  Ail  nil : 
"The  toll  of  the  head  and  long  glo.s.sy  oecipitul  feathers  are  ilark  glossy  green  ;  the  sciipnlars  and  inter- 


Ji.  brunnescetis,  juv. 


scapidars  pale  grcpn,  washed  with  bluish  gray,  lia\-ing  light  gray  shafts ;  the  wing-covorts  very  narrowly 
edged  with  rufous  ;  the  entire  neek  and  long  feathers  extending  over  the  breast  bright  browni.sh  eliostnnt, 
lialer  on  the  ehin  ;  abdomen  dark  jdumbeous  ash,  tinged  with  rufous  on  the  side.s.     The  wing  niea.sures 
VOL.  I.  —  7 


:.() 


ALTRICIAL  GltALLATOIMW-  IIDUODIOXKS. 


7.(Ht ;  luliiinn,  •2.-2i)-i.7^  ;  lUiiili  ai  Imsf,    l."i  (in  vdiiiik)  ;  Iuisuh,  IM-iM  ;  miildlu  toe, 

l.7n  (ill  ymii^')-    ^^"''-  '''•'"' 

2.  B.  viresoena.     Foii'iifck  HlriiuMl  witli  uhiti-li,  iiiul  Hide  of  Umii  with  a  iminiw  liital  Ktripe 

111'  liif  fiiuui-.  Yoiiiiij :  Stri[ii'(l  lifiii'iitli,  witli  rusty  wliitinli  uiul  ilu«ky.  WIiik,  (I.:»o-m.()(»  ; 
culiiii'ii,  ;i.(H)-L'."i."i  ;  ilcptli  ol'  liili  tiiroiij,-!!  lui-f,  ,10-. (Mi;  lai^iis  l.i:>--2  |."i  ;  iiiiiMli'  loc, 
l.(!.")-l.!):).  JIab.  TLiuiii-'mti'  Xuilli  Aiiii'iiia,  WtNl  Imlii.-i,  Miililli'  Aiiieiica,  uml  iiurtburii 
Hoiilh  Aiiiui'iuu. 

I      Nfi'k  iim1i-;,'IiiV. 

3,  B.  striata.'    Similar  tn  II.  virencviin,  l)ut  n«'ck  fine  nnli-gray  in  mliilt,  dull  KTuyi**''  •'»  tl'*-' 

young,  iiwlwul  of  rlii'stiiut  or  luloUH.  Win;,',  (i.«'>-')-7.H>  j  tail,  2.r)(i-3. |(»;  lulnicn,  :J.:!0- 
2.5.');  depth  of  liill,  Ai-AC) ;  tarsus,  l.!)(i-J.|0;  middle  toe,  1.7(»-l.s.").  Huh.  South 
America  iii  general. 

Butorides  vlrescens. 

THE  OSEEN  HEBOK. 

Ardin  atillKrh  miulniu,  {"atksiiv,  Cniolinii,  1.  17.14,  ]p|.  S(i  (adiilt). 

AriliU  vircsccns,  Linn.  IS.  N.  ed.  10,  ll^tS,  144,  no.  15  (liiisod,  in  juirt,  on  tlie  alxjve)  ;  ed.  12,  17C(),  I. 

238,  no.  2(1.  —  \Vii.«.  Am.  Orn.  Vli.  1813,  li7,  1>1.  01.  —  Nrrr.  Man,  II.  1834,  ti3.  —  Ai;i).  Orn. 

Biog.  IV.  1838,  247,  I'l.  333  ;  Syiiop.  183y,  204  ;  Hirds  Am.  VI.  1843,  in.';,  pi.  3ti7.  —  CoUEs, 


11      ■ 
4 


about  7  inolius  ;  tail,  3  ;  tarsus,  2^  ;  bill,  2,'.  ((!.  N.  Uwremr,  in  Am.  I.yo.  N  Y.  VII.  1860,  p.  271. 
Mr.  Lawivnci'  adds :  "  It  scaircly  dill'ds  lioiii  /!.  viimaiis,  of  wliich  it  is  a  rrinarkabiL'  rciircscntativc, 
but  unmistakably  distinct.  Tlir  |iluniagc'  gfiu'ially  is  daikrr  tliiin  in  viirsirtm.  In  tlii'  afipeaiain'r  of  their 
upper  (larts  the  two  speeies  closely  lesembli'  each  other,  but  viirsiviis  has  the  chin  ami  a  eeiitial  line  down 
the  throat  and  neek,  also  a  stripe  on  the  sicle  of  the  head,  white  ;  these  jiarts  in  hnnuirstrun  are  unilorm 
in  eolor,  with  no  trace  of  white.  Thi.s  8iK.'eie.s  is  also  without  the  light  edgings  to  the  wing-coverts  and 
smaller  ipiills  so  conspicuous  in  viiescenn."] 

YoHiiij  (No.  33(181,  Cuba;  Dr.  (iundlach.);  I'ileuin  and  occipital  crest  dull  lilack,  with  a  slight 
bottle-green  gloss  ;  rest  of  head  and  neck  dull  ferruginous,  the  malar  and  post-ocular  regions  streaked 
with  black,  the  lentral  line  of  the  throat  and  forciicik  with  imlistinct  dusky  streaks  and  narrower  ones 
of  light  bull'.  Imwcv  parts  dull  brown,  tinged  with  light  rusty  ;  under-siirfaee  of  wings  uniform  dull 
slate.  Uj)|per  parts  dull  greenish  brown,  the  Imek  and  .scapulars  uniform,  the  wings  and  tail  glos.sed  with 
bottle-green,  all  the  coverts  bordeied  with  fcniigiiious  ;  primary-coverts  and  primaries  uniform  slate  with- 
out trace  of  whitish  tips;  secondaries  and  tail  uniform  dark  nu'tallic  bottle-green.  AVing,  0.4(1;  tail, 
2.50  ;  enlmeii,  2.20  ;  depth  of  bill,  .45  ;  tarsus,  1.85  ;  middle  toe,  1.70  ;  bare  ]iart  of  tiliia,  .50. 

This  is  apparently  a  very  distinct  s|)ecie.s,  diirering  from  its  allies,  not  only  in  colors,  Imt  in  strongly- 
marked  peculiarities  of  form.  W'q  have  never  seen  the  adult,  the  only  specimen  in  the  National  Museum 
being  an  excellently  mounted  full-grown  young  bird  of  the  year,  presented  by  Dr.  (Jundlach. 

*  Bl'TOUIDES  NTIIIATA  (Liuil.). 

Cmhia;  de  Caynim;  ]',ivv.  Vl  Kid.  008  (adult). 

Ardm  siroilii,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1758,  144  ;  ed.  12,  I.  1766,  238.  —  Keicue.vow,  J.  f.  0.  1877,  253 

(s.  g.  liiUoridcs). 
Cancroma  grisro,  lioni).  Tabl.  I'.  K.  1783,  no.  908. 
Ardca  grisca,  Lt.ot.  Oi.s.  Trinidad,  p.  421. 
Butorides  grisca,  Cas.s.  i'roi'.  Phihul.  Acad.  1     ..,  100  (Cartagena,  Colombia).  ~  Bouc.  Cat.  Av, 

1876,  51,  no.  1428. 
Ardcn  fiiscicollis,  Vieim,.  Nouv.  Diet.  XIV.  1817,  410. 
Ardea  cyanura,  Vieill.  t.  e.  421  ;  Enc.  M^th   1120. 
Butorides  cyniiunts,  BonaI'.  Consp.  II,  1855,128.  —  Sc 

Buenos  Ayres) ;  Nom.  Neotr.  1873,  125. 
Ardea  scapularis,  "Ii.i.ic."  Licnr.  Verz.  Doubl,  1823,  77. 

Fi.Nscit.  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  580  (Trinidad). 
Egrctta  seapnlnris,  Sw.  Anim.  Menag.  1838,  333  (Brazil). 
BiUorides  scapulnri.i,  Bi).  Consp.  ii,  m55,  128.  —  Sii,.  &  .Sai.v.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  199  (Ucayali, 

E.  Peru). 
Butorides  scapulatna,  Sci..  &  Sai.v.  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  305  (E.  Peru). 


&  Salv.  p.  Z.  S.  1808,145  (Conchitas, 
BuuM.  Th.  Bms.  iii.  1856,  411.  — 


I?!;. 


ARDEin.E  —  THE  IIKU0N8  -  DfTORIDES. 


61 


Kpy,  1872,  2fl«!  Check  LlMt,  1873,  no.  4.17  •,  Itinlx  N.  W.  1874,  5'J2.  —  IIehiienow,  .1.  I.  o. 

1877.  2:.5. 
Iliil<iriili.s  viirm-ii^,  DiiN.vr.  Ciiii>ii.  M.  ISriri,  12S.  —  Baiuh,  Kinls  N.  Am.  18.18,  (I7tl ;  Cut.  N.  Am. 

U.  I85lt,  mi.  i'Xi.  —  IliixiW.  Xoiii.  N.  Am.  II.  1881,  im.  4iM.  —  C'ole«,  CLtck  List,  2U  id.  188J, 

im.  0(1:1. 
Cniliin-ili-  III  Louhinm-,  Wvrv.  I'l.  Kill.  1770-84,  |.l.  000  (luhilt). 
t'mbier  tnehili;  tl  In  Miirliiiiqiu;  IIikk.  I'l.  Kill.  012  (youiiif). 
Onvii  Iffi-iiii,  L.Mii.  .Syimii,  III.  178.".,  t)8. 

Liiniaitiiia  J/iiuii,  I.AIII.  t.c.  81. 

.//■«/..(  liidnviciiiiiii,  (i.Mi'.i,.  .'^.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  (!;!n,  no.  .19  (bnscd  on  I'l.  Enl.  009). 

1.  nine  ill  run,  var.  II.,  I.AIII.  .S)i,.i|i.  111.  I7,s,i,  7,1  (Ijiictii  I'lmilottu's  Sound). 

Ardea  chlurnplrrii,  Wituit.  Tiibl.  V.  K.  178:),  j.l.  000. 

Cniurnmn  maciilalii,  Buim.  t.i'.  jil.  012. 

(  Ardiit  vinjitlii,  (i.MKi..  .S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  043. 

Hah.  Tliir  wliulc  of  tciiiiMTato  Xoitli  Ainerica,  West  Iiidii's,  Middle  Aiucrii'ii,  mid  northern 
South  Aiiii'iira,  to  W'lif/.iii'la  ;  iiortli  to  Canada  West  and  ()rej,'on  ;  aliundant  l>oth  in  tliu  I'acilio 
Stute.M  nnd  Eiwtern  Province,  Imt  niiparently  wanting  in  the  Middle  I'roviiite  ;  IJermiulas. 

^i:  Char.  Adull:  Kntiie  iiileiini,  inrlnding  oi'eii)ital  ereit,  flossy  dark  nietullic  liottle-green  ; 
rest  of  tiu'  head  and  neck,  e.xcept  tlimat  ami  I'oreneik,  ricli  elie.stnnt,  varyinj,'  I'roni  11  cinnamon 
sbftde  to  a  line  puridish  niuroon  ;  bare  orbital  space  bordered  posteriorly  with  greenish  black,  from 


the  lower  part  of  wliioh  projects  backward,  from  the  rictus,  a  short  stripe  of  the  Rnnic  ;  Wow  this, 
alonj;  the  upper  ed},'e  of  the  malar  re},'ion,  a  narrow  stripe  of  white,  the  lower  malar  feathers  beinj,' 
mi.xed  black  and  rufous,  formiii>;  another  stripe  ;  throat  and  foreneck,  from  chin  to  ju^'ulum,  white, 
marked  with  broad  lon<;itudinal  daslies  of  dusky.  Lower  jjarts  ash-j^ray,  the  lininj,' of  the  winj; 
somewhat  spotted,  and  distinctly  bordered,  outwardly,  witli  creamy  white.  Scapular  plumes  glau- 
cous-plumbeous, with  a  green  rellection  in  certain  lights,  the  shafts  white.  Wing-coverts  and 
rectrices  brilliant  metallic  bottle-green,  the  formerdistinclly  bordered,  narrowly,  with  fulvous-white  ; 
tiiese  boiilers  on  the  lesser-coverts,  more  rusty  or  fulvous  ;  rectrices  immaculate  bottle-green  ;  remiges 
ami  prinmry-coverts  plumU'ous,  with  a  green  rellection,  the  inner  primaries  and  adjoining  second- 
aries with  narrow  crescentic  tips  of  wiiite,  the  coverts  with  terminal  deltoid  spots  of  the  same. 
Bill  deep  black,  the  lower  mandible  sometimes  partly  yellowish  or  greenisli  ;  lores  and  orbits  vary- 
ing from  olive-green  to  brigbt  yellow  ;  iris  giuuboge-yellow  ;  legs  and  feet  olive-green  or  olive-yellow, 
tlie  scutellic  more  greenish  ;  claws  horn-color.  Y'nuiig :  Pileum,  including  crest,  as  in  tlie  adult, 
but  usually  streaketl  witli  dark  rusty  anteriorly  ;  sides  of  the  head  and  neck  dull  dark  rusty,  indis- 
tinctly stivaked  with  light  ochraceous,  or  butf ;  lower  i)art8  white,  tinged  wivh  bulf,  and  striped  with 
dusky.  Back,  scapulars,  an<l  rump  uniform  dull  dusky-gr  some  of  the  feathers  indistinctly 
bordered  with  rusty  ;  wings  and  tail  as  in  the  adult,  but  .  ^Iit  borderi^  to  hirger  wing-coverts 
more  ochraceous,  and  the  two  or  three  middle  rows  marked  with  njedial  wedge-shaped  dashes  of 


o2 


AI-TltI(l.\r.  (ilt.M.LAToKKH       IlKUoDIONEiy. 


the  iwiiif.  Hill  li^jlilir-niloivil  tlniii  in  lin'  iniuli,  iliill  KiwiiNh  iiri'vuilliiff,  only  the  niliiiL'ii  ilunky, 
the  ItiMiT  iiiaiiilililr  iiiii>ily  pall-  ycllowisii ;  !«•>;■<  ami  Irii  iliill  j^ici'iiith  ycllnw  or  ulivjuciiUH. 

licii^'ili,  uliniii  i:>.(K»-l!».(H»;  ixiiaiiKi',  i':i.tKi-J7.<H),  Wtixlil,  (U  imiihi'h  (Ai  im  iio.v).  \Vii% 
(l.:t<>-H.(N) ;  tail,  :i  4<»-:i.4(i;  I'liliiiL'ii,  ^.(Ni-2>Vi  ;  iK'iilli  uf  bill,  .KKIH);  tul>tu^  1.75-2.10;  middlv 
tipf,  l.(;.VI.!(,'>  ;  Imiv  |"iilii(ii  iiriilda,  .7<i-.)«'. 

Till'  iaiij,'t'  111' iinli\iiliial  vaiialicm  in  ilii'<  N|icri(  •<  in  viiy  ((mHiiU'iiililc,  hh  fai' uh  ilinu'iiMiouH  iirc 
coiu'criifil ;  liiit  tix'  ciirvfiil  iiifaKiiii'iiifiit  nt'  a  lai;,'i-  m'l'iui*  uf  rt{ii-i'iiuL'tm  tuiuli«  to  luovt-  that  tlit-  viiria- 
tioii  ill  tliii  i('>iicrl  i-i  a  |iiiiv!y  imliv  idiial  (nn'.  T\h;  laip'st  ."iMTimni  in  a  xfrir-*  ul'  almnl  loity  i* 
one  t'i'iiiii  (lie  |>iliiiiii->  III' T('liuaiiti'|i<'r,  Mcxiiii,  jiii>l  till'  niiiallcMl  it  Iroiii  I'miii  Itiin.'  As  tn  dilurs, 
tlif  (laikc^il  ami  i'ii'lii-Nt-|iliiiiiah'>'<l  i'xaiii|iii'  in  llii'  whole  ni-ricH  iit  No.  •2'>'.)''.),  Itm  ki'nril,  lllimiis, 
in  whii'li  llii'  aliiliiini'ii  is  ■•11  stMiii^ly  wa.^lii'il  with  dark  rusty  as  not  to  dH'ci' any  iiiaiki'd  runtrast 
to  the  iiiariiiiii  III' till' jn^'uinnj  ;  tlic  rnlm's  ci^'whcr)' arc  i|uitu  mniual,  tlmn^^li  a  litlli'  darkri'  and 
richiT  than  usual.  In  s|i<'riiii('iis  whirh  have  the  R'athciH  iiiuic  advancud  in  a^'c,  the  lanri-nlatd 
liluiiifs  of  the  hack  liwf  the  chalky  III' Kliiiinms  cast  which  distiii;,'nishcs  these  leathers  when  the 
pliinm^u  is  mure  recently  aci|niivd,  and  assume  a  moru  or  less  iinil'orin  liron/y  hue.  The  ludest- 
coliiicd  adult  s|ieciinen  i-<  Nil,  l!(.'»:il,  Saciiiinentii,  Calirornia  (.(uiie  In),  which  has  tiie  neck  lij,dit 
riiiiianion-rul'iius,  in.-tead  of  rich  [iiiriilish  chestnut  or  niaruon,  the  lower  jiarts  very  pale  ash-j,'ray, 
the  n-mif^es  and  iiriiiiary-covertH  very  coiiHpicuously  tijiiied  with  tieHccntic  marks  of  luiro  white, 
and  tin-  iiliiinaj;!'  ^'cnerally  jiale  and  dull  Another  speciiueii  killed  at  the  same  locality  was 
similar.  The  |K'culiarities  presented  liy  these  liirds,  however,  appear  to  lie  the  result  of  a  sim|)le 
bleachiii;,',  caused  hy  the  excessividy  dry  and  hot  climate  which  prevails  continuously  in  that  locality 
for  one  half  the  year  ;  while  the  white  lips  to  the  remises  and  priinaiy-coverls  are  no  douht  rem- 
nants of  the  immature  pluiiia;^'e,  since  they  may  1k^  seen,  thi)Uj,di  xfu'i'dly  they  mv  smaller,  in 
specimens  which  otherwise  have  assumed  the  adult  livery.  Exce|itin^'  the  examples  above  noted, 
no  variations  worthy  of  tin,'  least  mention  can  be  detected  in  the  series  before  us. 


The  (Jrecii  Ilcroii  i.s  ii  coniiuoii  ami  almiidiuit  Hpccics  tlirout^hout  tlu'  United  States, 
frctiii  Jraiiie  to  Orefjoii,  ami  in  the  interuir  extends  its  niif,'ratinns  into  Canada,  being 
found,  ai'cortliiij,'  to  .Mr.  Melhvraitli,  near  llainilton.  where,  however,  it  is  ijiiite  rare. 
It  occur.s  near  Niagara  Falls,  as  I  have  its  eggs  from  Druiunioiidville,  Ontario.  Mr. 
Ihiardman  informs  us  that  it  is  eoninioii  along  the  more  western  |iortion  of  the  coast  of 
Maine,  it  is  found  at  Calais,  altlnuigh  not  eommoii  there.  It  is  quite  rare  in  New 
Brunswick,  but  abundant  throughout  the  United  States,  in  favorable  localities,  both 
on  the  Atlantic  and  the  I'acitic  coasts.  It  is  resident  in  all  the  West  India  Islands 
and  ill  Central  America,  and  is  a  freiiueiit  visitant  of  the  Herinudas.  It  is  also 
found  in  the  northern  regions  of  South  America.  ]Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  met  with  it  in 
Western  Kansas,  near  Fort  Hays.  Mr.  llidgway  observed  it  in  tin;  vicinity  of  Sacra- 
mento City,  where  it  was  (jnite  eominon  among  the  willows  bordering  the  sloughs,  and 
around  t.'iu  stagnant  ikuuIs;  he  did  not  notice  it  in  the  interior.  Jlr.  Dresser  found 
it  quite  common,  breeding  on  all  the  large  rivers  in  the  scnitliwesteni  ])()rtion  of 
Texas.  Dr.  Cooper  mentions  it  as  eomiuon  in  (Jalifornia  throughout  the  snnimer, 
and  probably  in  Oregon  also.  A  few  winter  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  former 
State,  but  most  of  them  migrate  farther  south,  returning  northward  about  the  middle 
of  April.  This  bird  chiefly  frequents  the  banks  of  such  running  streams  as  are 
wooded,  and  the  borders  of  jxinds,  and  when  startled,  it  usually  flies  along  the  stream 

1  The  extreme  nieasurpnients  arc  as  follows  :  — 

Liircest.  Sniallost. 

Wing  :     57877,  from  Tehuantcpcc,  8.00  ;  (i032i),        from  Porto  IJico,  6.30. 
Tail:  "  "  "  3.30  ;  73069,  "        "        "     2.40. 

Culmcn:  55570,  Ft.  Macon,  N.C.,  2.55  ;  730G0&  00.320,      "        "     2.08. 

Tarsus  •  f  ^^*'^'  '^"'*  ^""'^'  '^""•'"'^'  ^-l^-  nn<l    l  fioi29       "        •'     1  75 
^"""^  ■  1 31887.  Manzanillo  B,,y,  W.  Mcx.,  2.15  \  ^^^^^'  ^•'^' 

Middle  toe  :  71221,  City  of  Mexico,  1.5)5  ;  00320,  1..55. 


AHDFID.K  — TIIK  IIKKONS  -  Hn'OKinKfl. 


53 


silfiitly  iiml  mIowI.v,  iit  times  iittt'i-iiij;  a  nuttiiial  ciKiikiiiK  Hrrcuni,  n«'i"'nill}  iilinlitiii^ 
a^iiiii  at  a  Hliort  ilistame.  It'  it  liiili'H  in  a  tri'c,  it  HitH  nu  <iuictly  tliat  it  can  only  with 
(litticulty  Im-  (li.stin>,'iiisiii'il  tnmi  the  tnliiif,'c.  It  is  ^'iicrally  iinsus|iiriuiis.  ami  easily 
,>li(it.  It  usually  leeds  in  the  twilinht,  is  sluKKish,  ami  rests  in  the  day.  Its  lodd 
ninsists  III'  inseets,  aijuatie  larva',  erustaeea,  and  small  tishes ;  althuugh  sometimes 
eati-hinn  larj,'er  ones,  which  it  tlu-n  lireaks  in  piece's. 

Mr,  Salvin  found  it  quire  coiumon  in  (iuatenuda,  Iwitli  on  all  the  rivers  alonj;  the 
coast,  amoii<;  the  mangrove  swam|)s,  and  in  the  interior.  Aliout  the  Lake  of  Duei'ias 
it  was  till-  most  common  s|M'cies  ol  lleion.  It  is  mentioned  hy  the  Newtons  aH  very 
common  in  St.  Croix,  where  it  is  cs|Mcially  tyrannized  over  hy  the  Ti/nniiiiis  i/oniliii- 
iiiimIh.  MeiuK  of  a  mild  and  inoffensive  disposition,  it  oidy  protests  against  these 
attacks  hy  a  few  loud  and  hoarse  croaks,  and  then  drops  into  the  nearest  covert  fiu- 
shelter.  The  common  IIumming-l)ird  of  the  island,  h'ii/iinij)l/i  r/i/Dro/irmiin,  also  gives 
cliasc  to  it,  and  compels  it  to  change  the  direction  (d'  its  flight.  This  iiird  hreeds  in 
St.  Croix  from  .Mandi  to  duly,  a.il  has  two  lnoods  in  the  year.  The  nest  is  generally 
placed  in  a  tall  tree,  near  dwelling-houses;  for  this  i)ird  seoniH  to  seek  the  society 
and  protection  of  num.  The  stomach  of  one  that  had  heen  shot  was  found  to  contain 
live  lizards,  outf  of  them  of  good  size,  oiu!  large  cricket,  with  the  remains  of  hectics. 
The  young  in  the  down  were  hlack.  Mr.  E.  C.  Taylor  I'ouml  that  this  species  was 
comnnin  in  Trinidad,  and  also  in  all  tho  other  West  India  Islands  he  visited, 
licotaud  st.ites  that  it  is  frcipu-ntly  met  with  in  Trinidad,  where  it  keeps  itself 
among  the  reeds  that  cover  the  overflowed  places,  ami,  at  other  times,  among  the 
mangrove  trees.  Its  food,  for  which  it  .searches  in  the  night,  is  generally  tho  same 
as  that  of  the  larger  Herons.  Whenever  ohserved  in  the  daytime,  it  seenu'd  to  he 
plunged  into  a  jirofouml  sleep.     It  is  a  resident  of  Trinidad,  and  iireeds  there. 

In  .Jamaica  this  hird  is  known  us  the  (JralH'atchcr.  According  to  ffOs.se,  it  is 
found  on  that  island  wherever  there  is  running  water,  and  most  ahundantly  where 
the  streams  e.\pand  into  hroad  reedy  pools.  It  is  descrihed  as  perfectly  solitary  in 
its  haliits,  and  usually  too  wary  to  allow  a  near  a|tproa(!h.  When  wounded  so  as  to 
lie  uuahle  to  fly,  it  seeks  to  escape  hy  running,  which  it  does  very  swiftly,  its  neck  at 
llic  time  projecting  horizontally,  and  at  intervals  it  utters  a  hiw  cluck.  Its  ordinary 
call  is  a  loud  scream,  harsh  and  guttural. 

According  to  tJiraud,  this  Heron  is  not  so  ahundant  on  Long  Island  as  it  is  in 
numy  places  in  the  interior.  It  arrives  about  tlu(  middle  of  April,  and  fretpients  low 
and  marshy  situations.  It  hunts  hy  day  .as  well  as  hy  night,  and  shows  a  great  deal 
of  achlress  in  taking  its  jirey,  feeding  on  frogs,  lizards,  and  various  small  reptiles 
such  as  are  found  in  low  hoggy  grounds.  It  visits  the  neighboring  mill-ixuids  and 
creeks,  is  a  dexterous  fisher,  anil  at  times  darts  down  after  snuill  eels,  with  which  it 
mounts  in  the  air.  Occasionally,  as  if  tor  amusement,  this  Heron  drops  its  prey 
—  catching  it  again,  however,  before  it  reaches  the  ground. 

Wilson  states  that  this  Heron  builds  its  nest  as  early  as  the  2()th  of  Ajtril,  usually 
in  single  pairs,  but  sometimes  in  companies.  This  we  have  never  known  it  to  do. 
It  is  freipiently  seen  in  company  with  the  Night  Heron,  and,  at  the  South,  with  other 
species ;  but  it  must  be  very  unusual  for  two  jiairs  of  this  bird  to  be  found  nesting 
in  (company.  The  uest  is  fixed  among  the  branches  of  trees,  is  constructed  of  small 
sticks  lined  with  finer  twigs,  and  is  of  considerable  size,  and  very  loosely  ]mt 
together.  The  young  do  not  leavi*  the  nest  until  they  are  able  to  Hy,  and,  until  late 
in  the  autumn,  are  to  be  seen  in  the  meadows  and  marshes. 

A  few  of  this  species  winter  in  Florida  and  Lower  Louisiana,  where  some  also 
reside  all  the  year ;  but  the  majority  retire  southwards,  beyond  our  limits.     These 


54 


ALTRICIAL  (;I{ALLAT(>1;KS  —  IIKIMDIUNES. 


11: 


i    i 


it'tiu'ii  ill  the  early  spriiij;,  in  titicks  of  fiom  twenty  to  litty.  'riicir  nii<,'iations  are 
inadi'  at  ni^lit;  in  tin-  fall,  lio'  ver.  tlicy  Hy  siii.i;ly.  or  in  .small  Hocks.  In  the 
aulmrhs  of  ('liarlcston.  and  in  the  ni'ii,'lil)o!lioo(l  of  other  Sontliern  cities,  this  llerou 
is  known  to  Ituihl  its  nest  close  to  houses,  and  even  to  raise  its  brood  on  the  trees  of 
a  garden. 

Mr.  .Moore  continns  the  stuteiiient  of  .Mr.  .Viuliiiion,  that  a  few  of  this  s])ecu'S 
roinain  in  Florida  diiriiij;'  the  winter.  On  the  Sarasota  some  were  seen  throughout 
nu)st  of  tlie  winter;  and  as  this  s|iecies  always  fre([uents  close  and  tangled  woods, 
if  the  spot  is  supiilieil  with  water  and  affords  ahiindant  food,  it  may  e.\ist  in  eou- 
siderahle  numiiers.  and  yet  esciipe  noti<'e. 

This  Heron  has  its  own  iieculiiir  iniinncr  of  searching  for  its  food,  which  in  sonic 
respects  differs  from  that  of  ;il!  tlie  other  kinds.  It  li.shes  from  the  shore  or  from  a 
log,  root,  snag,  or  shelving  rock,  preferring  not  to  wade  into  tiie  water  or  to  stantl  in 
it;  still,  on  seeing  a  tempting  morsel,  it  will  ([iiit  its  point  of  ohscrvation  and  walk 
into  the  water  towarils  it.  Its  approach  ;it  siudi  times  is  peculiar;  though  the  Louis- 
iana Heron  seems  occasionally  to  cojiy  its  style,  e.\ce]it  that  the  latter  is  constantly 
in  the  water  at  the  time  cd'  tishing.  The  (ireeii  Heron.  Iiowever.  on  seeiiig  a  tisli, 
crouches  low  on  its  legs,  draws  i)ack  its  head,  crooks  its  neck,  creejis  slyly  along, 
laying  its  tarsi  almost  down  on  the  rock  or  tlie  groinid.  carries  the  iiill  levid  with  the 
toj)  of  the  hiick.  and  when  nc.ir  enough  darts  the  iiill  forward  towards  it.  .sometimes 
with  suidi  foi'ce  ;is  to  toi)|)le  forward  a  step  or  two.  It  scddom  immerses  its  head  in 
iishing.  is  always  dis])osed  to  steal  upon  its  prey  in  a  sly,  cat-like.  crou(diing  :  laniier, 
remaining  quite  motionless  for  a  long  time,  and  often  advancing  so  slowly  and 
stealthily  that  even  ii  keen-eyed  oliservcr  would  iiardly  perceive  the  motion.  Its 
antipathy  to  and  jcalon.sy  of  its  own  species  at  tiie  feeding-grounds  is  decided.  Its 
eggs  are  found  from  the  l.Sth  of  April  to  the  1st  of  .Fune  ;  there  :ire  rarely  more  than 
four  in  a  nest. 

Two  eggs  of  this  species,  from  Lake  Koskonong.  Wisconsin,  in  my  collection 
(No.  1J)()5)  nu'asure.  one.  1.4."»  hy  l.L'O  inclies;  the  other.  Lid  hy  Llli  inches.  They 
are  of  oval  form,  slightly  rounded,  aiul  e(piid  at  cither  end.  Their  color  is  like  th;\t 
of  the  Heron  family  —  a  light  wiish  vi'  I'russian  iilne  .strongly  tinged  with  green, 
rather  brighter  than  iu  other  kind.s,  and  of  a  lighter  shade. 


Gkxis  NYCTICORAX,   Stki'iikn-s. 


Xycticoraj;  SrF.riiKNs.  .Sli.iw's  (liti.  'Ai»A.  W.  xi.  ISlii.  (iOS  (tyi>c,  .Inliu  nycticorax,  LiNN.). 
Ki/fHiirdcK,  .Swains.  Classit'.  B.  ii.  ls;(7,  :!5t  (siiiiii>  type). 

Oen.  Char.  Mcdium-siziMl  licniiis  of  very  .'*li(irt  tliick  luiild,  large,  thick  hofids,  and  .xliort 
tai-si.  Tiie  phuiinge  cxoeoiliiigly  (lilfciciu  in  the  adult  ami  yeuiig.  but  thu  sexes  similiir.  Adults 
with  two  or  tliree  ex<  ('nliii|,'ly  long  tlircml-likc,  white  oriipilal  ]ihuiu's. 

Hill  very  .xtoul,  tlie  depth  tliionnii  the  liase  lieing  more  than  one  fourth  the  eulinen  ;  tiie  latter 
nearly  straight  for  the  hm\\  two  tliirds,  tlieii  gently  eiirved  to  the  tij) ;  lower  edge  of  the  iiian- 
djlmlar  rami  nearly  slniight  ;  gnnys  nearly  str.iiuht.  very  sligiitly  aseending  ;  ina.\il]ary  toinium 
decidedly  eoneave,  with  a  very  convex  outline  just  foiwanl  of  the  rictus.  Mental  apex  reaching 
more  than  iialf  way  from  tlie  centre  of  the  eye  to  llie  point  of  the  hill,  and  to  heyond  the  anterior 
end  of  the  nostril  ;  malar  ajiex  failing  a  liMh'  slio,t  of  the  frontal  apex.  Tarsi  a  little  longer  tlian 
tiie  middle  toe,  its  naitdh-  h<:ntijo)i  ■'  h>  fmnl :  lateral  toes  neatly  ei|ual,  hut  the  outer  tiie  iong'T  ; 
Imlluxless  tliuii  half  tlie  middle  t.  e;  l.aiv  jioitioii  of  iil)iii  shorti^r  tliuii  the  haliiix.  inner  wehs 
of  two  outer  immaries  distinctly  eniarginatetl  near  thu  end.  Tail  of  twelve  broad,  moderately 
hanl  featiiers,  as  in  tiie  typical  Herons. 


AUDEID.K  —  THE   HERONS  —  NYCTICUllAX. 


65 


In  ''llaml-list  of  liiiils,"  \'ii1.  HI.  j).  3;J,  Dr.!!.  11.  (.Jmy  emiint'mte.s  tliivo  OKI  World  ^jiecifs 
I'lsit''.^  A'.  "  nijelicoru.e"  (ijrigi'.iig),  Tliesii  luu,  " iidnldnicti,  (!m.,"  Now  C'liIedDiiiii ;  "  /  miniillcns!g, 
\iii.,"  IMiili|iiiiiii'.-<  anil  Soldiiiuii  Islamls.  uml  "  irii<.<lrii.itri.i,  Xu;.,''  Island  nl'  Hmiiii.  Tlii'sc  jut- 
li  i|i->  ii'invsi'iil  iiu.ii.s  of  one  sjn'cic.-i,  iiltliou;,'h  we  iiav*!  si-un  only  the  lii-st  nuniud.     A',  cakdonicus 


A.  i/n'.icKs  till  vii's, 

isstiiitly  ooiijioncrii'  with  X.  iirintii.-i,  with  wliu'li  il  ii,i,'I'(M's  very  closely  in  the  details  of  fonn,  in 
size,  ill  general  system  of  ((doialion,  and  in  the  ehaiaetei'  of  tlie  occijiital  iiluines.  As  to  colora- 
liiMi,  the  pattern  is  the  same,  except  that  the  j,'n'enish  black  of  tiie  hack  and  seapulais  is  wantin;;, 
while  that  of  the  pih'iim  extends  niiile  to  the  liill,  tliere  lieini;,  tllerefoie,  no  white  fiontlet.  The 
1  hiiieoiis  of  .V.  (//■/.svi/y,  however,  is  entirely  replaced  liy  a  line  cinnamon-rnfous,  wliieli  j^ives  the  two 
liirds  (|nile  a  different  aspect.  In  the  yoiin;,'  plumaLie  they  are  more  similar,  llioii|^di  Htill  readily 
ilistin;,'ilishalple. 

Nycticoraz  griseus  naevius. 

THE  AMERICAN  BLACK  CItOWKEO  NIGHT  HEBON. 

llvlmirKS  )wvius,  Ititiss.  Orn.  V.  ITtiit.  lil"J. 

.Irilxi  jwviii,  l!oi>n.  Tiihl.  r.  r..  17s:!,  .-,i  i.js  (,-x  PI.  Knl.  M9.) 

Xiirl iiirilin  tji-ixiii,  WW.  ,iiiri,i,  \\.\.\.s,  Riill.  Mas.  ('.mip.  /..lol.  III.  1S7"2,  182.  — Col'Ks,  Key,  187'2, 

2t;!t;  Cliirk  l-ist,  187:i.  no.  LIS:  U.  N.  W.  1,^71.  WIX 
Xiictiiii-ili'ii  grisiii  iiirvi'ii,   liMKiW.    Noin.   X.   Am.    15.   1S81,  no.   495.  —  Coi'K.s,  Check   last,  2il  td. 

1882,  no.  ijtit. 
Anlni  /ii«ict/i,  Cmki..  S.  N.  I.  1788,  630. 
.tri/iii  fdiiit,  (iMr.r,.  t.  e.  (illi. 

Jrdiii  (liirilriii,  Cmki..  t.  c.  (!|,'),  no.  81  (liascd  on  the  Oiirdfiilnu  Ifirnn  of  Pcnn.  and  Lntli.>. 
XiHiiiirihii  Uiinhnl,  It.Miii).  ISiids  X.  .\nt.  IS'iS,  ti78  ;  fat.  N.  Aai.  \\.  IS.^O,  no.   lit.'). 
Ardiii  ilisviihn;  XflT.  Mass.  Orn.  II.  1S:il,  ')!. 
Xjic/kiiriix  niiiirioniii.'i,  llos.vr.  ('onip.  List,  1S:18,  48. 
Xiiiiicorar  riilijiiri.i.  D'Oini.  <>i-^.  Cnlm,  18:!!',  208. 
Kycticorax  ijrisitis  (\miO,  ItKienr.sow,  .1.  f,  (•.  1877,  2:37. 


Ji:il'" 


56 


ALTRICIAI.  GIJALLATOUES  —  HKUODIONES. 


Had,  The  whole  of  teiniiciate  niul  tioiiical  Ameiien,  I'mni  British  America  to  Cliili  and  the 
Frtlkhiiid    Ishlliils.     I'lirt  of  tiie  West  Iiiilics;  Ijeriiiudiis. 

Si'.  Char.  Adult :  Fileiiin,  scaindars,  and  inters  ai.uhirH,  t,'lo.ssy  Uackish  bottle-green  ;  fore- 
head, postoeiilar,  malar,  and  ^'idar  v.-i.ms,  and  medial  lower  parts,  white  ;  lateral  lower  parts  and 
neck,  except  in  front,  pale  ash-^'ray,  witii  a  sli;,rlit  lilaceous  tin-e  ;  wind's,  rumi.,  ui.per  lail-coverts 
and  tail,  deeper  ash-.i,'ray.  Occipital  plumes  jiure  white,  liill  black  ;  lorea  and  orbits  yellowish 
yreen  ;  iris  bright  red';  legs  and  feet  yellow  ;  claws  brown.     [Audubon.]     Yoiiwj,  second  year : 


jek.  ■-■!»:.■— 

WS  'tN  ■■«-■  ■'-CC 


.\o.  of 

14 

8 


Similar  to  the  adult,  but  scapulars  and  interscainilai-s  cinereous,  like  the  wings,  and  the  white  of 
the  forehead  obscured  by  tlie  blackish  of  the  crown  ;  tlie  colors  generally  more  sond)re,  with  neck 
and  lower  jiarta  more  decidedly  ashy.  Yoitiifijjirnt  ijvar :  Above,  grayis^h  brown,  with  more  or  less 
of  a  cinnamon  cast,  especially  on  the  remigcs,  each  feather  marked  with  a  medial  tear-shaped,  or 
wed"e-shaped  stripe  of  wliite,  the  remiges  with  small  white  terminal  spots  ;  vectrices  plain  ash- 
gray.  Sides  of  the  head  and  iieck,  i>nd  I'Utire  lower  jiarts,  striped  longitudinally  with  grayish 
brown  and  dull  white  ;  chin  \\k\  liiroat  ]ilain  white  medially.  ]!ill  light  apide-green,  the  tipper 
half  of  the  maxilla  blai'kish,  the  mamlible  with  a  tinge  of  the  same  near  the  end  ;  lores  light 
apple-green;  eyelids  siiuilar,  but  brighter  —  more  yellowish,  their  inner  edge  black;  iris  dark 
chrome-yellow  tjr  dull  oiange  ;  legs  and  feet  light  yellowish  apple-green ;  claws  grayish  horn- 
color.^ 

Length  about  24.0(>-26.(K) ;  oxpaiisp,  -ll.lKt.  Weight,  1  lb.  14  oz.  (Aii)i  Hon).  Wing,  11. (M)- 
12-80;  tail,  4.2(>-.5.:j() ;  culmen,  2.8(»-:}.l(»;  depth  of  bill,  .70-.85  ;  tarsus,  3.  U>-3.4();  middle 
toe,  2.0.5-3.10  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia,  .!)0-l  .40.2 

The  series  of  specimens  at  hand  is  unfortunately  too  small  to  justify  an  oiv.nion  ns  to  whether 
the  American  Night  Herons  are  really  separable  as  a  geographical  race  from  those  of  the  Old 
World,  or  whether  there  are  two  races  in  America.  Authors  recognize  a  N.  ohscurus  from  the 
southern  part  of  South  America,  but  ten  sjieciniens  from  that  region  compaied  with  thirteen  from 
Northern  America  certainly  do  not  indicate  any  constant  dilference,  notwithstanding  a  certain 
proportion  (in  this  case  four  of  the  eight  specimens  before  us,  or  one  half)  are  more  or  less  darker, 
though  only  a  small  proportion  of  them  are  very  much  darker  ;  while  of  the  other  four,  two  are  as 
light-colored  as  the  very  palest  of  northern  ones,  the  others  being  about  like  the  average.  There 
being  no  other  differences  beyond  the  slightly  larger  avmifii-  size  of  the  .xoutliern  birds  (especially 
noticeable  in  those  from  the  high  districts  of  Peru  and  Chili),  we  are  hardly  inclined,  for  the 
present,  at  least,  to  recognize  a  var.  olM-iirnn,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  to  look  ujion  the  latter  as  the 
e.\pre9sion  of  a  tendency  to  partial  mtdanism  all'ecting  this  species  in  certain  localities  of  the  regions 
indicated,  this  tendency,  moreover,  perhajis  affecting  only  some  individuals  in  such  localities. 


laps 


»  From  a  .spocimcn  killed  .\ngiist  13,  1870,  near  Wnsliington,  D.  C. 
*  Extremes  of  thirteen  examples  from  North  and  Middle  America. 


AUDEID.E  —  Till-:   HERONS  —  NYCTICOUAX. 


67 


With  five  adult  examples  for  comparison,  we  Lave  been  eciually  unsuccessful  in  discovering 
iliUVTcnecs  liutween  European  liirds  of  tliis  species  and  those  from  Anierifii,  beyond  the  slightly 
siimllcr  size  of  the  former,  tliere  l)eing  no  dilference  whatever,  that  we  can  see,  in  plumage.  We 
liMvu  not,  however,  seen  amon^'  European  specimens  those  dark-colored  examples  which  occur  now 
:iiid  then  in  America. 

A  nearly  adult  specimen  from  the  Sandwich  Islands  (N'o.  41<Jol ;  Wainjea  Kaui;  V.  Knuuskn), 
is  very  similar  in  coloi's  to  No.  4!)(i4(>  (typicid  obscitruK)  from  Chili;  it  is  smaller,  however,  and 
li;^'htcr-i()lored  beneath  ;  it  is  also  more  adult,  and,  besides  jiossessing  the  occipital  plume.-i,  hiw 
iIk'  forehead  'Hstiiictly  white.  A  joung  bird  from  the  same  locality  (No.  41!>u2)  agrees  strictly 
with  American  specimens  of  the  same  age. 

A  young  specimen  from  Lake  Titicaca  (24278,  M.  C.  Z.)  difl'ers  from  North  American 
ixamplcs  in  darker  cohirs. 

Tile  following  table  of  measurements,  giving  the  extremes  in  each  series,  may  serve  to  show 
ilif  dilference  in  size  between  specimens  of  this  species  from  various  countries,  as  indicated  by  the 
scries  Ijefoiv  Us  :  — 


No 

.SllfC' 

'J                   Country. 

Wins; 

Tail. 

t'ulmcii. 

Depth  of  bil 

.      Tarsus. 

MidiUe-toc. 

14 

North  and  MiJillu  America, 

11.00- 

-12. 

80 

4.20- 

-5.30 

2.80- 

3.10 

.70- 

.85 

3.10- 

■3.40 

2.05-3.10 

8 

Cliili  and  IVru, 

12.30- 

13.56 

5.50- 

O.OO 

2.70- 

2 

90 

.70- 

.80 

3.20- 

■3.30 

2.70-3.00 

•2 

Brazil  and  I'ara^'uay, 

11.25- 

-11. 

75 

4.70- 

■4.80 

2.00- 

2. 

70 

,       , 

3.10- 

-3.20 

2.70 

1 

Sandwich  Islands, 

11.00 

4.40 

2.85 

.75 

2.75 

2.55 

1 

Manilla, 

10.80 

4.30 

2.75 

.75 

3.00 

•      >      . 

1 

Kodluo  Valley,  India, 

11.50 

4.80 

2.85 

,      . 

.       .       . 

2.75 

1 

South  Africa, 

10.80 

4.10 

2.40 

.70 

2.75 

2.50 

The  Night  Horon  —  "Qiiu-binl,"  or  "QuAk,"  as  this  Heron  is  called  in  different 
parts  of  the  country  —  is  distrihutcd  over  the  entire  continent,  from  the  Arctic  Circle, 
(in  the  extreme  northwest,  to  the  opjiosite  extrenn'  of  South  Anu'rica.  And  it'  we 
regard  our  American  bird  as  clearly  ;i  race  of,  and  hardly  varying  from,  the  European 
bird,  it  iiHist  claim  to  1h'  cosmopolitan  in  the  largt'st  sense,  since  it  is  known  to  occur 
ill  nearly  all  parts  of  the  glolie.  It  is  resident  througliout  Central  America,  and 
lirecds  in  all  portions  where  the  situation  is  favorable.  It  was  found  breeding  at 
r>(lize  and  at  Onioa  by  Mr.  Leyland.  j\Ir.  (J.  C.  Taylor  mentions  its  ju'esence  at 
{•'onseca  l>ay.  in  Honduras.  It  was  found  at  I'arana,  anuing  the  reeds  of  the  lagoons, 
iiiul  on  the  islands  of  the  river,  by  Dr.  l»nrnu'ister ;  and  Captain  C.  C.  Abbott,  in  his 
paper  on  tlu'  Uirds  of  the  Falkland  Islands  ("  Ibis,"  1861),  states  that  when  he  was  in 
Hope  I'lace.  in  I)ccend)er.  IiS.V.>,  be  visited  one  of  the  breeding-places  of  this  Heron. 
The  places  selected  for  laying  were  the  tufts  of  grass  near  a  freshwater  pond,  the 
whole  of  one  sidi'  of  which  was  covered  with  them.  In  some  of  the  nests,  which 
were  composed  of  a  few  coarse  sticks,  were  young  birds  half  grown;  in  others  eggs, 
tliree  in  nundier,  sonu'  fre^.h,  others  with  largely  di'vcloped  end)ryos.  There  could 
not  have  been  less  than  a  hundrt'd  pairs  on  the  spot,  and  they  were  so  tanu'  and 
unsusi>icious  that  they  had  evidently  lu'vcr  been  disturbed. 

In  Kurojie  the  Night  Heron  has  apparently  less  of  a  northern  range  than  the 
.Vmerii'un  form.  It  is  rare  in  England,  where  less  than  a  dozen  stragglers  are 
known  to  have  been  taken  since  1781',  when  the  first  recorded  specimen  was  pro- 
cured; and  it  is  still  more  rare  in  Ireland  and  in  Scotland.  It  is  found,  more  or  less 
abumhmtly.  in  the  warnu-r  parts  of  Kuroj)!',  Asia,  and  in  Africa  throughout  the  entire 
region,  even  as  far  as  the  Cape  of  (food  Hope.  It  is  said  to  inhabit  Nepal,  as  also 
the  country  about  Cahaitta,  and  to  be  found  in  China  and  Japan. 

The  Night  Heron  is  found  abundantly,  and  breeds,  in  nu)st  of  the  West  India 
Islands,  esi)ecially  in  Cuba,  .Jamaica,  and  Trinidad.     In  the  latter  it  is  very  abundant 

VOL.  I.  —  8 


i;;! 


V     ' 


i  i 


4 


68 


ALTRICIAL  GRALLATOUES  —  HEUODIONES. 


in  all  the  inundated  lands,  in  company  with  the  other  kinds  of  Heron,  and  its  food  is 
tlie  same.  During  the  day  it  perclies  in  the  mangrove  trees,  waiting  for  tlie  sun  to 
set  before  it  goes  in  quest  of  its  prey.  In  .laniaiea,  aeeording  to  Gosse,  thougli  com- 
mon, it  is  mucli  more  frequently  lunird  than  seen;  and  its  loud  and  hoarse  ipio/,;  heard 
in  tlie  dark  solitudes,  is  often  a  souree  of  great  alarm  to  the  superstiticms  negro.  In 
floating  down  the  larger  streams,  especially  those  nuirgined  by  overhanging  man- 
groves, it  may  be  frequently  seen,  seated  on  some  high  briinch  whieh  comnumds  a 
wide  prospect ;  but  no  sooner  does  a  canoe  api)roach,  than,  spreading  its  wings,  it  sails 
heavily  off,  with  its  customary  outcry.  It  is  vigilant  and  suspicious,  and  by  no  means 
easily  shot.  "It  is,"  adds  Mr.  Gosse,  "a  noble  bird.  Its  commanding  lieight,  erect 
attitude,  stout-built  frame,  fiery  eye,  powerful  beak,  hanging  crest,  and  handsonuf 
plumage,  give  it  an  imposing  aspect.''  Crabs  and  other  crustaceii,  form  its  principal 
diet.  If  wlien  wounded  it  falls  into  water,  it  can  swim  well  and  rai)idly,  with  head 
erect,  and  its  body  not  more  immersed  than  that  of  a  duck.  The  young  Night  Heron 
in  its  spotted  plumage  is  known  in  Jamaica  as  the  Guinea-hen  Quok.  It  is  a  common 
fall  and  winter  visitant  of  Bermuda. 

Mr.  Kidgway  found  it  quite  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento  City,  as  well  as 
on  the  banks  of  the  Carson  and  Truckee  rivers,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  Great  Salt 
Lake.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  met  with  it  near  Fort  Hays,  in  "Western  Kansas ;  fvnd  in 
Sejjtember  he  found  it  tolerably  connnon  in  the  valley  of  Great  Salt  Lake.  Accord- 
ing to  Mr.  Gosse,  it  breeds  in  large  communities  in  Southern  Wisconsin,  on  islands  in 
the  lakes ;  the  nest  is  usually  on  low  trees  a  few  feet  from  the  ground.  Mv,  Nelson 
also  found  this  species  breeding  in  the  almost  impeiu'trable  wild  rice  swamps  of  Lake 
Michigan,  in  apparently  improbable  locations.  He  saw  in  Grass  Lake  —  a  widening  of 
Fox  Kiver  —  over  fifty  nests  placed  in  the  midst  of  particularly  dense  bunches  of  ri(;e, 
the  stiff  last-year's  stalks  of  whicli,  converging  near  the  roots,  formed  a  convenient 
base  for  their  sujjport.  Tlie  nests  were  all  well-built  structures,  composed  of  small 
pieces  of  dead  rice-stalks  from  two  to  ten  inches  in  length.  They  averaged  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  inches  in  diameter ;  and  so  firmly  were  they  built,  that  he  could 
stand  on  them  without  doing  them  any  perceptible  injury. 

Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper  states  that  the  Night  Heron  is  common  in  California  throughout 
the  year,  migrating  in  the  summer  at  least  as  far  to  the  north  as  the  Columbia.  It 
is  found  chiefly  in  the  freshwater  marshes.  He  saw  one  of  its  breeding-places  at 
Santa  Cruz,  in  a  small  grove  of  negundo  trees,  surrounded  by  cultivated  iields  and 
near  a  house.  The  nests  were  about  the  size  of  those  of  the  Crow,  and  built  in  the 
usual  loose  manner ;  about  the  1st  of  June  they  were  observed  to  contain  young. 
A  number  of  Crows  and  Owls  were  on  the  watch  for  any  luckless  young  bird  they 
could  manage  to  steal  away  in  the  absence  of  its  parents.  The  old  birds  were  very 
watchful  during  his  visit,  and  flew  around  overhead. 

This  species  appears  to  be  pretty  universally  distributed  over  the  United  States, 
occurring  in  isolated  colonies  in  situations  where  food  is  abundant.  It  was  found  in 
numbers  throughout  Texas  by  Mr.  Dresser ;  and  Mr.  I'oardmaii  informs  us  that  its 
heronries  are  met  with  on  the  coast  and  in  the  interior  of  Maine,  although  the  species 
is  not  abundant  in  the  neighborhood  of  Calais.  According  to  Giraud,  it  visits  Long 
Island  in  the  early  part  of  April,  and  remains  there  until  quite  late  in  the  autumn ; 
ajul  that  writer  was  informed  that  it  hius  been  occasionally  met  with  in  the  depth  of 
winter.  It  inhabits  the  overgrown  margins  of  watercourses  and  prnds,  seldom  ven- 
tures abroad  by  daylight,  and  at  such  times  is  rarely  seen,  unless,  met  with  by  acci- 
dent. At  twilight  it  is  seen  flying  over  the  marshes  and  following  the  streams, 
reconnoitring  for  food,  which  consists  of  fisheSj  frogs,  mice,  and  lizards.     AN'hen 


■(i.^r 


ARDEID.'E  —  THE  HERONS  —  NYCTirORAX. 


69 


1 

i 


roaming  about  at  night  it  utters  a  peculiar  guttural  sound,  from  which  it  derives  the 
iiaiiit',  by  which  it  is  generally  known  by  gunners,  of  (^uawk. 

Mr.  W.  K.  Endieott,  in  the  first  volume  of  the  "Naturalist,"  gives  an  aeenunt  of 
;i  licronry  visited  by  him  in  Norfolk  County,  Mass.,  in  a  eedar  swamit,  wet  and  ditti- 
ciilt  (if  aeeess.  Tliis  was  first  noticed  in  1SG2,  attention  having  been  drawn  to  it  by 
the  whiteness  of  the  ground,  caused  by  the  surrouiuling  excrements.  The  young 
hiiils  were  fed  from  the  adjacent  ponds  and  river,  their  food  being  in  large  part 
liiirings.  The  nests  were  always  built  against  the  trunks  of  the  trees,  six  or 
(■i;4lit  feet  from  the  tops.  Sometimes  as  numy  as  four  nests  might  be  seen  in  a 
single  cedar.  The  eggs  were  usually  four  in  number,  occasionally  six,  and  even 
seven.  The  young  are  covered  with  down,  and  are  at  first  quite  helpless;  but  soon 
,i;aiu  strength  enough  to  climb  to  the  upper  branches,  where  they  are  fed  by  their 
jiarcnts  until  nearly  full  grown.  Two  broods  were  often  reared  in  a  season,  and  it 
was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  four  or  five  of  the  first  brood  sitting  on  the  tree-top, 
while  the  nest  below  contained  as  many  more  of  the  younger  brood,  both  sets  being 
ted  by  their  parents.  They  are  clumsy  climbers,  and  yet  difficult  to  dislodge.  AVhen 
one  falls  to  the  ground  it  usually  sets  off  at  full  speed,  croaking  unceasingly  as  it 
runs.  Dr.  Charles  C.  Abbott,  writing  to  the  "Naturalist"  (III.  p.  377),  records  an 
interesting  instance  in  which  a  family  of  five  birds  of  this  species  spent  the  winter 
MKUiths  in  a  yard  within  the  limits  of  the  city  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey.  The  jjlace 
was  near  the  river,  and  retained  much  of  its  natural  wildness.  This  little  colony 
remained  during  the  daytime  in  the  large  pines  in  the  yard,  '  ''siting,  after  .sundown, 
a  little  pond  and  spring-brook,  from  which  they  obtained  a  suiijdy  of  frogs  and  fish. 
They  occasionally  visited  the  Delaware  Kiver,  and  seemed  (piite  indifferent  to  the 
near  presence  of  man.  Major  Wedderburn  states  that  this  sjjecies,  in  the  immature 
phimage  only,  becomes  common  in  Bermuda  in  the  month  of  September,  and  so  con- 
tinues tlirough  the  winter,  until  March.  The  birds  were  found  chiefly  in  mangrove 
tii'cs,  on  the  borders  of  ponds. 

Tlie  Night  Heron  is  not  common  north  of  the  forty-second  parallel,  and  is  found 
(inly  in  a  few  scattered  and  isolated  colonies.  It  has  been  stated  that  it  does  not  occur 
in  tiie  Fur  Ccmntry ;  but  this  is  not  strictly  correct:  it  is  known  to  have  been  found 
in  a  single  locality.  Donald  Gunn  states  that  it  is  seen  in  great  numbers  at  Sh(rul 
iiake,  where  it  makes  its  nest,  in  all  instances,  on  the  ground  among  the  reeds,  and  in 
a  manner  similar  to  that  of  the  Grebes.  Audubon  states  that  it  is  not  found  in  the 
interior  ;  but  this  is  not  without  many  exceptions. 

In  the  summers  of  1S34  and  1835  we  visited  the  once  celebrated  heronry  of  this 
bird  in  the  swam])y  woods  near  Fresh  Pond,  Cambridge.  It  occujiied  many  acres, 
and  previous  to  the  draining  of  that  region  Avas  abnost  inaccessible.  At  the  time  of 
these  visits  most  of  the  nests  contained  eggs,  and  the  birds  were  sitting.  Each  one, 
as  it  left  the  nest,  uttered  a  loud  qumrl;  while  a  few  remained  and  hovered  over  our 
heads,  but  in  silence.  The  nests  were  in  the  highest  trees,  and  never  less  than 
twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  In  no  instance  that  we  remember  were  there  more 
than  four  eggs  in  a  nest.  Subsequently  we  received  four  young  birds  taken  from  one 
of  these  nests ;  they  Avere  about  a  week  old,  covered  with  a  thin  down,  and  unable  to 
stand.  They  were  easily  tamed,  fed  readily,  and  grew  very  fast.  They  were  fed 
with  different  kinds  of  food  —  principally  with  liver,  occasionally  with  mice,  rat.s, 
frogs,  and  other  reptiles,  Once  only  were  they  given  fragments  of  snakes ;  but  as 
that  killed  three  of  them,  and  nearly  destroyed  the  survivor,  this  diet  was  avoided. 
The  last  lived  in  confinement  nearly  two  years,  and  i)roved  a  very  interesting  pet. 
He  lived  in  the  society  of  the  poultry,  but  would  not  permit  their  near  approach,  his 


i,^ 


:l  ■   i» 


60 


ALTRICIAL  (IIIALLATOKKS  —  IIKRODKINES. 


loud  guttural  croak  always  detorriuf,'  tlu'ni  from  couiiuj,'  too  near.  He  was  not  afraid 
of  the  family;  and  tliou^li  !»'  did  not  like  to  Itc  liandk'd,  woidd  never  run  away 
to  avoid  it,  but  would  come  at  call,  even  from  a  distunee,  evincini;  disapiKjintinent 
when  no  food  was  given  him.  The  following  illustrates  his  tenacity  to  first  imjuvs- 
sions.  He  was  once  caught  wandering  ott"  to  a  neighlM)ring  spring  for  frogs,  and 
driven  back  to  the  barnyard.  In  his  jiatii  was  a  cart — an  obstacle  which  it  was 
necessary  to  go  round — wliile  iM-yond  it  was  a  pile  of  rubbish,  over  which  he  lialf 
flew.  Tliis  was  repeated  three  or  four  tinu's.  Afterward,  the  cart  and  tiu'  rubl)isli 
having  been  removed,  the  bird,  wlu'u  driven  home  from  his  wanderings,  jwrsisted  in 
making  a  «'ircuit  around  the  spot  where  tlie  <'art  had  formerly  stooil.  and  in  giving  a 
flying  leaj)  over  the  place  where  once  the  pile  had  previously  nuule  this  necessary. 
This  amusing  perfornuuice  he  would  always  go  through  with,  and  he  was  occasionally 
made  to  repeat  it  for  the  entertainnuMit  of  visitors.  Once  in  a  while  lie  wotdd  stray 
off  into  Stony  Brook,  at  a  i»oint  where  it  flowed  past  several  houses,  and  would  tisii 
for  himself.  On  ime  occasion,  his  hoarse  gurgling  cries  created  an  alarm  in  th<' 
settlement,  and  the  river  was  searched  at  midnight  for  the  supposed  drowning  iiuli- 
vidual ;  and  our  \)vt  was  in  .some  danger  of  its  own  life  before  the  real  cause  of  the 
alarm  had  been  ascertained.  It  readily  endured  tiie  cold  of  one  winter ;  but  an 
unusually  severe  night  in  the  second  winter  killed  the  bird  before  it  had  assumed 
its  nuiture  plumage. 

Three  eggs  of  this  species,  taken  by  Mr.  Harold  Ilerrick  in  a  heronry  at  Chettam. 
N.  J.,  are  abnost  exactly  oval  in  shape,  equally  tapering  at  either  end,  and  uni- 
formly washed  with  a  bright,  light  greenish  blue  —  a  light  wash  of  Trussian  blue 
with  green  slia<lings.  These  three  eggs  measure,  respectively.  'J.IV2  1)}'  Uhi  inches ; 
2.10  by  1.48  inches;  and  2.(M>  inches  by  1.44,  —  showing  a  remarkable  variation  in 
size.     These  were  taken  May  iiO,  187.3. 


GENU.S  NYCTHERODIXTS,   Keh  iiExn.vrH. 

Nydherodim,  RF.iciiKsn.  Uttiulb.  Oni.  (Naturl.  Syst.  Viig.  in  Systoinn  Avium),  1851,  \t.  xvi.  (tyjio, 

Ai'dca  vinhweii,  LiSN.). 
Nycficorax,  Boik  (jmrt),  Isis,  1826,  l»70  (tyix-,  Ardea  violacni,  Linn.). 

Gen.  Char.  Medium-.^ized  Herons,  of  short,  thick  Iniilil ;  the  bill  extremely  thick  and  stout, 
with  both  outlines  strongly  convex  ;  tlie  legs  long  and  slender  ;  the  doi-sal  plumes  nmdi  elongr.ted 
and  very  narrow,  reaching  beyond  the  tail  ;  the  occiput  (in  adult)  witli  several  extremely  long, 
linear  white  feathers.     Habits  nocturnal. 

Bill  short  and  very  stout,  the  culnien  curved  ivgulnrly  from  the  base,  the  gonys  deciiledly  con- 
vex and  very  much  ascending  ;i  maxillary  toiuium  almost  perfectly  straiglit  througliout,  but 
appreciably  concave  anteriorly,  witli  a  barely  percept ilde  convexity  toward  the  base;  mandibular 
toniium  nearly  straiglu,  but  i)erceptibly  concave  anteriorly .'•'  Mental  apex  less  tlian  half  way  from 
centre  of  ej-e  to  end  of  bill,  and  about  even  with  anterior  end  of  nostril  ;  apex  of  malar  region  a 
little  posterior  to  the  frontal  apex.     Tarsi  long  and  slender,  exceeding  the  middle  toe  by  more  than 

•  The  lower  outline  of  the  hill  is,  in  fnct,  more  deeidedly  convex  than  the  ujuhm'. 

*  We  find  considerable  vnrintion  anions  individuals  in  respect  to  these  outlines:  thus,  a  sjiocimcn  (? 
adult,  No.  2750,  Mas.  I{.1{.)  IVoin  Illinois  has  the  nmiidibulnr  toniiuni  exactly  straight  to  near  the  end, 
where  it  gradually  ascends  to  the  tip,  thereby  iiroduciiig  a  very  slight  subtenuinal  concavity  ;  in  Xo.  2758, 
another  adult  ?  from  the  same  locality,  it  is  decidedly  coHir.»;  in  the  middle  portioc  ;  while  in  an  adult 
i,  from  Miizatlnn  (No.  58811),  it  is  decidedly  concarr  at  the  same  |dace,  —so  much  so,  in  fact,  that  a 
space  is  left  between  it  and  the  \ipper  toniium,  on  ciich  side,  when  the  bill  is  closed  tight !  These  dis- 
crepancies, however,  do  not  affect  the  general  fonn  of  the  bill,  which  is  eininentlv  characteristic. 


li 

m^ 

'■<■ 

li 

t. 

■ 

1 


ARDKID.E  —  THE   HERONS  —  XYCTHEIl 


'8. 


Gl 


halt'  till'  lt'nt,'tli  tit"  the  latter  ;  outer  Ine  deciiledly  l(iii;,'er  tlmu  inner  ;  hallux  sli},'htly  longer  than 
ilie  first  i)halanx  of  the  niidiUe  toe  ;  hnro  jMirtion  of  tibia  as  long  as  the  outer  toe  ;  tarsal  scutellip 
wiili  a  teiiilency  to  form  transverse  plates  on  the  upiier  half,  in  front  ;  claws  ext'ee(lin<,'ly  short, 
>tinnyly  curved,  and  blunt.     Inner  webs  of  two  outer  primaries  eniarginated  near  the  end  ;  tail  of 


i^t 


J\r.  violacens. 

twelve  broad,  moderately  har<l  feathei-s  ;  interscapular  plumes  j,'reatly  elonf,'ated  (extendinj;  l)eyon<l 
ilie  tail),  narrow,  the  plunuilic  threadlike  and  soft,  and  separated  outwardly.  Occipital  plumes 
linear,  liattened,  longer  than  the  head  and  bill,  when  fully  developed,  half  a  dozen  or  more  in 
number,  and  gmduated  in  length. 


Nyctherodius  violaceus. 

THE  WHITE-CBOWNED  KIOHT  HEBON. 

Ardcrt  sleUaris  cristata  nmcricfimi,  Catesdv,  Carolina,  17.54,  pi.  79  (adult). 

Bilwreau,  dc  Cnycnnc,  Bvvv.  IM.  Knl.  1770-84,  pi.  890  (.ultilt). 

Anlia  violatea,  Linn.  .S.  N.  cd.  10,  [.  1758,  143,  no.  12  (ex  Catosby,  I.e.)  ;  ed.  12,  I.  I'fiS,  238,  no. 

16.  —  Wn.s.  Am.  Orn.  VIIl.  1814,  20,  pi.  6',.  —  Xrrr.  .Man.  II.  1834,  52.  —  All).  Oiii.  Biog. 

IV.  1838,  290,  i>l.  ant) ;  i^ynop.  1839,  262;  Birds  .Vni.  VI.  1843,  89,  pi.  364  (adult  and  young). 
Xi/ctinrdca  violacrn,  Sw.viN.s.  Classif.  B.  II.  1837,  354.  —  CorE.s,  Key,  1872,  269  ;  Check  List,  1873, 

no.  459. 
Xijclhcrodius  violarrns,  REicHExn.  Syst.  Av.  1851,  p.  xvi.  —  BAinn,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  679  ;  Cat. 

N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  490.  —  Rloow.  Noiu.  N.  Am.  H.  18S1,  no.  490.  —  CoUES,  Check  List,  2il 

wl.  1882,  no.  005  {XiicterodiiiK). 
Cniimnc  Xight  Ifemi,  Lath.  Synop.  III.  1785,  56  (quotes  PI.  Enl.  899). 
Yelloiv-croirnrd  Xiijht  Ilcron,  Lath.  t.c.  80. 

Ardea  cayennensi.1,  (^iMEL.  S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  026,  no.  31  (based  on  Rl.  Enl.  899). 
Ardca  sccHctncM,  ViEii.i,.  Enc.  Moth.  III.  1823,  1130  (KcichenowV 
Aixka  mllocrphaln,  AVaoi..  Syst.  Av.  1827,  Anlea,  sp.  34  (Keichenow). 

Had.  Warm-temperate  Eastern  North  America,  West  Indies,  Middle  America,  and  Northern 
South  America,  breeding  north  to  Southern  Illinois  and  Indiami.  On  Atlantic  const  north  to 
Pennsylvania  (rare).  West  to  Colorado,  south  to  Western  Ecuador  and  the  Amazonian  region. 
Ik-nnudas. 


62 


ALTRICIAL  GUALLATOUES  —  IIEUODIONES. 


Sr.  f'liAU.  AiIhII  :  Knicliciul,  iniiliUc  of  tin-  trown,  ami  lunf,'  occiiiital  plunieH,  with  ft  Iftr^'O 
l«(ii;,'itiuliiml  palcli  IVom  the  riiliis  In  the  i-iirs,  imii!  white  ;'  il-hI  of  thr  iiciul  ilei-p  Itlaclv.  I'lii- 
iiiaj,'^  in  •^(•lu'ial,  ili'ar  phiiiiln'ouH-hluf,  or  liiicii'ous,  iijjhter  hcnwith  (l\w  (ivj^ivu  of  hhiL-iicsM  jnolc 
aliiy  (h'liciidiiit,'  on  (he  aj^c  of  the  hiiil)  ;  all  the  fuatliH-s  of  thu-  uppiT  snifaii'  niarki'il  with  u  nicilial 
utripe  of  black ;  the  KitoiiilaiiLs  and  ivilriiis  dark  plunibuoii!*,  boidi'iiid  with  u  liyhtir  shade  of 


-£!C*- 


'-*^.. 


"^^ 


th(!  same  ;  iiriniarios  plain  bluish  plunibpous.  Bill  depp  bluek,  the  lower  basal  portion  of  the  mnn- 
dibk',  in  soniu  speiinicns,  gu'cnish  yellow  ;  lores  and  eyelids  j,'reenish  yellow  ;  iris  jiale  orange  ; 
k'tjs  (hill  yellowish  jjreen,  the  larj,'e  scutellic  and  the  elaws  dnsky.* 

Young :  Above,  dark  sooty  j^rayish  brown,  sometimes  of  a  slii,'htly  olive  cast,  the  feathers  of  the 
pileum  and  winj,'s  (in  younj,'est  individuals  the  entire  uiii)er  surface  /)  marked  with  medial  streaks 
of  white  or  pale  bulf;  these  streaks  assuming  on  the  winj;-coverts  a  narrowly  cnneate  form.  Lower 
parts  soiled  whitish,  striped  with  brownish  j,''"y.  "  15ill  },'reenish  black,  the  lower  and  basal  part 
of  the  lower  mandible  greenish  yellow,  as  are  the  eyelids  and  bare  .npace  before  the  eye.  Iris  pale 
orange.  Legs  and  feet  dull  yellowish  green,  the  scutella  and  scales  in  front,  a.s  well  as  the  claws, 
dusky"  (AuuUHON).  Length,  about  23.(H)-2r).(H)  ;  expanse,  •l().(X)-4r).(K»  ;  weight,  1  lb.  7  oz.  to 
I  lb.  9oz.  (AuDL-noN).  Wing,  10..'50-12.«r)  ;  tail,  4.20-5.10;  culnien,  2.50-3.00  ;  depth  of  bill, 
.70-92  ;  tarsus,  3.10-4.20  ;  middle  toe,  2.20-2.55  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia,  1.60-2.40. 

The  variation  among  different  individuals  of  this  species  consists  mainly  in  the  absence  or  pres- 
ence of  the  ochraceous  stain  on  the  forehead  (and,  if  present,  its  amount;,  and  in  the  degree  of 
blueness  in  the  plumbeous  coloring  of  the  general  plumage.    The  most  purely  colored  specimen  I 


*  In  living  and  freshly  killed  specimens  the  forohead  is  a  delicate  creamy  sulphur-yellow  color ;  but 
this  fades  perceptibly  in  a  very  short  time  after  death,  and  finally  disappears  entirely.  Audubon  ("Biiils 
of  America,"  Vol.  VI.  p.  91)  says,  liowever,  tlmt  this  is  ehnraeteristic  of  the  breeding  sen.son,  and  "dis- 
apiiears  at  the  approach  of  auttunii,  when  the  bird  might  with  all  propriety  be  named  the  'White-crowned 
Heron."  In  view  of  the  fact  that  this  lieautiful  yellow  color  is  seldom  if  ever  to  be  seen  in  dried  skins, 
the  term  "yellow-crowned"  is  a  decided  misnomer;  and  .sim-e  it  is  thus  calculated  to  mi.slead  the  stu- 
dent, we  prefer  the  name  "white-crowned,"  and  have,  for  the  reasons  stated,  ailopted  the  latter  in  this 
work.  In  many  skins  the  white  of  the  forehead  is  tinged  more  or  less  with  ochraceous-  or  cinnamon- 
brown  ;  but  this  is  without  much  doubt  an  actual  stain  caused  by  contact  with  the  slimy  ccating  on  the 
under  side  of  leaves  of  aquatic  plants. 

*  In  nn  adult  female  shot  from  the  nest,  at  Wheatland,  Indiana,  April  27,  1881,  the  bill  and  naketl 
lores  were  wholly  slate-black,  the  eyelids  similar,  but  tinged  with  green  anteriorly  ;  iris  Mars-orange  ; 
legs  pale  olive-hulT,  the  largo  scutellie  of  tarsus  and  toes  deep  brownish.  In  the  adidt  male  in  spring, 
according  to  Audu1)on,  the  soft  parts  are  colored  as  follows  :  "  Bill  black.  Iris  ivddish-orange  ;  nmrgins 
of  eyelids  and  Irnre  space  in  front  of  the  eye  dull  yellowish  green.  Tibia,  upper  part  of  the  tarstis,  its 
hind  part  and  the  soles,  bright  yellow  ;  the  scutella  and  scales,  the  fore  jmrt  of  the  torsus,  the  toes, 
and  the  claws,  black." 


ARDEID.K  —  THE  HERONS  —  NVCTHKRODIUa 


68 


liavo  Hcen  is  on  nilult  I'lJinaliJ  from  Mount,  ('arnit-l,  Illinoir*.  Tliiti  Hiiciiiiu'n  «•««  shot  from  the  tuM, 
mill  II  jifrfi'i'tly  <K'Vi'lopt'«l  i'j,'j,'  taken  from  tliu  nvarv  ;  consiMiucnlly  llicrc  cun  lie  no  ilonbt  iw  to  the 
fifX.  In  this  spwiniun  tliu  iiliinilioous  is  tiiron;;liout  of  u  ileal',  fnii' f,'niyisli-lilut' tinj,'e ;  tlic  rec- 
triL't'K,  even,  are  <larlc  hlnisli  i>liinilK'ous  (willi  u  faint  jji-uun  rtllfction  in  certain  ii^,'ilt^),  and  are 
.liilinctly  lioniered  witii  |)hunl)eous-l)]ne.  Tliis  tinu  example  is  nearly  matclieil  hy  \o.  171  IS, 
National  Miisenin,  from  the  Torlii),'as,  Florida  (spring  of  IHdO).  The  opposite  extreme  is  nearly 
represented  liv  another  udult  female,  ])ut  proliahly  a  younger  binl,  from  the  miuic  locnlity,  and 
oliiiiiiied  at  ahout  the  Mime  time  and  uncler  nearly  tlie  same  circumstances.  In  this  specimen  the 
pliiiiilieous  is  everywhere  much  less  liluish,  and  on  the  hack  and  lesser  wing-coverts  is  even  very 
mill  li  oliscurud  by  ii  smoky  tinge  ;  the  l)luck  stripes  of  the  back  mid  wings  show  u  very  strong 
lidilli'-green  reflection,  which  is  not  the  ease  with  other  sjujcimens  examine.d  ;  the  reclrices  are 
alisoliili'ly  uniform  slaty  idumbeoiis,  without  paler  edges.  The  head  is  marked  and  colored  iw 
usual  in  fully  adult  specimens,  and  the  forehead  has  a  slight  tinge  of  ochraccous  anteriorly.  A 
specimen  from  Fort  Brown,  Texas  (iKWi,  March  I(t),  is  almost  precisely  similar. 

All  adult,  in  nuptial  plumiige  (No.  G7!)l!)),  from  the  Talamanca  district,  Costa  Rica,  differs 
from  other  specimens  in  full  plumage  in  having  several  blue-black  feuthei-s  in  the  middle  of  the 
crown.     This  specimen  is  also  remarkable  for  its  large  size. 

Some  specimens,  apparently  in  their  second  year,  resi'inble  adults  in  full  jdumage,  except  that 
tliey  lack  the  scapular  and  occiiiital  plumes,  and  that  the  black  of  the  head,  esja'cially  underneath, 
is  mixed  with  white  leathers.  Nos.  istiiiij  and  (iTiWO  represent  this  stage.  As  a  proof  that  the 
brown  tinge  on  the  crown  of  this  species  has  nothing  to  do  with  season  or  sex,  init  that,  on  the 
contrary,  if  not  an  entiiely  accidental  stain  from  foreign  substances,  it  is  rather  a  mark  of  im- 
maturity, it  may  be  stated  that  both  these  immature  specimens  have  the  ferruginous  stain  very 
strongly  marked,  it  being  in  the  former  speiiimeii  deeper  than  I  have  ever  seen  it  in  any  a<lult, 
and  SI)  dark  in  jdaces  as  to  appear  of  a  dark  sepia-  or  snufT-brown  tinge 

A  younger  stage  of  plumage  than  the  above,  and  one  which  i)erhaiis  illustrates  a  change  in  color 
iif  the  fiifthcrs  thi'imi'lnn,  irilhout  an  actual  nwult,  is  represented  by  No.  118i)2  (Tortugas,  April  f)). 
In  this,  all  the  well-detined  strii)es  and  streaks  of  the  first  stage  have  become  obliterated,  but  at 
the  same  time  the  sombre  cidors  of  this  age  are  retained.  The  upi)er  i)arts,  indiidiii;)  the  scapiihir 
lihimiii,  which  are  not  only  jmsi nt,  hut  u-dl  (h-fiinpal,^  are  of  a  ilark  oily,  sooty,  brownish-gray, 
with  a  faint  green  reflection  in  certain  lights  ;  many  of  the  feathers  darker  medially  (esju'cially 
tin-  wing-coverts  and  scapular  jiluines),  the  wing-coverts  having  well-defined  i)ale  margins.  The 
fofelicail  and  middle  of  the  crown  are  rich  brown,  of  a  shade  between  cinnamon  and  sepia  ;  the 
oiiiput  uniform  blue-black  ;  the  malar  region  and  throat  streaked  with  blue-blnck  nnd  white. 
The  lower  jiarts  much  as  in  the  first  plumage,  but  the  stripes  more  indistinct.  There  ore  no 
occipital  ]>lumes. 

From  the  above,  we  may  reasonably  infer  that  the  a.ssumi)tion  of  the  jjcrfect  adult  plumage  is 
a  very  gradual  proces-s,  and  not  accomplished  at  a  single,  nor  solely  by  several  moults  ;  but  that 
after  each  moult  a  gradual  change  in  the  cidors  of  the  feathers  takes  jdace,  —  a  fact  which  is  cer- 
tiiiiily  established  with  regan.!  to  many  birds.  Thn>ie  specimens  in  which  the  plumbeous  is  of  a 
clear,  tine  l)luish  cast  are  therefore  to  be  considered*  the  oldest  individuals,  and  the  more  sombre 
ones  younger. 

Ill  the  Cialapagos  Islands  is  found  a  Nijcth<To(liu!t  which  is  said  to  be  distinct  from  the  common 
species.  This  form  we  have  seen  only  in  the  immatui-e  plumage,  a  description  of  which  is  given 
iielow.^ 


'  It  is  probable  that  the  species  breeds  in  this  plumage. 
'  NvcTiiKiionius  rAiTKii  (Sd.  k  Salv.). 

" Xijcticorax  viiilaceus,"  D.uiwix,  Zool.  Reng.  III.  Birds,  1841,  128  (Onlapngos). 
"Anleii  violacM,"  Si'SDKV.  P.  Z.  S.  1871,  125  ((ialaimgos). 

Ni/clicoraj:  jmu/if);  Sci,.  &  S.M.v.  1'.  Z.  S.  May  12, 1870,  323,  327  (Oalnixigos).  —  Salvin,  Trans. 

Zool.  Soc.  IX.  ix.  1875,  498. 

Young  i ,  tratuiilion  plumngr :  Head  chiefly  black,  unifonn  on  the  sides  of  the  pilcum  and  occiput, 

the  centre  of  tlio  hitter  mi.xcd  with  elongated  light-brown  featheiu  having  darker  mesial  8trii)es.     Stripe 

on  side  of  the  head,  from  the  rictus  over  the  ear,  light  tawny  brown  ;  malar  region  bluc-hhick,  with  a 

IVw  nan-ow  whitish  streaks ;  chin  and  throat  more  heavily  streaked  with  white.    Upper  parts  in  general, 


C4 


ALTUICIAL  (ilJALI.ATOltlvS—  UKIIODIDNKS. 


ti| 


It 


,-i 


In  tlic  luliilt  iduiiin^'i',  tliJH  H|M'(i('j<  U  |iiolialpIy  riniJ<icl(nil>ly  tlmkir  than  xV.  I'iuliiftui,  with  the 
bhick  strijicH  ol'  the  u|iiifr  I'liit.-i  Ii'n.i  ili'^liiul,  pfiliaiw  nlpsolftc. 

Tlic  Vi'lldW-cniwiKMl  Ilcnm  is  a  sDUtlicr  i  species,  not  kiiiiwn  td  lireetl  north  of 
tile  Carolinus  on  the  Athmtie  emist,  tlioiij^h  tieeasioniilly  wamhTiMK  nineh  I'urther 
nortli,  hotli  on  tlie  Athmtie  cdast  ami  in  tiie  interior.  It  is  found  ah)nj,'  tlie  \vhoh( 
(Julf  coast  to  Mexico,  occuis  lioth  on  tiie  eastern  and  the  western  coasts  of  .Nfexico 
iind  of  Central  America,  and  has  lieen  rtHH'ived  from  South  America.  ( hi  the  I'aciliir 
coast  it  Ikls  not  been  taken,  to  our  knowledge,  so  fur  north  as  California,  though  ahun- 
dant  on  the  .Marias  and  Socorro  Islands  and  the  eorres|ionding  coast.  It  is  found  in 
and  iireeds  in  several  of  the  West  India  Islands.  I'mfessor  Newton  mentions  it  as 
occurring,  hut  us  not  very  coiiinion,  in  St.  Croix,  where  it  inhabits  the  niangrovt-  swamjis 
in  the  daytime,  hut  leaves  them  at  night  to  feed  in  the  interior  of  the  island  It  is 
im'sumed  to  he  resiih-nt  and  to  hreed  in  that  island,  hut  this  has  not  heeii  positively 
a.scertained.  Mr.  K.  C.  Taylor  found  it  ahiindant  in  the  Oropuche  lagoon,  in  'rrini- 
dad,  hut  he  did  not  meet  with  any  elsewhere  on  that  i.slaml.  Leotand  also  speaks  of 
this  Heron  as  being  quite  ciuumon  in  Trinidad,  where  it  is  both  resident  and  known 
to  breed.  Its  food,  for  which  it  .searches  in  tlie  night,  is  not  dilTereiit  from  that  of 
other  Herons.  During  the  daytime  it  keeps  itself  closely  conceah'd  iiniong  the  man- 
grove trees,  which  till  all  the  inlets  from  the  sea.  .\t  times  this  bird  is  very  fat,  and 
is  then  (piite  good  eating.  Unlike  the  Night  llentii,  it  can  iievci  be  reconciled  to 
captivity,  but  always  retains  its  wild  and  untamable  character.  It  is  mentioned  by 
Dr.  (lundlach  as  a  coninum  resident  species  in  Cuba,  where  he  obtained  its  eggs.  It 
is  not  given  by  Mr.  (Josse,  who  probably  confounded  it  with  the  (ian/iii!,  as  among 
the  birds  of  .lamaica,  but  is  meiiti(Uied  by  Mr.  March  as  of  frequent  occurrence  on 
thut  i.sland.  It  is  known  as  the  (iuinea-hen  tiMiok.  by  which  term  Mr.  (io.s.so  supposed 
the  young  of  the  (inn/iii!  to  be  designated.  .Mr.  Salviii  states  that  specimens  of 
this  bird  were  among  tlu'  skins  collected  by  ilr.  Leyland  in  Honduras;  and  he  after- 
ward rcjtorted  that  he  himself  found  it  not  uncctmmon  on  the  Pacific  seu-eoast  of 
(lUateiiiala.  It  is  an  occasional  visitant  of  licrmuda,  both  in  spring  and  in  fall.  It 
is  of  rare  and  accidental  occiirreiu'c  along  the  .\tlantic  coast,  even  as  far  as  Massa- 
chusetts. Mr.  N.  N'ickary,  (d'  Lynn,  obtained  a  line  siiecimen  that  had  been  killed 
wit'iin  the  limits  of  that  city  in  October,  iStil'.  .Mr.  Oeorge  N.  Lawrence  includes  it 
in  his  list  of  birds  olitained  near  New  York  City  ;  and  .Mr.  (iiraud  states  that  it  occa- 
sionally extends  its  visits  as  far  north  as  Long  Island.  It  is  there  (d'  entirely  noc- 
turnal habit,  keeping  hidden  in  the  marshes  during  the  day.  and  feeding  ehietly  at 
night.  Profes.sor  F.  H.  Snow  records  the  capture  (d'  an  adult  female  Vellow-crowned 
Night  Heron  and  three  young  birds  at  Neosho  Falls,  Kansas,  by  Colonel  N.  S.  (ioss. 
The  female  was  in  full  breeding  jilumage.  One  was  also  taken  by  Mrs.  Maxwell,  in 
Colorado.  Mr.  Dresser  found  it  more  ahundant  in  Southwestern  T»'xas  than  the 
common  Night  Heron,  hut  none  were  seen  ahont  .Matamoras  until  .\ugust.    ^Mr.  Wil- 


dark  brownish  slate,  Ix^coiiiing  gnidnnlly  glauoo\is-iiluiiil)(nus  on  tlu:  tcitials,  rciniges,  ninip,  ujiper  tail- 
covt'i't.s,  ami  tail ;  clongati-il  s( iiimlar  iiliiiiifs  dark  iilumlicdns,  without  Maik  mrsial  stiijn'  ;  wing-ioviits 
narrowly  edjji'd  with  lifjiit  I'lilvous  or  i  rcaiiiy  lailV  ;  IhuiIci-  of  tlii'  wiiiK  I'lilvous-whitf,  sjiottwl  along  the 
inner  edge  witii  ilark  jdiiinhfous.  Neck  hrowiiish  .slate,  the  I'oivneek  lon<;itu<linally  striped  with  jmle 
oehiaeeous  ;  reinainiiiK  lower  jiaits  similar,  hnt  more  jirofusely  streaked  witli  liglit  oehraifoiis  and  white. 
Under-snrfaee  of  tlie  wings  nearly  uiiiform  iihiiiilK'ous. 

Wing,  10.40  ;  tail,  4.50  ;  eiilmen,  '.2.0(1 ;  depth  of  bill  through  nostril,  .80  ;  tai-sus,  3.40  ;  middle  toe, 
2.30  ;  bare  ]>ortion  of  tibia,  1.50. 

[Described  from  the  tyjn-  in  Mus.  .Sialvin  &  fiodman  ;  Iiich'fatij.'ablc  L  Galapagos,  Aug.  30,  1878  ;  Pr. 
A.  Haljel.     Length,  21.00  ;  e.\tent,  38.00.     Iris,  oraii^je  ;  bill,  black  ;  le-js  and  feet,  Kieeii.] 


MthKlD.K-    Till':   IIKHONH       NYCTIIKHOFHIS. 


t)5 


son  tiUxU'n  that  it  is  iiliumliiiit,  utul  that  it  hr 1h  iiitiio  Itfrniuilas  ;  liut  in  thin  ho  was 

iiiisint'<ii'iii)'<l.  .Major  Wt'ililfriiuni  luitcs  it  as  imlv  nl'  rare  and  iMcasinnal  ix-curn'nc*' 
ilii  ri',  ami  <>i>lv  iix'iitiniis  tiinc  iiistaiici's  as  roniin^'  svithiii  his  kiiowh-dgt* :  two  of 
llic  hii'iis  well'  kiili-d  in  Apiil,  iml  nnt'  in  S('|itcndi<'i'. 

WilHoii  statrs  that  a  Hpccinn'ii  was  shot  un  the  SciinN  lliill,  in-ar  I'hihuh'lphia,  and 
that  it  l'it'<iiii'ntly  rxtcnds  its  nii;,'iations  into  N'irninia.  He  lonnd  it  inhaliitin^c  tin- 
lowi'i'  parts  of  South  Carolina,  (icori^ia,  and  l.onisiana  in  tin*  sninnn-r  si-ason,  ri'iiosin^ 
ihirinj,'  the  day  anions  hiw  swanijiy  woods,  and  Iccdin^'  only  at  ni^'ht.  It  Imilds  in 
NH'iftiis.  making  iM'st.s  of  stitks  in  tin'  Itranrhcs  of  low  tri't-s.  It  was  not  nunn'i'oiiM, 
iiid  its  siditary  nioilc  of  life  was  the  causf  (d'  its  I'fin^;  little  known.  It  apiM-an-d 
til  iiavf  a  stroll},'  attatlnuiMit  for  the  vicinity  of  tin-  oiran,  ami  tu  ftril  ou  tish,  crahs, 
and  lizards  —  |irinfi|ially  the  former. 

.VudiilHUi  rennirks  that  it  is  wholly  ini;,'ratory  within  the  I'liiti'd  States,  arriving 
only  about  the  end  td'  Manh,  and  leaving;  in  the  middle  id'  Oetoher.  In  some  parts 
lit  the  Southern  States  it  is  saiil  to  he  (|uite  ahum. ant,  while  in  others  it  is  rarely 
mi't  with.  In  some  portions  of  i'Morida  it  hreeds  in  ^M'eat  niindters.  On  hi.s  vi.sit  to 
i'l'xas  he  saw  a  few  id  this  speeies  on  an  island  in  ISaie  I'danehe,  and  a^^ain  oiilialves- 
tiiii  Ishind,  where  it  was  plentiful.  <»ii  the  .Mississippi  it  is  rare  ahove  Nati  he/,  hut  a 
few  strajjjile  farther  u|i  the  river.  He  does  not  re^jard  it  as  entirely  iioeturnal,  as 
he  has  seen  it  seanhin};  lor  inod  at  all  hours  of  the  day;  and  while  at  (ialveston  lie 
has  freipiently  .seen  a  lar^^e  Ihnk  similarly  oeiupied.  It  is  prolialde  that  this  only 
ociurs  when  the  hird  is  ieedini<  its  yoiiii};.  I  have  iiotiied  the  same  exeeptional  lon- 
ihii-t  1>y  day  on  the  part  of  the  Ni};ht  Heron,  at  the  Hiune  .sea.son,  when  it  loails  itself 
witli  a  supply  for  its  youn,!,'.  feedin^f  them  liy  re},'ur},'itatiiit,'  the  eonteiits  of  its  },'ullet. 

.Mr.  AudiilMin  satisfied  himself  that  this  hird  performs  its  mi},'ratory  movements 
in  the  ni},'ht,  haviii;,'  seen  it  eome  down  from  a  height  in  the  air,  after  sunris*',  for 
list  and  food.  Its  Hi},dit  is  slow  and  less  protraeted  than  that  of  the  Night  Heron. 
When  surprised  on  its  pereh.  it  ri.ses  perpeiidiiiilarly  a  short  distaiiee  and  flies  otT  in 
a  stiaigiit  line.  When  on  the  ground,  it  is  less  elegant  in  its  movements  than  most 
III  tlie  otiier  Herons.  Its  paee  is  less  sedate,  its  movements  in  seizing  its  prey  less 
rapid,  and  it  feeds  more  in  the  manner  of  the  domestie  fowl.  Its  food  is  very  varied, 
lunsistiiig  of  snails,  fish,  small  snakes,  erahs.  erays.  lizards,  leeehes,  small  i|uailru- 
pcils.  young  bird.s,  etc.  lie  adds  that  one  whiih  had  heen  killed  hy  Mr.  Kchvard 
Harris,  on  the  islaml  »>f  Terre  IMainhe,  aliout  four  o'eloek  in  the  afternoon,  when 
opened  the  ni'.\t  morning  was  found  to  have  swallowed  a  young  terrapin,  and  that 
tiiis  was  still  alive  when  liherated.  The  nest  of  this  Heron  is  plaeed  in  either  a 
liigli  or  low  situation,  aeeording  to  the  nature  of  the  phuu'  seleeted  for  its  breed- 
iiig-giiiund.  In  the  interior  of  sw.impy  woods  nests  were  found  on  the  tops  of  the 
loftiest  lypresses,  as  well  as  on  low  Irishes,  hut  not  so  close  together  as  with  other 
lIiMoiis;  in  the  Florida  Keys  they  were  seen  either  ou  the  to])S  of  tlu'  mangroves 
or  on  their  lower  hraiiehes.  just  ahove  the  water.  In  the  Carolinas  this  iiird  builds 
■111  low  hushes  on  the  edge  of  swamps,  the  nest  being,  like  that  of  the  other  Herons, 
foriiied  of  dry  sticks  loosely  put  together,  lined  with  a  few  weeds  and  fibrous  roots. 
The  eggs  are  three  in  numlM'r.  and  never  more.  The  young  do  not  remain  in  the  nest 
until  alile  to  fly,  but  even  leave  the  tree  or  bush  to  follow  their  parents  to  the  shore. 
Wlien  alarnu'd,  they  can  scramble  off  with  conshlerable  agility  and  hide.  This  bird 
lireeds  in  Florida  six  weeks  sooner  than  in  South  (larolina,  two  broods  U'lng  usually 
raised  in  both  sections.  The  slender  pliunes  on  the  back  of  the  head  oomiuonly  fall 
otf  after  incubation  has  commenced.  When  wounded,  it  defends  itself  vigorously 
with  its  claws  and  bill,  and  can  inflict  severe  scratches. 

vol,.  I.  —  a 


00 


ALTUICIAI.   (iK.\l,I.A'n»l;i:s  _  IIKUmDIoNKS. 


Tlin  t'KKi*  o«  this  Hinrii'S  a  i'  in  xi/r  uml  .sliii|H'  imt  iiiiliki-  tlio.sc  ut'  tin-  Nif,'iit 
llfi-uii  —  an  oblong  oval.  Tin-ir  ,><liailc  ot  ^'rcchihii  l)lii«-  i.s  li^'litn-  an*l  duller,  and 
tin-  pnipoition  dI  nn-i'U  i.s  less  niaikiil.  'I'lu'y  vary  tonsidfialily  in  »'i/.v.  Two  in  my 
i'ollf(tii)n,  takfu  liy  IM.  Itiviint  in  I'lmida,  nn'a.>>uii',  (Mir,  L'.lO  l»y  l.|<»  inches,  the 
otiu'i-,  I.'.U  hy  1.44  inehes,  avera^inK  -'.(•L'  l>y  l.Kl  inehis.  .Vecordinn  tt)  .Mr.  Alooie, 
tlie  nundKT  of  et,'m's  in  a  «et  is  not  limited  to  three,  as  staled  hy  ,\iidui)on.  That 
author  nu'Utioiis  that  in  Louisiana,  in  .May.  lN<f7,  he  lound  live  ej,'j,'s  in  a  nest,  ami 
in  the  following  year  one  with  evi'u  six,  and  others  witii  live  or  lour.  In  Khuida, 
April  'JS,  \u'  I'ound  one  with  liv»>  and  another  with  I'uiir  e^gs.  .Mr.  Moore  disendits 
the  statement  tiiat  this  Heron  has  two  iiroods  in  a  season,  and  does  not  helieve  the 
iieeount  given  iiy  Auduhon  ol  its  moving  Irom  one  heronry  to  another  in  order  to 
nest  and  Itreed. 

Mr.  IJidgway  found  this  Heron  breeding  very  aliundantly  at  Monteur's  IVuid,  in 
Knox  Co.,  Indiana,  where  it  was  mueh  the  nmst  numerous  speeies  (d'  the  family. 
.Many  dozens  of  pairs  had  their  nests  in  tall  sweet-gum  and  other  trees,  in  a  very 
w«'t  pieei'  of  "lK)ttoms,"  along  one  i-dge  of  the  pond.  A  female  was  shot  from  her 
nest,  and  in  her  oviduet  was  found  an  egg  reaily  for  ejeetion.  A  few  hours  after- 
ward another  female  was  shot  from  the  same  nest  !  In  the  similar  wet  liottoms  of 
ColTee  Creek,  in  Wahash  Co.,  Illinois,  ipiite  a  nilonv  of  the.se  hinls  was  also  found 
nesting,  thu  uests  iK'ing  phu'ed  at  various  heights  in  white  oak  and  other  trees. 


(Jknis  BOTAURUS,   Stki'iikxs. 

Jlulduni.t,  SrKi'HEX.s  .Sjmw'.s  Ccii.  ZimiI.  .\I,  ii.  isi'.i,  aifj  (t.v|H,  .titlai  Mlnrin,  l.ixs.). 
Biilur,  Sw.viN.s.  ('Ia.s»il'.  B.  II.  Is;t7,  .i.")4  (saim-  tyi«<). 

(Jkx.  Ch.vii.  —  Miiliiiiu-si/(<l,  i<v  raliur  largf,  Iliroii.-*,  with  tin-  phuimgc  muib  iiicptllL(l  or 
utrilK-'J  with  (lill'i-rLiit  .-liiuUs  i>f  brown  and  (KhraLtou.'*  (tliu  pluiuiigi'  i .xsiniially  thf  nuuc  in  liotli 


Ji.  li'Htiffinnsiia. 

sexes  and  at  all  seasons)  ;  the  j.luiiiage,  particululy  of  the  lower  neck  in  front,  exemlingly  soft 
and  full,  and  destitute  of  any  ..nuuii  iitiil  phnues  ;  ilic  Mil  comparatively  small  and  short  (shorter 


^'ii-i'^  t- 


AitDKin.i';  —  rm:  HKnoxs     iioT.vrRT's. 


c: 


iliuii  till'  iiiiilill''  toe)  i  iIk'  t>l>>><'  itliiKi!*!  <'i>tii|ili-ti'ly  t'catliiTi')!,  nti<1  tlir  I'laww  very  Inn^  r^xl  liut 
-li.'lillv  fiirvfd.     'I'uil,  <if  ten  xlinii,  wilt  lrulln'i!«,  >li;,'liily  rniuiilt'cl  nr  lu-arly  i-vi'ii. 

Hill  ;;niiliially  la|irriii;{  I'niiii  tlic  Imim'  Io  iIk-  |Hiiiit,  tlii'  ii|i|m'|'  niilliiii-  iiiitii-  convex  than  llir 
|ii«rr,  ilu'ppiiN-*  Vfiy  «li;^lilly  nmvi'X  ami  k''"IIv  a^niiilin;,',  thr  lnwi'r  cdp'  nf  tilt'  niaxillaty  rami 
hi'ifi'i'tiv  Hliai>;lit  ;  inintal  a|>i-\  ixti  ii<iin;{  Inruaicj  almul  hall  »!iv  Inxn  tin'  icntic  nl'  ilir  I'Vi'  to 
the  jHiiiit  of  the  hill,  ami  .'lii^htly  in  advanri'  nl  the  anteiior  emi  ol  the  iio.^tiil  ;  malar  a|><'\  hilling 
la  ^hort  of  tiiat  of  (he  I'lontal  t'ealheiK.  Toes  very  lon^j,  tjie  middle  one  eoiisideraMy  exieediii;; 
llir  liill  .iMil  alnio"!  ei|iiallin;,'  the  tar-'Ms  ;  ininr  to,  ilinilfillij  Iniiiji  r  Ihnii  tin  niili r  ;  hallux  almiit 
li.ilf  the  miihlle  toe;  rlaws  veiy  lon;^'  (that  ol  the  hallux  nejnl\  e<|ual  to  it'<  di>;it),  and  lait 
•  il^ditly  ciirveil ;  Iniiv  |Hirlioii  of  the  tihiii  HJiorter  than  the  hallux.  'rai>i  with  lar^'e  iv>,'nlar 
H  iili'lhi'  in  I'lont. 

Only  two  American  xiieeicM  are  kiniwii,  ImjiIi  viiy  di»tiial.     They  may  Ik-  dirtlinj^niHlieil  by  the 

following'  lioiliti*  of  diU'elenee  :  — 

B.  lentigiiiodua.  Nape  and  >icles  of  the  mek  |>lain  ochraceon.'*,  or  only  tninntely  frerkleil  ; 
«in>;-i  ii\eit^  minutely  -|iei  kleil  with  dilfeii'Ut  -hades  of  orhraceous  or  ru»ly.  A  Idaekisli 
or  dull  ),'rayiHh  stripe  on  the  nidi'  of  the  mtk.  I^ower  jiartr*  dii«tiiully  xlrijied.  Winj,-, 
U.'SO-IJJK* ;  eiilmen,  z.',.')!)  IJ.St)  ;  depth  of  hill  throUKh  iio-tril,  .U{\-AVt  ;  taisn-,  ;j.  |(i- 
3.H'>  ;  middh^oe,  :>.!M>-:i.l')i).  ll.Mi.  North  Aineiiea;  '••xith  to  (iuateinala,  Cuha,  ami 
Jainaiea;   Itermudas  ;  ociasional  in  British  I-land-'. 

B.  pionatua.*  Xajie  and  hides  of  nei  k  transversely  rayi'd  or  harred  with  Maikisli  ;  winn- 
fovert»  coarsely  varii'^jati'd,  in  iire;,'ular,  somewhat  "  herrinK-l>oiie"  jiallern  with  Markish. 
No  Mack  or  xi'iiyisli  stripi'  on  side  of  neck.  Lower  |i:irls  nearly  nnvarie;,'ated.  Win;;, 
111. In  ;  culinen,  ',\.'1'>  ;  dc|ith  of  hill  throu;;h  nostril,  .Tn  ;  tarsus,  3. 7.')  ;  inidiUe  toe,  U.75. 
II.\n.   -  Troiiical  America,  north  to  Nicara>;ua. 


BotauruB  lentiginosus. 

THE  AMEBICAN  BITTEBK. 

Aiil'ii  slilhirin  fiiiiitil-tms,  KnwAiths,  N;it.  Hist.  jil.  VM. 

1,1-  lliiliiv  ill'  III  Itiiijf  ill-  lluilmm,  KnWAIiDs,  I.  r. 

Ilnliiiinin  Firfi-JJiiilsiiiili,  Biiiss.  Orii.  V.  17ti<l,  ^.'lO,  |il.  :17,  Mg.  1. 

.Inliii  slilliiris,  Varicliis,  Koiisr.  riiilos.  Trans.  I.Xll.  1772,  410,  no.  38  (.tcveni  R.). 

Iliikni,  Var.  A.,  I,\rn.  .><ym>|).  III.  Us'i,  .^H. 

Arilni  Mliiiis,  W.,  I.Aiu.  Iml.  (Irn.  II.  17!Mi,  «80,  no.  18  11.  (ex  Kdwnnls,  pi.  136). 

Ariira  iiiiitjiliiiin,  llAurii.  Tnivels,  17!'2, . 

Ilotii  II  nt.t  mil  ij  ill  111.1,  CoiKs,  Check  List,  'Jil  cd.  1882,  no.  (iOO. 

Anliii  liiiiiiiiiiimi,  MoNTAorK.,  Orn.  Diet.  Sii].|.l.  1813. —.Sw.  k  Itnii.  V.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  374.— 

N'rrr.  .Man.  II.  IHiU,  mi.  —  Acn.  Syiiop.  I8:i!i,  -JtllJ ;  llir.ls  Am.  VI.  ls|;t,  It4,  yl  3ti!). 
Jliitiiiini.i  liiiliijiiiiisiiM,  SrKriiKSs,  .Shaw's  (im.  Zool.  .\II.  l.slli,  TiDtt.       Baikp,  Binl.s  X.  Am.  18.18, 

074  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  IS.W,  no.  IHJ.  —  l!i  ic  iii;now.  .1.  f.  (».  1877,  248.  —  KiDow.  Nom.  N.  Am. 

B.  1881,  no.  4!t7. 
Anlin  liiiilHiiiiiim,  Mr.liliKM,  Ki-si'h.  (inili.  Kiicy.  V.  1820,  \7!>. 
Aitli'i  iiiiiiui;  \Vii.s.  .\m.  Orn.  Vlil.  1814,  :!;'.,  |il.  t!;".,  lii,'.  3. 
Jliifiiiinimiiiiiiir,  Bon;,  Isis,  182ti,  Jirii' -    Col  i.s,  Key,  1872,  200  ;  Cluck  LUt,  1873,  no.  460;  Birds 

X.  W.  1874,  623. 
Jliitnr  itnii-rii'tiniis,  .Swains.  Classif.  B.  II.  1837,  3.')4. 
Ariliit  Mobiki),  ViKn.i..  Xouv.  Di.t.  .\IV.  1817,  440. 
Iliiliiiinis  mIsjterHiu,  "C'An.,"  IJonap.  Consp.  II.  1S57,  156. 


•  BoTAl'Rfs   I'ISNArts,    Lieht. 

Arden  pinnnia,  "Ln  nr,,"  Waci,.  Isis,  1820,  663. 

JIntiiiinis  piiiiiiihi.i,  (!|!AY,  (len.   li.   III.  .'i.'>7. 
Ardiit  hviisiliiiiiiiii,  .Max.  lleitr.  ls:t'i,  tit2. 


C8 


ALTIilClAI.  (!1:ALI,AT<»K1;S  — IIKKODIOXKS. 


I  ii 


Haii.  — Tlic  will  Ic  cif  tciii]Miiitc  anil  tii>iiiial  Nintli  Aiiii'iiin,  iimlli  In  liititiuli-alioiit  (k)", noutli 
t<>  (luati-iiiala.     Cnlia;  .laiiiaiia  ;  Itcniiihla.^.     Orrasiciiial  in  Kiirii|ic  (Is  lliitj^h  n'tiinls!). 

Si'.  CiiAU,  —  Auiitl :  ('rdiiiul-iiiliiiiir  tlif  |>luiiia;4i'  iiilinutMiu.s-liull' ;  liul  tliisdnisi'ly  iiiottliMl  and 
lini'ly  s|ii'iiikl('il  almvc  xvilli  rnlilisli  liiuwn  ami  Maikisli,  llic  laltiT  culdr  iHcvailiii;^'  ini  llic  tlnrsal 
anil  Mapiilar  rcf,'iiins,  wln'ii'  llu'  Icallu'is  liavr  li^iilcf  cilj,'!'.-!,  ilu-  laill'  |ii'i'vaiiin^'  un  tlii'  wiii^'- 
covi'i't.i,  wlifiv  till'  vaiicnaliiin  foiiniMts  ol'  a  liiiiT  and  >|iarsi'r  sprinkling'  ol'  tiic  diiskv  and  Ihowii  ; 
on  the  liTliaU  ami  ends  of  the  scnuidaiii's,  tlii'  ri'ddisli  la  suit  I'l'  riiinanioii  sliadc)  I'lHins  ili(> 
j;riiiind-i'iiliir,  and  is  lliirklv  s|iiiiiklrd  wiili  irii'-nlar  diisky  dolliii^s  and  /,iL;zaj;.i  ;  ]ii'rtiiral  lulls 
iicarlv  iinirnnii  dark  lirowii,  tin'  li-alliris  wiili  limad  latrial  linnlrrs  ul'  rlrar  vi'llnwisli  urlirarcnus. 
rili'iiin,  nisly  lnowii.  daikir  anli'iimly,  rlian;,'in>,' j^iadiially  liarkwaid  liiln  liic  f,'ifciiisli  iilivc-j;ray 
ol  llii'  na|n'  ;  fidi's  of  llu'  lu'ad  and  iii-rk  yellowish  orliraeeoiis  ;  a  nialai'  slri|ie  ol' dark  rerni^iiious, 
chaiij^iiij,'  iMsteiiorly  inlu  a  \iry  iiins|pieui)iis  siiiiie  ol'  Miie-lilaek   (or  in  son  •!  s|iet'iiiii'iis  dull 


Ii   i 


•I 


gniyisli)  downi  pneli  fido  of  llip  neek  ;  iliin  and  liiroal  while,  with  a  very  narrow  medial  dusky 
streak,  suH'iised  with  oiliraeeous  ;  I'oreiH'ik  jiale  Imir,  with  sliarply  detined  stripes  ol'  einnaiiion- 
lii'own  eil;,'ed  with  a  Mark  line  ;  lower  parts  pale  liuir,  with  narrower  liiownish  stripes  ;  iiliiii<  and 
erissuin  plain  li^lil  ereainy  liiiir  ;  priniary-eoveils  and  primaries  dark  slate,  tipped  with  pale  red- 
dish oiliraeeous,  liiiely,  liul  not  densely,  sprinkled  with  dusky.  I'pper  mandilile  olivaeemislilaek, 
the  toiiiiiim  iliioadlvi  lenioii-yeliow  ;  lower  mandilile  jiale  lemon-yellow,  deeper  hasally,  with  a 
Htripe  of  dusky  lirownisli  aloii^'  the  posterior  pari  of  the  toniium  ;  lores  and  eyelids  lemon  yellow, 
t'le  I'oriner  divided  loii^'itudinally  hy  a  median  stripe  of  dusky  olive,  from  the  eye  to  the  liase  of 
the  upper  mandilile  ;  iris  elear,  li;;lil  sulphur-yellow  next  the  ]iupil.  shading'  exteriorly  into  oraiij,'e- 
lirownisli,  this  eiieireleil  narrowly  with  Mack  ;  le;,'s  and  feet  hrifilit  yellowish  kiim-ii  ;  claws  pale 
lirown,  dusky  toward  points.'  Yinniii :  Similar  to  the  adult,  hut  more  leddisli,  the  inotili-'"eo„rser, 
and  with  a  lendeiiey  to  form  raj;;,'ed  transverse  liars,  es]»  liallv  on  the  posterior  upper  p. 

Len>;th,  alioiil  :;t.(Mi-:i8.(Mi ;  exjiaiise,  a7.<HM,').(K>  ;  wei;;ht  aliout  I J  Uis.  (Ai  IUIidn)  ;  wiiii;, 
!».H(I-U'.()0;  tail,  :).l(»-».4(i;  eulnien,  •J.rn»-:i.-_>0  ;  depth  of  hill,  .WKdr)  ;  tarsus,  ;i. Id- IJ.S.".  ;  middle 
toe,  2.!)ii-;j()0  ;  lare  portion  of  tiliia,  l.iHi-l.;t.-).'' 

Ill  the  larj,'e  eollei'tioll  of  speriiuelis  of  this  spoeies  wllieh  We  have  lieeli  aide  In  examine  and 
eompare  are  rerlain  variations  of  plumai'e  and  |iro|iortionx,  wl  "h  ajipear,  I  iwever,  to  he  ehietly, 
if  not  entirely,  of  an  individual  and  seasonal  iliarartev.  The  most  a)i|iareiil  dilleieiire  as  to  eolors 
eoiisists  iif  a  more  reddish  shade  III  the  pluina'.!!'  in  autumnal  hiids.  while  tlios,.  olilained  in  the 
spriii;;  or  sunn are  ehaiueteri/.ed  hy  a  more  i,'rayish  aspeet.     There  is  also  aiinllier  nidieealile 

dilferelice  iM'tWeell  speeiinelis,  namely,  in  the  distiuitlless  of  the   liluek    or  ilusky    stripe   alnli;,'   Ihe 

side  of  the  Upper  ueik.     This  is  Usually  a  deep  ^;lii.-sy  l.laik  ;  Imt   in  many   individuals   it   is 


•  Ciilorsof  fresh  siM-einieiis  ( J  .iinl  9  )  killnl  iilmiK  llir  Tniekir  liiver,  Nevada,  Nov.   IS,  and   Dee. 
11,  lStl7. 

*  From  nienxureiiiciits  .if  Iweiify-five  nilidl  s]iiTinu'i'>, ! 


ARDEin.K       TlIK  HKllONS  -    HOTArUTS. 


09 


•  ■rnvisli,  ami  in  sonif  even  almost  dlisulele.     I  I'linnut  ileterniiiie,  liowever.  Iliut  this  tliH'ereuce  is 
^I'Mial  or  si'uxoiial,  or  ile|ieiiileiit  nil  liicalitv  ;  il  in  |ii'(ilial)ly  »<iiii|il,v  an  iiiiiiviilnal  variation. 


i'lic  ('(iiimioii  IJittfiii  of  Niirlli  Aiiu'riia  lias  a  very  fxtt'iidt'd  (listriliution.  ami  one 
almost  ro-t'xtciisivi"  witli  tiie  iKirtluTii  coiitiiu'iit  itst'li'.  It  is  i'diiml  iioiii  Trxas  to 
I  111'  Aretir  rcj^ioiis.  anil  troin  tin'  Atiantie  to  the  I'acilic,  ami  liict'ils  wlicicvfr  it  is 
toiiiiil.  It  is  p'tn'rally,  lait  imt.  iiMiviTsally.  ilistrihutril,  and  tlocs  ntit  ot't'iir  in  rcj^ions 
misiiitfil  litr  its  n-siili-nrf. 

lleariii'.  in  liis  ••tloiiiin'v  to  llir  Nintlirrii  Oecaii,""  speaks  of  this  liinl  as  liciii}^ 
ciiiiiiiion  at  iMirt.  ^'(l^k  ( llmlson's  I  Say)  in  siininicr,  lint  as  licin},' si'lilnni  nirl  witli  so 
r,ir  tiortli  as  Cliurrliill  liivcr.  it  is  always  fi.nml  InMini'iitin^'  niarslics  ami  swampy 
lilaci's.  as  also  tin-  liaiiks  iif  siicli  rivers  as  alioiiml  with  reeds  and  lon>;  f,'rass.  Il 
l^eiierally  i'eeds  (in  the  iiiseels  that  ai'e  hred  in  the  water,  and  pinlialily  on  small  t'fd^s 
and  tadpoles;  and  tlionj^h  seldom  very  fat,  is  f,'enerally  considered  t,'ood  eatiiii,'.  It  is 
l)V  no  means  nnmerons.  even  at  l''ort  \'oik.  nor,  in  la,  t,  even  in  the  most  southern  ]iaits 
III  the  r>ay  that  Heanu^  visited.  Kiehaiilson  speaks  of  it  as  a  common  liird  in  the 
iiKirshes  and  willow  thickets  oi'  tlit>  iiiteiior  of  tliP  l-'nr  ('oniitry  as  lar  north  as  the 
."iMJi  paiallel.  Its  lond  lioominj;  note  is  said  exactly  to  resemlile  that  of  the  Conunon 
r.itteni  of  Knrope;  this  may  Im'  heard  every  summer  eveiiin;;.  and  also  freipu'iit.ly  in 
the  day.  When  distnrlied  or  alarmed,  it  utters  a  hollow  croaking,'  cry.  Captain 
lUakiston  did  not  meet  with  it  on  the  plains  of  tlw  Saskatchewan.  althou;,di  he  was 
told  that  it  was  not  uncommon  in  the  interior,  jlr.  Mossay  met  with  it  on  the  coast 
of  lliulson's  Hay  ;  and  .Mr.  l!oss  cites  its  ranf.'e  on  the  Mackeii/.ie  River  us  extendinj^ 
even  to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  where  its  presence  I'uist  lie  very  rare. 

Mr.  r>oai'dman  informs  us  that  this  hinl  is  (piite  common  in  the  vicinity  of 
Calais,  where  it  lireeds  aliumhintly.  It  is  usually  louud  on  hi},di.  <ir  i-ither  on  dry, 
tiromid,  where  it  makes  only  a  very  slij,dit  nest.  The  y<Min.i;  birds  hide  in  the  long 
1,'iiiss;  and  it  is  no*  an  uncommon  oecurretice  for  mowers  when  at  wiirk  to  take  off 
tiii'ir  heads.  .Mr.  \>'.  K.  Kndicott  writes  to  the  "Naturalist"  (I.  p.  ■'tlTi)  that  the 
.statement  that  this  bird  builds  in  bushes,  in  the  manner  of  Herons,  is  not  in 
acciivdance  with  his  expeiience.  lie  has  never  met  with  its  nest,  either  on  low  frei-s 
or  in  Im.slies.  So  far  as  he  knows,  it  does  not  make  any  nest  at  all;  lint  all  the  ej^ffs 
that  he  has  ever  found  have  Ih'cu  hiid  on  the  bare  j,'ronnd  among  thick  tufts  of 
dwarf  laurel  on  the  l''owl-meadows  that  skirt  the  upjier  jiarts  of  the  Neponset  River, 
lie  has  never  found  this  bird  in  commuiuties,  and  has  never  been  able  to  discover 
iiMire  than  a  single  m'st  in  a  field  of  ten  acres,  though  he  has  searched  diligently. 
That  the  Itittern,  when  it  nests  on  the  uplands,  or  on  ground  constantly  dry  and 
secure  from  inundations,  may  have,  a:^  mentioned  by  Mr.  I'xtardman,  a  very  scanty 
nest,  or  even  no  nest  at  all,  as  was  observed  by  .Mr.  Kndicott,  is  [irobable ;  but  it  is 
not  universally  true.  The  IMtt«u'n  in  the  Wt'st  builds  almost  univer.sally  a  substantial, 
and  sometimes  considendily  elevated  nest,  always  on  the  ground;  but  the  portion 
on  whicdi  the  eggs  are  laid  is  consich'rably  above  the  level  of  the  ground.  This  is 
undoubtedly  due  to  the  fact  that  it  is  forced  to  nest  in  jdaces  either  naturally  swampy. 
or  which  in  niiny  .seaH.ins  are  liable  to  be  flooded  to  the  dejith  of  .several  inches.  Kx- 
liericnce  has  doubtless  taught  the  liinl  that  the  bare  earth,  or  e^-eii  a  scanty  supjilyof 
dry  ridibish,  is  not  enough  in  such  localities ;  and  thus  we  lind  it  breeding  in  the 
nii.rslH's  of  hake  Koskonong,  in  the  o]ien  ground,  never  among  trees  or  in  bu.slies. 
and  alw;iys  keeping  its  eggs  ii.-i  dry  as  the  Feast  IJittern;  the  ne.st,  or,  more  properly 
speaking,  the  upper  part  <if  tiie  monm'  <in  w  liiidi  the  eggs  are  laid,  Indng  always  dry. 
It  is  not  at  all  gregarious  in  the  breeding  .season. 


70 


ALTIUC'IAI.  (iKALLAToltKS  —  IIEIIODIOXKS. 


On  Long  Jsliind,  the  Hittcrn  is  {jt'iu'ially  known  by  tlio  nnnu'  oi  tlic  "  Indiiin  I'ul- 
1ft,"  iM'ing  n'lmtctl  to  liavf  Itci-n  one  oT  tlic  tiivoiitc  Itinls  of  tin-  Indiiuis.  It  is  more 
conuiionly  known  us  the  "  Look-up,"  troni  its  lialtit,  when  standinj,'  on  tlu'  niarslics. 
of  I'lcviiting  its  head.  It  does  not  move  aliout  iiiucli  Ity  day.  altliou},'li  it  is  not  strictly 
nocturnal,  but  is  sonictinu's  scfii  Hyin,i,'  low  over  tlio  nu'iidows.  in  |mrsuit  of  slioit- 
tailcd  or  meadow  niicc,  which  arc  frc(iucntly  taken  whole  from  its  stomach.  It  also 
feeds  on  fish,  frogs,  lizards,  etc.  Late  in  tlu-  season  its  tlesh  is  lieltl  in  high  esteem. 
It  ean  rarely  be  ])roeured  in  any  great  number,  and  only  when  the  marshes  art'  over- 
flowed by  unusually  high  tides.  According  to  (iiraud.  it  is  hunted  in  boats,  nuu'h 
after  the  manner  adojitcd  in  the  pursuit  of  the  Hail.  On  ordinary  occasions  it  is  a 
dilKeult  bird  to  Hush.  The  instant  it  becomes  aware  that  it  has  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  fowler,  it  lowers  its  head,  runs  (quickly  through  the  grass,  and  when  again 
seen,  is  usually  in  a  ditferent  direction  from  that  taken  by  its  pursui'r,  whose  move- 
ments it  closely  watches.  When  thus  jmrsiu'd  it  seldom  exposes  more  than  its  head. 
When  wounded  it  makes  a  vigorous  resistance,  erects  the  feathers  on  the  head  and 
neck,  extends  its  wings,  opens  its  bill,  and  puts  on  a  tierce  exinession.  It  will  attack 
a  dog,  or  even  his  master;  and  when  defending  itself  directs  its  sharp  bill  at  its 
assailant's  eye.  It  never  associates  with  any  other  species  of  Jleron,  and  does  not 
apjM'ar  fond  of  the  society  of  its  own  kind.  It  is  distributed  over  the  nuirshes  either 
singly  or  in  pairs,  and  is  nowliere  abundant. 

Mr.  ISatty  writes  that  he  has  taken  mice  from  the  stomachs  of  several;  and  from 
one  a  large  field-mouse  which  had  apparently  but  just  been  devoured.  The  mouse 
was  whole,  and  had  been  swallowed  hcail-tirst.  This  bird  feeds  during  the  day.  but 
is  more  nocturnal  than  diurnal  in  its  habits.  When  wounded  it  drops  its  wings,  raises 
the  feathers  of  the  neck  in  a  circle  around  the  head,  and  then  strikes  out  fiercely  with 
its  sharp  bill.  Mr.  IJatty  has  met  with  individuals  about  Fire  I.sland  aa  late  as  the 
last  of  Noveml)er. 

It  is  an  autumnal  visitant  of  IJernuida,  where,  as  .Major  Wedderlmrn  states,  it  is 
to  bo  nu't  with  in  all  the  marshes  from  October  until  ])t'cend)er,  and  occasionally  in 
March.  In  some  .seasons  it  is  quite  rare.  In  illustration  of  its  omniv(U(nis  habits, 
Mr.  Ilurdis  mentions  that  in  the  stomach  of  one  shot  in  the  IVMubroke  Marshes  were 
>'ound  an  eel  six  inches  long,  a  mouse,  a  dragon-fly.  a  grasshojtper,  and  a  portion  of  a 
small  g(dilen  carp. 

Mr.  J)resser  found  this  a  common  resident  siiecies  in  Southern  Texas.  Mr.  J.  A. 
Allen  mentions  it  as  t(d  ral>ly  common  in  the  Valley  of  (ireat  Salt  Lake,  in  Septem- 
ber; and  Mr.  Hidgway  constantly  found  it  in  all  marshy  situations  in  the  interior. 
Specimens  were  killed  in  the  latter  part  of  Septendicr.  in  Thousand  Spring  Valley, 
in  the  northeastern  ])ortion  of  Nevada.  Mr.  Salvin  met  with  it  in  (Juatemala  both  at 
Duenas  and  at  Coban.  It  is  also  given  by  Mr.  I{.  I'.rowne  iu  ids  list  of  the  birds  of 
Vancouver.  According  to  Wilson,  it  wa.,  known  ou  tiie  New  .lersey  sea-eoa.st  as  the 
Ihiuhniloo,  in  supposed  imitation  of  its  lioomiiig  cries.  Hut  neither  Wilson.  Audubon, 
nor  Nuttall  knew  anything  as  to  its  nesting;  and  evidently  never  saw  its  egg,  their 
deserij)tions  of  whi(!h  are  quite  i'u'orrcct. 

Wilson  states  that  when  come  upon  smldeiily.  it  rises  with  a  callow  cry,  and  may 
then  be  easily  shot ;  and  .\udubon  refers  to  its  liability  to  be  paralyzed  with  fear 
when  .sin-priscd.  so  that  it  may  even  i)e  knocked  down  with  a  stick;  but  Mr.  Everett 
Smith,  of  Portland,  in  a  ]taper  exhiltiting  coiuith'te  familiarity  with  the  habits  of  this 
species,  regards  these  results  as  less  d\ie  to  the  timidity  of  the  Uittern  than  to  its 
unsuspici(ms  and  gentle  nature. 

Wilson  states  that  this  bird  has  no  boonung  cry  corresjionding  with  that  of  the 


m 


i 

ii 

m 


ARDKID.K  —  TIIK  HKHONS  —  ARDETTA. 


71 


i 


l.uKHii'iin  specii's.  This  is  a  mistake.  Tlie  cry  of  our  bird  is  one  quite  as  reiiuirkable, 
ili(.ii,i,'li  said  by  some  writers  —  Init  not  by  Hieiiardson  —  to  be  ([uite  ditt'erent.  Dur- 
iii.;-  mv  residence  in  ('andiridj,'e,  in  tlie  sprinj,'  and  early  summer,  its  singular,  resonant 
,  rits  eoiild  be  heard  at  quite  a  distan<'e,  issuing  from  the  Fresh  I'lUid  meadows  early 
ill  the  evening,  and  even  on  cloudy  tUiys.  They  seemed  to  l)o  uttered. in  a  deep  ehok- 
iui,'  tone,  and  have  lu'cn  well  compared  to  the  syllables  ji<»nj>-i'n/-ijur.  Dr.  ISachman 
.[.scribes  it  as  a  hoarse  croaking  note,  sounding  as  if  the  bird's  throat  were  tilled  with 
u.itcr.  r>y  many  these  .sounds  are  thought  clo.sely  to  resend)le  the  noise  made  by 
.hiving  a  stake  in  boggy  soil;  and  hence  the  Jiittern  is  popularly  known  as  the 
•  SiMkc-drivcr."  and  also  as  the  "  I'ost-driver." 

It  is  an  occasional  visitant  to  tlreat  IJritain,  where  some  live  or  six  instances  of  its 
(•;i|)ture  have  been  recorded. 

According  to  the  ob.servations  of  Captain  Mendire,  the  number  of  eggs  in  its  nest 
v;irics  from  five  to  seven.  1  have  never  met  with  nujre  than  four.  Kggs  in  my  col- 
lect inn  (No.  7.S;>).  procured  l>y  .Mr.  Kundien  in  Wisconsin,  are  of  a  rounded  oval 
sliapc  ecpially  obtuse  at  either  end.  and  of  a  uniform  brownish-drab  color,  neither 
siiiittcd  nor  having  any  tinge  of  green  or  olive  in  their  shadings,  as  stated  by  some 
writers.  They  range  from  1.0(1  to  \M  inches  in  length,  and  from  1.45  to  1.50  in 
lire;i(lth.  These  eggs  vary  but  little  in  size,  shape,  or  color,  and  are  hardly  ''pointed 
at  (Uic  end,"  as  described  by  Varrell. 

(iKxrs  ARDETTA,  (ikay. 

.trdiii/ii,    UiiNAr.   iSyiiopsis,    1828  (tcsti'   (!|;av,  (ini.   &   .Siilig.    18.'>5,    113).      TyiH',    Ariku   cj-ilis, 

(iMl-.l..     (X.il.il'  ISoie,  1822  :) 
.Iril'llii,  (Ikay,  List  nl' (icncr:!,  \y\\.  1812,  Hi.     Tvim',  Anlcn  miiinfn,  Linn. 
Eimliscitii,  l!i.()(!i'.U,  lluiiilli.  1.  1842,  410  (siiiuf  tyix')- 
•' Anldntllti  "  (ISy.'i),  Vkiiiikacx (teste  llAiiri,.  Oni.  WV.stafi-.  |i.  224).     Type,  Artl<a  Slurmi,  Waul. 

(1i:n.  Cmau.  Kxtrcnu'ly  Hiiiail  (tlic  siiuillesi  of)  IlerDiiM,  or  miniature  Uilteriis  ;  dilfeiiiig  from 
till'  tiiie  liitteriis  cliielly  in  tlieir  iliiniuulive  si/.e,  iind  in  tho  fact  that  the  sexes  (h'lfei  in  enlor.' 


■Ili.1. 


'  Wo  cnn  liml  tio  other  tliirereiice  in  I'onn  nr  projiortionN  l«'twi'eii  IhlKurits  ami  Anh'lln.     In  the  scxeil 

s) iiiiciis  of./.  ('/(iv/i((TW  wlii.'li  We  have  iM-ei:  ulile  tu  examine  tlieie  is  no  sexaiil  iliU'ereiiee  of  i)lunuige. 

Tile  sex  of  the  .single  su|i]K)seJ  feniah',  however,  may  have  iH'eii  ini'orreetly  iletermincd. 


rP 


72 


ALTUICIAI-   (JIJAI.LATOUES—  IIKUOUIONES. 


Com.  Char.  Pruviiiliii},'  culnr  rKliriiccoiis,  ilarker  iibove  mitl  jmlfr  K-low.  rileum  willi  a  loii- 
Hiliiiliiml  HiHue  ol"  lilack  ;  iiii  iiiiiim.iiLilf  imk-iDloivtl  tiivii  coVL-riiiji  wiiij,'-covi'rts  ;  lidiit  of  iiuck 
iinlisliiiclly  stiiped  l..iij,'iui(liiiiilly  with  ii  tlttinT  sliuilf,  iiiioii  u  wliitiMh  >,'ioiiii(l.  Rtiiiigw  iiml 
rer.trici's  iiiiironii  dusky,  with  or  witlmul  uilinuiMUis  tiiis, 

A.    Lower  pitrt  «/  lihiit  ludnl  all  rouiul ;  jtpjur  jKirls  marly  uniform  brown,  or  brown  and  blud-, 
villiiint  ri)nii]ticii(iii.i  sirijns. 

1.  A.  minuta.>     lU'iiiigi;^  unilorm  liliick.     Wiiife',  G.SO-.I.UO  ;  culiufii,  1.7t>-1.75.     Huh.  Vi\\x- 

urctic  Hi'jjiuii. 

2.  A.  exilis.     Hcnii;,'M  iimrowly  tippi-tl  witli  ruloiis.     Wing,  4.30-5.:i5  ;  culiufu,  1.00-1.90. 

Hah.    Xortli,  Middle,  ami  iiortiiiin  Suutli  Aiiii'iica. 
B>   Lower  }Hirt  i>/  tihia  fatthtnil   in  Jmnt.      I'jipir  parU   conniiicuouslij  striped  with   black   and 
orhraceitnit. 

3.  A.  involuciis.''     Hiniij,'c.s  broadly  X\\>\>vt\  with  nifoiis.     Wiii},',  4.a5  ;  culiiien,  2.00.     Hah. 

iSuutliL-iii  South  Aiut'iica. 

Ardetta  exilis- 

THE  AMEBICAN  LEAST  BITTEBN. 


Little  Bittern,  Picsn.  Airt.  Zool.  11.  1785,  V,,-\  no.  3r.ii  (part). 

Minute  liittern.  La  ill.  Syiiop.  111.  1785,  CtJ  (.laiuaica  ;  ^  9  '"I)' 

Ardca  ej-ilis,  (!mki..  S.  N.  1.  ii.  17»8,  (!45,  no.  8:!  (Imsfd  on  liic  .Miiutti  liittern  of  I.ATII.  I.e.).  — Wll..s. 

Am.  Oiii,  VIM.  1814.  ;!7,  pi.  iW'.,  lig.  I.  —  Ni  n.  Man.   II.   1M)4,  Hi;.  -  Aid.  Orii.  Biog.   111. 

1835,  77  ;  V.  18;!it,  tllK!.  jil.  '.'10  ;  Synop.  1,h:W,  'Jti;! ;   ISirds  Am.  VI.  184;i,  Ino,  pi.  3t!»5. 
Ardetta  ej-il  in,   CrsiH,.  J.  f.  O.  l»5t;,  345.    -  1!aii!1>,   1!.  N.  Am.  1858,  r.73  ;   Cat.    N.Am.    Ii.   185i», 

no.  491.  —  Hiliow.  Noin.  N.  Am.  IJ.  1881,  no.  4l>8.  —  Coik.s,  Chuck  List,  'Jd  ud.  1882,  no.  tiii7. 
1  Ardea  sjiadieea,  (l.MK.I..  t.i\  till  (liritliciiow). 

Hah.  Tilt'  whole  of  tciiipi'iatc  Noiih  Aiucripa,  north  to  tin-  Briti.-ih  Provinces  ;  West  Il«lit'^', 
Middh-  Anu-rica,  and  iiortlu-iii  South  Aimrica,  to  iira/.il.     IScrnimlas, 

Si'.  Chau.  Ailnlt  ni'ile :  I'iluuni,  imluding  slight  oci-ipital  iivsl,  with  entire  Imek,  scapidars, 
rump  ami  tail,  ghissy  greenish  lilack,  the  outer  weln  of  IJie  outer  row  of  scai)ulart  edged  with 
pale  Imlf,  foriuing  a  narrow  longitudinal  stripe.  Sides  of  the  head  and  neck  liright  ochraeeoiis, 
deepening  into  reddish  chestnut  on  the  impe ;  chin,  throat,  and  foivneck  ]>aler,  the  tirsl  sonietinies 
whitish,  with  a  nieilial  series  of  dusky  and  yellowish-lnilf  daslies  ;  the  foreiieck  and  Jugulum 
faintly  strii>ed  with  white  and  pale  oiange-ltutf,  the  lalli'r  predominating  ;  on  each  side  the  Ineast 
a  ]iatch  of  maroon-dusky,  the  feathers  tijiped  with  ])aler  and  sufl'iiseil  with  Mackish,  forming  tul't'^ 
of  li'ige  loose  feathers,  partly  concealed  liy  the  large  feathers  of  the  jugulum  ;  lowi'r  parts  whitish, 
washeil  with  pule  creaniy-Viulf.     Carpal  region,  givater  wing-covcits,  lower  webs  of  lertials  ami 


'    AltliKrrA  MINI'TA. 

Arden  minuta,  Linn.  .S.  \.  1. 17ilii,  240,    -  Naum.  Vog.  Ueutschl.  IX.  1838, 1!I4,  pi.  227.  —  (il!AY, 

lien.  H.  III.  5.5t!;  Cut.  Brit.  U.  18t!3.  148. 
Jliitiinnis  mhnitns,  Bon:,  Isis,  1822,  550. 
Aitbola  miiintii,  Bonai'.  Coiis]i.  l.i.st,  1838,  48. 
Ardeii  diinuhiiilin,  liMKI..  .><.  N.  I.  1788,  1)37. 
Ardea  .Holonienni's,  (1mi;i,.  1.  c. 
Bulaurua  pitailliis,  Bkkii.m,  Vii({.  Duutscld.  .'»98. 

*  AlinETrA    ISVoi.IcKIs. 

Ardeu  invidiicris,  ViKll.l..  Kiic  Mclli.  1823,  1127. 

Ardetia  invohwris,  Sti..  k  S\\.\.  P.  /.  S.  IHtJ'i.  (!34. 

1  Ardea  enithromehut,  ViKII.l..    Knc.  Mclli.    1121    (ba.sed  on  flann  mxn  v  neqrrt.  AzAllA,  Apunt. 

III.  182). 
Anleidii  eriitlirmiieliin,  BonaI'.  Coiisp.  II.  1855,  134. 
Ardea  farie(jala,  ViKIl.l..  t.c.  1127  (liased  on  (iar:a  varia,  Azaua). 


■flw 


ARDEID.E  —  THE   HERONS  —  ARDETTA. 


73 


tips  (if  priiimry-covertf,  Hecondarit's,  and  inner  iirininritw,  rich  iinniin»on-rufou>< ;  liirgii  arun,  cov- 
iiiiij,'  niiihlle  wing-covi'i't  n';,'icin,  pale  oi'limccMtus,  i>r  Imfl' ;  irniij,'cs  and  i)riinaiy-i.'iivi'it.s  blackisli 
r-hU;  L'xci'jit  at  tips.  "  Rill  dark  (ilivc-browii  almvi',  I'dgus  ol"  ujiikt  nmiidilili-  and  liaru  I'nmtal 
siiiii'f  yi'llitw  ;  lowtT  nianiliMi-  )ialc  yfllow,  imliiiin};  to  lli'sh-cclur  ;  iris  yi-llow  ;  t'ot't  dull  j,'ri'i'nisli 
yrlliiw  ;  ilaws  lirown  "  (AiDinox).  Aihill  fi  imili  :  Similar  to  tlio  ailult  niuli-,  l>ut  tin-  j,'r(rnisli 
M.K k  niiLaed  by  brown  (varyinj,'  from  umbur-drab  tu  cinnanion,  tiif  iiikuni  diirkur  and  usually 


Adult  male. 

opiuiui'  Maokish  dusky)  ;  tliu  buff  strijM)  alunj,'  outiT  boiilur  of  .scaitulars  inurh  broadt-r  antl  more 
fdii-piiuoii-i,  and  till'  striiH's  on  tlie  fDrfnt'ek  (usually  but  not  always)  nioro  distinct.  OtliiTwise 
ixiiiiiy  like  lilt'  mall'.  Yimmi :  Similar  to  tin;  adult  I'l'malt-,  but  tin'  fi'atlii'rs  of  tlie  back  and 
scapular  iv;;ioii  tipped  with  buff;  the  strijics  on  the  foreneck  also  lu.sually)  more  distinct. 

Li'n|,'tli,  about  I2.<H>-I:}.50;  expanse,  l7.tM>-|>H.(Kt.  Wei^dit.  about  -JJ  ounces  (AfULBox). 
Will.:,',  I.IU)-")  J-)  ;  tail,  l.fiO-i'.lO  ;  culnieli,  I.CH-I.IMI  ;  depth  of  bill,  .-.N-.U.-,  ;  tarsus.  I..'>()-1 .75  ; 
iiiiililie  toe,  1.  K»-I.<i(> ;  baiv  portion  of  tibia,  .4."»-.."»(>.i 

Willi  a  considerable  scries  of  specinien.s  before  us,  we  can  observe  no  }{co^'raphical  variations 
other  than  the  slij,'hlly  smaller  si/e  of  skiii-<  from  iJeiiu'rara  and  Tehuaiite]M'c.  As  to  colors,  no 
tiiipjral  examples  are  brij^hter  than  two  males  from  the  eastern  I'liited  States  (|.")4!),  Carlisle,  Pa., 
Mild  imiii.  District  of  ('nliimliial.  The  rant,'e  of  individual  variation  in  colv'  is  also  very  sli^^ht, 
tliiMi;,'li  very  ^iieat  as  to  dimensions. 

Ill  a  considerable  series  of  Least  Bitterns  from  (iiiateinala,  kindly  .-iibmilted  to  ns  for  exuin- 
iiiiilion  by  Mr.  Osbert  Salvin,  tlieix;  is  a  sinj,de  specimen,  which,  while  a^ieeiii},'  very  closely  in 
pliiiiiii^'e  with  the  ailult  male  of  the  common  North  American  species,  is  so  dilb'reiit  in  jiropor- 
linii>  as  to  leave  little  doubt  of  its  specifu' distinctness.  The  tarsi  and  toes  are  disprojiortioiiately 
>lii>rter  than  in  .1.  i.r'dig,  the  fprnier  niea.^'urin};  only  l.l.'i  and  the  miiliUe  toe  1.12,  while  the  inner 
luc  is  just  jierceptibly  lonj;er  than  the  outer,  measuring'  o.iCs  a^;aiiist  (>.!».">.  The  libiic  are  com- 
pletely leathered,  even  more  so  than  in  .1.  inrnUn-rU,  The  other  specimens,  c'lielly  from  the  Lake 
of  Diienas,  are  nil  typical  .1.  uiUn,  mostly  youn^  of  the  year,  eviilently  ivi.rwl  in  the  locality. 
Without  veiilurinn  to  name  this  biid,  we  ).;ive  beUiw  iv  full  ile.-iiiption.'-' 


'  K.xlrciucs  (if  twenty-one  adult  examples. 

-  t'n.vii.  .Siiniliir  to  ./.  r.n7/.v,  but  with  the  tar>i  and  toes  ()is]ii(i|>()rti(Uiatcly  shorter,  and  the  tibiiu 
ceiiiplrtdy  IVatlicrcil.  Adidl  f.  :  I'ileiim  iiiiil'i)iiii  lilmk,  with  ii  faint  greenish  glos.*  ;  n'niaiiiclcr  of  the 
Iliad  (MliiacM'diis,  fjrowiiif,'  ijiaijiiiilly  iiioic  riifniis  on  the  siipciciiiaiy  rej^imi  ;  nape  bright  rufous,  U'coiniiif! 
nearly  i  hcstiiiit  on  the  lower  portion  ;  sides  of  tlie  neck  like  the  cheeks.  Chin  and  throat  iiiiniuciilatc 
imio  white,  the  lower  part  of  the  latter  with  it  very  faint  wash  of  pale  butf  niediiilly  ;  foiciieck  eieaiiiy 
white,  with  a  niiri-ow  mesial  stripe  of  ;,'rayisli  biowii.  .Sides  of  the  breast  brownish  black,  the 
reallii'is  tipiKil  with  li^ht  fulvous  ;  rcniainiiif,'  loucr  pari.'  while,  tinned  with  lifjht  cr-amy  bud',  most 
(lisliiiit  laterally;  tibiic  deep  fiilvoiis  ;  lining  of  the  wind's  >;iayish  white,  purer  while  anteriorly,  where 
i-i  a  sjkjI  of  mixed  ochmccous  and  dusky  on  the  carpal  Joint  ;  axillars  ash-griiy  ;  undcr-siirface  of  the 
ivmiircs  himilar,  but  dceiK'r.  Mack  and  scn|iiilars  j^lossy  blink,  with  a  faint  niwu  rellection,  the  outer 
row  of  interscapidar  featliers  edged  exteriorly  with  linht  bulf,  forininj;,  wlnii  the  feathei-s  are  disarninged, 
a  somewhat  V-shaped  murk,  dclining  the  lateral  and  jiostcrior  boundaries  of  the   intcrscajmlar   region. 

vol..  I.  —  1(1 


74 


ALTlllCI  VL  (IHALl.ATOHKS  -  IlKlinDloNKS. 


Tlir  Least  liittt'in  has  an  cxtciiilcd  distiilnitiitii.  \tv\n<i  idiind  vciy  nt-arly  tlir('Uf,'li- 
oiit  the  I'liitcd  States,  and  tmlv  not  roiiiiil.  so  lar  as  we  art'  awair.  in  the  inon- 
Dortlicrly  and  fastern  iiditions.  It  lias  not  licen  nn't  with  li.v  Mr.  ISoanhaan  near 
Cahiis,  it  is  not  iMchuh'd  liy  Mr.  Vrrrill  as  a  iiird  ol'  Oxlord  Cuiintv,  and  is  nicn- 
tioni'd  as  rare  even  in  Sontlicrn  Maine,  and  is  chisscd  as  very  rare  hy  Mr.  Allen, 
near  Sprinj^dield.  .Mass.  Like  all  ntietiirnal  liirds.  and  mure  espeeially  those  speeies 
that  shelter  theiuselve.s  in  the  day-time  anionj,'  the  rank  ^ra.ss  and  rnshes,  it 
is  jirolialily  hy  no  means  .so  rare,  in  many  jilaees,  as  has  lieen  supposed.  It  feeds 
exelnsively  in  tiie  nif,'ht-time.  and  is  rarely  seen  liyin.y;  dnrinj;  the  day.  It  is  not 
uncommon  in  eastern  Massaehusetts,  iireedin;,'  in  Fresh  I'ond  marshes,  wheic 
Mr.  \Vm.  Itrewster  has  met  with  it  iN)th  in  .May  and  in  .Inly,  (iiraud  inelndes  it 
amon^'  tiie  liirds  of  Lon^'  Island,  where  it  is  usually  found  hidden  in  the  tall  }.;rass 
and  reed.s,  altui},'  the  niar>,'ius  of  freshwater  streams.  .\  few  were  secured  amon;^' 
the  salt  meadows  near  IJaliylon.  .md  on  tin-  Hanover  .Meadow  m-ar  I'ine  Urook.  It 
has  also  lieeii  occasionally  found  on  the  hanks  of  the  llackensack.  Specimens  are 
recorded  as  havii,  '  'cn  taken  near  the  city  of  l>rooklyn.  and  others  in  a  swamji 
lU'ar  Fort  Hamilton  In  the  latter  place  yoiuin  hird.s.  still  unahle  to  tly.  were  cap- 
tured. In  the  Western  States  it  is  ninch  niori-  aimndant.  and  in  Canada,  especially 
in  the  nei^hhorhood  of  the  (ireat  Lakes.  Mr.  .Mcllwiaitii  mentions  it  as  a  common 
sunnner  resident  near  Hamilton,  and  .Mr.  Kundien  has  found  it  iireedin^'  in  ahun- 
dance  around  Lake  Koskonon^,'.  in  Wisconsin.  It  appears  to  he  resident  in  Texas 
and  in  Northeastern  .Mexico.  Mr.  Hresser  met  with  it.  in  .Inly  and  Auj,'ust.  in 
the  neij,'hl>orhooil  of  Matamoras.  and  occasionally  saw  it  in  the  vicinity  of  San 
Antonio.  Mr.  Salvin  mentions  it  as  found  in  (iuatemala.  hut  whether  as  a  winter 
visitant  or  a  resident,  he  does  not  state.  He  found  it  lioth  at  Muenas  ami  at 
(Johan. 

It  is  also  found  in  several  of  the  West  India  Islands.  In  Cidia  it  is  ^iveii  hy 
Dr.  (Sundlach  as  a  resident  throii,y;huut  the  year,  and  its  hreedinj,'  is  inferred.  It 
is  mentioned  hy  (Josse  as  anumjj;  the  hirds  id'  .lamaica,  where  it  is  not  unfreipiently 
seen  dod},'ini,'  aliout  the  edj,"'s  of  the  tall  r<'eds  of  the  morasses,  or  anion;,'  thi'  rank 
8('df,'y  >,'ra.ss  that  horders  the  streams.  When  alarnu'd.  it  does  not  \isually  Hy.  Imt 
darts  into  the  rushy  covert,  where  the  thinness  (d'  its  form  enaiiles  it  to  make  its 
way  with  ease.  U'hen  surprised  in  an  open  jilace  it  crouches,  as  if  expecting'  tt) 
escape  ohservation.  In  its  stomach  are  found  small  fishes  and  crustacea.  In 
.lamaica  it  is  called,  according  to  March,  the  ••Tortoise-shell  IJittern."  Leotaud 
names  it  as  one  (d'  the  hirds  of  Trinidad;  hut  how  <-ommon  it  is  in  that  island  he 
was  not  aide  to  statt".  It  keejis  dose  amon;.^  the  reeds  whiidi  cover  the  Hooded 
re^'ions,  and  is  proliahly  (piite  almndant  ;  althou,i,di  rarely  seen,  on  account  of  the 
dilliculty  of  discovering'  it  in  the  midst  of  its  retreat.  It  occasionally  apiiroaclies 
the  edp's  of  narrow  watercourses,  to  fish  for  the  small  fry  on  which  it  feeds.  Its 
flij^ht  is  very  feelile.  and  not  well  sustained.  It  nests  in  Trinidad,  ami  has  iiecn 
ohserved  there  at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

Dr.  Cooper  speaks  of  it  as  common  amon.i,'  the  !,'reat  fresh  marshes  of  the  interior 

l<utni>,  ujiiKT  tiiil-oovcrtH  niul  liiil,  iiiiifcuiii  |iliinilM>nii8-1ilai'k.  Anfcrinr  iiml  oiitiT  lesser  wiiiK-i'iiverts. 
inner  sei'oncliuiis  (nuter  welis)  and  ^.'reatir  winK-inviTls,  iinil'nrin  cinniininn-nifDii^  ;  iH)steriiii',  lesNor,  iiuil 
all  of  tfie  niiilille  win^'-cKVcits.  li",'lit  ijiayisli  laill'  (inucli  |iiilir  tliaii  in  r.ri/is)  ;  linked  with  (lii'per  '.^ilV, 
tlie  f^niyisli  lints  minutely  freckled.  Primary -enverts  and  remiguH  Maty  jihimbeoiis,  ii|i|M'il  wifli  lifjlit 
cinnanioM-nifoiis. 

Winn,   J-"";  ''"1 1".  1-"S  :  deptli  of  l.ill,  tlirouj;li  nostril,  .32;   tarsus,   1.1.1;   middle   toe,  1.12; 

Inner  toe,  .its  ;  miter,  .tt.1  ;  liallux,  ..18. 


AiU)i;ii».i-;  —  TiiK  iiKKoN's  —  aim>i;tta 


10 


of  ('iilit<i''iiia.  lit'  Ins  met  witli  it  aloiii,'  tlic  cnast  in  tuily  a  siii^jlu  iiistauft'.  This 
was  ill  Aiiiil,  at  Santa  ISarliaia.  It  ciiictiy  tri'ijufiits  tlu'  niarslics  ctiviMcd  with  fii/i; 
(.1  Itmj,'  jjrass,  ami  is  not  oasily  iliscoviTcd ;  dthiTwisr  we  siioiiiil  Im'  i>r(il>ai)ly  aide  to 
a>sii;ii  it  a  ranf,'t>  as  far  north  as  tlir  ('olnnil)ia  IJivfr.  It  is  only  partially  nii},'i'at<>ry 
ill  <';iliioiiiia.  Mr.  Iii(li,'\vay  iin't  with  a  sin;,'li'  iii(li\i(liial.  in  May.  on  the  Ixji'dcrs 
ti'.  a  small  strrani,  amonj;  thf  wiUows.  and  not  tar  Iniiu  I'yramid  Laki'. 

N'dtwithstandin,!,'  the  iiiiitrcssion  wliiidi  prfvails,  whcrrvt-r  this  liird  is  at  all  coni- 
111(111,  that  it  is  nnahlc  to  sustain  a  prolonj^cd  flij,'ht.  this  idea  can  hardly  lii'  ri-^'ardt'd 
iiH  well  I'onndt'd,  as  thcri'  can  Im-  no  donht  (d'  the  mi(,'iatory  hahits  of  the  species. 
A  siiij,de  specimen  is  mentioned  as  eajitiireil  alive  on  the  ro<ks  of  St.  Mavid's  Head, 
I'.i'iiiiuda.  on  the  L'Ofh  of  .\iiril.  IS.V5,  where  it  hail  alij,dited  in  its  Hi),dit  to  the  north; 
;iiid  Major  Wedihrlnirn,  liesides  the  record  of  .several  specimens  of  this  hird  taken 
liv  lii;ii  in  Itermuda  in  Oetolier  and  in  I)eeend)er,  mentions  killini,' one  near  Uoss's 
Cdvc,  on  the  l."»th  of  .Mandi,  while  on  the  winj,'.  With  this  e.\<'eptioii,  he  was  never 
ahli'  to  ^et  them  to  take  to  wing,  they  always  preferrinj;  to  rnn  ahout  among  the  roots 
(if  the  mangroves,  when^  they  coidd  only  Ih'  fonnd  with  great  ditUoilty.  Wilson 
speaks  of  this  l)ird  as  having  liecn  very  rarely  found  on  the  Halt-marshes.  A  singh' 
iiiid  shot  near  (Ireat  Kgg  Ilarhor  was  regardeil  as  something  very  uncommon.  It 
w;is  seen  ill  the  meadows  ludow  riiiladelphia,  on  the  Delaware  and  Schuylkill  rivers, 
wiicic  it  lired  every  year  in  the  thick  tu.ssocks  of  grass,  in  swamjiy  places;  hut 
iicitiicr  Wilson  nor  .Vudulion  seems  to  have  known  anything  as  to  its  eggs.  Th(> 
latter  states  that  on  one  occasion  he  kept  a  pair  alive,  feedii«g  them  with  small 
ti^ii.  They  were  very  expert  at  catching  flics,  and  would  swallow  cateriiillars  and 
other  insects.  They  were  very  gentle,  and.  though  they  disliked  to  1h'  handled, 
luiide  no  attempt  to  strike  at  any  one.  They  would  climh  with  ease  from  the  floor 
Id  the  top  (d'  the  curtain  with  their  feet  and  idaws.  At  the  apjiroaidi  of  lught  they 
liciiiiiic  much  more  lively.  The  same  author  states  that  this  i)ird  breeds  in  Florida 
and  ill  the  Carolinas.  Dr.  Ihdhrook  found  it  also  hreeding  near  Charleston.  The 
iicst  was  usually  on  the  ground,  and  was  coinpo.sed  of  dried  and  decayed  weeds.  The 
iiiiiuhcr  of  eggs,  as  he  states,  is  three;  hut  his  aec(Uiiit  of  them  is  so  incorrect  as  to 
tludw  douht  over  his  whole  description  of  nesting  and  eggs.  When  startled,  this 
liird  utters  alow  cry.  like  "ijiiu  ;"  hut  its  ordinary  cry  is  a  rough  croak  —  a  fetdde 
imitation  of  the  note  of  the  (ireat  I'due  Heron.  Its  flight.  whi(di  liy  day  is  appar- 
ently so  weak,  at  tlusk  is  (piite  dilferent.  It  then  may  he  seen  passing  steadily 
along,  in  the  manner  of  the  larger  Herons.  In  the  day  it  can  hardly  he  induced  to 
lly,  and  it  then  moves  in  a  confused  and  uncertain  manner.  Its  food  generally 
consists  of  snails,  slugs,  tadpoles,  young  frogs,  water-lizards,  and  occasionally 
small  shrews  and  tudd-miee. 

Mr.  Ntdson  speaks  of  this  hird  as  heing  a  common  summer  resident  everywhere 
in  the  marshes  .'(ud  sloughs  of  Illinois,  arriving  the  1st  of  .May.  and  nesting  early 
ill  .lime.  He  has  always  found  its  nest  supported,  at  fnmi  two  to  three  feet  ahove 
tiic  water,  liy  the  siirroundiiig  rushes.  It  is  de.scrihed  as  a  very  frail  structure— - 
a  thin  iilatform  irom  one  to  three  inches  thick,  with  scarcely  depression  «'Uough  in 
the  centre  to  prevent  the  eggs  from  ndling  out.  .Small  dry  ])ie<H'H  of  reeds  are  used 
in  Imilding  it.  The  eggs  are  usually  from  two  to  six  in  numher.  If  aiiproaidied 
wliile  on  the  ne.st,  the  female  generally  steps  (pnetly  to  one  side  ;  hut  if  suihU-nly 
siu'iiriscd,  takes  to  flight.  Kach  nest  is  usually  placed  hy  it.self ;  hut,  in  exceptional 
ca.se.s,  six  or  eight  may  sometimes  he  found  in  do.se  proximity. 

Mr.  n.  V.  Goss  informs  nn-  that  the  Least  Hittern  usually  con.struets  a  little 
jilatform  nest  a  few  feet  fnun  the  ground,  on  liroken-<h)wn  weeds  and  grasses,  just 


76 


ALTinciAl,  (lUAI.I.ATitllKS       IIKKuDioNES. 


large  cuoukIi  to  lioM  tin-  i'kks.  wliiili  arc  iisuall.v  four  in  uiimlM'v.  Thoro  is  a  coarso 
caiu'-liki'  iivusH  j,'ni\viiiK  on  tiic  Itonlt'is  of  tiit-  lakt's  anil  rivers  of  Wisconsin  ;  this  is 
sonic  ci^'ht  feet  in  iici},'lil,  and  is  a  favorite  lireedinK-liannt  for  this  liinl. 

Mr.  N.  |{.  Moure  writes  from  Manatee,  l-'loriihi.  that  on  liie  2<»tli  of  April,  1874, 
he  found  tiiis  species  witii  already  luil\  ^'own  \oimi>,'  luies.  'Die  only  other  Heron 
haviu},'  yoiin),'  ones  so  far  ailvanced  at  tliat  time  was  the  (ireat  Wiiite  Kjjret.  It 
feeds  chiefh  from  a  perch  over  the  water.  cliuKin},'  to  the  upri},'ht  stems  of  grasses 
and  sedges,  feeding  apparently  as  comfortaldy  thus  as  when  perched  on  the 
depressed  stems  or  lilades  of  the  same,  on  the  liranches  of  wiUows.  uv  on  other 
small  trees  that  overhang  or  dip  into  the  water.  It  dodges  away  among  the  saw- 
grass  and  sedges  that  serve  for  a  hiding-place,  chmdu'ring  with  ease  along  the 
upright  stems,  or  twisting  and  turning  ahmg  the  tangled  masses  of  the  same  in 
the  manner  of  a   Kai'. 

It  has  Itceii  fo\ind  lireeding  in  Wisconsin  in  great  ab\nidauee  liy  I'rofessor 
Kundien,  and  the  nest  was  always  near  the  ground  and  usually  among  reed.s,  not 
far  from  water,  and  was  generally  very  slight  —  a  mere  collection  of  decayed  rushes 
and  coarse  grasses,  liarely  enough  to  keep  the  eggs  from  the  damp  ground.  The 
eggs,  usually  six  or  seven  in  numlter.  are  wiiite.  with  a  very  slight  tinge  of  greenish. 
They  are  of  a  rounded  oval  shape,  and  there  is  no  difference  as  to  size  in  either 
end;  they  are  entirely  unspotted.  Two  eggs  in  my  coUeetion,  Nos.  114  and  iL'dJ). 
give  the  extreme  of  variation — one  measuring  1.^-  inches  in  length  by  1  inch  in 
V)readth,  the  other  1.2r»  iiu-hes  by   1.1K>. 


Family  CiroXTTD.i:.  —  Tm:  Stohks. 


i 


CliAit.  Large,  Heron-like  Itinls,  with  the  bill  nmch  longer  than  the  head,  thick 
through  the  base,  and  niort^  or  less  elongate-eonieal ;  the  nostrils  sub-basal,  more 
or  less  sujierior,  and  bored  into  the  bony  substance  of  the  bill,  without  overhanging 
or  surrounding  nionibrane  ;  maxilla  without  any  lateral  groove.  I^'gs  covered  with 
small,  longitiiilinally-hexagonal  scales  ;  claws  short,  dejtressed,  their  eiuls  broad 
and  convex,  resting  upon  horny,  crescentic  "shoes;"  hallux  with  its  base  elevated 
decicledlv  above  the  base  of  the  anterior  toes. 


The  alxive  characters  ari'  .suHicient  to  define  this  family,  which  is  more  intimately 
related  to  the  li)ises  (I hidhhi)  and  .Spoonbills  {/'/afolrlilir)  than  to  the  Herons  (see 
page  1,').     There  are  two  well-marked  sulvfuniilies,  with  the  following  characters :  — 

Sul>-I'iiiiiily  Ciooniin».  Itill  cloii^'ati-conicnl,  ncutc,  ((iiiipivsspd,  the  ciul  not  docurvcil,  thou},'li 
somt'tiiiics  iccurvi'il.  Nostrils  lalhtT  lali'iiil  than  supciicir.  Tucs  very  slunt,  tlie  injiliUc  one  iiiiuii 
li'xs  than  half  tliu  tniviis  (only  ii  litllc  morn  than  one  tliinl)  ;  lateral  toes  nearly  imiuuI  ;  daws 
short,  liriiail.  nail-like. 

Hub-family  Tantalinse.  Bill  elonj^ated.  suliconiral,  sulicylindrioal,  the  end  nttenuatcd  iiiul 
deciirvc'd,  with  tin-  tip  romnltil ;  nostrils  ilcci.lLMlly  superior;  toes  long,  the  niidillo  one,  one  hall 
or  more  the  length  of  the  tarsus  ;  lateral  toes  iiiieipial.  the  outer  ileeidedly  longer  than  the  inner  ; 
claws  moderately  leiigtheiieil,  rather  narrow,  claw-like. 


t,::Hjil 


CICON'IIP.f.;- Tin-;   HTORKS. 


77 


fifUW 


Synopsis  of  tho  American  Oenera. 

Si  ii-KAMii.v  (iCnMlX.i:.      Tiik  Tiue  Stoiiks. 

Euzenura.'  Dill  innilciatcly  hum;  >''*  ii|i|k'I'  ami  Inwcr  iiuiliiic-!*  Htriu;;lit  tlirouf^'hout ; 
t'litii'i*  iuMul  ami  iicik  Icjiilirii'il,  rxfciit  llu'  Inivs  nml  u  liaiv  Ntrip  alnn^'  viwh  mIiIc  ciI'  tlu- 
tliii>al.  Ttiil  iililin  riiitiit  mul  ilnjilii  furknl,  llu-  |'l'alll(•l'^<  viry  ri^jid,  llu  Imnr  liiil-canrts 
iliiinitilnl  (cxti'iiiliii;;  liuvoiid  llu?  tnii!  tail),  uml  atijj'mul,  »it  m  Id  imi iMc  true  rcclrica  I 
(Ivjii',  Anliii  iiKiijiiiiri,  (Imki..). 

Myctetia.  liiil  ('m>riiii>u>ly  \in^i^;  l\w  ttriuinal  halt'  ivciirvctl.  Kntin;  head  ami  nock 
iiakril,  fX('C|it  a  )iiii;;iiiiiliiial  liaiiy  (latcli  on  (lie  uucipiit.  Tail  and  tuil-cuvl'l't^<  nnrinal 
(lyiK),  Mijiiirin  uim  riciiiin,  (!mki..  ice  LiNN.'''). 

Srii-KA.Mii,Y  TAXTAMN.K.  — Tiik  Wimh.  ImsKs. 

Tantalus."     Adult  uitli  the  wlioh-  luad  and  u|>|>rr  hall'  of  the  iiirk  naked,  tlie  skin  hnnl 

and  Miiity ;  crnwn  cuvi'icd  with  a  i|nadrate,  or  suniewhat  Nliielil->lia|ied,  .'-ninnth  hurny 

jil.ite,  and  skin  nf  iia])i'  liansverscly  wiinkleil.or  cniinfiated.     Niistrils  suh-liasal  ;  tertials 

lidi^'er  than  iiriniaries,  ami  with  their  webs  eoiniiact  or  normal  (ty|)e,  TitiitaluK  lui-iildlor, 

LlXN  ). 

Pseudotantalua.  Adult  with  only  the  fore  part  of  the  head  naked,  the  hinder  |iaii  and 
entile  iiei'k  deiiM'lv  leathered  ;  naked  skin  of  lore  |iart  of  lii'ad  siiniutli.  Nostrils  strietly 
hasal  ;  tertials  sliorter  than  |iriiiiaries,  and  with  their  welis  sonu^wliat  decomposed.  Kill, 
ll'^^,  and  tail  very  iiiueli  longer,  and  IjimiI  outliiii;  of  thu  hill  of  ditrerent  contour  Cty|a>, 

Titlltillil-'i  ilii",   Ll.NN.). 

u'  Wood  lliiscs  riirni  a  very  natural  j;rou))  of  ulxiut  live  mjxjcIl's,  HAiinlly  included  in  the  single 
>  TtiiiliilitK,  inhaliiliii;;,  like  their  kimlred,  the  Storks,  .Fahirm^,  and  Adjutants,  the  warmer 


'  (ienus  KfXKNniA,  Iticljjwiiy. 

I'iitniin  (|>iiii),  IliMss.  Ojii.V.  17i>ii,  MO'.t,  no.  3.  —  lloNAi'.  t'linsp.  II.  IS.IO,  104,  ct  Aucr. 
^Irihi  (pHll),  (!mi.I..  S.  N.  1.  ii.  ir>S,  ll'J:!. 

t'lii'iiiini,   Itinow.  Hull.   r.  .S.  (Icoi.  &  (Jcoff.  Siiivi-y  Terr.  IV.  no.  1,  Feb.  5,  1878,  250  (type, 
Anlin  iiiiiiiiiiiri,  liMl'.l). 
Tills  f{i'iius  i.s  very  deeuledly  ili.stinet  from  fli.vmiiru,  Caiiams  (type,  Afdni  cyxVi/dji,  Rodii,  ),  the  only 
ic'si'inlilaiici'  iH'twi'i'ii  thi'lii,  in  aililitinii  to  the  usimi  ('leonine  elianuters,  cuiislstin^  in  the  hiiiillnr  fonii  of 
tin'  t^iil. 

*  Willie  jjiviiiK  a  niiTcct  dlii},'iiosls  of  his  >{i'iiiis  .Ui/iit'i-iii,  with  .1/.  iimiriciin<i  as  ty|H',  Mniiieiis  (S.  N. 
I,  I'tiC),  :;:i:!)  ilesriiU's  lis  thr  latter,  III  iiiimistiikiilile  terms,  the  Mrds  alti-rwiiril  miiiieil  Arika  muguim 
liy  (iiiiiliii.     Till'  irrnciic'es  jjlveii  liy  l.iiiiiieiis,  however,  refer  nininly  to  the  true  Myclcna  I 

'  The  assciciaiioii  of  the  Tdiiln/imr  with  the  Storks,  as  lia.s  latterly  ln'eii  done  by  several  aiithoi's,  Rcems 
ft  very  pl'iiper  pinedliili',  even  the  external  stnietlire  sliowlllfj  elearly  that  such  are  tlii'  tllie  nllillities  of  tho 
;;niii|).  The  iiiteriinl  struetinc  all'inils  still  more  eoiicliisive  testimony  to  this  I'lleet,  as  the  l"ollowiii)» 
•iilieiiie,  adapted  Ironi  (iaiTiMl  (I'lnri'ediiigs  of  the  Zoological  SiK'iely  of  London  for  1S7;">,  p.  301),  may 
bliDW  :  — 


CiroNiin.K  (including  Tualalus). 

1.  Skull  liolorliliial. 

2.  Anglo  of  the  mandible  trniieated. 

!i.  Pii/iimlis  hiiijiir  muscle  in  two  layers,  —  a  sii- 
IxTlieial  one,  and  a  deep  one,  easily  .sejNirable 
from  the  oilier. 

4.  Acimsorii  frmnni-fduiltil  inusrlo  absent. 

5.  Similnidiiinxiai  iiiiisele  ti'iidinous  for  its  distnl 

half. 

6.  "  Xo  slip  lonves  the  ftiVc;w  ciibUi  muscle  to  join 

the  leitnnr  jxiUigii  InnifUS." 


Ininin.t:  (iiicliiding  Plai'iUida), 

1.  Skull  schi/orliinal. 

2.  Angle  of  the  mandible  produced  nnd  recurved. 

3.  IWfoniUs  mnjiir  niuscli'  simple,  not  .seporoble 

into  disliiiet  layei-s. 

4.  Acceiisorii  femoro-ciiudiil  muscle  weil  devclojieU. 

5.  StmUcndinoxtis  muscle  niusculnr  throughout. 


Ii.    "  A  small  niuscnlar  Ixdly  is  sent  from  the  biceps 

c'tliiti  to  the  tendon  of  the  lennor  imttigii  Imi- 

••     giis  muscle." 

Professor  Onrrod  aiUls  to  tin-  above  talinlation  of  the  dingnostic  elmmeters  of  the  Vieoniidm  nnd  Ibididtr, 

that  "There  nre  many  other  structural  jioiiiliarilles,  which  make  it  perfectly  certain  that  Tantalus  is  n 

nioinlier  of  the  Cicnniida;  nn<l  not  an  aberrant  one,  either." 


78 


ALTUICIAL  (iUAI-LATnlJKS  —  HKHoDlONKS. 


rcjiiDiiH  of  Aiiicririt,  Alririi,  itml  A-iii.  0(  tlif  tivc  HiicrirH  of  Tiiiiliilliin  juliiiiiit'il  \>y  iiiitlKirx,  we 
liiivi'  M'cii,  ill  iiililiijiiii  til  Tdiiiti/iis  l>iiihiiH,-,  (Hilv  till'  T.  iliin,  l.iNN  ,  liiihi  NiiiiIii'hi  ami  Ka^li'in 
Alricii.  'I'lii.x  in  hh  liill'criiit  in  l.niii  .iml  uiiicr  l•llll^ll^tl•^^«  u."  t" -cciii  fniiilcil  tn  Ht'|iurati'  jjciiciif 
rank  :  .iiul  Uniliii^  im  iiaiiu'  aliraiiv  ('>lal>li<lii'<l  <>i'  availaMi',  \\r  have  |ii'(i|>ii-.('il  tlial  i^'ivi'U  alinvr.' 
Tiif  lihliaii  WimhI  IIiis  ( ■/'.  /<(/,i).-.yi/iif/(/;(.  (i>i.)anil  ail  ilir  niin-r  (iM  WoiM  ^^lt■tit•.■^  ^  agivi!  ilnsi-jv  in 

RtrUi'tUli'  with  llic  Allirall  -|Hrii- ('/',   )V,m) 


(iKM  s  MTCTERIA,    LiNNKi-H. 

Miji-tcrin,  Lixv.  S.  N.  .d.  In,  I.  17.V*,  Un  ;  iil.  I'J,  1. 17iltl,  i'il  (tyi>«',  .1/.  niiienfuiri,  «iMi:i..  ex  Lisn.). 

(iKX.  CitAit.    Vny  lar^i'.  Stc>rk-lii\i'  liinl^,  with  ('iii>riiii>u.-«,  sunii'wliat  I'niiirai  aii<l  imiIilt  icinrvi'il 
lieak",  ami  with  ht'iitl  iiml  neck  liaiv  nl'  tualliui''.     Dili  (.'mirniuiiffiy  iai'^'i-,  Inn^^iT  llian  tiii;  vory  lun^' 


J/.  Americana 


>  Cf.  Proc.  U.  8.  Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  V.  p.  Son. 

«  T.  lacleun,  Tkmm.,  of , Java  lunl  SiiuiiitiM,  iiiiil  T.  hnguimcmbris,  Swinii.,  of  South  Chinn  (Amoy). 


iJ.  '.._. 


CKVIXIID.K  — TIIK  STUUK.H  —  MYCTKIMA. 


19 


tai'iH.  much  ciiiiiiiri'!*"*'!!,  lln'  luffral  lUitlitii-H  t'loni^iite-roiiii'iil,  Iml  Imili  ciirvfil  ii|i\viiril  for  the 
li'i'iiiiiiiil  lii>lf  itlii'  p>iiV4  iikhI  nil);  ili'|it|i  III'  till'  liill  at  till'  lia>('  ciiiial  In  alHUit  Iwu  iiiiitli»  tlit* 
li'ii;;tli  <<|  till'  I'liliiirii  ;  ^.'niiV"  I'liii^iili'iaMy  liiii;;i'i'  lliait  tin'  iiiiiii>lil>iilai'  rami  ;  inmtiilM  hiiiall,  li>ii- 
(;iiM<liiial,  ill  til*'  ("I'lii  <'l  an  rlmi^'ati'il  I'llipM',  witlmut  iiii'inlnaiir,  luit  <i\i'iliiiii;;  l>v  a  >liai'|i  |)i'iijt'i't- 
iii^'  lii.iiy  f<l>.'''-  '•*'«"•  *'''■>  1""^;  ;  iiii'Mli'  liir  a  liilli-  If^-.  llimi  mir  iliinl  llif  lai-ii«  ;  laliial  Uk-h 
I'Mii^jili'iaMv  >liiirli't',  till'  olllil  a  litllc  llic  |iiii;,'i'r  ;  liallil\  alnuit  liall  tin-  lrli;;tli  nl  llir  ililii'l'  tin.-, 
il-  ailii'iilatioii  flcvati-il  tli-rjilcilly  iiImivc  that  ol'  tin-  aiilrrinr  ttH'»  ;  iiiiilillr  tm-  iiiiitnl  In  IhiIIi  thu 

lalilill  I'"'  at  lln'  lia-i'  I'V  Hi'll-ilfVili.|H'il  \m1i>,  llic  mili'l'  ulwllirll  i^  llir  lalj^l'r,  tlu-.-r  Wriw  cxlrml- 
illU'.  Il.llliiwly,  aloli^  rarll  >ii|r  nl'  till'  tnro  Inr  llii'il   w  hull'  li'li^tll  ;   rlaWH  .-hurt,  liail-likc,  III'  llatti  lli'il 

mUiVi' atiil  with  lii'iNul  riiiiiHlcii  cikU  ;  liair  iiiiilinii  nl' tlii!  tihia  iiiiuh  iimii'  tliaii  niiu  iialf  the  tarxiiM ; 

li"^.  niViTi'il  ('M'IVwIm'Ii'  ami  Uliirnrililv  willi  <liiall,  |n|i;;it!iiii|ial,  Ili'\a;;n1ial  M-alrn  ;  tn«"<  «ilh 
ti'aii>vri"i'  Miilrlhi'  I'nr  li'iiiiiiial  liall.  I'Iiiiii.i,l;i'  imiIu'I' haul  ami  rnni|iart  alHivi-,  Inn-tT  Ih'Ihw,  tin* 
fi'iiiiiri'"  III' the  iHtstcrinr  |Hii'ti  with  tlu'ir  ui'Im  Miini'what  *h'(-niii|inAi-i| ;  ii|i|h'1-  ^i-1'att.'i'  wiiiK-covcilH 

ail'l  IrlllaU  Wi'll  ih'Vi']n|H'i|,  Inll;.',  Innail,  Mllil    iii|ll|ia'l,  till'    latli'l    r.Vti'llilitl^'    Ih'ViiIhI  till'  til'"  nl'  tint 

|iiiiii.iii('H.  as  wi'll  ai  mill  h  lii'Vnml  tln'  rinl  nl'  thr  tail;  |iiiiiiarirs  vi'iy  ^till',  tlirir  iiiiU'i'  wiIm 
siiiiiali'il  near  the  hasiv'     Tail  hhmi,  a  liltli-  iiiuii!  than  niir  tliinl  as  Inii^'  iix  tlir  win^',  cvi'ii,  thu 

l'ratlirl'->  hmail,  nillllil-i'tlilril,  ami  liinilil'titi'lv  '^lill'.  OrrijUlt  mill  lljijii'l'  jiai't  iif  thr  lia)K'  inVL'l-ril  hy 
a  |mI(  Il  nl'  latlirl'  >hnit  ainl  '•jialM'  liair-likr  I'ratlirix,  tiu'  ri'>t  nl'  llir  hiail  alul  ini  k  lial'i-. 

Till-'  p-tiiis,  »*  ili'liiii'il  al>n\i',  I'liiliiari's  a  Miii}.'lr  .'■|>rrii's  lit'lnii^iii;,'  In  trn|iii'al  Aiinrii'ii,  thu 
.1/.  iiiwriiiiiia,  <!mki..  I'X  Linn.  Mnrc  nr  less  lu-aily  ivlatril  (Hil  WniM  uriiiia  arr  A'/i/iz/iyn'i)- 
ihiiii'liiiit,  UoXAl'.  (ly|>i',  .l/i/.'/i('/i(  HI  iiiiinh  niiiit,  Hii\vi),  .Wiiurliiiiiclniii,  lV)ii\v.  (t\\>t;  M.  (iiinlfiilit, 
Shaw),  ami  Lviilvjitilim,  Lk>>.  (lyiir.  Viinu'm  rrnimtilfini,  t'l  viKIl).  Tlu'w  I  liuNi-  iml  hfcll  uMo 
til  I'xaiiiinu. 

Mycteria  americana. 

THE  JABIBV. 

Miolrriii  iimrrifanii,  l.iw.  S.  N.  nl.  in,  17.',!*,  1  In,  im.  1  (|.ait-)  ;  iil.  I'J,  I.  l""!tl,  -Ji'A'i  (|>iirt,  ('Xrl. 
iliajjiiosis,  wUi.U  zz:^  h'li.i, iiiirii  iiiinjiiiirit.  (iMl.l..  .*<.  N,  I.  17'"'»,  •IM.  I. AIM.  IihI.  t>ni.  II. 
17'.'ll,  ti'O.  —  UiiNAl'.  full-.!..  II.   1H.M,   l(l7,     -  Cl.AV.    Iliillill.    III.  !>7I,  II."..  Iin.  InllHI.        Si  I,    & 

Smv.  Xoni.  Nititr.  1S7:I.  1-'»I.  —  lannw.  Nmn.  .N.  Am.  IJ.  Issl,  iiu.  4UU.  —  Coi'd,  Chfik  l.ikt, 

•J(l  111.  !.>>!>•.•,  iHi.  u:.i. 
I.,  .I,il,ini,il,  r,ii,.„„r,  III  I  !••.  I'l.   I'.iil.  177II-M,  I'l.  S17  (ailiilt). 
JiikWi'iki  Jiihiiii,  I, MM.  .Syimii.   III.  i.   K."".'",  '."J,  Jil.  75. 
Cict'iiiii  iiijir/irid,  Hlli.M.  'I'll.  Ilia.i.  III.  It.-'ill,  ilH. 

Hah.  Tiniijral  Aiiiriira,  I'iniitli  III  Ihii'iins  Ayn'.>« ;  imrtii,  caHiiiilly,  to  Sniitlit.'rn  Ti'xun.  N"  Went 
IikII.im  riToiil. 

Sr.  CiiAK.    Adult  (Xn.  I7III5,  "Sniith  Aiiu'iiia'') :    l'luiii.'i;.'i'  nitiivly  whitu  ;  hill,  h-n^,  and 

I'lcl,   with    Iiaki'il    |inl'tin||    nl'  hiail    ami    link,    Mark  ;    rrn|i,   allil    IcWir    |>iirtinn    nf  lirrk    ail    rnllljil, 

ixi'liOi  (liri;;:ii  nil  in  lid-i.  Wiiii.',  Jli.lMi  ;  tail,  a.'io  ;  ciilnnii.  U.ao;  ili'iith  nl'  l>ill  at  haM-, 
i'..'iO ;  tai-siis,  11. .'■)0;  iiiiililh-  tnc,  l.iiii;  liaff  iiortinn  nl'  tiliia,  tl  "in.  yiiiniij,  truiiHitinii  jiluminje 
(Nn.  S74X.'.,  |,a   I'aliiia,  Cn-ta   Kiia,  Ajuil  l'I.  \'*^-2  ;  ('.('.  .Vulliiij,')  :   I'iliiiiii  ami  miiiait  tlntlnil 

»itliilii>ky  Mark  hairlikt'  Iratliii's,  tlir^c  Inii^'i'st  nii  tin ri|>iit,  w Ik'I'c  tiny  Inriii  .--nnirwliat  nl  a 

liii-iiy  I  Ti'sl ;  I'l'atlu-i'i'il  |inrtinii  nl'  InwiT  nn  k  liu'lit  1ii'nw'iii>li  u'lay  ;  iiiniji,  ii|>|«'r  lail-cnvi'its.  aiiil 
i.iil,  wiiitu  ;  ii'st  nl'  u|)|K'i-  |i.'iil  suit  liinwiii>li  uray,  ini'.i.'ulaily  iiiixi'il  with  jiiiri-  w liiti'  I'l'athci'*  (nf 
ilii'  adult  liven),  tlicsi-  nm^t  iiiinit'inus  aiimiij,'  tin-  h'ssiT  wiiiL'-invci'ts  ami  aiiliiinr  M'a|iiilai'> ; 
liriiiiaii('>  wliitf,  tinpil  with  ^lay  at  imls.     Lnwir  jiarts  iiitinly   white.     Mill,   all   tlie   nakeil 


'  Till'  wiliffs  of  the  only  8]M'i'iliii'li  at  IMrsi'llI  lu'eessilile  to  ll.s  ale  lllllill  ilullia^eil,  i«>  that  the  wing- 
loriiiiila  anil  the  exaet  iliarneter  '.il'  the  oiitliiie  nl'  llie  inner  Wilis  of  the  i|nill.>*  eaiiliol  Ik-  iiseeitauivil  NitiS' 
fiiitiiiily. 

'  I.innanis'H  ilingnosis,  "  Mnpiitmlo  I'ieoniii',  allm,  reini^'iliiiK  ivetrieihiiHiiue  ni),'n)-]>in'|iiiiiiHeentilin'i," 
"ill  lint  .i|)|ily  at  all  to  this  s|M'iie'.,  Init  is  iilivinusly  a|i|ilii'iilile  In  Kii.ii  it  iira  iiiiiijiinri  (.si'e  |iaf;e  77).  The 
;,'ilii'lir  ilia^'noslK,  howevei-,  a|i|ilii's  to  Mticlniii.  a.s  iln  al.sii  must  of  the  refelviiecB  liteil. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


.•V  ^ 


1.0 


1.1 


t&WlA    |2.5 

|5o   "^™     H^H 

■i>  m    12.2 

S  Hi   ^" 

:  liiL  i2.o 


1.25  III  1.4 


II 


1.6 


/. 


orw/ 


/^ 


# 


i\ 


^ 


c\ 


\ 


'^. 


;\ 


'4^ 


^ 


V  '  ■ !  r 


80 


ALTRICIAL  GRALLATORES  -  HERODIONES. 


portion  of  head  and  neck  (except  lower  portion  of  the  latter),  legs,  and  feet,  black  ;  "collar  round 
lower  neck  bright  scarlet ;  iria  brown."  Wing,  24.50 ;  tail,  9.50  ;  culmen,  9.75  ;  tunsuB,  11.26  ; 
middle  toe,  4.50. 


This  species  is  of  accidental  occurrence  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 
There  is  but  one  record  of  its  capture,  and  tliat  very  imperfect.  It  is  said  to  have 
occurred  near  (Jalveston,  Texas.  The  Jabiru,  or  American  Stork,  appears  to  have 
much  in  common,  in  its  manner  of  life,  with  the  Cironnda-  of  the  Old  World.  It  is 
to  be  met  with  in  portions  of  Central  America  and  the  larger  jiortion  of  South 
America,  but  is  of  rare  occurrence  farther  north.  It  is  abundant  on  the  seaboard 
and  on  the  rivers  of  Uemerara,  and  mention  of  its  presence  there  is  occasionally 
made  by  Mr.  C.  H.  Brown  in  his  "Canoe  and  Camp  Life  in  British  Guiana."  He 
speaks  of  fre(piently  nun^ting  with  it,  in  conqjany  with  Ardea  coco!,  and  of  the  pecu- 
liar and  striking  appearance  it  presents,  Avith  its  long,  stout,  up-curved  beak,  black 
bare  head,  and  scarlet-banded  neck.  When  wounded  and  bi'ouglit  to  bay,  it  will 
inflate  the  skin  of  the  scarlet-colored  portion  of  its  neck  like  a  great  bladder.  It 
stands  fully  five  feet  in  height,  and  walks  with  a  slow  and  .stately  tread.  On  one 
occasion  he  passed  near  one  of  the  nests  of  tliis  bird.  It  was  on  a  lofty  tree,  and 
appeared  to  be  a  large  flat  jdatform.  on  the  edge  of  which  two  young  Jabirus 
were  standing.  It  was  seemingly  in  all  respects  a  complete  counterpart  of  the 
familiar  nest  of  the  White  Stork  of  Europe.  An  egg  in  the  cabinet  of  Count  Turati, 
of  Milan,  Italy,  is  of  a  rounded  oval  shape,  of  a  uniform  olive-green  color,  and  meas- 
ures 3.33  inches  by  2.20. 


Genus  TANTALUS,  Linnaeus. 

Tantalus,  Linn.  S.  N.  ed.  10,  I.  1758,  140  ;  ed.  12,  I.  1766,  240  (type,  T.  loculator,  Linn.). 
Tantalidcs,  Keichend.  Hand-b.  1851,  p.  xiv.     Same  type.     (Not  of  AVaoleu,  \iZ2,=Plegadis, 
Kaup.) 

Gen.  Char.  Large,  Stork-like  birds,  with  long  legs,  neck,  and  beak,  the  latter  attenuated  and 
decurved  terminally,  much  as  in  the  true  Ibises.  Bill  much  ti,  =ckened  at  the  base,  both  vertically 
and  laterally,  much  attenuated  terminally,  where  almost  abruptly,  but  not  greatly,  decurved. 
Nostrils  bored  directly  into  the  bony  substance  of  the  bill,  the  maxilla  destitute  of  any  trace  of  a 
nasal  groove.    Legs  covered  with  small  longitudinally  hexagonal  scales.    Toes  long,  very  slender, 


;•  :"!i'Vfi 


CICONIID^  —  THE  STORKS  —  TANTALUS. 


81 


the  middle  one  about,  or  a  little  more  than,  half  the  length  of  the  tarsus,  the  outer  one  reaching 
to  the  middle  of  the  subterminal  phalanx  of  the  middle  toe,  the  inner  much  shorter,  not  reaching 
the  subterminal  articulation  of  the  middle  toe  ;  hallux  about  equal  to  the  inner  toe  and  claw  ; 
Ijare  portion  of  the  tibia  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  the  upper  third,  or  more,  without  scales,  and 


T.  loculator.        -  , 

smooth  ;  web  between  inner  and  middle  toes  well  developed^  but  smaller  than  the  outer  web. 
Plumage  comi)act  above,  loose  below,  the  feathers  of  the  neck  small,  their  webs  somewhat  decom- 
jxjsed.  Remiges  well  developed,  the  tertials  reaching  to  the  end  of  the  primaries,  the  latter  hard, 
concave  beneath,  the  outcn-  i'our  with  their  inner  webs  deejdy  siiiuated  at  or  anterior  to  the  middle 
portion  ;  second,  third,  and  fourth  quills  nearly  ecpial,  or  longest.  Tail  short  (shorter  than  bill  or 
tarsus),  even,  of  12  broad,  stiff  feathers.  Adult,  with  the  whole  head  and  upper  half  of  the  nape 
bare,  covered  with  a  liard,  scurfy,  and  more  or  less  corrugated  skin.  Youny,  with  the  whole 
bead  and  neck,  except  the  chin  and  forehead,  feathered. 

Tantalus  loculator. 

THE  WOOD  IBIS. 

Wood  Pelican,  Catesby,  Carolinn,  pi.  81. 

Tantalus  loculator,  Lixs.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  I.  1758,  140,  no.  1  (ex  Klein,  127  ;  Catesby,  I.  81) ;  ed.  12, 

1766,  I.  241,  no.  1.  — Wils.  Am.  Orn.  VIII.  1814,  39,  pi.  66,  fig.  1.  — Nittt.  Man.  II.  1834, 

82.  —  Ari>.  Oin.  Biog.  III.  183.'),  128,  pi.  216  ;  Synop.  1839,  259  ;  Birds  Am.  VI.  1843,  64,  pi. 

361  (adult).  —  Cass,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  682.  —  Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  497. 

—  Coues,  Key,  1872,  262  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  444  ;  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  648  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874  ; 

513.  -lliDow.  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  500. 
Tantalus  plumicollis,  Spix.  Av.  Bras.  ])1.  85  (young). 
"Ibis  nandMsswi ;  I.  nandnpoa,  Vieiu,."  (Gray  &  BoNAP.) 
Le  Cimaca,  de  Cayenne,  Buff.  PI.  Eiil.  1770-84,  pi.  868  (adult). 
Wood  Ibis,  Penn.  Arct.  Zool.  11.  1785,  458,  no.  360. 
Tantalus  ichthyophagus,  the  Gannet,  Bartuam,  Travels,  1791,  293. 

VOL.   I.  —  11 


•^^m^nr 


!"      1 
II 


'    'nil 


!    ;    ■     .'5 


i:-4 


MW^^ 


:^i  ^  i! 


i4 


iHI^!' 


3 : !    ■     ;^ 


82 


ALTRICIAL  GRALLATORES  -  IlERODIONES. 


IIab.  The  whole  of  tropical  and  wttnii-tuinpemte  America ;  noitli  to  New  York  (casual), 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Wisconsin,  Colorado,  Utah,  Nevada,  and  California  ;  south  to  Ecuador  and  iJuenos 
Ayre:j. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult :  Head  and  upper  half  of  the  neck  naked,  and  covered  with  a  hard,  scurfy 
skin,  of  a  dusky  color  ;  the  vertex  covei-ed  hy  a  somewhat  shield-shaped  liorny  phite,  of  a  li;,'hter 
color,  the  neck  with  transverse,  somewhat  ovute,  Ijiuk-like,  ru>,'ose  scales.  Plumage  in  general 
uniform  while,  the  primary-coverts,  remitjes,  and  rectrices  black,  with  metallic  purple,  bronze,  and 
green  reflections.  "  Bill  dusky  yellowish  l)rown,  the  edges  yellow  ;  sides  of  the  head  dark  bluish 
purple,  upper  part  of  head  horn-color,  or  <lull  grayish  yellow,  the  rest  of  the  baie  skin  of  the  same 


tint,  many  of  the  scales  anteriorly  blue  ;  iris  deep  brown,  at  a  distance  seeming  black ;  tibia  and 
tarsus  indigo-blue  ;  toes  above  black,  on  tlie  lateral  and  hind  toes,  however,  many  of  the  scutelhc 
bluish  gray,  the  webs  pale  yellowish  flesh-color;  claws  black"  (Aududon).  Yotimj :  Head  and 
neck  covered  with  rather  scant,  somewhat  "  woolly  "  feathers,  excepting  tlie  forehead,  anterior  part 
of  the  crown,  lores,  anterior  portion  of  malar  region,  chin,  and  anterior  part  of  throat,  which  arc 
covered  with  a  smooth  skin.  Head  and  neck  grayish  brown,  darkest  on  the  occiput  (where  dark 
sooty),  growing  gradually  paler  below.  Rest  of  the  plumage  as  in  the  adult,  but  the  black  feath- 
ers of  wings  and  tail  less  metallic*  Immature:  Head  bare  and  corrugated,  as  in  the  adult ;  neck 
feathered,  as  iu  the  young.  Wing,  17.60-19.50;  tail,  «.  10-7.30;  culmen,  7.55-9.30;  depth  of 
bill  through  nostril,  1.55-1.90  ;  tarsus,  7.00-8.50  ;  middle  toe,  3.85-4.30  ;  bare  part  of  tibia,  5.00- 
6.25  ;*  weight,  11|  lbs.  ;  total  length,  44^  inches  ;  extent  of  wings,  62  inches  (Audubon). 

Varying  accounts  have  been  given  of  the  habits  and  peculiarities  of  this  re- 
markable si)ecies ;  and  although  some  of  these  divergencies  have  at  first  appeared 
irreconcilable  with  each  other,  and  as  if  one  or  the  other  statement  must  be  utterly 
erroneous,  more  recent  investigations  have  done  much  to  exi)lain  and  harmonize 
these  apparent  discords.  Bartram,  who  enjoyed  many  opportunities  for  observing 
the  habits  of  this  species  in  Florida,  characterizes  it  as  solitary  and  indolent,  sel- 
dom associating  in  flocks,  usually  frequenting  the  banks  of  tlie  principal  rivers 
and  marshes,  especially  where  these  are  inundated,  as  well  as  deserted  rice-planta- 
tions near  the  sea-coast.  He  describes  it  as  a  feathered  hermit  standing  listless 
and  alone  on  the  topmost  limb  of  some  tall  decayed  cypress,  its   neck   drawn   in 

1  According  to  Audubon,  "the  young  are  dusky  gray  all  over,  the  quills  and  tail  brownish  bln(!k  ; 
the  head  all  covered  with  down,  excepting  just  nt  the  base  of  the  bill.  After  the  first  monlt,  the  bare 
space  extends  over  the  head  and  cliceks  ;  tlie  downy  feathere  of  the  hind  head  and  neck  are  dusky  ;  the 
general  color  of  the  plumage  is  white,  the  quills  and  tail  as  in  the  adult,  but  with  less  gloss." 

"  Ten  adults  measured. 


CICONIID.E  —  THE  STORKS  —  TANTALUS. 


83 


ui)on  its  shoulders,  and  its  enormous  bill  resting,  like  a  scythe,  upon  its  breast. 
In  this  manner  the  bird  is  said  to  pass  most  of  its  time,  until  awakened  by  the 
calls  of  hunger ;  and  it  is  also  mentioned  that  it  is  easily  approached  and  shot, 
and  is  by  many  of  the  inhal)itants  a(!counted  excellent  food.  These  were  Mr.  Bar- 
tram's  observations ;  and  for  several  of  his  statements  he  is  severely  taken  to  task 
by  Mr.  Audubon. 

J)r.  Henry  l?ryant,  however,  who  has  since  gone  over  the  same  ground  on  the  St. 
John's  as  Hartrara  did,  and  in  the  same  way,  remarks,  in  commenting  upon  Audu- 
bon's criticisms,  that  the  latter  should  have  remembered  that  the  habits  of  birds 
vary  at  different  times  and  in  different  places,  and  states  that,  strange  as  it  may 
seem  when  the  long  period  of  time  that  has  elapsed  is  taken  into  view,  his  Jour- 
nal is  almost  an  exact  repetition  of  Jiartram's.  While  in  Florida  he  never  saw  a 
flock  of  Wood  Ibises  except  at  their  breeding-places ;  and  even  there,  except  when 
they  were  disturbed,  they  flew  off  and  returned  either  singly  or  in  pairs.  He  did 
not  see  them  feeding  in  more  than  a  few  instances,  and  then  there  was  never  more 
than  a  pair  at  a  time.  The  stomachs  of  all  those  that  were  killed  by  Dr.  IJryant 
contained  only  crayfish,  which  could  not  readily  be  procured  in  the  manner  Audubon 
declares  to  be  its  only  method  of  feeding. 

The  Wood  Ibis  is  found  distributed  over  a  large  portion  of  South  America, 
Central  America,  Mexico,  and  the  southern  portions  of  North  America.  It  is 
iV)und  in  all  the  Gulf  States,  is  most  abundant  in  Florida,  straggles  into  Georgia, 
South  Carolina,  Tennessee,  and  Kentuirky,  and  is  not  uncommon  in  Southern  Illinois 
and  Missouri,  but  occurring  more  rarely  in  Colorado,  Kansas,  Nevada,  and  Utah. 
lUirmeister  speaks  of  it  as  common  on  the  banks  of  the  Ttarana  liiver,  in  small 
tlocks,  going  from  one  lagoon  to  another,  rarely  seen  except  when  flying.  When 
on  the  ground  it  always  conceals  itself  in  the  reeds,  and  is  hardly  ever  visible 
there. 

Mr.  Salvin  mentions  it  as  not  uncommon  about  the  large  rivers  in  the  forests 
of  the  Pacific  coast  region  of  Guiitemala.  It  is  there  known  among  the  Spanish 
by  the  name  of  Alcatras.  Mr.  Salvin  afterward  met  with  it  on  the  Pacific  sea- 
coast  of  Guatemala  among  the  lagoons;  and  Mr.  G.  C.  Taylor  mentions  meeting 
with  it  in  Honduras,  near  the  village  of  Lamani. 

Keferring  to  this  species,  Mr.  C.  Barrington  Erown,  in  his  work  on  British 
(iuiana,  makes  frequent  mention  of  meeting  with  large  birds,  called  by  some,  Sowe- 
wies,  by  others,  Negroscopes.  He  found  them  numerous  in  that  region,  and  to  be 
seen  in  large  numbers  on  the  sand-beaches  of  the  River  Essequibo.  He  describes 
their  heads  and  necks  as  bare  of  feathers  and  as  covered  with  a  hard  black  skin 
divided  by  furrows  into  plates.  Their  white  bodies  contrasted  with  their  black 
wings.  They  were  frequently  to  be  seen  soaring  high  up  into  the  heavens,  in 
circles,  mounting  up  higher  sind  higher,  until  they  appeared  like  mere  specks. 

In  the  Mississippi  Valley  this  bird  wanders  occasionally  as  far  north  as  Chicago 
and  Eacine ;  in  the  Red  River  region  of  Texas  it  Avas  observed  by  Lieutenant 
M'Cauley  as  far  up  as  the  Staked  Plains.  It  was  also  seen  by  Mr.  Henshaw  at 
Rush  Lake  in  Utah,  where  he  procured  two  specimens  in  October.  Mr.  Bischoff 
met  Avith  it  in  Nevada  in  July. 

This  bird  is  said  to  congregate  at  times  in  large  numbers  high  up  in  the  air, 
where,  with  hardly  any  apparent  motion,  it  sweeps  in  extended  circles,  in  a  man- 
ner not  unlike  the  graceful  movements  of  the  Turkey  Vulture,  with  which  bird  it 
is  also  not  unfrequently  seen  to  associate. 

Dr.  Gundlach  includes  it  among  the  birds  that  breed  in  Cuba ;  and  it  probably 


i^ 


84 


ALTRICIAL  GKALLATOIIES  —  IIERODIONES. 


w. 


J 


HI 

ilf 

I'l  11 

|i;i<   1  ll 

r, '  ''jjii 

iMl 

t'it 

occurs  ill  most  of  the  West  India  Islands  tliat  afford  suitable  places  of  resort. 
Leotaud  states  that  it  occasionally  visits  Trinidad,  where  he  has  often  met  with  it 
perched  upon  the  large  trees  that  grow  on  the  edges  of  swampy  places,  or  walking 
on  the  borders  of  pools.  lie  does  not  give  it  as  a  resident  of  the  island,  but  re- 
garded it  as  a  mere  winter  visitant,  only  seen  from  July  to  October.  He  speaks 
of  it  as  eminently  sociable,  as  being  usually  seen  in  small  flocks,  and  of  its  food 
as  chiefly  reptiles. 

Mr.  Dresser  mentions  it  as  of  not  uncommon  occurrence  near  San  Antonio.  He 
was  informed  by  the  jdanters  that  it  breeds  on  the  Brazos  and  Colorado  rivers, 
Texas.  Mr.  Boardman  informs  me  that  in  Florida  it  is  usually  known  as  a  "Gan- 
net,"  from  the  apiwarance  it  jjresents  in  the  air  as  it  flies.  He  found  it  nesting  in 
swamps,  in  cypress  trees,  the  nests  resembling  those  of  Herons.  In  these  this  bird 
roosts  throughout  the  year,  when  not  occupied  in  incubation. 

Dr.  Bryant  visited  two  of  its  breeding-places.  The  flrst  was  in  a  large  cypress 
swamp  at  the  head-waters  of  the  St.  Sebastian.  The  trees  were  more  than  a  hun- 
dred feet  in  height,  and  he  could  not  by  any  means  get  access  to  the  nests.  The 
Ibises  were  breeding  in  company  with  the  large  White  Egret.  The  other  breeding- 
place  was  in  the  cypress  swamp  forming  the  southern  border  of  Lake  Ashby,  where 
there  were  probably  a  thousand  pairs  nesting.  Every  available  spot  on  the  tops  of 
the  cypresses  had  been  taken  possession  of  by  a  pair,  and  lower  down  Avere  nests  of 
the  Anhingas.  No  other  bird  was  breeding  there  except  a  single  pair  of  Fish-hawks, 
whose  nest  was  surrounded  by  those  of  the  Ibis.  On  flrst  approaching  the  shore, 
the  birds  all  rose  and  flew  round  in  circles,  and  after  a  few  of  them  had  been  killed, 
flew  off;  but  soon  returned,  and  alighted  out  of  reach  among  the  trees.  The  nests 
were  all  made  of  small  twigs,  and  seemed  to  have  been  occupied  for  many  years. 
The  cavity  was  quite  deep,  and  carefully  lined  with  long  moss.  The  eggs  Avere  three 
in  number,  nearly  white,  when  not  soiled  by  the  parent  bird  or  stained  by  the  moss. 
Three  specimens,  selected  by  Dr.  Bryant,  gave  the  following  measurements,  —  the 
longest  2.56  by  1.54  inches,  the  broadest  2.28  by  1.57  inches,  and  one  of  average  size 
2.32  by  l.Gl  inches.  Incubation  had  commenced  by  the  1st  of  April,  and  many  of 
the  young  were  already  hatched.  The  largest  were  about  the  size  of  a  Pigeon,  and 
covered  with  white  down. 

Mr.  Audubon's  observations  relative  to  the  habits  of  this  bird  led  him  to  some 
conclusions  which  are  not  so  general  as  he  supposed,  and  which  the  experience  of 
others  shows  to  be  not  without  exceptions.  According  to  him  it  is  rarely  met  with 
singly,  even  after  the  breeding-season.  He  states  that  a  number  of  these  birds  get 
together  to  feed,  that  they  flrst  dance  about  in  the  water  to  render  it  muddy,  and  then 
take  advantage  of  this  condition  to  kill  the  reptiles  and  flsh  in  large  numbers  before 
eating  them.  Without  discrediting  this  statement,  it  is  yet  apparent  that  this  is  by 
no  means  its  universal,  or  even  its  common,  course  ;  and  much  of  the  food  found  in 
its  stomach  could  not  have  been  procured  in  this  way. 

He  describes  its  flight  as  heavy  on  rising  from  the  ground ;  its  neck  is  then  deeply 
curved  downward,  its  wings  flap  heavily,  and  its  legs  are  not  stretched  out  behind 
until  it  has  proceeded  several  yards.  It  then  ascends  with  great  celerity,  generally 
in  a  spiral  direction,  in  silence,  if  not  alarmed  ;  if  frightened,  it  utters  a  rough  gut- 
tural croaking  note.  It  proceeds  in  a  direct  flight,  with  alternate  flapping  and  sailing, 
the  latter  being  more  prolonged.  It  alights  on  trees  with  more  ease  than  the  Heron, 
and  either  stands  erect,  or  crouches  on  the  branch  in  the  manner  of  a  Wild  Turkey. 
When  at  rest  it  places  its  bill  against  its  breast,  while  the  neck  seems  to  shrink 
between  the  shoulders.    In  this  position  one  may  sometimes  see  fifty  on  the  same 


IBIDID.E  — THE  IBISES. 


85 


tree.  lu  the  spring  months  it  collects  in  huge  flocks  before  returning  to  its  breed- 
ing-place. When  a  breeding-place  has  been  once  chosen,  this  is  resorted  to  for  many 
years  in  succession,  and  tlie  birds  are  Avith  difflcultv  made  to  abandon  it.  This  Ibis 
feeds  largely  on  fishes,  and  also  devours  frogs,  young  alligators,  wood-rats,  various 
kinds  of  young  birds,  crabs,  snakes,  turtles,  and  the  like.  It  is  very  tenacious  of 
lite,  and  if  wounded  resists  vigorously,  and  is  dangerous  to  approach.  It  is  very 
tougli  and  oily,  and  unfit  for  food. 

Mr.  Moore  states  that  the  AVood  Il)is,  when  feeding,  rakes  the  oozy  bottom,  or 
the  marine  plants,  in  the  numner  of  several  Herons,  to  startle  their  prey,  crayfish, 
minnows,  sirens,  etc.  It  keeps  its  long  bill  in  the  water,  and  open  two  or  three 
indies  at  the  tip,  the  latter  in  contact  with  the  mud,  at  about  the  depth  of  the 
object  sought.  In  this  position  it  walks  slowly  about,  raking  the  bottom  with  first 
one  foot,  then  the  other,  as  each  is  moved  forward  to  make  a  step,  and  just  before 
its  weiglit  is  thrown  upon  it.  Many  of  the  animals  on  Avhich  the  bird  feeds  are 
startled  from  their  coverts  by  this  raking,  and  in  their  fright  take  shelter  within  the 
open  bill  of  their  enemy. 

Tliis  Ibis  feeds  both  in  fresh  and  in  salt  water.  Mr.  Moore  counted,  on  the  28th 
of  February,  114  of  this  species  feeding  in  one  flock  in  a  very  shallow  and  muddy 
pond,  where  they  were  apparently  finding  many  sirens. 

Dr.  IJerlandier  states  that  the  Wood  Ibis  inhabits  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  is  found  ten  leagues  from  it  about  the  lakes,  and  especially  in  low  and 
marshy  places.  It  occurs  in  flocks,  and  is  found  in  summer  —  in  the  months  of 
tlune,  July,  and  August  —  in  the  vicinity  of  Matamoras.  It  is  in  appearance  a  very 
stupid  bird,  and  is  known  as  the  Tagarates. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  uniform  dull  white  color,  and  vary  in  shape 
from  a  rounded  oval  to  a  nearly  exact  oval  shape ;  one  end  is  always  a  little  more 
obtuse  than  the  other.  They  average  about  2.50  inches  in  length  by  2  inches  in 
breadth.  One  from  Para,  collected  by  John  E.  Warren,  Esq.,  of  Troy,  measures  2.78 
inches  in  length  by  1.85  in  breadth,  which  does  not  correspond  with  Dr.  Bryant's 
measurements. 


Family  IBIDID/E.  —  The  Ibises. 


Ibidince,  Reichenb.  Haiidb.  1851,  pp.  xiii,  xiv  (part ;  includes  Tantahts,  Numeniun,  and  Pelidna  I) 

Ibldinae,  BoxAi'.  Coiisp.  11.  1857,  150. 

Ibididcc,  RiDow.,  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  and  Geog.  Survey  Terr.  IV.  no.  1,  Feb.  5,  1878,  221. 

Char.  Wading  birds  of  medium  to  rather  large  size,  the  bill  much  elongated, 
attenuated,  more  or  less,  toward  the  end,  and  bent  downward,  more  or  less  de- 
cidedly, in  sickle-fashion,  like  that  of  the  Curlews  {Nwrnenius).  Nostrils  sub-basal, 
ktero-superior,  with  more  or  less  of  a  membrane  above  and  behind ;  nasal  fossa; 
continued  forward  to  the  very  extremity  of  the  maxilla  in  the  form  of  a  deep, 
narrow,  continuous  groove.  Hallux  almost  incumbent ;  claws  slender,  projecting 
far  beyond  the  ends  of  the  toes. 

The  true  Ibises  form  an  eminently  natural  group  of  wading  birds,  distinguished 
from  their  nearest  allies  by  the  above  characters.  The  species  are  moderately  nu- 
merous (about  twenty-six  being  known),  and  are  dispersed  over  the  warmer  regions 
of  the  earth  —  America  possessing  a  larger  number  than  any  other  country  (nine 


n 


86 


ALTllICIAL  GUALLATOUES  —  IIERODIONES. 


H 


species,  not  including  several  of  doubtful  validity,  or  about  one  tliird  of  tliosc  known). 
Of  tlic  exotic  species,  Africa  jmjsscsscs  about  nine  (two  of  them  in  ('omnion  witli 
Southern  Europe),  Asia  five,  and  Australia  two.  A  very  great  diversity  of  form  and 
plumage  is  to  be  seen  among  tiie  various  species,  some  being  trim  and  graceful  in 
their  build,  and  others  uncouth,  with  Vulture-like  head  and  neck  —  some  plain  in 
colors,  while  others  are  among  the  most  brilliant  of  birds.  The  scarh^t  jdumage  of 
iiWof/w its  n<it'r  is  not  surpassed  in  nature  for  purcness  and  intensity  of  color,  and 
tlio  beautiful  decomposed  tertial  i)lumes  of  Ibis  a-thiopicus  are  scarcely  excelled  in 
gracefulness.  The  species  of  Mol ijbdo2)huncs,  Thrristicus,  and  Ccrcibls,  however, 
possess  but  little  beauty. 

The  family  is  divisible  into  two  well-defined  sections,  which  may  be  termed  sub- 
families, distinguished  mainly  by  the  character  of  the  tarsal  scutellation.  They  may 
bo  detined  as  follows  :  — 

Suh-iaiuily  Ibidinae.     Fioiit  of  the  tnrsus  covered  with  liexn^'onal  sciiles. 
Sub-fiunily  Eudooiminae.    Front  of  the  tursus  with  large,  transverse  scutellic,  urruiiged  in  a  more 
or  less  continuous  single  series. 

Both  the  above  sub-families  are  represented  in  America,  but  only  the  latter  in  the 
northern  continent.  The  North  American  genera  may  be  recognized  by  the  follow- 
ing characters :  — 

SuD-FAMiLY  EUDOt'IMINi^E.i  —  The  Idises. 

Budocimus.  Head  of  adult  wholly  naked  anteriorly.  Feathers  of  tlie  pileum  short,  close,  and 
blended,  and  those  of  the  neck  not  distnictly  lanceolate.  Colors  plain  white  or  red,  with  black 
wing-ti])s,  in  adults,  dull  gray  and  white  in  young. 

Plegadia.  Head  of  adult  wholly  feathered,  except  the  lores  ;  feathers  of  the  pileum  distinctly 
lanceolate  and  slightly  elongated,  fornwng  a  slightly  rounded  crest  when  erected.  Colors 
highly  metallic,  of  varied  tints  ;  in  adult,  metallic  greeiush,  bronze  or  purple  above,  plain 
brown  beneath,  in  yoiuig. 


■■A 


Genus  EUDOCIMUS,  Wagleii." 

Eudocimus,  Waol.  Isis,  1832,  1232  (typo,  Tantalus  ruber,  LiNX.). 
Gunra,  "JoAS  de  Lakt.,"  Keu  henii.  Hamlb.  1851,  p.  xiv  (same  type). 
"Paribis,  Geoffroy." 
Lcucibis,  Keiciienb.  Handb.  1851,  p.  xiv  (typo,  Tankdus  aJbcr,  Linn.). 

Gen.  Char.  —  Bill  moderately  slender,  attenuated  toward  the  end,  strongly  decurved  ;  bare 
portion  of  the  tibia  equal  to  er  ra'ber  shorter  than  tlie  outer  toe  ;  nuddle  toe,  with  claw,  shorter 
than  the  tai'sus  ;  inner  toe  (withoi.i,  claw)  reaching  to  or  a  little  beyond  the  subterminal  articula- 
tion of  the  middle  toe  ;  outer  toe  reaching  to  or  beyond  the  middle  of  the  subterminal  phalanx  of 
the  middle  toe  ;  hallux  about  etpial  to  the  basal  phalanx  of  the  inner  toe ;  claws  short,  moderately 
curved,  that  of  the  middle  toe  more  or  less  bent  outwardly  toward  the  tip,  its  inner  projecting 

*  For  a  more  comprehensive  account  of  tlie  birds  of  this  family,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  following 
special  papers  :  — 

(1)  Review  of  tlie  Ibidhuc,  or  Suh-famihj  of  the  Ibises,  by  D.  G.  Elliot,  F.R.S.E.,  etc.,  in  Proc.  Zool. 
Soc,  London,  1877,  pp.  477-510. 

(2)  Systematische  Ucbcrsieht  der  SchreilvOgcl  {Orcssores),  etc.,  von  Dr.  Ant.  Eeichenow,  in  Jour,  fiir 
Om.,  1877  (the  Ibises  on  pp.  143-146). 

«  Cf.  Elliot,  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  482 ;  Scl.  &  Salv.,  Ibis,  Oct.  1878,  449,  foot-note.  The  latter  say  : 
"  Ibis  was  applied  by  Savigiiy  in  1810  to  the  Sacred  Ibis,  before  Vieillot  used  it  for  the  former  group 
[i.  e.  /.  alba  end  I.  rubra],  for  which,  consequently,  Eudocimus  of  Wagler  is  the  correct  term," 


IBIDID.E  —  THE  IBISES  —  EUDOCIMUS. 


87 


edge  convex.  Anterior  hall"  of  the  head  bare  (in  the  adnlt)  iiicliuUng  the  Ibrelieail,  lores,  orbital 
and  malar  ii'gions,  chin,  and  more  or  less  of  the  throat  ;  in  the  young,  tliia  bare  nkin  more 
ivstiictL'd.  Feathers  of  the  head  and  neck  den.fc  but  rather  soft,  with  rathur  distinct  outlines, 
lull  with  Honiewhat  truncated  tiiw.  Primaries  uxtendinj,'  a  little  1  eyond  the  tcrtials,  the  second 
and  third  ([uills  li)nj,'est  and  nearly  eiiual,  lirst  a  little  shorter  tliau  the  fourth  j  inner  webs  of 
(inter  four  slightly  sinuated  toward  their  ends. 

Synopsis  of  Species. 

1.  B.  ruber.    Adult:  Ends  of  several  outer  primaries  glossy  blue-black;  rest  of  pluningc 

entirely  uniform  rich  pun;  scarlet,  the  shafts  of  the  primaries  white,  as  far  as  the  black 
tii)s.  Bill  dusky  or  reddish ;  bare  skin  of  head  pinkish,  or  lake-red  ;  legs  and  feet  ret). 
Young:  Dark  brownish  gray,  the  Ixdly  white.  Wing,  10.80-11.00;  tail,  4.10-4.80; 
culmen,  fi.(KMi.,')0  ;  depth  of  bill,  .70  ;  tai'sus,  3.70-3.80  ;  nnddle  toe,  2.r).")-2.()0.  Hnh. 
Tropical  America,  on  the  Atlantic  side;  accidental  (( )  in  Loui.siana  and  Texas. 

2.  B.  albuB.     Ends  of  several  outer  primaries  glos.sy  greenish  black  ;  rest  of  plumage  entirely 

pure  white.  Bill,  naked  portion  of  head,  legs,  and  feet,  reddish  (pale  yellowish  in  dried 
skins);  iris  pale  blue.  Yonmj :  Uniform  grayish  brown,  the  rump,  base  of  tail,  and 
under  parts  white  ;  head  and  neck  streaked  with  white  and  grayish,  the  former  feath- 
ered nearly  to  the  bill.  Wing,  10..30-11.7r)  ;  tail,  4.(H)-.").00  ;  culmen,  4.1.5-(i.30  ;  depth 
of  bill,  .()0-.72;  tar.sus,  3.10-4.00;  middle  toe,  2.1.')-2.70.  Hah.:  Southern  States, 
north,  casually,  to  Connet'ticut,  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  Illinois,  and  Utah  ;  south  to 
Brazil  and  throughout  West  Indies. 

EudocimuB  ruber. 


THE  SCABLET  IBIS. 

Tantalus  ruber,  LiNN.  S.  N.  I.  i7C>(],  241,  no.  5.  —  Wir.soN.  Am.  Orn.  VIII.  1814,  41,  \A.  Ixvi. 

Eiidocimiis  ruber,  yVAnu,  Isis,  1832,  1232.  —  Kinow.  .Vom.  N.  Am.  li.  1882,  no.  502.  —  CorEs, 
Check -List,  2a  cd.  1882,  no.  6',2. 

Scnfoprix  rubra,  .Scoroi.i,  Bcincrk.  od.  Cliintli.  1770,  106,  no.  130. 

Ihis  rubra,  ViEii.i..  Nouv.  Diet.  XVI.  1817,  22.  —  NriT.  Man.  II.  1834,  84.  —  AuD.  Om.  Biog.  V. 
1839,  62  ;  Synop.  1839,  2.')7  ;  Birds  Am.  VI.  1843,  53,  pi.  359  (adult  and  young).  —Cassin,  in 
Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  683.  —  Baiud,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  498.  —  Coumcs,  Key,  1872, 
204;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  447.  —  Scl.  &  Sai.v.  Noni.  Neotr.  1873,  126.  —  BoucAUi),  Catal. 
Av.  1876,  48,  no.  1337. 

Ilab.  —  Chiefly  the  northern  .shores  of  South  America,  but  also  occurs  .sjiaringly  among  the 
West  Indian  Ishmds  and  on  the  Gulf  Coast  of  Middle  America;  accidental  (/)  in  Louisiana  and 
Southern  Te.\as. 

Sp.  Char. — Adult:  Ends  of  the  four  outer  primaries  glos.sy  blue-black,  with  a  steel-blue 
reflection;  rest  of  the  plumage  entirely  uniform  rich  ]>ure  scarlet,  the  shafts  of  the  primaries, 
as  far  as  the  bhick  tips,  pure  white.  Bill  grayish-black  ;i  bare  skin  of  the  head  pale  lake-red 
or  ])inkish;  legs  and  feet  red.  Young:  Brownish  gray,  much  darker  than  in  E.  alius;  abdomen 
white. 

Length,  about  28.00-30.00  ;  expanse,  40.00-45.(H) ;  wing,  10.80-11.00;  tail,  4.10-4.80  ;  cidnien, 
fi.0()-6.,')0 ;  depth  of  bill,  .70  ;  tarsus,  3.7(V3.80  ;  middle  toe,  2..55-2.60  ;  bare  portion  of  tibio, 
2.00-2.40. 

The  scarlet  color  of  this  splendid  binl  is  probably  not  exceeded  in  purity  and  intensity.  It  is, 
in  fact,  the  very  perfection  of  that  color.  It  far  surpasses  the  red  of  any  Passerine  bird  known  to 
us,  even  the  plumage  of  the  Scarlet  Tanager  (Pijranga  ndmi)  appearing  dull  and  harsh  beside  it. 

The  black  tips  of  the  primaries  do  not  always  end  abruptly,  but  in  some  specimens  this  color 

'  Audubon  describes  the  bill  ns  "pale  lake."  This,  however,  is  not  the  case  with  any  specimens 
which  we  have  examined.  He  also  says  that  the  ijuills  are  iohite  —  an  evident  mistake,  the  sliafts  of  the 
quills  having  no  doubt  been  meant. 


W'W 


88 


ALTKICIAL  ORALLATOUES  —  IIEHODIONES. 


in  continued  anteriorly  along  the  edge  of  the  ([uilU  for  uu  inch  or  lens,  in  tbo  form  of  an  irregular 
sp  ittering  or  Hiirinkling. 

A  nearly  adult  i^jiecinien  (No.  "0089,  Denierara),  retaining  traces  of  imuiaturity  in  the  iiluniaj,'i', 
(lilTei'H  from  the  fully  mature  bird  in  the  following  purticularB  :  The  leathern  of  the  anterior 
jiortion  of  the  throat  project  forwanl  in  a  |(oiiit  about  .(>">  of  an  inch  in  length,  into  the  bare  gular 
skin,  forming  an  acute  angle,  iw  in  mo.st  Kjiecimens  of  A'.  albu8.  The  plumage  in  general  is  con- 
tinuous pure  Hcarlet,  but  the  head  and  neck  are  paler  than  in  perfectly  adult  specimens,  while 
most  of  the  feathers  have  a  dusky  brownish  mesial  streak.  There  are  also  ii  number  of  wholly 
dark  brown  leathers  inlerspereed  over  the  lower  part  of  the  nai)e  and  anterior  portion  of  the  back. 
The  bill  is  very  light-colored,  having  been  in  life  apparently  of  a  pale  red  or  pink  color. 

The  Kcd  or  Scarlet  Ibis  is  of  very  doubtful  occurrence  within  the  limits  of  the 
United  States.  Wilson  was  misinformed  in  regard  to  its  abundance  in  Carolina,  Geor- 
gia, and  Florida.  We  are  not  aware  that  there  is  a  single  well-authenticated  instance 
on  record  of  one  having  been  taken  within  the  limits  of  our  territory.  Audubon  states 
that  in  July,  ISI'I,  he  saw  a  flock  »)f  three  at  IJayou  Sara,  in  Louisiana.  These  were 
flying  in  a  line,  in  the  manner  of  the  White  Ibis,  above  the  tops  of  the  trees,  and  he 
had  no  doubt  of  their  identity.  The  habits  of  this  species  are  probably  not  ditt'erent 
from  those  of  the  I/iIk  ullin,  but  are  not  so  well  known. 

The  Scarlet  Ibis  is  said  by  Mr.  Gosse  to  be  a  not  uncommon  visitant  on  the  shores 
of  Januiica,  though  he  never  met  with  it  himself.  He  was  informed  by  Air.  Hill  that 
it  was  quite  common  in  the  winter  of  184G-7.  Mr.  March  never  met  with  it,  and 
regarded  it  as  a  rare  visitant.  It  was  more  frequent  at  the  western  end  of  the  island. 
It  is  not  mentioned  by  (Jundlach  as  occurring  in  Cuba.  It  is,  however,  said  by  Leo- 
taud  to  be  very  common  on  the  Island  of  Trinidad,  where  it  keeps  jjrincipally  about 
the  banks  of  rivers,  and  esi)e(dally  of  those  which  run  through  swamjjy  jdaces.  It  is 
always  seen  in  flocks,  ami  these  are  generally  composed  of  individuals  all  of  which 
are  about  the  sanu>  age.  This  bird  is  a  resident  of  the  ishmd,  but  at  times  its  num- 
bers are  largely  augmented  by  the  arrival  of  others  from  the  continent.  During 
these  flights  this  bird  moves  in  single  file,  one  following  closely  another ;  and  when 
there  is  a  large  number,  the  line  seems  almost  interminable.  It  feeds  on  worms,  on 
soft  moUusks,  and,  at  times,  on  snudl  fishes.  It  rests  at  night  in  the  branches  of  the 
mangroves ;  and  its  brilliant  red  color  forms  a  striking  contrast  to  the  deep  green  of 
the  foliage.  It  is  easily  tamed,  becomes  reconciled  to  confinement,  and  is  not  only  a 
great  ornanu'ut  to  a  garden,  but  makes  itself  useful  by  the  destruction  of  hosts  of 
noxious  larvir.  This  bird  will  follow  closely  upon  those  who  are  turning  up  the 
soil,  in  order  that  it  nuiy  seize  upon  whatever  of  this  kind  is  brought  to  view. 
The  flesh  of  the  young  bird  is  said  to  be  excellent  eating ;  while  the  brilliant  plumage 
of  the  adult  is  nuich  sought  for,  and  a  destructive  warfare  is  kept  up  against  it.  Its 
numbers  are  sensibly  diminishing  year  by  year ;  and  it  will  soon  become  very  rare,  if 
not  quite  extinct.  It  was  formerly  known  to  nest  in  Trinidad ;  but  such  occurrences 
have  now  become  quite  exceptional. 

This  bird  was  found  abundant  on  the  Orinoco  by  Mr.  E.  C.  Taylor,  and  on  the 
Amazon  by  Mr.  John  E.  W^arren.  Mr.  Dresser  was  assured  by  friends  living  at 
Matamoras  that  the  Scarlet  Ibis  is  found  there,  and  at  a  lagoon  near  Bro\vnville  dur- 
ing the  winter.  He  had  no  opportunity  of  verifying  the  fact ;  but  as  this  bird  is  one 
not  easily  confounded  with  any  other,  he  had  no  doubt  of  its  occurrence,  and  includes 
it  in  his  list. 

An  egg  of  this  species  (S.  I.  No.  15504)  obtained  at  Puerto  Cabello  by  Mr.  O.  F. 
Starke,  measures  2.10  inches  in  length  by  1.45  in  breadth.  Its  ground  color  is  a  grayish 
white,  thinly  marked  over  two  thirds  of  its  surface  with  small  blotches  of  bistre.     At 


IBIDIF).!':  -  TlfK    iniSRS  —  liUDOCIMUS. 


89 


tilt!  larger  end,  and  arcmnd  the  widest  jiortion,  these  iiiiirkings  iire  ol'  gri'iitcr  size  und 
more  muuerouH,  and  form  u  large  erown,  wliich  covers  the  whole  of  the  ohtusc!  end  of 
the  egg.  These  iiuirkings  are  diversified  in  their  slmde,  and  consist  of  patches  of 
liislre,  intenaihed  in  s[»ots. 

An  egg  of  this  species  in  my  own  collection  (No.  70),  from  the  Amazon,  procured 
liv  Mr.  W.  H.  Edwards,  is  of  a  slightly  oblong  oval  shape,  very  nearly  eipial  at  either 
(11(1,  and  measures  IMI  inches  in  length  hy  1.(>(I  in  hreadth.  The  ground  color  is  a 
dull  white,  with  a  slight  rufous  tinge.  It  is  lU'arly  covered  —  profusely  .so  at  the 
linger  end  —  with  irregular  blotches  of  a  dull  bistre;  tiicsc  arc  nearly  conHucnt  at 
tiie  extremity,  and  a  few  are  much  (h'cper  than  the  rest. 

EudocimuB  albua. 


THE  WHITE  IBIB. 

Sculiipnx  alba,  Lixx.  S.  N.  I.  oil.  Id,  l7i>S,  U5. 

Tiiiilithisalber,  LiXN.  8.  N.  1.  l/liO,  242. 

ruHl^dusalhiis,  r,i\Ki..  S.  X.  1.  1788,  (151.  -  Wii.s.  Am.  Orii.  VITI.  1811,  43,  ji).  66. 

Iliimilhi,  ViKii.i,.  Ndiiv.  Diet.  XVI.  1817,  i(i.  —  Nurr.  iMiiii.  11.  1*31,  8i;.  —  Am.  (irn.  Bioj,'.  Ill, 

ls;3.".,  178  ;  V.  isy.),  rm,  i>l.  i-l-l  -,  Synop.  ISUli,  •2r.7  ;  U.  Am.  VI.  184H,  .^.1,  pi.  3t!0.  —  Cas.s.  in 

Biiinl's  n.  N.  Am.  1858,  084.  —  lUiUD,  Cat.  X.  Am.   IJ.  185!>,  iio.  tw.  -  (di-Ks,  Clink  List, 

1873,  no.  440. 
EHihif.iiiiiis  alhii.i,  Wa(ii,.  Isis,  18:12,  1232.  —  liiuow.  Norn.  N.  Am.  15.  1881,  no.  5(11.  —  CorK..s, 

Check  List,  2il  I'd.  1882,  no.  (151. 
Tantal us  eoco,  Jacij.  Beitr.  1784,  13. 
Tiiiila/iis  fjrisnts,  fiMi'i,.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  (153  (young). 
EuducimuH  hiiijirunhu.%  \Va(;i..  Lsi.s,  1829,  7(J0. 

Had.  Wanu-teiiipcrnte  Eiistcrii  North  Amt'iicn,  Wu.-it  Indies*,  Middle  Ainuricn,  nnd  tropical 
Suiitli  Aiiu'vicii ;  north  to  Coiiiiucticut,  Eastern  Feiinsylvaniii,  Illinois,  and  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah  ; 
south  to  ni'ii/.il. 

Sp.  C'hau.  Adult :  Teriniiial  jiortioii  (beyond  the  eniurginatioii)  of  three  to  five  •  outer  jiri- 
iiiai'ies,  ^'lo.isy  greenish  black,  with  a  brij,'lit  metallic  j,'iveii  lustre.  i{est  of  the  i>biiiiage  entirely 
|iMic  while.  Hill,  bare  skin  of  the  head,  leg.s  and  feet,  brij,dit  eariiiiiie  in  the  breeiliii},'-seasoii  ;  at 
otliii-  limes  iialer,  or  orange-red  ;  iris  tine  ]iearly  blue  (Ai'Dunox).'^     Knd  of  the  bill  soni('tiiiies 

1  According  to  Audubon,  "Tlieri^  is  r.  curious,  though  not  altogether  geiicml,  difTcroncc  hctwecii  the 
.sexes  of  this  species  as  to  the  iibnnage,  —  the  male  has  live  ot'  its  piiiii.Tiies  ti|i|ied  witji  glossy  hliick  for 
seveiiil  inelie.s,  while  the  female,  wliieli  is  very  little  smaller  than  the  male,  has  only  four  marked  in  this 
iimiinrr.  On  examining  more  than  a  hundred  individuals  of  eiudi  sex,  I  found  only  four  e-xeeptions,  which 
iieeurreil  in  fciuales  that  were  very  old  liirds,  and  which,  as  lia|)](eiis  in  souk-  other  sjiocics,  might  iierhaps 
have  lieeii  undergoing  the  curious  change  exhiliited  by  Ducks,  Pheasants,  and  some  other  hirds,  the  females 
cif  which,  wlieii  old,  sometimes  assunu!  the  livery  of  tlie  males."  This  supposed  sexual  dilleri'iieo  wc  have 
Iweii  unable  to  verify  with  the  series  before  lis,  though  it  is  very  possible  that  some  specimens  may  not 
have  the  sex  correctly  'ctermined. 

2  "  liaio  parts  of  the  liead  [in  the  adult  male]  light  oraiigo-red  ;  bill  the  same,  but  towards  the  tip 
dusk}'.  Iri.s  of  a  lino  pearly  blue.  Legs  and  toes  paler  than  the  bill  ;  claws  du.sk}',  tipped  with  horn- 
color. 

"  After  the  fii'st  moult,  the  bill  is  pah;  yellowish  orange,  toward  the  base  greenish  ;  the  naked  parts  of 
the  head  are  i)ale  orange-yellow,  imdining  to  llesh-eolor  ;  the  eye  dark  brown  ;  the  feet  pale  blue. 

"  The  change  in  the  coloring  of  the  bill,  legs,  nnd  feet  of  this  bird,  that  takes  jdaoe  in  the  breeding 
season,  is  worthy  of  remark,  the  bill  lieiiig  then  of  a  deep  orange-red,  and  the  legs  and  feet  of  a  red  nearly 
amounting  to  carmine.  Tlie  males  at  this  season  have  the  gular  jioueli  of  a  rich  orange  color,  and  some- 
what resembling  in  shape  that  of  the  Frigate  Pelican,  although  jiroportionally  less.  During  winter  these 
parts  ari^  of  a  dull  flesh-color.  The  irides  also  lose  much  of  their  clear  blue,  and  i-esuino  in  some  degree 
the  undicr  color  of  the  young  birds.  I  am  thus  particular  in  these  matters,  because  it  is  doubtful  if  any 
one  else  has  ever  paid  attention  to  them." 

VOL.  I.  —  12 


r 


DO 


ALTRiriAT,  aHAM.ATOllKS—  IIKUODIONES. 


Wuekish.  YoHn(j:  Uiiitorin,  nithiT  durk,  Kriiyinh  brown,  the  ruiiiii,  iippur  luil-coveits,  bnsal  hull' 
ut'tuil,  ami  ciitiic  lnwcr  jiai'ts,  iiiciinlin;;  itxiilaix  uixl  lining  of  the  wiii|;,  iciiilinuoiis  wliilt.' ;  licail 
mill  iR'fk  wtrt'iikud  with  dii^ky  or  t,'rayisli  brown  on  a  ;,'rayiHli  or  dull  whitish  yruiuid-color. 
IVulhtrin);  of  thu  huud  t-xtunding  forward  alnioHt  to  thu  hill ' 


^    .    :  s* 


Length,  about  24.00-26.00  ;  t-xpnnse,  about  40.00  ;  winj?,  10.30-11.76 ;  tail,  4.00-5.00  ;  culmeii, 
4.15-0.3O  ;  depth  of  bill,  .(JO-.72  ;  tarsus,  3.1(>-4.tHt ;  middle  toe,  2.16-2.70  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia, 
2.(H)-2.80. 

In  this  species  there  is  a  range  of  individual  variation  not  exceeded  by  nny  member  of  the 
family  ;  this  variation  affectin;,'  not  only  size  and  relative  proportions  of  the  ditl'erent  parts,  but 
also  characters  which  have  been  accordi^l  freneric  or  sub;,'enc'ric  value.  Thus,  tukinj,'  two  perfectly 
adult  birds  from  localities  jjeoj^Taphically  near  to^'ctlicr  (.Ma/atlan  and  Tehuantepec,  Western  and 
Southwestern  Mexico),  they  represent  veiy  nearly,  if  not  (iuite,  the  extremes  of  size,  especially 
as  regards  the  bill  ;  one  of  them  (Xo.  .'i^tSlt),  Mazatlan)  having  this  member  (>.30  inches  in  lengtii, 
while  in  the  other  (No.  .')!)773.  9  .  Tehuantepec)  it  measures  only  4.70.  As  to  colors,  they  arc 
identical,  both  being  pure  white,  with  the  terminal  portion  of  the  four  outer  ])rimaries  glos.iy 
greenish-black.  Tiiere  is  a  most  remarkabli!  difference,  however,  between  these  two  examjiles  in 
the  anterior  outline  of  the  feathering  of  the  head,  which  difference  nuty  be  explained  as  follows; 
In  the  Mazatlan  specimen  the  frontal  apex  all  iiut  comes  in  contact  with  the  base;  of  the  culmen, 
there  being  left  between  a  space  only  about  .(»")  of  an  inch  wide;  in  the  Tehuantepec  specimen  there 
is  an  interval  left  of  .80  of  an  inch  !  In  the  Mazatlan  example,  the  anterior  feathers  of  the  throat 
form  a  broad  angle  projecting  forward  into  the  bare  gular  skin  for  a  distance  of  .00  of  an  inch  ;  in 
the  Tehuantepec  specimen,  their  anterior  outline  has  exactly  the  opposite  form,  being  regularly  and 
deeply  concave,  so  that  the  bare  gular  skin  has  a  semicircular  or  regularly  con\'ex  posterior  outline  — 
exactly  as  in  fully  adult  specimens  of  E.  ruber!  In  the  former  of  these  specimens  the  malar 
feathers  extend  forward  to  within  .2.5  of  an  inch  of  the  rictus,  or  to  much  beyond  the  anterior 
angle  of  the  eye  ;  while  in  the  other  they  approach  to  within  only  about  .70  of  the  rictus,  scarcely 
reaching  to  below  the  middle  of  tlu  eyes. 

Other  characters  in  which  the  Tehuantepec  example  differs  from  the  one  from  Mazatlan,  consist 
in  the  subterminal  portion  of  the  bill  being  black  for  the  space  of  nearly  two  inches,  and  in  the 
distinct  serration  of  the  middle  portion  of  the  tomia.  These  extremes  of  variation  are  noticeable 
among  skins  obtained  during  the  breeding  sc^ason  in  Florida,  specimens  from  the  same  breeding 
grounds  differing  as  much  as  the  two  described  above. 

Immature  specimens  show,  according  to  age,  all  possible  stages  of  plumage  intermediate  be- 
tween the  pure  white  adult  and  gray  young. 

The  White  Ibis  is  a  resident  only  in  the  more  southern  portions  of  the  United 
States,  though  it  not  unfrequently  occurs  as  a  straggler  in  various  places  farther 

•  Accoi-diiig  to  Auihibon,  "the  young  birds  arc  at  first  covered  with  thick  down  of  a  dark  gray 
color." 


iDiniDJ-:  —  TiiK  iijisi;h  —  kudcjcimus. 


91 


iKirtli,  especially  dii  tho  sea-ooaHt  iiinl  why  tin'  liir>,'fr  rivcns  of  tin-  West.  It  is 
jiliiiiulaiit  throuKlii'iit  .Mexico,  (Jciitml  Aiuericii,  and  tlie  iiortheni  portioiiM  of  .South 
America.  Mi'.  '»■  *'•  Tiiylor  iiiciitioiiH  hiiviiig  met  with  it  on  the  Maeaonie  Kiver  in 
lldiidiiras;  and  .Mr.  Salvin  siiraks  of  having,'  seen  soini'  anionj;  the  i)ays  on  the  coast, 
lit'  afterward  mentions  liavinj,'  met  with  it  frc(inently  on  tiit-  sea-coast  of  (i\iatemala, 
amonff  tho  creeks  emptying  into  tin-  Paidtic.  Mr.  Dresser  found  it  ainindant-in 
Northeastern  Mi'xico.  near  Matanioras.  It  fretiiicnted  (hr  town  la^,'oon,  wiiere  on 
several  occasions  he  sliot  four  or  live  before  breakfast.  lie  always  ate  them,  and 
found  them  excellent  —  inth-ed,  far  superior  to  the  real  Curlew,  by  who.se  nanu'  it 
was  known.     In  Florida  it  goes  by  the  name  of  tiie  "Spanish  Curlew." 

iMr.  (tiraud  mentions  two  instances  wherein  this  bird  has  been  met  with  on  tho 
shores  of  Long  Island.  One  was  shot  at  IJaynor  South,  in  the  summer  of  iJS.'JCi;  the 
otiier  at  Moriclies,  in  March,  l.S4.'t.  A  single  in.stanco  only  is  repm-ted  of  its  liaving 
lieen  deteeteil  farther  north.  Mr.  Allen  met  with  a  few  examples  of  this  species  in 
tile  Valley  of  (Ireat  Salt  Lake,  in  Seiitcndjcr,  and  was  informed  that  it  is  a  common 
summer  resident  in  that  neighborhood. 

Mr.  Audubon  found  it  breeding  in  iinn\ense  nund)ers  on  a  snudl  sandy  island 
al)o>it  six  miles  from  Cape  Sable  in  Florida.  It  was  in  company  with  the  Urown 
i'elican,  four  or  five  species  of  Herons,  both  the  (Jallinules,  and  other  species.  It 
was  breeding  there  in  thousaiuls ;  and  on  every  bush,  (cactus,  or  tree  on  the  island  he 
found  their  nests,  so  that  on  one  wild  plum  tri'e  he  counted  forty-seven  of  them. 
The  nests  of  this  species  measure  about  fifteen  inches  in  their  greatest  dianu'ter,  and 
are  fornu'd  of  dry  twigs  intermixed  with  fii)rous  roots  and  green  branches  of  the 
trees  growing  on  tho  island.  The  interior  of  each  nest  is  nearly  flat,  and  is  finished 
with  leaves  of  the  cane  and  other  ])lants.  This  bird  is  suj)posed  to  breed  only  once 
ill  a  year,  the  nund)er  of  its  eggs  being  three,  and  they  are  said  to  bt;  excellent  eat- 
ing; althougli  they  do  not  look  inviting  after  having  been  boiled,  since  the  white 
resembles  a  livid-colored  jelly,  and  the  yolk  is  of  a  reddish  orange,  the  former  being 
wonderfully  transparent,  and  not  opacpie,  as  is  usually  the  ease.  The  eggs  are  usually 
deposited  after  the  10th  of  April,  and  incubation  has  become  pretty  general  by  the 
1st  of  May.  The  young  are,  at  first,  covered  by  a  thick  dark  gray  down,  and  are  fed 
l)y  regurgitation.  They  leave  the  nest  when  about  three  weeks  old,  and  stand  either 
on  the  ground  or  anu)ng  tlu;  branches,  where  they  are  fed  by  the  parents  with  snakes, 
small  fiddler  crabs,  and  crayfish.  The  young  bird  is  fully  five  weeks  old  before  it  is 
able  to  fly.  As  soon  as  it  can  provide  for  itself,  the  parents  leave  it,  and  the  various 
individuals  may  then  bo  seen  searching  for  food  separately.  The  White  Ibi.s,  when 
it  is  nesting,  is  very  gentle  and  unwary,  unless  it  has  been  much  disturbed,  and  will 
allow  itself  to  be  touched  while  on  the  nest.  The  female  is  silent,  but  the  male 
manifests  its  disideasuve  by  uttering  sounds  Avhich  may  be  imitated  by  the  syllables 
croo-rroo-rt'oo,  and  are  not  unlike  the  notes  of  the  White-headed  Pigeon.  Even  the 
report  of  a  gun  does  not  disturb  it  at  this  season,  though  at  other  times  it  is  ex- 
tremely shy  and  vigilant.  While  breeding  it  is  said  to  go  to  a  great  distance  in 
search  of  food  for  its  young,  flying  in  flocks  of  several  hundreds.  These  excursions 
take  place  at  periods,  determined  by  the  decline  of  the  tides,  when  all  the  birds  that 
are  not  sitting  go  off  twenty  or  thirty  miles  to  mud-flats,  where  they  collect  abundance 
of  food,  and  return  as  soon  as  the  tide  has  begun  to  rise  ;  this  is  done  by  night  as 
well  as  by  day.  They  do  not  go  singly,  however,  for  on  such  occasions  the  entire  flock 
seemed  to  rise,  as  if  by  common  consent,  from  their  breeding-ground,  and  then  to  form 
themselves  into  long  lines,  and  soon  disappear.  Soon  after  the  turn  of  the  tide  they 
might  be  seen  returning  in  the  same  order,  and  on  these  occasions  they  were  usually 


92 


AI/nUCIAl,  (iKAM.AToUMS—  IIKKOUK  tNKS. 


^ 


m 


i 


siloiit.  Tlu'ir  tli,i;lit  is  (Icsciilii'd  us  liciiiK  rapid  ami  iirotnictotl ;  tho  iuh'anct'  lu'iii^' 
iiiiitlc  Ity  altcniatc  lla|)|piii!4;  and  sailiiit;.  In  tlii'sc  iiKivciiiciits  tiic  Hock  iiuituti'  tht> 
leader,  each  individual  lollowin^'  witli  iiei'fect.  re,i,'idai'it_v  the  motions  of  tlie  one  pre- 
cedinfj;  it.  It'  at.  tins  time  one  is  shot,  the  whole  line  is  liroken  up.  and  tor  a  lew 
luinutes  all  is  disorder;  lint  soon  the  former  arrans^'enieiit  is  resnnn'd,  an»l  tho  tloc'k 
K<>es  on  as  hel'ore. 

A  wounded  lliis.  it  only  win.u'ed.  runs  olT  with  ^'reat  speed;  liiil  il  never  attenijits 
to  liite  or  otherwise  to  del'ein!  itsell'.  At  other  tinu's  than  the  lireediui;  season  this 
bird  will  perl'oiin  wonderlul  evolutions,  in  the  course  of  which  it  soim'tinu's  rises  to 
il  f,'reat  heit,'ht  in  the  air.  Alter  thus  apparently  amnsinj;-  itsell'  lor  a  while,  it  will 
suddenly  ^dide  down  with  astoiushinij;  speed.  It  is  apiiarently  as  I'ond  as  the  Wood 
Ibis  of  resortini;'  to  ponds  ov  hayons  that  are  in  the  woods;  and  Mr.  .\iulidion  has 
found  it  lireedini;  in  such  situations  nKUc  than  three  hundred  miles  from  the  sea. 
'I'his  was  the  case  in  the  Stale  of  .Mississippi,  not  far  I'l'om  N;itche/,  and  in  the 
swampy  forests  iiround  l>ayou  Sara  and  I'ointe  Conpt'c.  \Vhen  disturlied  in  these 
jilace.s  it  Hies  to  tlu'  tops  of  the  tallest  trees,  uttering'  a  hoarse  cry.  and  is  usually 
very  shy  and  dillicult  of  appro;udi.  When  a  woundi'd  I  his  I'iills  into  the  wider,  it 
e;ui  swim  (piite  Widl ;  lint  it  is  uiuisual  for  it  to  do  this  voluntarily,  even  to  ;ivoid 
pursuit.  Amlnliou  witnessed  the  escape  of  one  liy  swimnuny;  when  cluiscd  liy  an 
allifj;at(ir.  'I'he  liird  h;i<l  l';dlen  hidken-winLj-ed  into  the  water,  ;iutl  sou.nht  jiroteclion 
liy  hastening  to  his  feet.  He  kept  il  alive  for  souu'  linu',  feedins,'  it  with  soaked 
Indian  nn-al  and  an  occasional  criiylish.  which  latter  it  received  with  evident  pleas- 
ure. On  stM/ini,'  one,  the  liii'd  liciil  it  sideways  on  the  j^round  \intil  its  (daws  and 
Icfjs  were  broken  oil',  ;il'ter  whitdi  the  body  was  swallowed  whole.  'IMiis  bird  was 
very  I'ond  of  lyiufj;  on  its  side  in  the  sun  and  nursiiiij  its  sore  wint:;.  It  walked 
li^'htly  and  very  }j;racel'ully,  ;uid  liec;ime  very  .yjentlc  ".nd  tiime,  followinJ,^  like  a  com- 
mon fowl,  those  who  fed  it. 

Mr.  L;iwreiice  considers  this  bird  ;is  a  rare  species  near  New  Vork ;  Mr.  Edward 
Harris  prooured  it  on  the  Delaware,  near  riiiladtdjilda  ;  and  Mr.  Turnbidl  shot  one 
at  Great  K.y;^'  Harbor,  New  .ler.sey,  in  the  summer  of  lsr>.S.  It  is  nire  so  l';ir  north. 
Dr.  Hryant  found  it  very  numerous  at  Indian  Wiver,  Kloridii.  Specimens  shot  .Vpril 
20  were  .still  in  the  sjirin^'  moult.  Mr.  'rurnbull  saw  a  larp'  Hock  of  these  birds  on 
the  St.  tlohn's,  near  Volusia,  but  none  at  I'hiterprise. 

The  i"fi\:;s  are  of  an  oblont(-oval  shape,  a  little  lari^cr  and  more  obtuse  at  one  end, 
and  vary  (diielly  in  size,  ran.Ljin.u;  in  len,i;th  from  L'.L'O  to  LMT)  inches,  and  in  brciulth 
from  l.'in  to  l.tiO  inclics.  Their  j^ronnd  color  is  a  dull  clayev  white  with  a  ^'reenish 
tin^'f,  over  whicdi  iire  distributi-d  spots,  blottdics,  and  lont^itudinal  markin,u;s  of  various 
shades  of  ri'ddish  brown.  In  some  cases  these  are  few,  ami  scattered  over  most  of 
the  e^iij;,  but  increasing  in  size  or  conHiuMit  towards  the  larger  end.  In  others,  those 
markings  arc  distributed  in  large  and  nioro  or  less  conHuent  i>atehes  over  nearly  the 
pntir(>  surface.  In  sonu'  eggs  the  greenish  tinge  of  the  gro\ind  is  much  nn)re  api>;ir- 
ent  than  in  others,  b\it  it  is  always  nu)re  or  less  noticeable. 


Gi:ni  s  FLEGADIS,  Kaup. 

"FalcinrUtis,  nEcusr."  Acer,  (iii'f  Ukcustkix '). 

Phg(tdi.%  K.MT.  Skizz.  Kiitw.  (Icscli.  1S20,  8'J  (typ.>,  r,inlnhisfnMncUus,  Linn.). 

TimlaUdcs,  Waiu,.  I.sis,  1832,  12!il  (typo,  rnnluUii,  j\,l,-i„eU\i.%  I.inn.). 


1  Cr.  Sai.v.  &  Sci,.  lliis,  ,Iiin.  1878,  p.  112. 


iniDID.K  -  TIIH  iniSKS  —  rLEOAms. 


93 


(iK.N.  C'liAH.  Hill  slmllow  llirou^li  tlio  liiisc,  iiniilfrnlcly  taiicriiifi,  ami  (gently  I'urvi'ii  ;  tlic  Imsc 
not  ttip'iil,  hikI  •'"'  '•"■■"il  oiilliiu'  1)1'  tlio  iimxillii  ili'i'|ily  coiu'iivc;  luirc  iMilioii  nl'  tiliiii  iMiiml  to  oi- 
loll"!'!'  tlmn  oiili'i'  tiH' ;  iiiiildli!  too  iilioiit  tliici'  I'oiirllis  the  tarsus  ;  iiinor  too  ivailiiiij,'  imst  tin-  suli- 
ici'Miinal  articulation  of  liio  niiilillo  toe  ;  li.tllux  aliout  i'i|Ual  lo  tlio  l>asal  iilialanx  of  tiic  inner  too, 
I'onlioaii  and  oiliital,  malar,  and  t,'ul,ir  roi,'ions  ooniidolily  I'oatliorod,  tho  loroa  only  lioiii^;  iiakod, 
tiio  liatliorinj^  on  tho  oliin  ronniiij,'  an  aiulo  anf,do  wliiili  advamos  to  as  I'ur  as  tho  niiildlo  of  tho 


/'.  falcinelliui. 

nostrils  ;  foathors  ol'  tho  i>ilouin  oloii^'alod,  lanciMilalo,  and  distinct,  forininf,',  wlion  oivctod,  a  sort 
of  lidl,  roundod  cvost ;  those  of  the  ocoiimt  and  napo,  and  ujnior  half  of  tiie  nock  all  round,  also 
ili>liuct  and  lanceolate.  Plmna'^e  chietly  metallic  •,'roen  aliovo  ;  the  adults  with  lioaci  and  upper 
part  of  neck  chestnut,  and  lower  parts  chostmil  ( fiilriiiilliiK  ami  iiiiitniuuit)  or  violet-Mackish  {h'iilij- 
intiji) ;  the  youiif^  with  head  and  upper  part  of  neck  streaked  f^rayish  hrown  and  white,  tho  lower 
jiarls  ^ravish  brown  (J'tiliiiiiUii:<  and  ijiiiiruiiud)  or  violet-dusky  (liiilijirmii). 

This  M,>nns  dill'i^'s  conspicuo\isly  from  Kiidoriwiin  in  the  complete  I'eatherinj,'  of  tho  lioail ' 
(cxceptin}^  only  the  lores  and  the  sjiace  between  the  mandilmlar  rami)  ami  m  the  brilliantly 
metallic  plumage.  I',  falilmlliin  and  /'.  (jimmiiiia  aiX!  exactly  alike  in  the  iletails  of  form  and 
i;cucral  coloration  ;  but  /'.  //('(/i/icdi//  is  vi'ry  dill'erent  from  them  in  both  these  resjiects.  Their 
comparative  character-  may  bo  thus  ox]irossod  in  a  synoptical  table  :  — 

A.  Lejjs  and  feet  lon^'  an<l  slender,  the  tarsus  with  a  nearly  continuous  frontal  series  of  trans- 
verse scutolhe.  Adult,  with  the  lu'ck,  back,  lesser  winjj-covorts,  and  lower  parts  opa<{ue 
chestnut.  Yninni,  with  tho  head  and  upjier  i)art  of  the  neck  streaked  grayish  brown  and 
white,  the  lower  parts  ]ilain  ^'rayish  brown. 

1.  P.  falcinelluB.     Feathers  around   base  of  bill,  blackish  ;   lores  j,'reenish  in  life.     Winj^, 

1(1.20-11.85  ;  cnlmen,  4.;J()-.').4r.  ;  tarsus,  '2.00   1.30;  mi<ldlo  too,  2.10-2.80.     IM.   Paliu- 
arciic  rof^'ion  (warmer  (lorl ions),  Kastorn  Ignited  Slates  and  West  Indies. 

2.  P.  guarauna.     Feathers  around  base  of  bill  whitish  ;  lores  lake-red  in  life.     Win<^,  D.30- 

10.80;  eulmon,  :j.Tr)-().(K)  ;  tarsus,  ;).00-4.40  ;  iniihllo  toe,  2.10-2.8r).     Hah.  South  and 
Middle  America,  and  We.stern  North  America  as  far  north  as  the  Columbia  River. 

'  In  this  feature  there  is  consiilcralilc  ruscnibliuicn  to  Hariilprion,  which,  however,  is  very  diflercnt 
ill  other  respects,  and  belongs  to  n  ililVcrcnt  "  sulvfuniily "  (flu'ilhia-). 


WW 


'■I  it^ 


■  4  ■; 

i 


m 


ii 


94 


ALTRICIAL  GKALLATORES  —  IIER0DI0NE3. 


B.  Legs  and  feet  coniparutively  short  aiitl  stout,  tlin  tarsus  with  the  frontal  scutelltc  more  or  less 
irregular  ami  interruiiti'd.  Ailidt,  with  the  liead  and  upper  portion  of  necic  dark  chest- 
nut, tlie  lower  neciv  and  lower  jtarts  violet-ldai'kish,  tiie  lesser  wing-coverts  metallic 
green  and  bronzed  purple,  the  back  dark  metallic  green.  Yomig,  with  the  head  and 
upper  part  of  neck  .streaked  with  dusky  and  white,  the  lower  parts  dusky,  with  a  violet 
tinge. 
3.  P.  Ridgwayi.1  l-'tjathers  round  ba-se  of  bill  dusky  chestnut,  or  dark  rusty  ;  lores  red- 
dish in  life.  AVing,  l().ir>-12.00 ;  culmen,  3,40-5.10;  tarsus,  2.70-3.85;  middle  toe, 
1.80-2.30.     Hub.    Vicinity  of  Lake  Titicaca,  Peru  ;  Chili. 

Plegadis  falcinellus. 

THE  OLOSST  IBIS. 

Tantalm  faMneUus,  Lixn".  S.  X.  1.  1701),  241,  no.  2  (based  on  Niimenius  rostro  aratato,  corporc 

caitanen,  pcdibus  ohscurc.  rii'cnlibns,  KuAM.  Austr.  350. — Numcnius  viridis,  Biiiss.  Av.  5,  p. 

326,  t.  27,  f.  2.  —FnlcincUus,  Oesx.  Av.  p.  220,  etc.). 
Ibis  fiilciiirlhts,  ViEiLL.  Xouv.  Diet.  XIV.  1817,  23.  —  Hoxai'.  Obs.  Wils.  1825,  no.  190.  —  Nutt. 

Man.  II.  1834,  88.  —  Aun.  Orn.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  COS,  pi.  387  ;  Synop.  1839,  257  ;  B.  Am.  VI. 

1843,  50,  pi.  358  (adult). 
P!c(jadi.i  fdlciiiclhis,  "Kalt,"  FiiiTscn,  Viig.  Kur.  1869,  Tnf.  43,  fig.  3,  p.  378.  —  Ridgw.  Nom.  N. 

Am.  B.  1881,  no.  503.  — Coue.s,  C'lieck  List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  649. 
Tantalus  castancus,  Mi'i.i.El!,  S.  X.  .Suppl.  1776,  112  (adult). 
Courly,  d'llnlie,  BrFF.  PI.  Kid.  1770-84,  pi.  819  (adult). 
Bay  Ibis,  Penx.  Aret.  Zool.  II.  1785,  460  (adult). 
Green  Ibis,  Latu.  Synop.  III.  i.  1785,  113,  sp.  13  (young). 
Glossy  Ibis,  Lath.  t.  c.  114,  sp.  14  (transition  pi.). 
Tantalus  viridis,  Omel.  S.  X.  I.  1788,  648,  no.  8  (young). 
Tantalus  iyneus,  Omel.  t.  e.  649,  no.  9  (adult). 

Falcinellus  igncus,  GnAV,  Gen.  B.  n\.  ■>,  1841,  87.  —  Elliot,  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  503. 
"Ibis  noir,  Savio.  Hist.  Myth,  de  I'lbis,  p.  36,  lig.  4,  juv."  (Elliot). 
"Ibis  sacra,  Tem.m.  Man.  Orn.  1815,  385"  (Elliot). 
"  Tringa  autumnalis,  Hasselq.  It.  Pal.  deut.sche  Ausg.  p.  306"  (Elliot). 
"  Tantalus  Mcxicanus,"  Or.l).  .lour.  Pliilad.  Acad.  1.  1817,  52  (not  of  Gmel.). 
Ibis  Ordii,  BoxAr.  t'ousp.  List,  1838,  49.  —  Cass,  in  Baird's  B.  X.  Am.  1858,  635  (part).  —  Baird, 

t'at.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  500. 
Ibis  falcinellus,  var.  Ordii,  foiEs,  Key,  1872,  263  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  445  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  517. 
"Ibis  guarauna,"  Cauot,  Pr.  Boston  Soo.  II.  1850,  313,  332  (not  of  LiNN.). 
"  A'umcnius  longiroitris,"  GossE,  B.  Jam.  1847,  p.  348  (not  of  Wilson). 
Tantalus  bcngalensis,  "  LlcUT."  Bonap.  Consp.  II.  1855,  158. 
Ibis  percgrina,  "  Ml'LL."  Boiiap.  t.  c.  159. 

Had.  Palffiarctic  region,  West  Indies,  and  Eastern  United  States.  Of  iiTegular  distribution, 
and  only  locally  abundant  in  America. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult:  Feathers  Iwrderinij  the  base  of  the  hill,  all  round,  blackish.  Pileum,  cheeks, 
and  chin  glossy  greenish  black,  with  violet-purple  reflections.  Hind  part  of  the  head,  whole  neck, 
anterior  part  of  the  back,  and  anterior  half  of  lesser  wing-covert  region,  rich  reddish  chestnut,  the 
back  d.arkest.  Lower  parts,  except  the  crissuni,  axillars,  and  lining  of  tlie  wing,  uniform  bright 
reddish  chestnut,  lighter,  brighter,  and  less  purplish  than  the  neck.  Remaining  upper  parts,  as 
well  as  the  lining  of  the  wing,  axillai-s,  and  crissum,  glossy,  metallic,  dark  purple,  green,  and 
bronze  ;  the  posterior  part  of  the  back,  posterior  scapulars,  wing-coverts,  tertials,  rumj),  upper  tail- 
coverts,  and  tail  nearly  uniform  dull  violet-purple,  changing  to  bottle-green  in  certain  lights  ;  aluliv, 

1  Plegadis  Ridowayi. 

Falcinellus  Ridgwayi,  Allex,  Bull.  Mus.  Conip.  Zool.  III.  .July,  1876,  355  (Moho,  Conima,  and 

Vllquechico,  near  Lake  Titieaca,  Peru).  —  Elliot,  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  506. 
" Ibis  falcinellus,  ScL.  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1809,  156"  (Elliot). 
?  "Ibis  Ordii,"  TsciiuDi,  Fauna  Per.  1844,  298. 
?  Ibis  brcvirostris,  Peale,  Zoiil.  Expl.  Exp.  1848,  219  (Rimac  R.,  Peru). 


'.■'pTlI 


IBIDIDyE  —  THE  IBISES  —  PI.EGADIS. 


95 


jjiimary-coverts,  primaries,  and  lower  secondaries  brighter  broiize-greuu ;  upper  siicondaries  more 
lirciiizy.  wiMi  a  purple  shade  in  eertuin  lights.  Uudcr-suri'iu'e  dI'  wiiign  and  tail  more  Imrni.shed, 
iiiulallic  green,  bronze,  and  purple,  the  tint  viu'ving  with  tiie  inclination  to  the  lights  ;  axillars  less 


shilling,  and  more  violaceous  ;  crissum  violet-purple  and  green,  like  the  rump.  Bill  black  ■  bare 
Idiid  sjiace  greenish;  legs  and  feet  greeiii.di  blackish.^ 

Young  {chawjimj  from  first  to  second  jilunwrje):  Head  and  neck  distinctly  streaked  with  dusky 
brown  and  white,  the  dusky  streaks  wider  and  more  blackish  on  the  pileum,  the  whitish  streaks 
I'liiduallv  beioming  more  indistinct  btdow.  Entire  lower  parts  plain  snutl'-brown,  with  a  soft 
purplish  tinge,  especially  on  tiie  breast  and  tibia;  ;  crissum,  metallic  green  and  violet.  Upper  parts 
dark,  metallic  violet-purple,  green,  and  In'onze,  the  first  largely  predominating,  the  last  in  traces  ; 
the  liiitk  darkest  and  most  uniform,  the  rump  interspersi'd  witii  bright  dark-green  feathei's.  A 
it  w  (lark  chestnut  feathers  intersptnved  over  the  anterior  portion  of  the  lesser  wing-covert  region 
(No.  57003,  Greece).  Ynitnij  (jclMiujinij  from  second  to  third  jdumagc)  :  In  general  appearance 
iiiiuli  like  the  preceding,  but  breast,  abdomen,  and  tibia;  mostly  reddish  chestnut,  and  the  anterior 
portion  of  the  back  and  scaiailars  niixccl  with  many  feat liers  of  the  same  color ;  head  and  neck 
iiuicli  tinged  with  chestnut,  the  streaks  iiulistiiKt  (No.  17493,  9 .  Hungary). 

[Note.  —  The  Tantalus  viridls  of  Gmklin  (Syst.  Nat.  II.  i.  p.  (US,  no.  8,  based  on  Green  Ibis 
of  Latham,  Synopsis,  III.  i.  p.  114,  no.  13)  seems  to  be  this  species  in  incomplete  first  plunuvge, 
or  still  n^taining  the  downy  covering  of  the  head  and  neck.] 

Length,  about  25  inches  ;  expaii.se,  4:2;  wing,  10.20-11.85  ;  tail,  4.30-4.50  ;  culmen,  4.30-5.45; 
ihiith  of  bill,  .5(KC0  ;  tarsus,  2.00-4.30  ;  middle  toe,  2.10-2.80  ;  bare  portion  of  tiliia,  1.70-3.10. 

01'  this  species,  there  are  at  present  before  us  four  adult  specimens,  two  being  from  Europe  and 
two  from  America  (Tortugas  and  Jamaica)  :  between  these  there  is  not  the  slightest  difference 
whatever,  beyond  the  indiviilual  discrepancies  of  size  observable  in  all  species  of  this  family. 

The  young  of  1'.  fakiniilus  closely  resembles  that  of  P.  (juaraiina,  but  is  rather  darker  colored, 
the  upper  parts  being  much  more  violaceous,  and  the  lower  parts  less  grayish.  There  are  two 
spcciiiie'is  in  the  collection,  —  tho.se  described  above. 

This  species,  identical  with  the  well-known  Bay  or  Glossy  Ibis  of  Europe,  occurs 
irregulurl}'  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  L'nited  States,  and  has  been  known  to  breed 
in  Florida.  It  has  been  found  on  several  occasions  as  far  north  as  Massachusetts, 
although  nowhere  abundant  in  the  States  bordering  ui)on  the  Atlantic.  It  was  first 
described  as  a  bird  of  North  America  by  Mr.  ( Jeorge  ( )rd,  from  a  specimen  obtained 
at  (ireat  Egg  Harbor,  May  7,  1.S17.  About  the  sanu*  time  another  specimen  was  pro- 
lured  near  Baltimore,  and  two  others  were  taken  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  Mr. 
Audubon  states  that  in  the  spring  of  1S37  he  saw  flocks  of  this  bird  in  Texas ;  but 
it  is  possible  that  the  birds  which  he  saw  there  were  not  of  this  species.  They  were 
apparently  only  summer  residents,  associating  with  the  White  Ibis,  along  tlie  grassy 
margins  of  the  rivers  and  bayous,  going  to  and  returning  from  their  roosting-places  in 
the  country.     Its  flight  resembles  that  of  its  companion,  the  White  Ibis. 

•  Audubon  says  :  "  Bill  black  ;  bare  part  of  head  grayish  blue  ;  iris  hazel  ;  feet  grayish  black,  claws 
brown." 


U6 


ALTRICIAL  GRALLATORES  —  HERODIONES. 


4  Hi 


According  to  Nuttall,  specimens  were  in  his  day  occasionally  seen  exposed  for  sale 
in  the  market  of  Boston ;  and  individuals  had  been  at  distant  intervals  shot  off 
Long  Island  and  on  the  shores  of  New  .Fersey.  From  time  to  time  straggling  speci- 
mens are  captured  on  the  Massachusetts  coast.  Several  were  thus  taken  on  Cajie 
Cod  in  the  fall  of  1878;  and  individuals,  undoidjtedly  of  this  species,  were  seen  dur- 
ing the  same  season  on  I'rince  Edward  Island  by  Mr.  Frank  L.  Tilestou;  it  also 
occurs  in  the  West  India  Islands. 

At  very  irregular  periods  in  the  spring  small  flocks  have  been  seen  on  the  coasts 
of  the  Middle  States  and  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland  and  N'irginia.  Mr.  .7.  A. 
Allen  states  (Am.  Nat.  III.  (i.'iT)  that  a  specimen  of  this  l)ird  was  taken  in  Nantucket 
in  September,  180!).  Dr.  Charles  Palmer  writes  to  the  "Naturalist"  (V.  i).  120)  that 
one  was  obtained  by  him  near  Lake  Winnepisseogee,  in  the  town  of  Alton,  N.  H. 
It  was  an  old  bird  in  full  j)lunuige. 

In  Europe  this  species  is  supposed  to  be  more  common  in  the  eastern  than  in  the 
western  i)ortion.  The  course  of  i^s  migrations  for  the  summer  toward  the  north  of 
Europe  is  said  to  be  chiefly  in  a  line  from  Egypt  to  Turkey.  Hungary,  and  Toland, 
and  to  the  southern  parts  of  Russia.  It  is  occasionally  seen,  on  its  passage  from 
Northern  Africa,  in  Crete,  the  (irecian  Archipelago,  in  Sicity,  Sardinia,  and  Genoa. 
Stragglers  are  found  in  Switzerland,  France,  Holland,  and  Great  Britain ;  but  in  all 
these  countries  it  is  a  rare  bird.  In  England,  though  not  uncommon,  it  is  always 
accidental.  Yarrell  mentions  about  fifteen  instances  of  its  having  been  taken  in 
England,  three  in  Ireland,  and  one  in  Scotland.  It  has  also  been  known  to  occur  in 
Dennuirk ;  and  in  Sweden  also,  although  here  but  very  rarely. 

Specimens  were  obtained  by  Dr.  Andrew  Smith  in  Africa  as  far  south  r.,s  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope.  It  is  migratory  in  Egypt,  where  it  appears  to  have  been  once  held  ni 
high  veneration,  although  it  is  not  the  bird  commonly  known  as  the  Sacred  Ibis.  It 
was  met  with  by  ^Messrs.  Dickson  and  Ivoss  at  Erzeroom.  in  the  vicinity  of  the  river; 
and  in  the  Kussian  expedition  it  Avas  found  in  the  countries  between  the  lUack  and 
the  Caspian  Seas.  It  has  also  been  taken  near  Calcutta,  in  Thibet,  and  Nepal.  Tem- 
minck  assigns  it  to  Java,  Sunda,  and  the  neighboring  islands;  and,  Anally,  Mr.  (Jould 
states  that  this  species  has  been  found  in  every  part  of  the  vast  region  of  Australia 
known  to  him. 

In  the  portions  of  Europe  where  this  bird  is  most  alnmdant,  it  is  found  to  live 
principally  on  the  banks  of  rivers  and  on  the  shores  of  lakes,  or  on  muddy  flats  which 
are  occasionally  flooded.  It  feeds  on  suuiU  reptiles,  the  fry  of  flshes,  small  Crustacea, 
and  aquatic  insects. 

Mr.  Dresser  mentions  this  species  as  having  been  found  by  him  in  great  numbers 
on  the  lagoons  near  Matamoras,  in  the  month  of  August ;  appearing  there  somewhat 
earlier  than  the  "White  Ibis.  He  obtained  quite  a  number  of  specimens,  and  one  Avas 
sent  to  him  from  Fort  Stockton  in  a  collection  formed  by  Mr.  P.  Dutty. 

Although  Captain  Iiendire  did  not  meet  with  this  S[)ecies  in  Oregon,  he  had  no 
doubt  that  it  ranges  within  the  State,  as  it  was  found  breeding  at  Quinn  liiver  Cross- 
ing, in  Nevada,  only  twenty  miles  from  the  State  line.  Lieutenant  "Wood,  U.  S.  A., 
procured  an  example  in  that  locality,  July  1").  1875,  and  on  that  occasion  saw  some 
forty  of  these  birds  with  young  still  unable  to  fly. 

Eggs  of  this  species  in  the  Smithsonian  Institution  (1895)  obtained  by  Dr.  Bean 
at  ISIecanopy,  Florida,  are  of  a  rounded  oval  shape,  slightly  smaller  at  one  end  than 
at  the  other,  and  of  a  uniform  very  light  shade  of  Prussian  blue.  They  measure  1.90 
inches  in  length  by  1.38  in  breadth.  Yarrell  describes  the  European  egg  as  being 
of  a  very  delicate  pale  blue,  and  2  inches  in  length  by  1.50  inches  in  breadth. 


I 


IBIDID.E  —  THE  IBISES  —  PLEGADIS. 


97 


Plegadis  guarauna. 

THE   WHITE-FACED   OLOSST   IBIS. 

?  Scolojxix  auarauna,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1700,  242,  no.  1  (based  on  Xumcnius  amcricanns  f incus,  Buiss. 

Av.  5,  p.  330.  —  Criiarauiut,  Makioii.  Hms.  204). 
Fidcincll us  ijuimiuiw,  BoxAi'.  Consj).  II.  1855,  luit.  —  Kli.iot,  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  505. 
Ibis  ijutimuna,  Waol.  Syst.  Av.  1827,  sp.  8.  —  Cass,  in  Baird's  B.  N.   Am.  ej.    1860,  pi.  87, 

(yomif,').  —  UiiHiw.  Am.  Nat.  1874,  110,  111  (eriticnl). 
I'hijudis  ijuaniuna,  HiDOW.   Noni.   X.  Am.    15.   1881,  no.  504.  —  CoUEs,  Cheek  List,  2J  cd.  1882, 

no.  050. 
(I.  Mexican  [bis,  Latii.  Synop.  III.  i.  1785,  108,  no.  5. 
?/  Tantalus  nuxieanus,  Omki,.  S.  N'.  I.  ii.  1788,  652  (based  on  N^umcnius  mexicanus  varius,  Bkis.s. 

Av.  5,  p.  333,  no.  7). 
"  lliis/alcincllus"  (most  (juotations  from  South  America). 
" //</,v  On/((  "((jiiotations  lioni  Mexico,  Central  and  South  America).  —  Cass,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am. 

1858,  085  (exil.  synonymy). 
Tantalus  chalcoptcms,  Tkm.M.  PI.  Col.  511  (1830),  (adult). 
"Fiikinclhis  if/ntus,"  Sii,.  &  Sai.v.  Noni.  Ncotr.  1873,  120  (part). 
i  Ibis  iriifhmrhi/nchus,  (ioi'i.i),  P.  Z.  s.  Xov.  14,  1837,  127  (Hayti  ;  young?). 
Ibin  tliahtssinus,  IJiDcw.  Am.  Nat.  VIII.  Fi'b.  1S74,  110,  111  (young  in  first  plumage). 
Falcincllus  thalassiuHS,  ELLiur,  l*.  Z.  .s.  1877,  507. 

Hab.  AW'steni  United  Status,  Middle  Aiuericii,  and  South  America,  to  Chili  and  Buenos 
Avres,  West  Indies  (  .Saiidwieli  Islands  f 

Sp.  Char.  Adult :  Fmthcrs  hordurimj  the  base  of  the  hill,  all  round,  whitish,  usually  most  distinct 
on  the  forehead.  Pileum  dull  metallic  vi(jlet-j>urple,  changing,'  to  green,  tlie  feathers  blackish 
beneath  the  surface  ;  rest  of  the  head  ciiinamon-browiiisli,  paler  on  the  throat,  where  lightest 
anteiiorly  ;  neck  cinnamon-chestnut,  the  feathers  bhickisli  beneath  the  surface,  this  showing  where 
the  feathers  are  disarianged,  and  i^uite  conspicuous  on  the  najie,  where  the  dusky  ha.s,  in  certain 
lights,  a  faint  greenish  lustre.  Lower  neck,  entire  lower  jjarts  (except  the  crissum,  anal  region, 
.ixdlurs,  and  flanks),  back,  anterior  scai)nlars,  and  lesser  wing-coverts  uniform  rich  chestnut,  darker 


and  more  purplish  above,  lighter  and  more  ferruginous  or  clearer  reddish  beneath.  Rest  of  the 
phunage  glossy  metallic  green,  bronze,  nuride,  and  violet;  the  green  purest  and  cleare.st  on  the 
primaries  ;  the  secondaries  and  greatt  verts  more  bronzy,  the  middle  coverts  and  posterior  half 
of  lesser  covert  region  purplish,  changing  to  dull  green  ;  the  crissum  and  rump  mi.xed  green  and 
purple,  the  green  being  of  a  richer,  almost  grass-green,  shade,  especially  on  the  rump.  Axillars  and 
under  wing-coverts  bronze-purple  ;  under-surface  of  remiges  and  rectrices  very  higldy  burnished. 
Bill  dusky,  sometimes  tinged  with  reddisli ;  lores,  eyelids,  and  naked  skin  of  chin  lake-red  or 
pale  carmine  ;  iris  crimson  ;  legs  and  feet  varying  from  grayish  brown  to  deep  lake-red. 

Youmj,  second  year:  Heail,  neck,  and  lower  jiarts  dull  grayish  brown,  the  head  and  upi>er  part 
of  the  neck  streaked  with  white ;  back  grayish  brown  with  green  or  imrple  reflections.  Otherwise 
as  in  the  adult,  but  metallic  colors  less  brilliant. 

VOL.  I,  ^ —  13 


98 


ALTIUCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  IIERODIOXES. 


Young,  first  year:  Heuil,  iiuck,  and  lowci'  imrts  an  in  tliu  lust,  l)Ut  upper  parts  and  under  side  of 
the  wiujj  uuit'orm,  contiiuiuus  bronzy  gnen,  with  little,  if  any,  admixture  of  purple  or  violet  shades. 


No  chestnut  on  the  lesser  wing-coverts!  Bill,  pale  greenish  horn-ltlne,  lilackish  terminal'/ and 
dusky  basally  ;  iris,  "hazel ;"  k'j;s  ami  feet,  dee[)  black  (=  F.  thalassiiius,  RiuciWAv).* 

Downy  yuunri :  Bill  light  yellowish,  the  base,  end,  and  band  around  the  middle  deep  black  ; 
lores  blackish  ;  legs  and  feet  black.  Forehead  black,  bounded  posteriorly  by  a  crescentic  patch  of 
dull,  silvery  white,  extending  from  eye  to  eye,  across  the  posterior  portion  of  the  crown  ;  the  line 
of  demarcation  between  the  white  and  black  being  somewhat  mi.xed  or  sull'used  with  light  rufous. 
Rest  of  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  covered  with  soft  downy  feathers  of  a  uniform  brownish  gray 
shade,  without  any  whitish  streaks  on  head  or  neck.  Partially  complete  plumage  of  the  upper 
surface  entirely  uniform,  continuous  bron/.e-green,  or  metallic  bottle-green,  without  the  slightest 
admixture  anywhere  of  purple,  blue,  or  violet. 

Length,  about  l!).(H)-:20.(i(»  ;  expanse,  3(Mt()-4(t.()<)  ;  wing,  !).3()-l().8() ;  tail,  3.50-5.00;  culmen, 
3.75-().(K)  ;  depth  of  bill,  .5()-.(!0;  tarsus,  3.00-4.40  ;  middle  toe,  2.10-2.85  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia, 
1.50-2.75  2 

According  to  Dr.  J.  ('.  Merrill  (Proc.  U.  S.  Xat.  Mus.  Vol.  I.  p.  103),  "  The  young,  when  first 
hatched,  are  clothed  in  blackish  down  ;  the  bill  i.s  whitish,  with  dusky  base.  When  nearly  Hedged, 
the  wings  and  back  have  a  very  marked  metallic  lustre  ;  the  liase  nf  bill,  with  terminal  one  fourth 
inch  anil  a  two  fifths  inch  median  band,  black  ;  the  intervening  ])ortions  j>inkisli  white." 

In  this  widely  distributed  species  there  is  very  little  variation  in  colors  among  sjiecimens  of  the 
.same  age,  but  the  difference  in  i>ripportions  is  often  very  great.  A  ])erfectly  adult  specimen  from 
the  vicinity  of  Santiago,  Chili,  and  one  from  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  are  much  alike  in  plumage, 
except  that  in  the  former  the  crown  is  darker  (being,  in  fact,  decidedly  dusky),  while  the  back 
is  of  a  darker  chestnut,  with  more  decided  violet-pur|i]e  rellections.  In  dimensions,  however,  they 
exhibit  almost  the  extremes  of  measurements,  as  the  following  will  show  :  — 

Cntjil.  no.  Locality.  WiiiK.  t'lihiien.  Tarsus.  MuMlo  Toe. 

70028  San  Francisco,  Cal.  10.80  G.OO  4.25  2.75 

40042  Santiago,  Chili.  9.50  4.15  3.25  2.20 

Specimens  from  the  same  locality,  however,  sometimes  differ  ([uite  as  much  as  those  mentioned 
above  ;  and  we  are  unable  to  appreciate  any  geogra])hical  differences  whatever,  examples  from  Chili, 
Buenos  Ayres,  Mexico,  and  Columbia  River  being  (|uite  identical.  A  specimen  from  the  Sandwich 
Islands  we  refer  to  this  species  somewhat  doubtfully,  it  being  in  immature  jilunmge.  It  agrees 
strictly  with  American  examples  of  the  same  age  in  all  respects  wherein  f/u(()((((/irt  differs  from 
falciuellus,  even  to  the  reddi.sh  color  of  the  bill,  lores,  and  feet.  Still,  it  is  possible  that  perfect 
adults  nuiy  show  differences  from  both  forms. 

This  species,  known  in  its  mature  form  as  the  Bronzed  Ibis,  and  in  its  immature 
condition  as  the  Green  Ibis,  is  a  common  species  in  Utah,  Nevada,  and  Southwestern 
Texas,  and  probably  also  in  New  Jlexico  and  Arizona,  in  localities  favorable  for  its 
residence  and  support. 

1  Notes  from  fresh  specimens  killed  at  Oreana,  on  the  Humboldt  River,  Nevada,  Sept.  3,  1867. 
*  Extremes  of  about  forty  specimens. 


'^■\,P' 


IBTDID.R  —  TIIK  IBISES  —  PLEGADI8. 


D'J 


Mr.  .1.  A.  Allfii  met  with  it  in  the  valley  of  (ireat  Salt  Lake,  I'tah,  in  the  month 
of  September,  where  it  was  known  as  the  IJlaek  Snipe.  He  was  told  that  it  was  a 
rather  (,'onimon  summer  resident,  hut  this  had  only  been  the  ease  within  a  few  years. 
J\Iost  of  these  birds  had  niij,M"ited  south  before  Mr.  Allen's  arrival,  and  he  found  it 
exceedingly  wary,  althonf,di  his  imrty  suireedcd  in  proeuring  seven  specinuMis. 

]iy  Mr.  Ridgway  it  was  observed  in  large  numbers  at  Franklin  Lake,  in  August 
and  Septeud)er;  a  few  had  al.so  been  seen  at  (Ireat  Salt  I^uke  in  May  and  Jiine.  This 
bird  is  known  to  the  ])eople  of  Nevada  as  the  "  Hlack  Curlew,"  and  also  as  the 
"  niack  Snipe."  In  its  immature!  form  it  was  ti'-st  observed  at  the  Humboldt  Jlarshes 
in  September.  It  was  one  of  the  most  abundant  water-birds,  oecurring  in  Hocks  of 
liuudreds  of  individuals.  Thev  were  generally  seen  about  tlu'  margin  of  the  pools, 
standing  in  a  single  line  along  ti."  .'dge  of  tlie  water.  At  Oreana,  forty  miles  fartlier 
uj)  the  river,  they  were  seen  passing  baek  and  forth  over  the  camj)  by  the  river,  some 
of  the  Hocks  fornu'd  with  a  widely  extended  front,  but  nutre  frecpuMitly  in  a  V-shaped 
body.  They  Hew  ijuite  low  —  rarely  higher  than  Hfty  yards  —  and  cjuite  swiftly. 
At  that  distance  they  seenu'd  of  a  uniform  black  color,  and  resembled  the  Long-billed 
Cm-lew  in  size  and  form.  Only  om'c  was  a  Hock  seen  to  alight.  When  approaehed, 
under  cover  of  the  willows,  they  were  found  busily  engaged  in  feeding  among  the 
a<|uatie  ])lants,  in  a  slough  entirely  hemmed  in  by  a  dense  growth  of  willows,  each 
individual,  as  it  waded  about,  uttering  a  hoarse,  low  croaking  not(;.  Their  movements 
were  easy  and  graceful. 

Mr.  {!assin  refers  to  this  species  (Wilkes's  Expediti(Hi,  p.  302)  as  ap2)arently  inhab- 
iting nearly  the  entire  southwestern  regions  of  the  continent,  from  New  ^Mexico  and 
California  to  Patagonia.  It  is  of  fre(iuent  occurrence  throughout  Peru  and  Chili ; 
and,  according  to  Chilian  observers,  migrates  still  farther  south.  It  has  been  brought 
in  collections  from  Mew  Mexico  and  Southern  California.  Mr.  I'eale  mentions  that 
it  was  observed  in  Hocks  of  Hi'teen  or  twenty  along  the  banks  of  fresh-water  streams 
and  lakes  in  Chili,  during  the  month  of  May.     Its  Hight  was  (piite  graceful. 

The  ih'onzed  Ibis  was  Hrst  recognized  as  a  bird  of  North  America  by  Dr.  Wood- 
house,  who  procured  it  on  the  Rio  Zoquette,  in  Texas,  in  the  expedition  to  the  Zuiii 
River. 

According  to  the  late  Dr.  Herlandier,  this  species  is  found  among  the  swamps  on 
the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico  ;  and  its  habits  are  described  by  him  as  very  similar  to 
those  of  the  Green  Ibis  of  Europe.  He  met  with  it,  although  quite  rarely,  about  the 
lakes  near  Tamiagua,  Tuxpan,  and  Pueblo  Yiejo.  in  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz ;  also  in 
the  vicinity  of  Tanqjico,  Presas,  and  Soto  la  Marina,  in  Tamaulipas,  as  well  as  among 
the  swamps  produced  by  the  overflow  of  the  Rio  Rravo  del  Norte. 

It  is  undoubtedly  to  this  sjiecies  that  Dr.  Kennerly  refers,  in  his  notes  on  the  birds 
observed  on  the  Mexican  Roundary  Survey.     He  speaks  of  it  as  quite  common  in  ' 
June  in  the  vicinity  of  Santa  Cruz,  in  the  State  of  Sonora,  as  going  in  large  flocks, 
and  as  feeding  in  the  valley  of  the  river  in  swampy  places.     It  was  very  tame,  and 
was  easily  killed. 

Dr.  James  C.  Jlerrill  refers  to  this  species  as  resident  in  Southwestern  Texas,  but 
as  much  more  common  in  summer  than  in  winter.  On  the  16th  of  ^lay,  1877,  in 
company  with  Mr.  G.  B.  Sennett,  he  visited  a  large  patch  of  tule-reeds  growing  in  a 
shallow  lagoon,  about  ten  miles  from  Fort  Brown,  in  which  a  large  number  of  this 
species  and  several  kinds  of  Herons  were  breeding.  The  reeds  covered  an  area  of 
about  seventy-five  acres,  growing  in  water  three  or  four  feet  deep.  There  were  occa- 
sional irregular  spaces  free  from  reeds,  but  the  firm  bottom  permitted  wading  without 
difficulty  in  any  direction.     Besides  this  Ibis,  four  or  five  kinds  of  Herons,  as  well  as 


100 


ALTUIUIAL  (illAI-LATORKS  —  IIEUODIONES. 


several  other  kinds  of  birds,  wt-rt-  brtfediiiK  tluMr  j  iind  not  unt'requently  nests  of  all 
these  dift'erent  species  were  placed  within  a  tew  feet  of  one  anotlier ;  Imt  in  general 
the  different  species  preferred  to  form,  each  for  itstdf,  a  little  nestiuf,'  {,'rouii  of  ten 
or  fifteen  pairs.  The  reeds  f,MTW  iiiitiiniUy  to  a  height  of  about  six  feet  alxivc  the 
surface  of  the  water;  but  tiiey  were  either  l)eaten  down  to  form  a  support  for  the 
nests,  or  else  dead  and  partly  floating  stalks  of  the  previous  year  wert;  used  for  tliat 
purpose.  It  was  impossii)le  to  i'oriu  any  estimate  of  the  uundM-r  of  tiiis  s]tecies  nest- 
ing there.  As  he  ai)i)roaci  .'d  the  s[)ot  many  weri'  seen  about  tiie  edges  of  tlio  lagoon, 
or  flying  to  ami  from  nuu'e  di.staut  teeding-grouuds.  On  firing  a  gun  a  pj-rfect  mass 
of  birds  arose,  witli  a  noise  like  thunder,  from  the  entire  bed  of  reeds,  but  they  soon 
settled  down  again. 

lioth  the  nests  and  the  eggs  of  this  Ibis  were  (piite  unlike  those  of  any  of  the 
Herons,  and  could  be  distinguished  at  a  glance.  The  nests  were  ma<le  of  broken  bits 
of  dead  tules,  supported  by  and  attached  to  lu'oken  and  upright  stalks  of  living  ones. 
Tiiey  were  well  and  compactly  built,  and  were  usually  distinctly  cup])ed,  and  (piite 
unlike  the  clvnu.sy  platforms  of  the  Herons.  Karly  in  May  in  the  following  year 
Dr.  Merrill  revisited  this  heronry ;  but  there  were  no  nests  and  but  few  birds  to  i)e 
seen :  they  had  evidently  moved  to  some  other  locality,  where  there  were  similar 
beds  of  reeds ;  but  he  was  prevented  by  sickness  from  making  any  farther  investi- 
gations. 

The  eggs  were  found  to  be  nearly  always  three  in  number,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
visit  —  the  middle  of  ]\lay  —  were  far  advanced  in  incubation.  Many  of  the  nests 
contained  young  of  all  sizes.  By  a  careful  measurement  of  fifty  examples.  Dr.  Merrill 
ascertained  the  average  size  of  the  egg  of  this  species  to  be  l.Oo  liy  l.'.io,  the  extremes 
being  2.20  by  1.49,  and  1.73  by  1.2!).  Tliese  eggs  are  decidedly  pointed  at  the 
smaller  end,  and  are  of  a  deep  bluish-green  color. 


Family  PLATALEID^^:.  —  The  Spoonbills. 


Platalcidoc,  Boxap.  1849  ;  Consp.  II.  1855,  146. 


el 

In 

If 


CiiAR.  Large-sized  Ibis-like  birds,  with  the  bill  greatly  flattened  and  expanded 
terminally.  Bill  deep  through  the  base  (the  culmen  ascending),  but  immediately 
flattened ;  nan-owest  across  the  middle  portion,  the  end  widely  expanded,  the  tip 
rounded  and  decurved.  Nostrils  superior,  longitudinal,  without  surrounding  or 
overhanging  membrane;  nasal  fossa?  prolonged  forward  in  a  narrow,  continuous 
groove  to  the  extreme  tip  of  the  bill  (as  in  the  Ibises),  its  course  nearly  (or  in 
some  genera  quite)  parallel  with  the  lateral  outline  of  the  maxilla ;  approximate 
surfaces  of  maxilla  and  mandible  with  one  or  two  rows  of  more  or  less  prominent 
tooth-like  papillfe  along  each  side.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe,  and  with  small 
longitudinal  hexagonal  scales  in  front ;  outer  toe  decidedly  longer  than  inner,  its 
claw  reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  claw;  hallux  nearly  incumbent,  about 
equal  to  the  basal  phalanx  of  the  inner  toe ;  bare  portion  of  tibia  longer  than  outer 
toe ;  web  between  inner  and  middle  toes  well  developed.  Wings  ample,  reaching 
about  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  the  primaries  a  little  longer  than  the  tertials.  Tail 
short,  even,  of  twelve  stiff,  broad,  round-ended  feathers. 


PLATALKID.K  —  TIIK  SI'OON DILLS  —  AJAJA. 


101 


The  iiluivt'  (liagiid.si^.  is  .suHicicnt  to  ( liiiriictcri/c  tliis  wt'll-iuiirktMl  j^roup  of  \nn\n. 
Till'  Siiooiiliills  iuv  very  iiitiiiiatcly  rciatt'd  lo  the  Utist's,  the  only  cssi'iitial  tlillVrcncos, 
so  fill'  as  t'xti'rual  tVaturos  aro  coiuHTiu'tl,  lu-iiig  in  the  form  of  tho  hill. 

Seven  species  of  the  family  are  known.  (  '  one  of  these  heiiif,'  American;  one  is 
.Vfrican,  two  Anstralian,  two  I'ahi'arctic,  and  one  a  native  ol  the  l'liilii>pine  Islands. 
Tlnce  of  the  si.K  exotic  species  we  have  not  seen,  namely,  I'/titd'  »  mtijor,  'I'v.mm., 
Sciii.Ko.  of  .lapan,  Lnirrrodins  frniiirosfn's  (Thm-M.)  of  Africa,  and  L.  /ii.-:oii!e>is!s 
(Scoi'.)  of  the  Philippines.  The  remainin,t,'  species,  however,  are  now  lieforo  ns, 
and  appear  to  he  each  assi^'nablo  to  a  tlistiuet  yenus,  the  generic  characters  of  each 
are  as  follows  :  — 

Genera  of  Plataleidse. 

A.  Bill  Idii),'  and  narrow,  its  )»rcfttust  lireadtli  nut  UKin;  tiiaii  onii  fourth  the  length  of  the  culmcn. 

Silk's  luul  top  of  tliL'  head  feathered  in  the  adidt.     Phiuiage  of  the  neck  normal  and  com- 
pact. 
a.  OccijnU  crested  ;  Icrtiah  and  juynlar  feathers  iinniuil. 

1.  Flatalea.'    Forehead  feathered.    Tarsus  nearly  twice  tho  niiihllc  toe  ;  hare  portion  of  tibia 

longer  than  niiihlle  toe. 

2.  Spatberodia.'^    Forehead  eompletely  naked.  Tai-sus  much  less  tlmn  twice  the  middle  toe  ; 

bare  portion  of  tiliia  shorter  than  middle  tou. 
h.  Occiput  not  nvntal ;  tcrtiah  with  their  louvr  vrbs  decompoaed,  the  fibrUlf  lony,  pendant,  hair- 
like ;  jiiijnlar  feathers  acicular,  stijfish. 

3.  Platibia.s     Anterior  part  of  forehead  hare  (also  orbital,  malar,  and  gular  regions,  the  pos- 

terior outline  Well  delined  and  nearly  vertical).     Tarsus  nearly  twice  the  length  of  the 
nnddle  toe  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia  longer  than  nnddle  toe. 

B.  Bill  rather  short,  very  broad,  its  greatest  l)readth  about  one  third  the  length  of  the  culmen. 

Sides  and  top  of  the  heail  completely  naked  in  the  ndult.     Plumage  of  the  neck  short 
and  downy. 

4.  Ajaja.     Tarsus  but  little  longer  than  nnddle  toe  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia  shorter  than 

middle  toe. 


Genus   AJAJA,  Rkichenbach. 

jljaja,  Reichenb.  Handb.  1851,  xvi.     Type,  Platalcn  ajaja,  Lin'N. 

Gex.  Char.  Bill  much  expanded  and  excessively  depressed  terminally,  the  tip  decurved, 
much  broader  than  deep  at  the  base,  the  middle  portion  contracted  to  considerably  less  than  one 
half  the  width  of  the  terminal  "  disk."  Nostrils  sub-basol,  superior,  neai'  together,  longitudinal, 
and  without  adjacent  membrane.  Head  completely  bald  in  the  adult  (feathered  almost  to  the  )jill 
in  the  young).  Legs  comparatively  short,  the  tarsus  l)Ut  little  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  cov- 
ered in  front,  as  well  as  all  round,  with  small,  longitudinal,  hexagonal  scales.  Plumage  of  the 
neck  short,  downy.* 

1  Plataica,  LiNN.  Syst.  Nat.  cd.  10,  L  1758,  139  ;  cd.  12,  L  1766,  231.  Type,  P.  leucerodia,  Linn. 
(Palfenrctic  region). 

2  Spatlicrodia,  Reiciienii.  Hnndb.  Sp.  Orn.  1851,  xvi.  Type,  Plataica  mclanorhjinclui,  REiciiKNn.  = 
P.  regiu,  Goulo  (P.  Z.  S.  Oct.  24,  1837,  106.  —  New  f'nnibrin,  AustriiHa). 

8  Plntcibin,  BoNAV.  Consp.  11. 1855, 149.  Type,  Plataica  flavijKS,  Goui.n  (P.  Z.  S.  Oct.  24, 1837, 106.— 
New  Cambria,  AustraHn). 

*  A  peculiar  modification  of  tlie  trachea  further  distinguislies  the  genus  .4jajn  from  Plataica,  according 
to  Profossov  (lAinioD  (P.  Z.  S.  1875,  p.  299,  fig.  2),  wlio  describes  this  organ  ns  ".simple,  straight,  of  uni- 
form cnlibvo,  and  peculiarly  short,  extending  only  two  thirds  tlie  neck,  where  the  uncomplicated  syrinx 
is  situated,  and  the  bifurcation  of  the  lironchi  occurs."  In  Plataica,  on  the  other  hand,  the  trachea  is 
"convoluied  within  the  thorax,"  etc.  (see  YARKELt,  Hist.  Brit.  B.  H.  p.  504). 


w 


108 


ALTUlt'lAI,   (illAM-AT(»l!KS  —  IlKIUtlMONEH. 


The  above  chnrncterH,  in  uililitioii  to  tlKw  prcvioiiHly  nivnn,  are  «iittlcient  to  define  thin  well- 
marked  nenus.  Only  one  »|X!('le»  U  known,  the  A.  rosea,  whone  di»tribution  in  coextensive  with 
tropical  and  sub-tropiual  Antericu. 


A,  rosea. 

^aja  rosea. 

TEE  ROSY  SPOONBILL. 

Plalea  rosea,  Briss.  Om.  V.  1700,  lifjG,  i>l.  30  (lulult). 

Platalca  ajaja,  LiXN.  S.  N.  ed.  10,  1758,  140,  no.  2  (ex  Sloaxe,  ,Tam.  II.  316  ;  Marcgr.  Ray)  ;  ed. 

12,  I.  17(56,  231,  no.  2  (bised  on  Platca  rosea,  Bui.ss.  V.  356,  t.  30.  —  P.  incarmta,  Sloanf., 

Jam.  II.  316.  — /'.  hrasiUcnsh,  Ajaja  dicta,  Marcgr.  Bras.  204).— WiLS,  Am.  Om.  VII.  1813. 

123,  pi.  62  (yoiuig,  third  year).  —  Nrrr.  Man.  II.  1834,  79.  —  Arn.  Orn.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  188, 

131  ;  .Synop.  1839,  —  ;  Birds  Am.  VI.  1843,  72,  pi.  302  (adult).  —  Cass,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am. 

1858,  686.  —  Baiiid,  Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  \w.  501.~Coues,  Key,  1872,  —  ;  Chock  List,  1873, 

no.  448. 
Platca  vuxicana  ("  WiM.otTonuY  "),  (!a.mii.  Jour.  Philad.  Acad.  I.  1849,  222  ("San  Francisco"). 
lioseale  Spoonbill,  I'ksn.  Arct.  Zool.  II.  1785,  440,  no.  338. 
Ajaja  rosea,  Reich.   "Nat.  Sy.st.  16."  — Kmcw.  Xom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  505.  —  Coues,  Check 

List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  653. 

Hab.  The  whole  of  tropical  and  subtropical  America,  including  the  AVest  Indies ;  south  to 
the  Falkland  Islands,  Patagonia,  and  Chili,  north  to  the  Southern  United  States.^ 

•  The  present  northern  limit  to  its  range  in  the  United  States  is  not  known  with  precision.  We  have 
reliable  information  of  its  abundance  less  than  twenty  years  since  in  the  "American  Bottoms,"  in  Illinois, 
below  St  Louis  ;  but  whether  it  now  occurs  there  at  all,  we  do  not  know.  Its  former  occurrence  on  the 
coast  of  California  as  far  north  as  San  Francisco,  is  asserted  by  Gambei.  (Jour.  Phil.  Ac.  1. 1849,  p.  222). 


H::\% 


"TT 


PLATA Li:iD.K  —  TFIK  SI'OON'IULLS  -  A.IA.fA. 


103 


Sr.  CilAU.  Ailiilt :  Himl  tut  inly  hare.  N'crk,  Imck,  iind  luvuMt,  wliilf  ;  tail  oriuiKu-luitr,  tliu 
slmt'ts  iif  llic  fi'iillifix  (lt'f|i  iiiiik,  llic  iiiiici'  uilw  iiM  liiiiiij,'  to  pulu  [>iiik.  UuMt  of  the  iiliiiminu  imlu 
iiMf-piiik,  till!  Il'um'V  \viiij,'-riivi'it.s'  n'j,'i()ii,  uml  ii|i|i('r  ami  Inwcr  luil-cnvcitM,  luilliurit,  iiiteiim'  tur- 
iiiiii".  Jii^'iiluiii  willi  a  liil't  <>r  li^'lil  raniiiiu',  Hotiiculiat  twisicil,  or  i'iiiIimI,  iiariow  |>Iiiiiu!m.  SjiUm 
of  tlif  lpiva-<t,  at  lia-f  of  tin'  \\iii;,',M  (coiicralcil  \>y  \\w  laltiT),  pale  ircainy  Imll".  "  liill  yullowiHli 
uniy  at  lliu  Uuhv,  mottlcil  with  luovviiiMli  I.Lick,  in  llie  lusl  ul  iln  cxtfiit  palu  );riLiii»li  iilin',  ii^^lit  on 
tlie  iimrKiiiH;  lm«c  of  iiiai^'iii  of  lower  iiiaiulililt!  k''^'"'''*''  yt'llow  ;  iris  l.ri^^iit  laniiiiu'  ;  fed  [lalo 
lake  ;  claws  lirowiii.Hli  lilark  ;  linid  yuUowiah  jjri'fii  ;  hihicu  uroimJ  tLu  uyu  ami  llie  milar  mho 


(iipiiiiL'iit-oraiij,'!'  ;  a  liainl  of  Mack  from  the  lower  iiiamliMc  to  tlic  orcipiit"  (ArnrnoN).  Imma- 
Inn::  Like  the  ailull,  liut  lackiii),'  llic  liriiliaul  liiriiiiiic  of  llic  lesser  wiiii,'-coverts'  re;,'ioii,  tail- 
Kiverts,  etc.,  these  portions  beiuj,'  pale  iieacli-iilossoni  pink.  Tail  ileli<'ate  peacli-Mossoni  pink, 
instead  of  (jranj,'e-1mlf.  Xiidial  ami  pectoral  colored  tufts  alisent.  Vniiiiii:  Head  completely  featli- 
ered,  except  ininiediatelv  around  tiie  liase  of  the  liill.  Head,  neck,  hack,  ami  anterior  lower  parts 
white,  in  some  specimens  more  or  less  tin),'ed,  especially  ahove,'  with  orani,'i'-liulf  ;  \vinj,'s,  tail,  and 
posterior  part  of  the  hody  delicate  pale  pea(di-hlossoni  ]iink,  the  shafts  of  the  remij,'es  and  rectrices 
deeper  pink.  Outer  wehs  of  alulii",  outer  primary-coverts,  and  w'uht  horders  to  outer  [irimaries 
(principally  on  outer  wehs),  clear  snutl'-hrown. 

[NoTi;.  ^We  have  not  seen  the  younj,'  in  down,  nor  when  fust  feathered.  The  latter  is 
descrilied  hy  Audubon  as  lollows  ;  —  "The  younj,',  .  .  .  when  able  to  lly,  .  .  .  are  grayish  white. 
The  bill  is  tiien  ([uite  smoolli,  of  a  yello\vish-),'reen  color,  as  are  the  lens  ami  feet,  as  W(dl  a.s  thu 
skill  on  part  of  the  head.  Voun^'  liirds  in  their  second  year  have  the  \vinj,'s  and  the  lower  wing- 
coverts  of  a  pale  roseate  tint,  the  bill  more  richly  coloretl,  and  the  lej,'H  and  feet  dark  brownish  red 
I'f  purplish.  At  this  a<,'i!  they  are  unadorneil  with  the  curlinj,'  feathers  on  the  breast  ;  but  in  the 
third  sprinj,'  the  bird  is  perfect,  althou^'h  it  increases  in  size  for  several  seasons  after."] 

Length,  about  2H.(K1-:)1.(M> ;  expanse,  48.W)-.'>3.(H) ;  win-,',  14.  lO-lo.UO  ;  tail,  4.20-.'i.20  ;  cul- 
nieii,  (i.:2()-7.i."> ;  width  of  bill,  H.OO-i.H)  ;  tarsus,  ;).75-4.(i5  ;  middle  toe,  2.95-3.35  ;  bare  portion 
uf  tibiii,  2. 80-3.20. 

All  the  American  Spoonbills  examined  by  us  appear  to  belonj,'  to  a  single  species.  Jfr.  W.  H. 
[Indson,  however,  who  resided  for  a  number  of  years  in  l')Uenos  Ayres,  entertained  the  belief  that 
there  are  two  species  of  Spoonbills  in  that  country  ;  and,  without  at  all  sharing  in  this  belief,  we 
submit  his  arguments  in  its  favor,  as  follows  :  — 

"In  reference  to  the  Uose-colored  Spoonbills  of  America,  I  believe  ornitludogists  have  been 
mistaken  in  referring  them  all  to  one  species. 

"Whether  two  or  only  one  s])ecies  existed  wa.s  a  moot  question  a  century  ago  ;  it  has  been 
decided  that  there  is  but  one,  tlu'  Phitalea  ajujti,  and  that  the  paler-jduniaged  birds,  with  feathered 
heads  and  black  eyes,  and  without  the  bright  wing-spot.s,  the  tuft  on  the  breast,  horny  excrescences 
on  the  beak,  and  other  marks,  are  only  immature  birds.  Now  it  is  (juite  po.ssible  the  young  of 
]'.  (tjaja  resembles  the  common  Uose-colored  Spooid)ill  of  Buenos  Ayres;  but  in  that  country,  for 
one  bird  with  all  the  characteristic  marks  of  an  adult  P.  ujaja,  we  meet  with  not  less,  I  am  sure, 
than  two  or  three  hundred  examples  of  the  paler  bird  without  any  trace  of  such  marks. 

"  This  fact  of  itself  might  incline  one  to  believe  that  there  are  two  distinct  species,  and  that  the 
common  Platalea  of  Buenos  Ayres  inhabits  the  temperate  regions  south  of  the  range  of  the  true 
P.  ajaja. 

1  Qu,  An  occidental  stain  I 


^i 


'i 


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(I 

9 

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f< 

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i 

i,  J 

« 

ill  J* 

1 

104 


ALTUICIAL  (HIALLATUHKH  —  HEUUDIONKS. 


"Otht'i'  lactn  confirm  me  iti  tliut  oiiinion.  A  common  SiMtonliill  wan  kupt  tame  liy  a  friend  of 
mine  Mevcii  ycut'x,  at  tiiu  end  of  wiiii  li  time  it  died  witliont  liuvin^  auiiuiivd  any  of  tiic  diNtin- 
^'lUHJiing  mufkn  of  /',  iijuju. 

"I  have  dixHccted  tbive  exumplen  of  the  latter  H|)ccie»,  and  olineiveil  in  them  tjje  ciiiionHly 
formed  tiiii'hea  recently  dewiilH'd  |py  Mr.  (iiirmd.'  I  have  nIiciI  |perliiiiH  a  liuucintl  -"ixMimenH 
of  the  connnon  liird,  for  tiiey  are  extremely  almndant  with  n^.  Of  tiiene  I  have  ojiemil  aliont 
thirty,  hut  in  nonu  of  th.em  did  I  liml  thix  form  of  trachea.  1  am  therefore  convinced  that 
we  have  two  di>>iinil  Hpeciex  of  KoHe-coluri'd  S|)oonViill,  iidialiitin^'  dilferent  portionH  of  the 
continent." 

Tlie  KoHt'iito  S|t()(iiil»ill  has  a  wide  distriiiiition.  iicciirring  in  fiivomblo  localities 
throii^'lioiit  Smitli  Aiiu'rica,  ('ciitnil  Aiiu-rica,  Mexico,  ami  the  (Julf  KcKioii  ol  tlie 
United  States,  from  l-'lorida  to  the  Mexican  (lepartnients.  StraKRlers  have  heeii  ob- 
served even  as  far  south  as  tiie  Falkhmd  Ishinds.  Captain  V,.  C.  Al)l)ott  states  that 
a  specimen  of  the  Sjioonhill  was  shot  in  a  pond  near  Kidney  Cove,  in  the  Kalkhind 
IslundH,  in  •Inly.  iSflO;  and  lie  also  found  the  remains  of  another  in  Wlialehone  Kay, 
in  the  same  year.  Dr.  ISurmeister  sjieaks  of  this  species  as  every wiiere  present  in 
tile  La  Plata  Ke),'ion,  tlirou},'lioiit  m-arly  tlie  whole  of  which  it  was  found  frei[iieiiting 
the  reeds,  on  the  shores  of  streams  and  la^fKni. .  He  always  found  it  solitary,  and 
never  noticed  it  in  flocks.  Mr.  C.  liarrinnton  IJrown  mentions  lindiii^,'  it  common  in 
the  inlets  of  tln^  Cotinga  Iviver,  in  British  (iiiiana.  Mr.  Salvin  notices  the  pro- 
eurinj,'  of  a  single  indivi(hial  of  this  species  in  Guatemala.  It  had  been  shot  by  an 
Indian  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Diienas.  Mr.  Salvin  afterward  mentions  having  met 
with  it  occasionally  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  (Jiiatemala,  wlieris  not  unfrccpieiitly,  a 
small  Hock  woidd  tly  across  the  creek,  seldom  witiiin  shot,  but  often  m-ar  enough 
to  show  their  brilliant  oolors.  This  species  has  not.  that  I  am  aware,  been  recorded 
on  the  Pacific  coast  north  of  Mazuthm;  but  it  is  found  in  several  of  the  West  India 
Islands,  and  according  to  J)r.  (Jundlach  it  breeils  in  ('uba.  It  was  not  met  with  liy 
Mr.  Gosse  in  Jamaica,  but  is  given  by  Mr.  Richard  Hill  as  a  resident  (tf  that  island; 
Mr.  March,  however,  regards  it  as  being  of  very  rare  occurri'iu^e  there.  It  is  given 
by  Leotaud  as  an  occasional  visitant  to  Trinidad,  the  l)irds  seen  there  being  always 
in  their  imnuiture  plumage.  These  visitants  usually  arrive  about  the  end  of  .June, 
and  leave  in  the  month  of  October.  It  is  abumlant  in  Southwestern  Texas  and 
along  the  (Julf  coast  of  Mexico.  Mr.  Dresser  speaks  of  it  as  common  near  .Mata- 
moras  during  the  summer,  and  he  never  visited  the  lagoon  near  the  town  without 
seeing  several.  On  his  j(mriu'y  to  San  Antonio,  in  Sei»tend)er,  lie  saw  a  luimber  at 
different  places  near  the  coast ;  and  in  .lune,  1(S()4,  he  saw  two  or  three  on  Galveston 
Island,  wliere  it  is  known  under  the  name  of  "  Klamingr)."  lie  was  informed  that, 
in  former  years,  it  had  been  known  to  breed  on  the  island,  but  that  it  does  so  uo 
longer,  having  been  too  nuich  disturbed.  He  received  a  specimen  in  a  eolle(;tion 
from  Fort  Stockton,  where  it  was  obtained  on  the  .'{d  of  August.  ( )ceasionally  this 
species  wanders  up  the  creeks  and  rivers  flowing  into  the  Gulf,  and  a  specinu'u  was 
taken  as  high  u))  on  the  31ississippi  as  Natchez.  This  was  the  locality  of  Wilson's 
type  of  the  species.  That  author,  luiwever,  regarded  this  bird  as  rare  in  Florida, 
while  Nuttall  thought  it  common  in  Jamaica;  both  these  statements  have,  however, 
proved  to  be  incorrect.  Nuttall  records  a  straggler  as  having  been  taken  on  the 
banks  of  the  Delaware  River ;  but  there  is  no  recent  record  of  such  an  occurrence. 

According  to  Dr.  Berlaudier  (unpublished  MSS.),  the  Roseate  Spoonbill  inhabits 
almost  all  the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico.  It  is  in  winter  quite  common  about  the 
lakes  of  Tampico,  Tamiagua,  the  shores  of  I'anonco,  etc.,  advancing  in  the  summer 

1  I'.  Z.  S.  1875,  p.  297. 


I'LATALIJID.K  —  TIIK  Hl'UUNHILLH  -  AJAIA. 


105 


us  far  ntii-th  ixs  Ti'xuh.  It  ffcds  on  Hshcs  and  insects,  wliidi  it  hunts  in  the  wator. 
Its  coniniiin  nanit's  iin-  "(iaiza  Cnlinaila,"  ••  HNpatiila."  rtf. 

l)r.  Ilt'nry  Krvant,  wiio  visitcil  rimida  in  1.S.1.S,  states  thai  at  tiie  time  of  Ids  visit 
till'  Ikiiseate  S|Kii)nl)iil  was  lireedinK  in  siieh  innulxTH  at  Indian  Itiver  tiiat  in-  lias 
known  one  person  to  kill  as  many  as  sixty  in  a  sinj,de  day.  The  win;,'-leatliers.  hein;,' 
laiK'i'ly  iiseil  in  the  manulaetnie  of  I'ans,  were  selling  at  I'mm  one  dollar  to  one  and  a 
half  for  a  HiuK'le  pair.  Ho  adds  that  tld«  bird  eonimenees  Itrecdin^  at  I'elican  Island 
in  Felirnary.  havinj,'  e^'^'s  as  early  as  the  ndddle  of  that  month,  the  younj,'  l)t'inj,' 
nearly  Hed^'etl  hy  the  1st  of  April,  (hi  the  loth  of  that  month  he  found  one  nest 
containini,' an  e),%  All  the  rest  were  either  empty,  or  the  youni,' were  on  the  point 
of  IcaviuK  them.  Tiiis  I'gg  uieasured  '_*.."»(>  inidies  in  h'n]L;th.  and  l.."»(i  inches  in  breadth, 
ami  was  of  an  elonj,'ated  oval  form,  the  dilTerence  between  the  two  ends  beinj,'  stron^dy 
marked.  The  j,'round  color  he  h'wvh  as  white,  sprinkled  all  over  with  bri^dit  rufous 
spots  of  diftVront  sizes,  forniinj,'  a  rinj?  near  the  lir>;e  end.  Dr.  lUyant  also  met  with 
a  few  at  the  Hindnis,  Itahama,  where  they  were  said  to  breed. 

Mr.  (i.  ('.  Taylor  (Ibis,  l.SdL'),  who  visited  Florida  three  years  after  Dr.  IJryant, 
states  that  whih",  only  a  few  years  i)revious  to  his  visit,  this  species  had  been  very 
plcntifid  on  Indian  Hiver,  their  nund»er  had  id'  late  become  j,'reatly  ilinunishcd, 
owin;,'  to  the  destruction  of  them  for  the  sake  <d'  their  w  iuj^'s.  lie  was  informed 
that  after  breeding,'  on  Indian  Kivcr  it  moves  northwards,  and  remains  duiinj,'  the 
summer  in  the  salt-marshes  about  Smyrna.  He  saw  a  living;'  bird  that  had  been 
brou^dit  up  from  Indian  Uiver  a  year  previous.  It  was  (piite  tame,  and  associated 
freely  with  the  jjoultry.  While  he  was  staying,'  at  Smyrna  a  person  l)rouj,dit  with 
him  four  youn^'  Spoonliills  from  Imiian  Kiver  which  had  been  taken  from  their  ne.st 
a  short  time  previously.     There  apfieared  to  be  no  ditHeulty  in  rearing,'  them. 

Audidion  states  that  it  is  randy  nu't  with  as  far  north  as  the  Carolinas.  Dr. 
Hachman,  (Uirinj^  twenty  years'  observation,  knew  of  Imt  three  instances.  In  one 
of  these  lie  obtained  an  individual  in  full  pluma,i,'e  ten  miles  north  of  Charleston. 
He  found  it  wintcriu),'  amon^'  the  keys  near  Cape  Sable,  where  it  remained  imtil 
nearly  the  1st  of  March,  livin,L(  chieHy  alouj;  the  watercourses  and  not  far  from 
the  coast;  they  were  not  seen  either  winteriuj^  or  breeding  in  the  interior. 

It  is  to  1)(!  met  with,  for  the  most  part,  along  the  nuirshy  or  muddy  borders  of 
estuaries,  the  nn)utlis  of  rivers,  on  sea  islands,  or  k(!ys  partially  overthrown  with 
bushes,  and  still  more  abunihintly  alon^'  the  sluu'es  of  the  salt-water  bayous  so  com- 
mon within  a  ndle  or  two  of  the  shore.  There  the  Spoonbill  can  reside  and  breed, 
with  almost  complete  security,  in  the  nddst  of  an  abundance  of  food.  It  is  said  to 
be  t^rcijjarious  at  all  st-asons,  and  that  seldom  less  than  half  a  dozen  may  be  seen 
to<,'ether,  unless  they  have  been  dispersed  by  a  tempest.  At  the  api)roa(di  of  the 
breeding-season  these  snuill  flocks  collect  together,  fornnng  immense  collections,  after 
the  manner  of  the  H)is,  and  resort  to  their  former  breeding-places,  to  whi(di  they 
almost  invariably  return.  Their  moult  takes  place  late  in  ^lay ;  during  this  time  the 
young  of  the  previous  year  conceal  themselves  among  tlu^  mangroves,  there  sj)ending 
tile  day,  and  returning  at  night  to  tlndr  feeding-grounds,  but  keeping  apart  from  the 
old  birds,  whicdi  last  have  passed  through  their  spring  moult  early  in  March.  Like 
the  several  species  of  Ibis,  this  bird  is  said  occasionally  to  rise  suddenly  on  the  wing, 
and  ascend  gradually,  in  a  spiral  manner,  to  a  great  height.  It  flies  with  its  neck 
stretched  forward  to  its  full  length,  and  its  legs  and  feet  extended  behind.  It  moves 
in  the  manner  of  a  Heron,  with  easy  flappings,  until  just  as  it  is  about  to  alight, when 
it  sails  over  the  spot  with  exitanded  wing,  and  conu'S  gradually  to  the  ground.  It 
flies  in  a  confused  manner,  except  Avhen  on  one  of  its  extended  movements. 

VOL,  I.  — 14 


106 


ALTUICIAL  GRALLATORES  —  HERODIONES. 


■■■'I  'i 


It  is  usually  found  in  the  conipany  of  different  Herons,  whose  vigilance  apprises 
it  of  any  danger.  It  ean  usually  be  approached,  when  feeding,  with  proper  care. 
When  one  is  wounded  in  the  wing  it  usually  makes  for  deep  water,  and  swims  for 
some  distance  witiiout  attempting  to  dive.  If  the  wing  is  uninjured,  this  bird,  even 
though  mortally  wounded,  will  tly  until  it  drops  dead.  It  is  as  nocturnal  as  the  Night 
Heion,  and  its  principal  feeding-time  is  from  near  sunset  until  daylight.  In  procair- 
ing  its  food  the  Spoonbill  usually  wades  up  to  the  tibiie,  innnerses  its  bill  in  the  soft 
nnid,  with  the  head,  and  even  the  whole  neck,  beneath  the  surface,  moving  its  par- 
tially opened  numdibles  to  and  fro  laterally,  munching  the  small  fry  —  insects  or 
shell-tish  —  before  it  swallows  them.  Where  many  are  together,  'c  usually  acts  as 
a  sentinel.  He  did  not  see  it  feeding  in  fiesli  water,  though  he  was  told  that  it  does 
so  occasionally. 

It  can  alight  on  a  tree  and  walk  on  the  large  branches  with  all  the  facility  of  a 
Heron.  Its  eggs  are  usually  three,  and  laid  about  the  middle  of  April,  in  which  his 
experience  differs  from  that  of  Dr.  Bryant.  It  Iniilds  on  the  tops  of  mangroves, 
placing  each  nest  within  a  few  yards  of  others.  These  are  formed  of  sticks  of  con- 
siderable size,  and  are  flat.  The  eggs  are  described  as  measuring  2.0.'}  inches  in  length 
by  1.87  in  breadth,  slightly  granulated,  eipially  rounded  at  both  ends,  and  of  a  pure 
white  color  —  evidently  the  egg  of  the  I?rown  Pelican,  and  not  corresponding  with 
any  egg  I  have  ever  seen  belonging  to  tliis  species. 

An  identified  egg  in  the  Snuthsonian  Collection,  obtained  by  Mr.  Edwards  in  South 
Anu'rica,  measures  2.00  inches  in  length  by  !.()">  inches  in  breadth.  The  ground  color 
is  a  dirty  white,  marked  with  snuill  scattering  spots  of  sepia-brown.  Two  eggs  in 
my  own  collection  (No.  C9  and  No.  71),  from  the  Anuizon  River,  and  collected,  one 
by  Mr.  John  E.  Warren,  the  other  by  Mr.  AVilliam  II.  Edwards,  are,  as  described  by 
Dr.  Bryant,  of  an  oblong  oval  shape,  with  one  end  much  more  tapering  than  the 
other.  Their  ground-color  is  a  dull  creamy  white,  and  they  are  marked  with  scatter- 
ing blotches,  '•()1)"  of  dark  se])ia,  '•71"  of  sepia  intermingled  with  faintt'r  blotches 
of  dilute  sepia,  having  a  purplish  tinge.  Tiiese  measure,  one  L'.oo  by  1.70  inches, 
the  other  i;.4;{  by  1.71  inches. 

Three  eggs  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection  (No.  17045),  collected  in  Southern  Flor- 
ida by  Professor  .1.  W.  V.  .Jenks,  measure  respectively  2.G5  by  1.80  inches;  2.80  by 
1.70  inches ;  and  2.55  by  1.80  iniihes.  Their  ground-color,  as  in  all  other  cases,  is  a 
dull  chalky  white ;  the  markings  are  rather  sjjarse,  chiefly  about  the  larger  end.  of 
different  shades  of  amber-brown.  This  egg  may  always  be  distinguished  from  that 
of  the  White  Ibis  by  its  larger  size,  more  rounded  smaller  ends,  and  the  total  absence 
of  green  tint  in  the  ground-color.  Another  egg.  No.  17044,  given  by  Captaia  Beudire. 
is  undistinguishable  from  No.  17045,  measuring  2.G5  by  1.80  inches. 


Order     LIMICOL^. 

PRyECOCIAL   GKALLATORES. 

Char.  Prtecocial  wading  birds,  usually  of  small  size,  distinguished  from  the 
Akclorides  (Cranes  and  Hails)  by  their  lengthened,  usually  pointed,  wings,  small 
or  rudimentary  hind  toe,  or  the  latter  member  entirely  wanting. 


The  very  numerous  species  whieli  together  make  up  this  group  vary  to  such  great 
extremes  in  the  details  of  structure,  that  the  above  characters  appear  the  most  promi- 
nent ones  which,  in  a  comprehensive  sense,  distinguish  tlie  Lhnicohr  from  tlie  Alec- 
torldi's.  It  is  quite  likely,  however,  that  Avhen  their  internal  stnu'ture  shall  have 
been  more  extensively  studied,  more  positive  characters  may  be  discovered  for  the 
trenchant  separation  of  these  two  "Orders." 

It  is  ccpxnlly  difficult  to  determine  the  exact  number  of  Families  into  which  the 
Limicolir  should  be  divided.  It  has  been  customary  to  allow  five  —  nanudy,  II<rmuto- 
podidw  (including  Sfrrpsi/ns),  C/KD'adrUdtv  (including  Ajihrha  and  Aiitirhijtu'hus), 
Rcrurrlrosti'kla',  rhalampodidw,  and  ScoloparUla:  As  to  the  three  latter  families, 
tliis  division  appears  perfectly  natural ;  but  close  study  of  the  first  two  makes  evident 
the  necessity  of  their  sharper  definition,  by  the  elimination  of  certain  forms  which 
appear  too  specialized,  or  which  cannot  be  conveniently  brought  within  the  terms 
diagnosing  either  family.  Notable  examples  are  Strepslhis,  u.«ually  associated  with 
liivmatopun,  but  which  differs  in  numerous  essential  particulars;  Aplwixu,  which 
resembles  StrepsUas  in  most  respects  except  the  bill,  whi(di  is  like  tliat  of  the  true 
riovers;  Anitrhipirhits,^  a  very  peculiar  form,  having  the  bill  curved  sidewat/s,  the 
other  characters  being  Charadrine;  and  (Kdirnrmus,  very  large  Plover-like  birds, 
somewhat  resembling  the  JUistards.  The  last-named  genus  has  latterly  been  raised  to 
family  rank  by  IMessrs.  Sclatcr  and  Salvin ;  and  it  seems  equally  entitled  with  Hwmat- 
opus  to  such  a  position.  So,  also,  appear  StrepsUas  and  Aiutrhi/nrhus,  the  only  alter- 
native being  to  consider  all,  inchuling  Hn'miitojmx,  of  merely  sub-family  rank. 

The  following  is  an  atte^ipt  to  define  the  principal  groups  of  Limimlm  according 
to  their  external  structure. 

A>    Bill  much  longer  tlian  the  tarsus,  excessively  compressed,  deepest  through  the  middle  portion, 
Heematopodidee.     No  hind  toe  ;  a  well-developed  web  Ijetween  outer  and  middle  toes  at 

the  base  ;  front  of  tawus  covered  with  hexagonal  scales.    Size  very  large. 
B»    Bill  about  eipial  to  or  shorter  than  the  tai'sus,  moderately  compressed,  deepest  through  the 

base. 
StrepailidaB.    A  well-develojted  hind-toe,  with  a  claw  ;  no  trace  of  web  between  outer  and 

middle  toes  ;  I'ront  of  tarsus  covered  by  a  row  of  transverse  scutelloo.     Size  small. 
C.    Bill  viiriable,  but  never  longer  than  the  tarsus  ;  more  or  less  depressed  in  the  middle  portion  ; 

the  terminal  jtortion  of  the  culmen  being  more  or  less  arched  ;  never  expanded  laterally 

at  the  end.    Hind  toe  usually  absent. 


»  Cf. 


"Thp  Ibis,"  1869,  pp.  304-310,  pl.viii. 


ff-T 


108 


PIJ.ECOCIAL  f4i;ALLATUllES  -  TJMICOL^R. 


. 


'JP  i 


m 


V I 


V, . 


t>  1 

A) 

I 


Cbaradriidae.    Size  large  to  very  small.     Bill  slender  or  siimll,  straight,  always  shorter  than 

the  tarsus. 
Anarhynchidae.     Size  small.     Uill  slender,  curved  tn  nne  side,  e(iual  to  the  tai-sus. 
OldioueinidaB.     Size  very  large  (inueh  the  largest  birds  of  tiie  order).     Tarsus  nearly  three 

times  as  long  as  the  middle  toe,  covered  in  front  witii  liexagonal  scales.     Plumage  very 

plain,  conspicuously  streaked  or  striped  above. 
D>    Characters  much  the  same  as  given  for  section  "C,''  hut  toes,  induiling  the  hallux,  exceed- 
ingly lengthened,  the  claws  also  very  much  lengthened  ;  scutellatiou  of  legs  jnuch  as  in 

the  Rallidie. 
Farridee.     Size  medium  or  rather  small.     Claws  very  long  and  compressed,  nearly  straight, 

tliat  of  tlie  lialJux  e(pial  to  or  longer  than  its  digit,  linear,  and  slightly  recurved.     Bend 

of  the  wing  (head  of  metacarpus)  armed  with  a  sharp  conical  horny  spur. 
E»     Bill  exceedingly  variable,  —  short  or  long,  straight,  .^lightly  recurved,  or  decidedly  decurved, 

but  usually  more  or  less  expanded  laterally  at  the  end,  which  is  more  or  less  sensitive. 

Hind  toe  usually  present,  rarely  absent. 
Scolopacidas.    Tarsus  rounded  in  front,  where  clothed  with  a  single  row  of  transverse 

scutellif. 
F.    Bill  subulate  (except  in  Phalaropus).     Toes  either  partly  webbed,  or  fringed  by  a  lateral, 

usually  lobed.  margin.     I'lui'iage  peculiarly  soft  and  compact  for  this  order,  resemliling 

greatly  in  this  resj)ect  thuc  of  the  Lowjipetnies.    Tarsi  compressed,  the  anterior  edge  sharp. 
Pbalaropodidae.     Size  small ;  tai-si  and  bill  rather  short,  or  but  moderately  lengthened  ;  toes 

edged  with  a  lateral,  usually  scalloped,  margin. 
RecurviroBtridae.    Si/.e  large  ;  tarsi  and  bill  very  long ;  toes  partly  webbed,  and  without 

scjdlopped  margin. 


Family  H.T.MAT0P0DID;E.— The  Oysteu  Catchers. 

Ilcrviatopincr,  "  G.  K.  GuAV,  1840." 

IIccmatopcidin(v,  "G.  B.  Gray,  1841;"  Handl.  III.  1871,  21. 

Ostrakginer,  "Kekh.  1849." 

Thi.s  family  is  characterized  Ijv  the  large  size  of  the  birds  wliich  compose  it, 
their  long,  extremely  compressed,  almost  knife-like  and  nearly  truncate  bill ;  their 
robust  legs  and  feet,  the  former  covered  in  front  with  hexagonal  scales,  the  latter 
destitute  of  a  hind  toe,  and  having  a  well-developed  web  between  the  outer 
and  middle  toes,  at  their  base.  Properly  restricted,  it  includes  only  the  genus 
Hccmatopus,  the  characters  of  which  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  family. 


Genus  H2IMATOPUS,  Lixn^us. 

ffwmatopus,  LiKX.  S.  N.  ed.  10, 1758,  152  ;  ed.  12,  1766,  257  (type,  H.  ostralegus,  LiNN.). 

Ostrahgn,  Briss.  Orn.  V.  1760,  38  (same  type). 

Melanibyx,  Reich.  Handb.  1853,  p.  xii  (type,  H.  niger,  Pai.l.). 

Synopsis  of  North  American  Species. 

Com.  Chab.     Bill  bright  red  in  life  (dull  reddish  or  yellowish  in  dried  skins)  ;  head,  neck, 
and  moat  of  upper  parts  blackish  (in  some  species  entire  plumage  blackish). 

A«    Plumage  parti-colored  (_ichite  and  blackish). 

1.  H.  ostralegus.    Entire  rump  white  ;  back  and  wings  black,  like  the  neck  and  breast ;  iris 


H/EMATOPODID.E  —  THE  OYSTER  CATCHERS  —  IT^E^IATOPUS. 


109 


crimson  ;  lejjs  nnd  feet  (in  life)  purplish  red.     Wing,  9.80-10.25  ;  culmen,  2.85-3.50  ; 
tarsus,  2.00-2.20  ;  middle  toe,  1.20-1.40.     Hnb.  Piilrcarctic  rei,'ion,  New  Zealand,  etc. 

2.  H.  palllatuB.     Rump  brownish  slate,  like  back  and  win<.;s  ;  iris  brij,dit  yellow  ;  legs  and 

feet  dull  fleshy  white  or  pale  dull  Hesh-color.  Yimwj :  Top  ami  sides  of  head  speckled 
with  pale  brown;  feathers  of  upper  parts  broadly  margined  with  dull  buff;  bill  brownish; 
iris  brown.  Dnwntj  youwj  :  Above,  Iij,'lit  brownisli  \i\\\\,  faintly  mottled  with  dusky,  and 
marked  with  two  irregular  black  stripes  down  the  back  and  one  along  each  side  ;  a 
post-ocular  black  streak  ;  lower  jiarts,  except  foreneck,  white.  Wing,  9.7.5-11.00  ;  cul- 
men, 3.(K)-3.70  ;  tarsus,  2.05-2.55;  middle  toe,  1.20-1.55.  Hah.  Coasts  of  America  in 
general,  e.\cept  Pacific  coast  north  of  Lower  California. 
B«    I'ltimiKje  entirehi  hldclish, 

3.  H.  niger.    Entire  plumage  brownish  black,  more  plumbeous  on  the  head  and  neck. 

((.  Wing,  9.60-10.75;  culmen,  2.50-2.95;  greatest  depth  of  bill,  forward  of  nostril,  .45-.52; 

tarsus,  1.85-2.25;  middle  toe,  1.30-1. 65.     Hub.    Pacific  coast  of  North  America.     Var. 

n  if/er. 
h.  AVing,    10.25-10.80;  culmen,   2.90-3.(H> ;   tarsus,   2.20;   middle    toe,    1.70-1.75;    greatest 

depth  of  bill  anterior  to  nostril,  .60.     Hah.  Pacific  coast  of  South  America.     Var.  ater} 

In  this  species,  or  race,  according  to  authors,  the  iris  is  yellow,  eyelids  red  or  orange-red,  bill 
orange-red,  and  feet  flesh-color,  or  grayish. 


H.  palliatus. 

The  Hrrmalnpns  lencopus  (Gamot),  recognized  by  Sclater  and  Salvin  {Xomenclator  Neotropi- 
caliiim,  p.  143),  is  a  South  American  species,  with  which  we  are  unacquainted.  Its  habitat  is 
Tierra  del  Fuego.  In  the  adult  of  this  species  the  bill  is  red  or  orange-red,  the  iris  bright  yellow 
<ir  orange,  the  eyelids  yellow  or  red,  the  legs  and  feet  flesh-colored  or  grayish.  In  the  young,  the 
bill  is  browiush,  the  iris  brown,  the  legs  and  feet  grayish.  (Cf.  Sci..  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1878,  437, 
438  ;  Sharpe,  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  15.) 


^  H^MATOPUS  KIGERATER. 

Hmmatopus  ater,  Vieill.  Gal.  Ois.  II.  1825,  88,  pi.  ccxx. — Cassis,  in  Bnird's  R.  N.  Am.  1858, 

700.  —  Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  514.  —  Scl.  &  Sai-v.  P.  Z.  S.  1878, 438 Sharpe, 

P.  Z.  S.  1881,  15. 

Hrcmatopit^  nigcr,  Cuv.  R^g.  An.  I.  1829,  504  (not  of  Palla.s,  1831). 

Hmmatopus  Townacndii,  AuD.  Orn.  Biog.  V.  1839,  247,  pi.  427  ;  Synop.  1839,  229  ;  B.  Am.  V. 
1842,  246,  pl.  326. 


no 


PRiECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


Heematopus  ostralegus. 

EVBOFEAH   OTSTEB  CATCHEB. 


Heematopus  ostralcijus,  Lisx.  Faun.  Suec.  69  ;  S.  N.  cil.  10,  1758,  152  ;  cil.  12,  1766,  257.  —  Nai- 
Vbg.  Deutsclil.  VII.  1834,  325,  iil.  181.  —  SriiLEo.  llev.  Ciit.  85.  —  Kkys.  &  Ulas.  Will).  Ei 


-  Naim. 

Eur. 
71.  — Okay,  Geu.  15.  HI.  517;  Cat.  Hiit.  15.  18(53,  142.  —  Maltjii.l.  Hist,  liiit.  15.  IV.  1852, 
152.  —  UiDiiW.  Noin.  X.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  500.  —  C(iUE.s,  Check  List,  2d  cj.  1882,  no.  505 
("  ostri/cf)its  "). 

Ifcnnalopus  hiipolriicu.i,  Pali..  Zoiifj.  ]{o.s.so-As.  II.  1811,  129. 

ILvma/opits  hiifiirnstris,  ViKiLi..  Ene.  Moth.  II.  1820,  310.  —  GouLD.  B.  Austr.  VI.  pi.  7. 

liwmrilojms  in'i-'itii.i,  VliioKs,  King's  Voy.  Austr.  Alp.  420. 

Ostrakga  pieu,  Bosnat.  Enc.  !Muth.  1790,  25. 

Oslralegn  curopccu,  Li.ss.  Tiaito,  1831,  548. 

Hivnuitopus  austrahmidnus,  fioui.D,  P.  Z.  S.  1837,  155. 

Ostmleyus  vithjnris,  Li:ss.  lii'v.  Zoiil.  1839,  47. 

Ostmlcgus  lnrmnUpus,  MAifiii.i,.  Man.  II.  59. 

Ifcrmntopus  balticus,  Piiieii.m,  A'iig.  Dcutschl.  563. 

Hirinalopus  orkntiilis,  BliEll.M,  1.  c. 

Hwmatopus  osculans,  Swinh.  P.  Z.  S.  1871,  405. 

Pied  Oyster  Cateltcr,  Pkxn.  Biit.  Zoiil.  II.  1812,  112,  pi.  19. 

Oyster  Catcher,  Yauu.  Brit.  B.  cil.  2,  II.  496,  fig.  ;  erl.  3,  II.  525,  fig.,  ct  Auct. 

Had.  Sea-const.'<  of  the  Pala-arctic  region,  New  Zealand,  etc.  ;  occa.«ional  in  Greenland 
(Reinh.  J.  f.  0.  1854,  425  ;  Ibis,  1861-1869.  Julianehaab,  1847  ;  Godtbaab,  1851 ;  Nenortalik, 
three  .specimens). 

Sp.  Chah.  Adult :  Head,  neqk,  juguluni,  wings,  and  tail,  black,  the  head  and  neck  somewhat 
plumbeous  in  certain  lights,  the  wings  and  tail  slightly  brownish.  Rest  of  the  plumage^  including 
the  entire  ninip,  upper  tail-coverts,  base  of  the  tail,  greater  wing-coverts,  and  lower  parts,  ))urc 
white.    Throat  sometimes  with  a  white  transverse  band,  and  in  some  specimens  other  white 


markings  about  the  head.^  Bill  "  vennilion,  tinged  with  yellow  as  far  as  the  end  of  the  nasal 
groove,  the  attenuated  part  dull  yellow  ; "  iris  crimson,  eyelids  vermilion  ;  feet  "  pale  lake  or 
purplish  red."  (Macgillivray.)  Young :  "  General  color  of  the  dark  parts  .  .  .  deep  chocolate- 
brown,  the  feathers  slightly  margined  with  yellowish  red  ;  the  breast,  belly,  greater  part  of  the 
back  [i.  e.  rump?],  half  of  the  tail,  and  its  coverts  .  .  .  white  ;"  bill  "more  tinged  with  orange, 
but  the  feet  .  .  .  nearly  as  described  above  "  (Macgillivray). 

1  According  to  Macgillivray  (Hist.  Brit.  B.  IV.  p.  155),  these  variations  appear  to  bo  of  an  individual 
character,  "  birds  at  all  seasons  occurring  with  the  varieties  as  to  the  white  marks  on  the  neck  mentioned 
above." 


-^'•■■-■^''^  ■ 


HiEMATOPODIDiE  -  THE  OYSTER  CATCHERS  —  ILEMATOPUS. 


Ill 


The  changes  of  plumage  with  age  are  thus  described  by  Macgillivray :  "After  the  first  moult 
the  bhick  parts  of  the  jilumage  are  tinged  with  brown,  more  espi'iially  the  ((uills  and  tail.  There 
is  an  obscure  half-ring  of  grayish-wliite  across  the  fore  part  of  the  neck,  the  tips  of  the  white 
feathers  being  black.  The  legs  are  pale  livid  gray,  the  claws  brown,  whitish  at  the  base  ;  the 
iris  crimson  ;  and  the  bill  a.s  in  the  adult,  but  a  little  more  dusky  toward  the  end.  It  ai)peai'3  to 
me  that  the  younger  birds  only  have  the  white  marks  on  the  neck,  and  that  these  gradually 
ilisapiiear  eadi  successive  moult,  until  in  very  old  birds  there  exist  only  faint  indications  of 
liiiMii,  tlie  feathers  being  merely  whitish  at  the  base.  The  chin,  which  is  slightly  mottled  with 
white  in  the  young  birds,  becomes  at  length  pure  black." 

The  National  Museum  possesses  but  a  single  European  specimen  of  this  species,  an  adult  male 
I'rom  Poinerania.  Besides  this,  however,  there  are  two  examples  (an  adult  male  and  fenuUe)  from 
Xing  Po,  China,  and  one  from  Xew  Zealand.  Xone  of  these  possess  the  slightest  trace  of  the 
white  markings  described  by  Macgillivray,  the  entire  neck  being  glossy  black. 

Tiie  Pied  Oyster  Catcher  from  New  Zealand  and  that  from  China  have  both  been  separated  from 
//.  ostmlcgus,  the  former  as  //.  longirostris,  Vieili.ot,  the  latter  as  //.  osculans,  Swinhoe.  With 
the  specimens  before  us,  however,  we  are  unable  to  appreciate  any  difl'erences  beyond  slight  ones 
of  proportions,  the  measurements  being  as  follows  :  — 


Wing. 

Culmen. 

Depth 
of  bill 
at  buae. 

Tanus. 

Miadlo 

toe. 

No.  56899 

S  ad. 

Poinprania, 

10.25 

3.10 

.55 

2.00 

1.40 

"    85740 

S   " 

Ning  Po, 

10.00 

3.35 

.55 

2.00 

1.30 

"     85741 

9    " 

(( 

10.10 

2.85 

.50 

2.15 

1.35 

"    C6276 

9   " 

New  Zoaliuid, 

10.10 

3.50 

.60 

2.10 

1.25 

The  difl'erences  of  measurements  indicated  above  are  not  so  great  as  have  been  found  in  a 
larger  series  of  H.  palliatiis,  and  we  are  unable  to  discover  any  differences  of  plumage. 


The  Oyster  Catcher  of  Europe  is  of  occasional  occurrence  in  Iceland  and  Greenland, 
and  claims,  on  that  account  alone,  to  be  included  among  the  birds  of  our  fauna.  It  is 
found  along  the  entire  Atlantic  sea-<*oast  of  Europe,  is  to  be  seen  around  the  shores 
of  (Ircat  llritain,  from  the  Scilly  Islands  to  the  Shetland,  and  is  common  in  Denmark, 
.Sweden,  and  on  the  west  shores  of  Norway,  from  spring  to  autumn.  Pennant  states 
tliat  this  species  is  to  be  found  along  the  northern  shores  of  Russia  aiul  Siberia, 
wlii're  it  breeds  on  the  great  Arctic  flats,  and  that  it  even  extends  its  range  to 
Kumtschatka. 

This  species  also  inhabits  all  the  coasts  of  the  southern  portion  of  Europe,  passing 
to  North  Africa  by  the  line  of  Italy  and  Sicily.  It  is  included  by  Temminck  among 
tiie  birds  of  Japan,  and  by  Keinhardt  among  those  of  Greenland,  on  the  strength  of 
three  specimens  —  one  sent  from  Juliauehaab  in  1847,  another  from  Godthaab  in 
1851,  and  a  third  found  in  a  collection  from  Nenortalik.  Mr.  Alfred  Xewton  states 
that  it  is  more  common  in  the  south  than  in  the  north  of  Iceland,  and  Eaber  consid- 
ered it  resident  throughout  the  3'ear,  as  it  remained  in  large  flocks  during  the  ■winter 
in  the  south.  It  is  most  abundant  on  the  sea-coast,  but  was  found  by  Herr  Preyer  on 
some  of  the  inland  waters. 

In  Great  Pritain  and  Ireland  it  is  a  common  and  a  well-known  species.  It  appears 
to  prefer  the  sandy  shores  of  bays  and  wide  inlets  bounded  with  banks  of  shingle 
and  other  localities  favorable  for  th  -  production  of  the  various  kinds  of  inoUusks 
upon  which  it  principally  feeds.  Its  peculiar  beak,  truncated  and  wedge-like  in  its 
shape,  and  having  a  sharp  vertical  edge,  is  admirably  Avell  adapted  for  insertion 
between  the  two  portions  of  bivalve  shells  and  for  forcing  them  open.  The  Oyster 
Catcher  is  also  able  with  this  powerful  beak  to  detach  univalve  shells  and  limpets 
from  the  surface  of  rocks,  and  does  this  easily  and  rapidly.  Its  food  appears  to  be 
mollusca  of  all  kinds,  Avorms,  Crustacea,  and  marine  insects. 


112 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


Mr.  Selby  speaks  of  this  species  as  a  very  handsome  bird  when  seen  on  the  wing, 
the  marked  contrast  of  its  pure  black  and  wliite  coloration  producing  a  very  striking 
effect. 

The  Oyster  Catcher  can  run  with  great  rapidity,  and  is  able  both  to  swim  and  to 
dive  with  ease  ;  and  may  frccpiently  be  seen  swimming  short  distances  in  search  of 
food,  lint  it  seldom  or  never  dives,  except  when  driven  to  do  so  by  danger,  and  in 
order  to  effect  its  escape  from  an  enemy. 

Although  the  Oyster  Catcher  is  essentially  a  shore  bird,  Yarrell  cites  quite  a 
number  of  instances  in  which  it  has  been  found  far  inland.  In  one  case  it  was  tiiken 
at  Oatlands,  on  the  Thames,  fifty  miles  from  its  nu)uth.  Another  writer,  in  the  Maga- 
zine of  Natural  History  (V'T.  j).  l")!),  states  that  in  the  summer  it  may  always  be  found 
along  the  Don,  thirty  miles  or  nu)re  from  the  sea,  and  that  it  breeds  as  high  up  as 
Kildrummy.  Yarrell  states  that  young  l)irds  of  this  species  are  readily  and  fre- 
quently tamed,  and  can  easily  be  made  to  associate  with  domestic  poultry ;  In;  also 
mentions  that  a  flock  of  these  birds  used,  some  years  ago,  to  run  about  inside  the 
railing  on  the  grass  in  front  of  the  Pavilion  at  Brighton. 

In  the  wild  state  the  birds  of  this  species  unite  in  small  "lofjks  towards  winter,  and 
are  then  very  shy  and  difficult  of  ai)proach.  In  spring  they  again  separate  into  pairs, 
many  of  these  associating  and  breeding  together  at  particular  favorite  localities. 
Montagu  nentions  that  they  appeared  to  be  more  abundant  on  some  parts  of  the 
sandy  flat  coasts  of  Lincolnshire  than  in  any  other  region  with  which  he  was  ac- 
quainted. At  a  point  on  that  coast  called  (Jibraltar  there  is  an  isolated  marsh  where 
Oyster  Catchers  were  then  known  to  breed,  in  such  great  abundance  that  a  fisher- 
man informed  Mr.  Montagu  that  \u',  had  collected  a  bushel  of  their  eggs  in  a  single 
morning. 

The  Oyster  Catcher  makes  no  nest,  but  deposits  its  eggs  —  usually  four  in  number 
—  on  the  bare  ground,  on  a  shingly  beach  above  high-water  mark.  They  are  2.17 
inches  in  length  by  L.'JO  inches  in  breadth,  and  have  a  yellowish  stone  ground  color, 
and  are  spotted  and  blotched  with  ashy  gray  and  dark  brown. 

The  female  is  said  to  sit  upon  her  eggs  about  three  weeks.  During  all  this  time 
the  male  keeps  a  sharp  watch,  and  on  the  approach  of  an  enemy  becomes  very 
clamorous.  His  mate,  warned  by  this  signal  of  danger,  leaves  her  nest  in  silence, 
and  after  a  circuitous  flight,  joins  him  in  his  endeavors  to  mislead  and  to  decoy  away 
the  intruder.  The  young,  when  first  hatched,  are  covered  with  a  grayish-brown 
down. 

Haematopus  palliatus. 

AHEBICAN   OTSTEB   CATCHES. 

Hcematoptis  palliatus,  TF.yiM.  Man.   II.  1820,  532.  —  Aun.  Om.  Biog.  III.  183.5,  181:  V.  580,  pi. 

223 ;  Synop.  1839,  228  ;  Birds  Am.  V.  1842,  236,  pi.  324.  -  Baikd,  Birds  N.  Am.  1853,  699  ; 

Cat.  N.  Am.   H.  1859,  no.  512.  —  Coitus,  K.-y,  1872,  246 ;  Check  List,  187.3,  uo.  404  ;  2d  ed. 

1882,  no.  596.  —  Kidgw.  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  507. 
" Hittmtopus  ostrale.gus,"  \Vil.s.  Am.  Orn.  A'lII.  1814,  15  pi.  Ixiv.  (nee  Linn.). 
Siemutopus  nrcticus,  Jard.  ed.  Wilson,  III.  1832,  35. 
?  Haimatopus  "  brasiliensU,  Licirr."  (Guay,  Handl.  III.  p.  21). 

Hab.  Sea-coasts  of  temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  Nova  Scotia  and  Lower  California 
to  Patagonia  ;  Bahamas  ;  Cuba ;  Tres  Marias  ;  Galapagos.  Apparently  wanting  on  the  Pacific 
coast  of  the  United  States  north  of  Santa  Bavhara. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult:  Head  and  neck  uniform  black,  with  a  plumbeous  cast  in  certain  lights  ;  back, 
wings,  and  tail  slate-brown.    Rest  of  the  plumage,  including  the  greater  wing-coverts,  tertials,  and 


n,EMAT0P()DID.1?  —  THE  OYSTER  CATCHERS  —  H.EMATOPUS. 


113 


basal  liulf  of  tbe  secondaries,  upper  tail-coverts,  sides  of  the  runii),  basal  portion  of  the  tail,  and 
tlic  entile  lower  parts  pure  white.  Bill  (in  liic)  rich  vermilion,  most  intense  (jn  middle  third, 
liasal  third  more  scarlet,  the  tip  yellowish  ;  cveliilM  rich  vermilion  ;  iris  bri;,dit  yellow  ;  legs  and 
feet  pale  dull  fleshy  white,*  Yitang:  Hea<l  and  neck  dusky  black,  tbe  pileuni  and  cheeks  speckled 
with  dull  fulvous,  and  the  feathers  surroundin;,'  the  base  of  tlie  bill  whitish  ;  njiper  parts  grayish 
brown,  each  feather  widely  margined  with  pale  fulvous  or  dull  l>u(f.  Otherwise  much  like  the 
mlult,  but  upper  tail-coverts  tijiped  with  bull',  bill  brownish,  iris  brown,  and  feet  dull  livid  grayish. 
Bdinuj  ijDiiiKj:  Head  and  neck  dull  light  cinereous,  finely  mottled  with  darker,  and  with  a  narrow 
postocular  line  of  black  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  light  fulvous  gray,  finely  mottled  with  darker,  and 
relieved  by  two  narrow  stripes  of  black,  which  extend,  parallel  to  one  another,  from  the  upper  part 
of  the  back  to  the  rump.  Lower  parts,  from  tin;  jugulum  back,  immaculate  white.  Hill  dusky, 
the  ba.sal  half  of  the  mandible  dull  orange  ;  iris  brown  ;  legs  and  feet  pale  tluU  Hesh-color. 

Total  length,  17  to  21  Inches  ;  extent,  32  to  30.     Wing,  ».75  to  11.00  ;  culmen,  3.00  to  3.70  ; 
tarsus,  2.05  to  2.55  ;  niddle  toe,  1.20  to  1.55. 


Specimens  from  nearly  all  parts  of  the  ranG;e  of  the  species  have  been  compared.  There  is 
little,  if  any,  variation  in  colors,  but  the  dimensions  vary  with  the  individual.  Two  Chilian 
examples  have  the  smallest  bill,  tlu;  culmen  measuring  respectively  3.00  and  3.25,  the  greatest 
dcjitli  of  the  bill,  forward  of  the  nostril,  being  .48.  In  an  example  from  Isabella  Island,  Western 
.Mexico,  these  measurements  are  3.10  and  .55.  In  a  specimen  from  Yucatan,  the  depth  of  the  bill 
i.s  scarcely  .45,  the  culmen  being  the  same  length  as  in  the  preceding. 

On  the  Atlaiitio  coast  tlio  American  Oyster  Catclier  occurs  in  more  or  less  abxin- 
daiice,  from  iMassacliiisetts  to  Central  America.  Like  the  //.  ostndeffiis  of  Europe, 
it  i)robably  wanders  inland,  especially  up  the  inlets  and  estuaries  of  the  Carolinas. 
Wilson  mentions  having  received  a  stuffed  specimen  shot  from  a  flock  that  had  been 
first  discovered  on  a  beach  near  the  entrance  of  Boston  Harbor,  and  in  the  summer 
of  1837  a  pair  of  these  birds  were  procured  at  Marslitield  by  Daniel  Webster  and 
presented  to  the  Boston  Natural  History  Society.  It  Avas  then  no  uncommon  thing 
to  see  specimens  of  this  bird  on  sale  in  the  Boston  nuirket ;  but  this  seldom  or  never 
occurs  now,  and  the  bird  for  many  years,  so  far  as  known,  has  been  a  stranger  to 
]Massacliusetts.  jMr.  Boardman  informs  me  that  it  is  of  occasional  but  rare  occur- 
rence in  tho  vicinity  of  Calais,  Me.,  and  that  a  single  specimen  has  been  taken  on 
Grand  Me  nan. 

An  (Oyster  Catcher  was  observed  by  Mr.  Salvin  at  the  mouth  of  the  Nagualete 
River,  and  he  regarded  it  as  being  referable  to  this  species ;  he  also  mentions  meeting 
with  it  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  (.iuatemala.  Dr.  (Jooper  states  that  he  obtained  two 
specimens  of  this  bird  —  one  at  San  Diego,  the  >    lier  on  Santa  Barbara  Island,  in 

*  Fresh  colors  of  several  specimens  killed  in  the  breeding     .ison  at  Cobb's  Island,  coast  of  Virginia, 
vol,.  I.  —  15 


114 


PILECOCIAL  GRALLATOUES  —  LIMICOLiE. 


the  months  of  May  and  Juno.  The  last  contained  an  egg  nearly  ready  for  exclusion. 
The  birds  were  alone,  or  rather,  were  associating  with  the  black  species  oidy ;  Init 
not  in  pairs,  as  they  did.  From  this  Dr.  Cooper  su])posi'd  that  it  is  a  mere  straggler 
on  the  l*acili(!  coast :  perhaps  more  common  southward,  but  it  had  not  been  observed 
by  him  farther  north.  He  found  them  among  the  seaweeds  on  the  rocks,  or  along  the 
sandy  beach,  feeding  chiefly  on  small  Crustacea  and  luollusca,  and  very  wild.  They 
swallowed  small  shell-covered  auinuils,  either  entire  or  i)artially  broken. 

Dr.  Bryant  mentions  finding  the  Oyster  Catcher  abundant  everywhere  throughout 
the  Bahamas,  resident  and  breeding  wherever  there  were  sandy  or  gravelly  beaches. 
It  also  breeds  on  the  Island  of  Cuba,  from  whence  we  have  received  undoubted  speci- 
mens of  its  eggs. 

Lcotaud  mentions  this  species  as  an  irregular  visitant  of  Trinidad,  where  it  arrives 
in  small  Hocks  sonu^  years,  and  not  at  all  in  others.  It  usually  came  in  August,  and 
left  in  October.  Mr.  Dresser  met  with  a  couple  in  (Jalveston  Bay  in  June.  J  lis 
boatman  called  them  "  Pillwillet,"  but  did  not  confound  them  with  the  Ked  Willct. 
He  said  they  were  not  a  common  species,  but  that  one  or  two  ])airs  bred  occasionally 
on  the  outer  island  in  West  Bay.  And  Dr.  Alerrill  informs  us  that  the  Oyster 
Catcher  breeds  on  I'adre  and  Brazos  islands,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Ilio  Grande. 

Mr.  H.  Durnford  ("'Ibis,"  1878)  mentions  meeting  with  several  pairs  of  this  species 
on  Tombo  Point  in  Central  Patagonia,  and  evidently  nesting,  although  he  failed  to 
discover  the  eggs  :  this  was  in  December.  He  also  states  that  this  bird  occasionally 
occurs  at  the  mouth  of  the  Chupat.  The  fact  that  it  is  found  in  the  extreme  southern 
portion  of  South  America  is  suggestive  of  its  occurrence  along  the  entire  coast  of  tliat 
continent ;  and  this  is  partially  conhrmed  by  its  presence  on  the  ilarias,  where  Mr, 
Grayson  fouiul  it  common,  as  well  as  on  the  main  (toast  of  Mexico  on  the  Pacific. 

Giraud,  in  his  "Birds  of  Long  Island,"  mentions  finding  this  species  a  rather 
scarce  bird  on  Long  Island, although  during  the  siunmcr  a  few  maybe  seen  on  almost 
every  beach,  along  the  whole  extent  of  its  sea-coast.  Tn  pairs  or  in  small  parties  it 
frequents  the  sandy  beaches  or  shoals  in  quest  of  its  food,  which  consists  chiefly  of 
mussels,  small  crabs,  and  marine  insects.  It  is  apparently  confined  to  the  coast, 
and  along  that  of  New  Jersey  and  farther  south  is  more  common.  Giraud  was  in- 
formed that  at  low  water  it  visits  the  oyster-beds,  awaiting  a  favorable  opi)ortunity, 
when  the  shells  open,  to  thrust  in  its  hard  and  strong  bill  o.nd  to  rob  them  of  their 
contents.  Those  seen  on  Long  Island  were  usually  solitary  birds,  or  at  most  a  pair 
at  any  time,  aiul  were  all  between  Baynor  South  and  Babylon,  in  which  section  no 
oysters  are  found.  They  were  shy,  vigilant,  and  exceedingly  difhcult  to  approach. 
Their  flight  is  swift,  and  they  have  a  stately  walk.  "When  alarmed  this  bird  utters 
a  sharp  whistling  note,  and  runs  rapidly  along  the  beach.  Should  the  pursuit  be 
continued,  it  takes  wing,  and  passes  rapidly  out  of  sight.  Although  its  flesh  ic  dark 
colored  and  ill-flavored,  yet,  as  it  is  regarded  as  a  singular  as  well  as  a  rare  bird,  it  is 
always  sent  to  the  New  York  market  by  the  Bay-men,  by  whom  it  is  called  the 
"  Flood  Gull."  Giraud  adds  that  it  forms  no  regular  nest,  but  deposits  its  eggs  — 
usually  three  in  number  —  on  the  sand,  leaving  them,  in  fine  weather,  during  the 
day  to  be  hatched  out  by  the  influence  of  the  sun.  When  Avounded,  this  bird  always 
makes  for  the  water,  in  which  it  can  both  swim  and  dive  well.  In  autumn  it 
migrates  southward,  and  large  numbers  are  said  to  winter  in  Florida,  and  at  that 
season  to  collect  in  flocks ;  it  is,  however,  said  to  be  rare  at  St.  Augustine. 

Wilson  found  it  frequenting  the  sandy  sea-beaches  of  New  Jersey  in  small  parties 
of  two  or  three  pairs  together.  It  was  shy,  and  rarely  permitted  approach  within 
gunshot,  except  during  the  season  of  breeding.     It  walked  along  the  shore  in  a 


ILEMATOPODID.E  — TIIK  OYSTKR  CATCHERS  —  ILEMATOrUS. 


115 


watchl'ul  and  stately  manner,  from  time  to  time  prol)ing  the  j,'roun(l  with  its  bill  in 
search  of  food.  The  liard  wand  to  which  it  resorts  w,vs  fonnd  thickly  perforated  with 
ol)lon>,'  holes  two  or  three  inches  in  depth.  The  liddlir-cral),  as  well  as  ninssels,  sport- 
lisli,  and  a  variety  of  other  shell-hsli  and  sea-insects,  with  which  those  shores  abound, 
were  its  principal  food.  The  inhal)itants  of  Kj^'j,'  Harbor  and  those  of  other  j)arts  of 
the  coast  did  not  credit  its  alleged  feedin;,'  upon  oysters,  statin},'  that  it  is  never  seen 
in  their  neif,'hborhood,  but  eontines  itself  .solely  to  the  .sands;  and  this  statement 
Wilscm  contirins,  statinj,'  that  he  has  \iniforndy  found  it  on  the  smooth  beach  border- 
ing the  ocean;  and  on  the  higher  dry  and  level  sands,  just  beyond  the  reach  of  tides, 
and  at  ])oints  where  the  dry  flats  are  thickly  interspersed  with  drifted  shells,  ho 
usually  found  its  nests  between  the  middle  and  thtf  2i"ith  of  May.  The  nest  is  said 
to  be  merely  a  slight  hollow  in  the  sand,  and  usually  e()ntains  three  eggs,  Avhich,  when 
fresh,  have  a  bluish  cream-colored  ground,  nuirked  with  large  roundish  spots  of  black, 
and  others  of  a  fainter  tint.  In  some  eggs  this  blue  tint  was  wanting,  and  in  these 
the  blotches  were  larger  and  of  a  deep  brown.  The  young  wt-re  hatched  about  the 
2.")tli  of  May,  and  sometimes  earlier ;  Wilson  himself  found  them  running  about  the 
hcacli  at  that  period.  When  I  visited  tht;  sandy  islands  off  Cape  Charles  in  June, 
IHo'J,  there  were  no  young  birds  found,  and  all  thi;  eggs  of  this  species  were  fresh  —  a 
condition  probably  owing  to  the  fact  that  their  eggs  had  been  previously  taken,  and 
no  opportunity  afforded  for  their  hatching  at  an  earlier  period.  The  j'oung  birds  are 
described  by  Wilson  as  bchig  at  first  covered  with  down  of  a  grayish  color,  resendding 
that  of  the  sand,  and  marked  with  a  .streak  of  blackish  brown  on  the  neck,  back,  and 
rump,  the  breast  being  dusky  where  in  the  old  birds  it  is  black.  Their  bills  are 
slightly  bent  at  the  tip,  and  have  a  hard  protuberance,  which  falls  off  in  a  few  days 
after  they  are  hatched.  They  run  along  th(^  shore  with  great  ease  and  swiftness. 
The  female  sits  on  her  eggs  only  during  the  night  or  during  cold  and  rainy  weather, 
the  heat  of  the  sun  and  of  the  sand  at  other  times  rendering  her  presence  unneces- 
sary ;  but  she  is  said  to  watch  the  spot  with  anxiety  and  fidelity.  The  young  follow 
the  mother  from  the  shell,  squat  on  the  sand  —  from  which  they  are  with  difficulty 
difitinguished  —  whenever  there  is  any  danger,  while  both  parents  nmke  large  circuits 
around  the  intruder,  uttering  repeated  cries,  and  practising  the  common  stratagem  of 
counterfeited  lameness.  Their  note  is  said  to  be  a  loud  and  shrill  whistling,  like 
whei'2)-inheej)-wheu  sharply  nttered.  A  Hock  of  these  birds  will  often  rise,  descend, 
and  wheel  in  air  with  remarkable  regularity,  as  if  drilled  to  the  practice ;  at  such 
times  the  glittering  white  of  their  wings  is  very  conspicuous.  This  peculiarity  is 
also  mentioned  by  Jardine  as  having  been  noticed  by  him  in  the  European  ostvaloffus. 

The  stomachs  of  the  birds  opened  by  Wilson  contained  fragments  of  shell-fish, 
pieces  of  crabs  and  of  the  great  king-crab,  with  some  dark  brown  marine  insects, 

Audubon  claims  to  have  met  with  this  species  in  Labrador,  and  states  that  he 
there  found  several  breeding  in  the  month  of  July.  He  afterward  adds  that  he  saw 
this  bird  farther  inland  in  Labrador  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  country.  I  am 
only  able  to  reconcile  this  statement  with  the  remarkable  rarity  of  this  species  from 
Montauk  Point  to  Grand  Menan,  and  with  the  singular  fact  that  we  have  no  mention 
by  any  other  author  of  its  appearance  on  that  coast,  by  supposing  that  Mr.  Audubon 
was  misinformed,  or  in  some  way  misled  in  regard  to  its  occurrence  farther  north. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  vary  in  length  from  2.25  to  2.45  inches,  and  in  breadth 
from  1.66  to  1.70  inches.  Their  gi-ound-color  is  a  fawn-colored  white,  and  their 
markings  are  of  bistre  ;  these  are  partly  rounded  spots,  and  partly  irregular  confluent 
blotches,  lines,  and  oblong  dashes.  The  dark-bistre  is  occasionally  washed  with  the 
fawn-co\or  of  the  ground,  giving  to  these  markings  a  diluted,  neutral  appearance. 


110 


PR.ECOCIAL  r, HALT, ATI  )RKS  —  LIMICOL.E. 


Btematopu*  nlger. 

BLACK   OYSTER   CATCHEH. 

Uitmiilopiin  iiltjn;  P.VI.I..  Zoog.   Itimso-As.   II.  1H;)1,  1:11.  —  Baiiip,   llinls  N.  Am.  If.lS,  700  ;   Cnt. 

N.  Am.  n.  18,V.i,  no.  .113.  — foiKs,  Key,  1»7'J, -Jlti;  fhcvk  List,  1873,  no.  4(i:i ;  'Jil  I'J.  18SJ,  no. 

61*7— KiDiiW.  Norn.  N.Am.  It.  ISS'i,  no.  :.08. 
IIirmolniniH  llii,-lin„tin,  An>.  <>in.  111..),'.  V.  lS;)ii,  •il"),  \A.  427  i  Synoii.  1831),  220  ;  Birds  Am.  V.  1842, 

213,  pi,  32').  — T.)\VNs  Nun.  Ks31i,  348. 

IIah.  Piuilii'  coast  of  Xorlli  Aincrii'ii,  iis  far  south  n«  Lower  Caliloriiia  ;  lirecdin);  »oiith  to 
Sunta  C'rii/,  CalU'oniia      Kuril.-  l^'Ianll'<. 

Sr.  C'H.vn.  All  nil :  Hca.l,  neck,  aii.i  juj,'uliini  Mick,  willi  iiuirc  or  less  of  a  pliniilicoiis  cast  ; 
rest  of  till-  ])liiiiiaj,'c  uniform  Ma.kisli  In-own.  "  I'.ill  vcrniiiion,  fa.linj,'  to  vcllow  on  tin-  worn  j.ails 
towanl  till'  cntl.  E.l'.'fs  of  cycliiis  vciniilion  ;  iris  yellow.  Feet  white,  sli^-litly  tinged  with  Ite.sli- 
color  ;  claws  yellowish,  t.iward  the  en. I  dusky"  (Arnriiox). 

Win^',  !K(i(>-lo.7.'> ;  culnien,  2..')i>-2.!).') ;  greatest  dejith  of  hill  (I'orwanl  of  nostril),  .45-.02  ;  tnr- 
flu.«,  1.8.')-2.25  ;  middle  toe,  l.;)t)-l. (!."). 

There  is  no  very  young  siiecinieii  of  //.  iili/ir  in  the  coHecti.in  ;  hut  a  very  young  exaniide  of 
the  southern  form  (var.  atcr)  from  Tierra  del  l-'iiego  (No.  i:)484)  is  wholly  dusky  blackish,  each 


feather,  above  and  below,  except  on  the  head  and  neck,  tipped  with  a  naiTow  bar  of  pale  ochra- 
ceous.  This  character  of  immaturity  is  indicated  in  several  of  the  specimens  of  if.  uigcr  in  the 
collection  by  the  presence  of  a  few  whitish  narrow  bars  on  the  abdomen.  One  e.vaniple,  still 
younger  (No.  28000,  Straits  of  Fuca),  ha;^  some  of  the  wing-coverts  narrowly  and  indistinctly 
tipped  with  ochraceous,  and  the  bill  is  yellowish  horn-color,  e.xcept  on  the  basal  portion. 

This  species,  first  made  known  as  a  Xortli  American  bird  by  Townsend,  was  called 
by  Audubon  Hachman's  Oyster  Catcher.  It  had  been  ])rcviously  described  by  Tallas 
as  belonging  to  Northeastern  Asia  and  the  surrounding  islands.  jNIr.  Townsend  men- 
tions having  found  it  abundant  along  the  whole  of  our  northwest  coast,  as  well  as 
in  Regent's  Sound.  The  specimens  mentioned  by  these  authors  were  shot  in  June, 
183(5.  Other  specimens  have  since  been  taken  in  Alaska,  at  San  Miguel  Island, 
Sitka,  Kadiak,  in  C^alifornia,  and  elsewhere. 

Mr.  R.  Browne  (Ibis,  1868)  states  that  this  species,  though  not  a  connnon  bird  in 
the  southern  portion  of  Vancouver  Island,  is  quite  abundant  at  the  northern  end, 
and  very  plentiful  about  Queen  Cliarlotte  Islands.  In  March,  1866,  while  rowing 
along  the  narrow  sounds  among  these  islands,  he  often  met  with  it.     It  was  by  no 


H.KMATOPODID.K  — TFIK  uYSTKIl  CATCHERS-  1 1. EM. \  To  ITS. 


ir 


mt'ans  shy,  but  would  sit  on  tlic  rocks  until  lie  coulil  nlmost  touch  it;  then,  uttcr- 
iuK  ft  low  whistliu),'  cit,  if  would  dint  olT  to  iinothi'i"  Hki'rry,  ri'|K'atiii},'  tho  huuio 
lUMno'Uvn-  iijjiiiu  and  iiijaiM. 

Dr.  ("ixipt'i'  it'K'ards  the  lUack  (hstcr  ('atidicr  as  an  cmiiu-ntly  tliaractt'iistic  bird 
of  our  I'acitic  coast.  He  adds  tliat  it  is  nioic  conmiou  to  the  northward  than  to 
the  south,  and  that  it  is  i)artic\darly  partial  to  rocky  coasts  and  islands,  hciii),'  rarely 
met  with  on  sand  hcatdies.  lie  t'ouml  a  lew  on  Santa  Marhara  Island,  in  .May,  I.S().'{, 
and  discovered  a  nest  on  the  .'Id  of  dune  containiuf,'  four  fresh  ej,'^s,  supiioscd  to 
have  heen  a  second  layin^t.  They  were  in  a  sli^dit  dcpressitui  in  tho  j»ravel,  doso 
to  the  edi,'e  of  a  rocky  clitT,  ii,Ljainst  which  the  waves  were  dashinj;  almost  to  its  top, 
and  a  very  sli^'ht  roll  would  have  sent  the  water  over  them.  The  (dd  liinls,  uuliko 
the  IMovers,  showed  great  solicitude  for  their  eggs,  Itoth  of  them  Hying  round  clo.se 
to  him,  with  a  louil  whistle,  which  was  their  only  cry. 

Mr.  Cooper  descril)cs  their  eggs  as  nu'asuring  fnuu  li.L'S  to  L',4(>  iiudies  in  length, 
and  from  l.od  to  l.o.'t  inches  in  breadth.  They  hav(^  a  brownish-white  grouiul, 
sparsely  blotched  with  markings  of  a  light  and  of  a  darker  brown. 

Dr.  Coo|>er  thinks  that  this  species  does  not  breed  in  any  cd'  the  islands  soutli  of 
Santa  Barbara,  as  he  nu't  with  none  of  them  during  the  siimnuM'.  and  saw  none  along 
the  southern  coast.  He  has  notu'cd  this  species  ou  the  Karallon  I.slands  in  June,  and 
helievi's  that  this  is  the  bird  rtd'erred  to  by  Dr.  Heernuinn  as  //.  Toifiisfiidl!  oi  Audu- 
bon, inasmuch  as  this  latter  has  never  been  seen  mu'th  of  Panama.  This  last-named 
species  is  one  that  may  readily  be  rccogni/cd  by  its  blood-red  h'gs;  and  Dr.  Cooper 
ventures  the  suggestion  that  Townsend  really  obtained  his  specimen  of  it  from 
South  .\nicrica,  as  it  is  now  known  that  he  did  several  other  species  of  birds  wrongly 
credited  to  onr  coast.  Dr.  Cooper  adds  th.at  there  apjicars  to  be  really  very  little,  if 
any,  difference  in  the  habits  or  cries  of  the  m'f/ir  and  those  of  the  2»'l/i<itt(>i,  both  of 
whiidi  specii's  associate  together  during  the  breeding-seas.  m. 

.Mr.  Dall  mentions  this  bird  as  a  summer  visitor  to  the  Aleutian  Islaiuls,  and  says 
that  it  was  seen  both  in  Malashka  and  in  the  Shumcgius.  The  eggs,  partly  incubated, 
were  obtained  ou  liange  Island,  I'opoff  Strait,  June  'J',i,  1871.'.  There  were  two  in  one, 
and  one  in  another,  nest,  tlu'se  being  mere  depressions  in  the  giMvel  of  the  beaeh, 
with  no  lining  whatever.  The  birds  were  exceedingly  wary,  and  kei)t  entirely  out  of 
gunshot.  When  disturbed  they  uttered  a  peculiar  low  whistle,  which,  once  heard,  is 
likely  to  be  remend)ered ;  and  they  have  a  habit  of  standing  on  the  beach  or  rocks  a 
little  way  ajjart,  ami  whistling,  one  calling  and  the  other  answering,  keeping  this  up 
for  half  an  hour  at  a  time.  It  is  one  of  the  most  peculiar  birds  of  that  region,  having 
a  grave,  solenni,  and  stilted  gait,  and  bobbing  its  liead  up  and  down  with  every  step 
as  it  moves. 

Mr.  H.  W.  Henshaw  met  Avith  the  Black  (.)yster  Catcher  in  considerable  numbers  on 
Santa  Cruz  Island,  and  was  informed  that  they  occur  on  other  islands  of  that  group, 
frequenting  the  little  islets  that  are  separated  from  the  nuiin  island  by  narrow  chan- 
nels, and  finding  these  breeding-grounds  safe  from  the  intrusion  of  their  enemies. 
Their  short  stout  legs  and  feet  adapt  them  for  a  life  among  the  rocks,  and  they 
ol)tain  much  of  their  food  among  the  kelp  and  seaweed  which  cover  the  slippery 
rocks  and  shelter  various  crnstaceans  and  mollnsks.  Their  long,  strong,  and  wedge- 
like bill  is  admirably  adnptcil  for  prying  open  bivalve  shells.  (1n  Santa  Cruz  Island 
they  seemed  to  obtain  a  plentiful  supply  of  food  by  feeding,  along  the  sandy  beaches, 
on  objects  cast  up  by  the  waves  or  floating  on  the  surface.  Their  movements  a\> 
peared  rather  clumsy,  and  as  if  they  felt  a  little  out  of  place.  The  birds  were  not 
at  all  shy,  and  permitted  Mr.  Henshaw  to  approach  them  within  thirty  yards  as 


•  -  I 


118 


PR.KCOCIAL  ilKAM.ATollKd  —  LlMlCoLE. 


they  waniK'red  nloiiK  tlu'  \hw\\.  Tlicy  wt-rf  tht>  noisiest  of  all  tlio  tViitluTt'd  triU'  frc- 
(|iU'iitiiiK  the  ishuitl,  and  tlu'ir  liursh  ami  vdciliTouM  cries  were  licunl  nil  the  day  hmj^. 
After  some  seareli  he  siii'<'eed('(l  ui  tiiHliiiK'  two  nests,  (hie,  coiitaiiiiiiK  a  siiiKh'  fresh- 
hiid  t%%  was  fouml,  .lime  (1,  on  the  extreme  point  of  a  liiKh  elitl  jiittiiiK  over  the  sea; 
the  Hpcond,  olttaini'd  a  f«w  (hiyH  hiter,  wiw  on  a  small  islet.  The  nests  were  nide 
affairs,  heiiij,'  sliKlit  hollows  in  the  pelilily  di'tritiis,  with  hits  of  stone  hidiiijht  from 
elsewhere.  There  was  no  ^^vmh  or  any  lining'  softer  than  the  stones  themselves. 
In  ono  east!  the  two  e^^s  had  b«'en  incubated,  and  were  i)rol»al>ly  all  tliat  would 
have  been  laiil.  The  cj;>,'S  were  untlistin^'uishalile  from  those  of  the  jtiif/i'ntns.  Their 
fjround-color  was  a  faint  ^''iiyi-'^h  dralt,  |irofiisely  marked  with  irref,'ular  blotches  of 
black.     They  measured  L'.L'T  Ity  l..V.>,  L'.l.".*  by  LIS,  and  L'.lH  by  \.n'J  inches. 

Eggs  of  this  species  ol)tained  by  Mr.  Hepburn  on  I'liget  Sound  average  ;i.l7  by 
!.")'»  inches.  Their  ground-color  is  a  light  olivaceous  drab,  spotted  with  rounded 
markings  distributed  in  a  general,  but  scattered,  manner  over  the  entire  egg.  These 
si)ots  are  of  a  «hirk  bistre,  almost  black;  and  these  eggs  differ  greatly  from  those  of 
the  piiUintiiH.  From  the  dilTcrent  aspects  presented  by  the  eggs  procured  by  Mr. 
Hepburn  and  Mr.  Ilenshaw,  it  would  seem  that  the  eggs  of  this  species  must  vary, 
and  that  while  some  closely  resumble  those  of  the  eastern  species,  others  are  quite 
different. 


Family  STREPSILID^E.  — The  Tuknstones. 

Strepailincc,  "G.  R.  (iUAV,  1840." 

Slvrpnilidit,  UiDfiw.  ItiiU.  Ills.  .Stiitc  Liihomt.  Nnt.  Hlfit.no.  4,  May,  1881,  p.  194. 

Cindiim,  "O.  11.  UiiAV,  1841 ;"  HuikII.  III.  1871,  •.'-'. 

CliAU.  Eather  small,  l*lover-like  birds,  dillering  from  the  true  Plovers  {Chnrn- 
flriida:)  cliieHy  in  the  more  robust  feet,  without  trace  of  web  between  the  toes, 
the  well-developed  hiiul  toe,  and  the  stronj:;  claws  ;  the  toes  with  a  lateral  mar- 
gin, forming  a  broad  flat  under  surface  (especially  in  Aphrizn);  the  bill  of  one 
genus  (SfrqMlan)  peculiar.  The  two  genera  may  be  distinguished  by  the  following 
characters :  —  . 

Btrepailaa.  Bill  compres.'<e(l  and  pointed  tenniimlly,  somewhat  upturned  at  the  end,  the  cuhncn 
straight  or  even  slightly  concave  ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  the  hill ;  tail  slightly  rounded. 

Aphrlza.  Bill  slightly  swcdlen  turininully,  the  terminal  portion  of  the  culnien  decidedly  couve.\  ; 
tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  the  bill ;  tail  slightly  emurginated. 


Genus  STREFSILAS,  Illiger. 

Morinrlla,  Meyeii  &  Woi.f,  Tnschb.  Viig.  Deutschl.  II.  1810,  383  (type,  Tringa  interprcs,  LiXN.). 
Strcpsilas,  Illiged,  Prodromus,  1811  (same  ty[)e). 

Char.  Fornj  robust,  the  head  small,  neck  short,  wings  long  and  pointed,  feet  stout.  Bill 
straight  along  the  culnien  (or  else  slightly  concave  above),  somewhat  upturned  terminally,  com- 
])ressed  toward  the  end  and  pointed.  Wings  reaching  beyond  the  tail,  the  first  primary  longest, 
the  tertials  not  reaching  to  end  of  the  primaries.  Tail  slightly  rounded.  Tarsus  decidedly  longer 
than  the  middle  toe,  the  latter  shorter  than  the  bill. 

The  two  species  of  this  genus,  both  of  which  are  American  (one  of  them  exclusively  so),  may 
be  distinguished  as  follows  :  — 


STItKI'SILin.K  —  THK  TrilN'STONKfl  —  STIIKI'MILAS. 


119 


Cum.  I  iiAii     I.Dwer  |HirtM (i-xuupt  jiiKiiliiiii),  ii|i|><t  purt  <>f  runi|),  U|i|i*'r  tail-toviTtx, niul  ({n-ntir 
win^-coviTtM,  ])iiri!  whitu  ;  niimiiiilui'  of  |iliiiiiaKi'  'luHky,  Mutiiutiiiiux  vutii'^ati-d  with  wliiti',  or  wliitu 

aiiil  rni'iiii**. 


iSf.  interpret, 

1,  B.  interprea.  Tliront  always  wliitc  Ailult:  UpinT  partH  moif  or  K'mh  luixud  willi  riiroim, 
(ilxMially  ill  wiiilfV  i)liiiiia},'L',  wlit'ii  tliii*  color  prevailM  in  hw^o  juitchcK  ;  head  iiuMtly 
wiiiti'  ;  jii^iiluiii  iiiiironii  ili'('|)  hlack.  Yunmj  :  Head  mostly  diifky  ;  iiiipcr  part.-i  without 
rul'ous,  but  with  ochruceoUK  e<l),'iii;,'n  ;  ,ju;,'ulum  motile  I  ilusky.  Wiiij,',  ahout  (i.(K) ;  cul- 
meii,  .8(>-.9<» ;  tursuo,  l.(K»;  middle!  toe,  .7ft.  Huh.  Entirely  coHmoj>()litan,  but  atl'iitinn 
rhiclly  \\w  Hca-t'oasts. 

i,  S.  melanooepbalua.  Tliiout  alwayM  dunky.  Ailult  in  sumnur:  Uppor  jiarts  uniform  broii/y 
lirownish  black ;  head,  netk,  and  ju^'uluni,  black,  with  white  Mtnaks  on  forehead  and 
juj^uhun,  and  lar;j;e  si]iot  of  Hanie  on  lore?*.  Ailull  in  irintir:  Similar,  but  head,  lu'ck, 
anil  juj,'ulum,  smoky  inownisii,  and  without  white  markin;,'s.  Yhiukj  :  Similar  to  the 
winter  iiluniiij,'!',  but  head,  etc.,  more  grayixh,  the  feathers  of  n])iier  parts  bordered  fermi- 
nnlly  with  pale  bull',  or  whitish.  Win^,  8.H(M).I() ;  culmen,  .H.-)-l.(K) ;  tarsus,  l.(K(-l.|() ; 
middle  toe,  .90,    Hub.  Northwetit  coa-st  of  North  America. 

Strepsilas  interprea 

T1TBN8T0NE. 

Tringa  interpres,  Linn.  S.  N.  cd.  10, 1758,  1. 148  ;  ed.  12,  1.  1700,  248.  —  Wil.h.  Am.  Om.  VII.  1813, 
32,  1)1.  Ivii. 

Slrqmtas  iitta-pren,  Ilmo.  Tindr.  1811,  203.  -SwAtss.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  371.  —  NuTT.  Miin.  Water 
Bds.  1834,  30.  —  Arn.  Oiii.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  31,  pi.  304  ;  Syiiop.  1830,  227  ;  Birds  Am.  V.  1842, 
231,  ]p1.  323.  —  BAiiin,  B.  N.  Am.  UM,  701;  Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  515. —Coifs,  Key, 
1872,  246  ;  Check  Ust,  1873,  no.  400  ;  2d  ed.  1881,  no.  598.  — Uidgw.  Noin.  N.  Am.  B.  1882, 
no.  509. 

Morinella  interpres,  Stkjx.  I'roc.  V.  S.  Nat.  Mas.  Vol.  4,  1882,  32, 

Tringa  morincUns,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1760,  249  (=  young). 

Strepsilas  colliiris,  Tem.m.  Man,  II.  1820,  553. 

"  Charadrius  cinclus,  Pai.lan"  (BAinn,  1.  c). 

Had.  Sea-cqaats  of  nearly  nil  countries ;  in  America,  from  Greenland  and  Alaska  to  Chili 
and  Brazil ;  in  the  interior,  more  or  less  common  along  the  shores  of  the  Great  Lakes  and  larger 
rivers. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult :  Chin  and  throat,  a  large  loral  patch,  another  covering  terminal  half  f>f  the 
nuriculars,  border  of  the  pileum,  and  large  transverse  patch  on  each  side  of  the  jiigulum,  white  j 
stripe  from  the  frontlet  to  the  eye,  s((uari8li  jiatch  beneath  the  eye,  malar  stripe,  side  of  the  neck, 
Jugulum,  and  sides  of  the  breast,  uniform  black,  all  these  markings  confluent  and  sharply  defined. 


1 


■i  i 


I 

lis 


if 


120 


PR^COCIAL  GIIALLATORE^!  —  LIMIC'OL^. 


Remuiiider  of  the  lower  parts,  upper  part  of  tla-  ntiiip,  upper  tail-toverta,  and  ends  of  secondaries, 
pure  white.  BreeiUny-jdum'tiie :  Uppi'r  jtarts  dr.  Icy  lilaciiish,  the  wiiii,'-covorta  li^'htf-r,  lUDro 
brownish  gray,  tlie  featliei's  showing  darker  centre-  ;  back  and  scapuhus  little,  if  at  all,  varied  with 
rufous;  crown  dusky,  unifoni,  or  streaked.  Spriinj  (and  winter .')  p/nimtrje:  Ujjper  parts  nii.xed 
black  and  briglit  lufous,  the  latter  color  occupying  chiefly  the  middle  of  the  back  (longitudinally) 
and  the  wing-coverts,  the  scapulars  and  tertials  nii.\ed  black  and  rufous.  Piieuni  more  streaked 
with  white,  and  markings  about  the  head  and  neck  more  sharply  defmed  than  in  the  summer  dress, 
"Bill  black;  iris  lia/el  ;  feet  deep  orange-red,  claws  black"  (AlI)L'Bon).  Yountj :  Head  chieHy 
mill  led  grayish,  witlnnit  well-delined  markings  ;  black  of  the  jugulum  and  breast  indicated  by 
niou'.ed  dusky,  occupying  the  same  area,  but  not  sharply  defined  ;  upper  parts  grayish  dusky,  the 
feathers  bordered  terminally  with  butf  or  whitish. 

Total  length  about  9  inches ;  wing,  0.1X1 ;  tail,  2.50  ;  culmeu,  .80-.90 ;  tarsus,  1.00 ;  middle 
toe,  .7o. 


Spring  plunwfie. 


The  variations  noted  in  a  series  of  more  than  sixty  specimens  of  this  species  are  chiefly  individ- 
ual and  seasonal.  Examples  are  variously  intermediate,  according  to  the  season,  hetween  the  two 
quite  distinct  stages  of  plumage  described  above  as  the  breeding  and  the  winter  dress.  Unfortu- 
nately there  are  very  few  specimens  from  other  countries  than  America,  so  that  we  cainiot  say 
whether  those  from  diH'erent  continents  differ  perceptibly.  Two  European  examples,  however,  in 
the  winter  livery,  seem  identical  with  American  skins. 

The  specimens  in  the  daik,  dull-colored  summer  plumage  have  been  erroneously  considered  as 
sho  "ing  a  tendency  toward  the  charactei's  of  S.  vulanocephalus,  or  forming  the  "  connecting  link  " 
betwt  n  that  species  and  S.  interpres  —  thij  view  being  apparently  based  on  geographical  consider- 
ations, the  specimens  upon  which  this  o])inion  was  founded  conung  from  the  Prybilof  Islands. 
Specimens  in  the  same  plumage  occur,  however,  thi.ntghout  the  northern  regions,  including  the 
Old  World,  and  apparently  represent  simply  the  sum.ner  dress. 

The  series  of  sununer  specimens  from  other  idealities  than  Alaska,  however,  is  unfortunately 
very  small ;  and  it  may  possibly  prove  true,  that  what  we  ,;ave  described  above  as  the  breeding- 
plumage  of  true  S.  interpres  represents  really  a  darker-colo'  ^d  Alaskan  race,  and  that  the  brighter- 
colored  plumage  described  as  the  winter  dvess  is  really  the  full  breeding-plumage  of  true  interpres. 
However  this  may  be,  the  dark  Alaskan  birds  have  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  S.  melanocepliedus, 
which  has  not  oidy  veiy  different  proportions,  but  also  in  every  stage  a  conspicuously  different 
pattern  of  coloration. 

The  Common  Tiu-nstone  is  one  of  the  most  widely  distributed  and  at  the  same 
time  one  of  the  r  .ost  abundant  of  l)ird.s.  Breeding  in  great  numbers  in  all  the  high 
Arctic  regions,  oi-  i  in  the  northern  portions  of  both  continents,  it  wanders  thence 
southward  over  a!'  lands.  It  is  found  at  certain  seasons  on  both  the  Atlantic  and 
Pacific  shores,  and  also  in  the  interior  of  North  and  South  America,  as  far  even  as  the 
Straits  of  Magellan.     It  has  been  taken  in  various  parts  of  Europe,  Africa,  and  Asia. 


STREPSILID.E  —  THE  TURNSTONES  —  STREPSILAS. 


121 


Deriving  its  name  from  its  singular  habit  of  turning  over  small  stonee  when  search- 
ing for  food,  in  quest  of  the  marine  insects  that  lurk  underneath  them,  it  is  as 
I'cniarkabU'  in  its  appearance  as  in  its  habits.  The  singular  variety  of  its  colors 
and  the  beauty  of  its  jjlumagc  render  it  conspicuous,  and  cause  it  to  be  universally 
noticed. 

Mr.  F.  Ducane  Godnian  mentions  (Il)is.  18GG)  meeting  with  this  species  in  the 
Azores.  A  few  pairs  could  always  be  found  inuong  tlie  rocks  between  Santa  Cruz  and 
Tuuta  Delgada,  on  Flores.  He  obtained  several  spct-imens  in  Juiie,  in  tlie  full  breeding- 
l)luinage,  and  he  had  no  doubt  that  tluiy  were  breeding  on  the  small  islands  near  the 
coast,  .as  tliey  remained  there  all  the  year.  He  afterward  met  with  otlun-s  in  Fayal, 
near  Capellas,  and  has  no  doubt  tliat  this  bird  may  be  found  on  the  coast  of  the 
entire  group  in  greater  or  less  numbers.  The  same  writer,  in  his  paper  on  the 
migratory  birds  of  Madeira  and  the  Canaries  (Ibis,  1871),  again  expresses  his  belief 
tliat  the  Turnstone  lueeds  in  the  Azores,  and  also  on  the  Canary  Islands,  where  it  is 
not  uncommon  near  tlie  coast. 

Dr.  J.  C.  Merrill  mentions  the  presence  of  this  species  during  the  months  of  May 
and  June  along  tlie  coast  of  Southwestern  Texas,  and  was  confident  that  it  Avas 
breeding  there  —  an  opinion  strongly  corroborated  by  his  procuring  examples  of 
females  with  denuded  breast,  the  almost  sure  evidence  of  their  having  been  nesting 
birds. 

Mr.  Nelson  also  speaks  of  having  found  the  Turnstone  as  a  common  migrant 
along  tlie  shores  of  Lake  Michigan,  in  which  neighborhood  it  jirrives  alwut  the  15th 
of  May,  coming  in  full  bridal  jdumage  and  remaining  into  June.  It  returns  again  in 
.Vugust,  still  in  the  full  breeding-plumage,  which  it  loses  about  the  last  of  that  month, 
it  does  not  leave  that  neighborhood  until  about  the  2()th  of  December. 

Mr.  E.  L.  Layard,  when  off  Cape  St.  Francis,  Africa,  but  out  of  sight  of  land, 
observed  a  flock  of  four  that  came  oif  to  his  vessel.  Mr.  E.  C.  Taylor  (Ibi.s,  1878) 
mentions  the  procuring  by  Jlr.  Eillippoiii  of  three  or  four  examples  of  this  bird  in 
Egy])t. 

Mr.  R.  Swinhoe  enumerates  this  species  in  his  li.st  of  the  birds  of  Formosa  (Ibis, 
18G3).  It  comes  there  in  small  flocks,  and,  associating  with  the  Sanderling,  departs 
after  a  short  stay.  The  same  writer,  in  his  paper  on  the  Hirds  of  Hainan,  mentions 
tiiuling  large  flocks  of  these  birds  in  the  Poochin  River  on  the  5th  of  March.  They 
sat  on  tlie  Ashing  stakes,  or  ranged  themselves  in  rows  on  the  ropes  which  ran  from 
one  to  the  otlier.     These  birds  were  all  just  assuming  their  summer  plumage. 

This  species  has  been  taken  in  Senegal,  and  specimens  of  it  have  also  been  ob- 
tained at  the  (Jape  of  (iood  Hope.  Tenuninck  includes  it  among  tlie  birds  of  Japan, 
and  mentions  having  received  specimens  of  it  from  New  Guinea,  Sunda,  and  the 
Moluccas. 

Dr.  Middendorff  gives  it  as  among  the  birds  of  Siberia  and  Northern  Russia,  and 
includes  it  among  those  which  go  to  the  extreme  north.  It  is  found  thence  through- 
out Europe  southward  to  Italy,  Sicily,  Malta,  and  Africa.  Von  I3aer  met  Avith  it  in 
Nova  Zembla.  Professor  A.  Newton  noticed  its  presence  on  Spitzbergen,  and  this 
was  afterward  confirmed  by  Professor  A.  J.  Malmgi-en  (Ibis,  1869),  who  found  a  pair 
on  Amsterdam  Island.  Mr.  C.  A.  Wright  mentions  it  as  an  irregular  and  rare  visitant 
of  Malta,  appearing  there  in  May,  August,  and  September,  and  once  in  December. 
Mr.  H.  Saunders  notices  it  as  appearing  regidarly  in  Southern  Spain  in  its  migrations. 
Wheelwright  speaks  of  it  as  common  in  the  south  of  Sweden,  in  the  Baltic,  and  on 
the  Norwegian  coast.  It  goes  up  far  within  the  Polar  Circle.  He  has  found  it 
breeding,  and  as  often  sitting  on  three  eggs  as  on  four, 
voi,.  I.  —  16. 


122 


PILECOCIAL  GUALLATOUES  —  LIMICOL^. 


Yarrell  states  that  it  frequents  tlie  liritisli  coast,  either  singly  or  in  small  flocks  of 
four  or  five  in  number,  from  August  throughout  the  winter  till  May.  13r.  Fleming 
states  that  it  is  resident  in  Zetland,  and  found  there  at  all  seasons.  liewitson  men- 
tions its  breeding  on  the  coast  of  Norway.  After  visiting  numerous  islands,  he  was 
alxmt  to  land  on  a  Hat  rock,  bare  except  where,  here  and  there,  tufts  of  grass  or 
stunted  jani])er  were  growing,  wlien  his  attention  was  attracted  by  the  singular  cry 
of  a  Turnstone,  which  liad  perched  itself  upon  an  eminence  of  the  rock,  assuring  him 
by  its  querulous,  oft-repeated  note  and  anxious  motions,  that  its  nest  was  tliere. 
After  a  miinite  search  he  succeeded  in  finding  the  latter  placed  against  a  ledge  of  the 
rock,  and  consisting  of  nothing  more  than  the  dropping  leaves  of  the  junii)er-bush, 
under  a  creeping  l)ranch  of  which  the  eggs,  four  in  number,  were  snugly  concealed, 
admirably  sheltered,  and  allowing  just  sufficient  room  for  the  bird  to  cover  them.  He 
afterward  found  several  other  nests,  each  containing  four  eggs.  The  time  of  breed- 
ing was  the  middle  of  .June.  He  describes  their  eggs  as  having  an  olive-green  ground, 
spotted  and  streaked  with  ashy  blue,  and  two  shades  of  reddish  brown.  They  meas- 
ured 1.59  by  1.17  inches. 

Professor  Alfred  Newton  mentions  that  the  Turnstone  is  said  by  Faber  to  occur 
in  Iceland,  being  more  common  in  the  south  and  west  than  in  the  north.  It  arrives 
about  the  last  week  in  April,  and  breeds  in  Iceland,  as  Mr.  Proctor  received  its  eggs 
froju  the  northern  portion  of  that  island.  It  usually  leaves  again  in  the  autunni ; 
but  a  few  remain  late  in  the  season,  as  Faber  obtained  one  Dec.  11,  18L'0. 

In  America  it  occurs  throughout  the  continent,  Mr.  Charles  Darwin  finding  it,  on 
the  voyage  of  the  "  Beagle,"  in  the  Straits  of  ilagellan,  and  the  various  Arctic  ex- 
plorers meeting  with  it  in  North  (rreenland,  on  Winter  Island,  at  Felix  Harbor,  and 
on  the  coast  near  F  uiy  Point  and  Victoria  Harbor.  Dr.  Walker  found  it  breeding 
early  in  June  in  the  marshy  valleys  in  Bellot's  Strait.  Ileinhardt  includes  it  among 
the  birds  of  Greenland.  Cai>tain  Blakiston  met  with  it  at  York  Factory,  Hudson's 
Bay,  in  August,  and  Mr.  Boss  mentions  it  as  i)resent,  but  as  rare,  on  the  Macken- 
zie liiver.  Ivichardson  speaks  of  it  as  common  in  tlie  Fur  Country,  where  it  reaches 
its  breeding-quarters  on  the  shores  of  Hudsou's  Bay  and  the  Arctic  Sea,  as  far  north 
as  the  T-jth  parallel,  in  Jiuie,  leaving  them  at  the  beginning  of  September.  It  is 
common  in  Bermuda  during  the  winter,  and  is  of  irregular  occurrence  in  most,  or  all, 
of  the  West  India  Islands.  Professor  Newton  met  with  it  in  St.  Croix  in  April,  1857, 
and  Mr.  E.  Newton  saw  it  there,  Sept.  8,  1858.  Leotaud  speaks  of  it  as  a  migratory 
visitant  of  Trinidad,  where  it  never  fails  to  arrive  in  August,  departing  in  October. 
It  is  said  to  be  almost  always  found  alone,  flitting  along  the  borders  of  the  sea,  some- 
times silent,  and  at  other  times  uttering  a  soft,  peculiar  cry,  which  is  not  easily 
described.  Certain  kinds  of  shore  seem  to  suit  it  best ;  in  these  it  stops  to  search 
under  the  small  stores,  which  it  turns  over  with  its  bill  for  the  worms,  etc.,  on  which 
it  feeds.  It  is  the  "  Plover  "  of  Trinidad  ;  but  its  flesh  is  not  held  in  high  esteem. 
It  was  taken  by  Xantus  on  the  Bio  Zacatula,  in  Mexico,  and  by  others  in  Ecuador, 
Guiana,  the  Argentine  Bepublic,  I'eru,  Chili,  and  in  the  West  Indies. 

Mr.  Salvin  obtained  specimens  late  in  April  among  the  islands  on  the  coast  of 
Honduras,  and  mentions  it  as  common  in  winter  on  both  coasts  of  Guatemala.  Mr. 
Dresser  noticed  a  number  of  these  birds  quite  close  to  Galveston  on  the  26th  of  May, 
1864 ;  and  afterward,  on  a  second  visit,  found  them  as  late  as  June.  It  is  a  regular 
visitant  to  Massachusetts  in  its  migrations,  passing  north  usually  in  April,  and 
coming  south  in  September  or  August.  It  was  quite  common  on  tlie  shore  of  Lake 
Koskonong,  "Wis.,  about  Aug.  15,  1873.  Gnly  a  single  specimen  is  known  to  have 
baeu  taken  on  the  Pacific  coast  —  by  Dr.  Cooper  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia. 


STUEPSILIDyE  —  THE  TUIJXSTOXES  —  STREPSILAS. 


123 


In  different  parts  of  the  United  States  it  is  known  by  various  local  appellations. 
It  is  the  "Jirant  Hird"  of  Long  Island  and  some  parts  of  New  England,  and  is  the 
"  Ilorse-foot  Snipi; "'  of  Egg  Harbor,  where  it  is  so  ealled  because  it  feeds  on  the 
spawn  of  the  Horse-foot  erab.  Tlu'  young  are  there  known  as  "  Head  IJirds,"  Giraud 
states  that  it  reaches  the  shores  of  Long  Island  early  in  April,  and  leaves  for  its 
l)rceding-places  late  in  i\Iay.  It  returns  to  the  shores  of  New  Jersey  and  Long 
Island  in  September,  and  there  contiiuies  until  (piite  late  in  the  fall. 

This  bird  is  never  seen  in  large  companies,  as  its  habits  are  rather  solitary,  and  it 
wanders  singly  or  in  small  parties  .along  the  beach  in  search  of  insects  and  minute 
sliell-tish.  Giraud  adds  that  it  is  usually  in  tine  condition  in  the  fall,  and  is  considered 
a  delicacy.  According  to  Mr.  N.  B.  Moore,  many  spend  the  winter  in  Florida.  Al- 
tliough  it  penetrates  far  north  to  breed,  and  is  not  known  to  do  .so  in  any  part  of 
Florida,  it  may  be  seen  alorg  the  shores  of  Sarasota  Bay  dining  every  month  in  the 
year.  He  met  with  a  flock  of  eleven  on  the  20th  of  .lune,  1870,  when  their  dress 
was  that  of  winter.  After  that  he  saw  them  almost  every  day  for  a  month,  during 
which  time  their  plumage  remained  as  we  And  it  in  January.  As  the  summer  passed 
on  their  numbers  diminished,  either  by  death  or  dispersion ;  and  by  the  time  the 
others  had  returned  from  the  north  —  some  of  whom  came  in  August,  and  Avere  in 
very  gay  plumage  —  this  little  band  had  dwindled  down  to  only  one  or  two.  Their 
plumage  was  neither  worn  nor  faded,  but  displayed  none  of  the  summer  tints,  nor 
did  the  birds  themselves  seem  feeble.  The  question  arises :  Do  birds,  after  they  have 
become  old,  effete,  or  barren,  prefer  to  stay  in  a  warm  climate  ? 

This  species  is  said  by  Mr.  Moore  to  alight  on  the  dead  branches  of  mangroves,  and 
on  the  stumps  and  stakes  which  stand  in  the  water  near  the  shoi-e  and  from  tAVO  to 
six  feet  above  it ;  and  there  they  sit  in  the  manner  of  the  Carolina  Dove, 

The  naturalists  of  the  Wilkes  Exi)loring  Expedition  appear  to  have  found  the 
Turnstone  at  home  along  the  sea-coasts  of  the  temperate  and  tropical  regions  of  the 
globe.  It  was  common  on  many  of  the  islands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  north  and  south 
of  the  Ecpiator.  None  were  in  full  plumage,  and  all  were  migrating.  In  the  Kings- 
mill  grov  >.  near  the  Equator,  it  was  seen  in  large  flocks  on  the  24th  of  Ajiril.  Nine 
were  shot  at  a  single  discharge ;  they  were  exceedingly  fat.  A  specimen  was  killed 
at  Callao,  Peru,  in  the  month  of  June.  One  was  taken  in  the  Feejee  Islands.  Dr. 
I'ickering  speaks  of  this  bird  as  having  been  seen  at  nearly  all  the  points  visited 
by  the  Expedition  in  North  and  South  America,  and  in  the  islands  of  the  Pacific 
Ocean. 

In  the  Smithsonian  Collection  specimens  have  been  received  from  Lake  Winni- 
peg, Big  Island,  Fort  Bae,  Fort  Resolution,  Fort  Anderson,  the  Lower  Anderson 
Iiiver,  Plover  Bay,  Siberia,  Nulato,  Fort  Simpson,  etc.  It  is  known  to  proceed  as 
far  to  the  north  to  breed  as  man  has  yet  penetrated,  having  been  recorded  by  Dr. 
lU'ssels  as  taken  at  Polaris  Bay,  and  by  Mr.  Feilding,  of  the  British  Expedition  of 
1S75-7G,  as  tolerably  common  in  Smith's  Sound  and  in  the  most  northern  regions 
visited  by  that  Expedition.  It  was  observed  as  late  as  Sept.  5,  1875,  in  lat.  82  °  30' 
N.,  and  was  first  noticed  on  the  5th  of  June,  1870,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  winter 
quarters  of  the  "  Alert."     By  the  12th  of  August  the  young  broods  were  able  to  fly. 

The  Turnstone  is  called  the  "  Hebridal  Sandpiper "  by  Pennant  and  by  Hearne, 
and  in  parts  of  England  it  is  known  as  the  "  Variegated  Plover."  Its  habits  are 
peculiar,  and  differ  in  several  respects  from  the  manners  of  most  Waders,  resembling 
rather  those  of  the  Sanderling.  It  feeds  on  the  smaller  crustaceans  and  the  soft- 
bodied  animals  which  inhabit  thin  shells,  turning  over  the  stones  on  the  beach  in 
search  of  them,  or  hunting- among  the  sea-weed  for  its  food.     If  not  disturbed  it 


124 


FILtlCOCIAL  GRALLATOUES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


usually  remains  longer  in  one  place  than  most  Waders.  When  on  the  wing  it  is  said 
to  utter  a  loud  twittering  note.  It  can  be  readily  reconciled  to  confinement,  and  will 
feed  on  a  variety  of  food,  (luite  different  from  that  which  it  .seeks  in  a  wild  state. 
Rev.  Dr.  Bachman  once  kept  a  bird  of  this  species  alive.  It  had  recovered  from  a 
slight  wound,  when  lie  presented  it  to  a  lady  who  fed  it  on  boiled  rice  and  bread  soaked 
in  milk,  of  both  of  which  it  was  cpiite  fond.  It  became  perfectly  gentle,  and  fed 
from  the  hand  of  its  mistress,  frequently  bathed  in  a  vessel  kei)t  at  hand  for  that 
purpose,  and  nevt-r  attempted  to  escape,  although  left  quite  at  liberty  to  do  so.  Mr. 
Audubon,  in  the  neighl)orhood  of  St.  Augustiiu',  Florida,  saw  this  Turnstone  feed- 
ing on  the  oyster-beds,  searching  for  such  oysters  as  had  been  killed  by  the  heat  of 
the  sun,  and  picking  out  the  contents ;  it  would  also  strike  at  such  small  bivalves 
as  had  tliin  shells,  and  break  them.  While  on  the  Florida  coast,  near  Cape  Sable, 
he  shot  one,  in  the  month  of  May,  which  had  its  stomach  filled  with  the  beautiful 
shells,  which  on  acicouut  of  their  resemblani  i'  to  grains  of  rice  are  commonly  called 
rice-shells. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  met  with  a  flock  of  about  a  dozen  of  these  birds  at  Fort  An- 
derson, June,  1864,  and  obtained  a  single  specimen.  They  were  seen  on  the  river 
below  the  fort.  He  was  informed  by  the  Esquimaux  that  this  sijecies  was  tolerably 
numerous  on  the  Arctic  coast  as  well  as  on  the  islands  in  Liverpool  Bay.  Except 
on  the  large  island  in  Franklin  Bay,  where  several  of  this  species  were  seen  in  July, 
1864,  Mr.  MacFarlane's  party  noticed  none  of  these  birds,  either  on  the  "Barren 
Grounds,"  or  on  any  part  of  the  coast  visited  by  them.  He  afterward  met  with  them 
on  the  Lower  Anderson,  and  found  two  nests,  both  precisely  similar  to  those  of  the 
other  Waders,  consisting  of  a  few  withered  leaves  placed  in  a  depression  in  the 
ground,  each  containing  four  eggs. 

Mr.  H.  W.  Elliott  states  that  this  bird  visits  the  I'rybilof  Islands,  arriving  in  flocks 
of  thousands  about  the  third  week  in  July,  and  leaving  September  10,  but  not  breeding 
there.  On  its  arrival  it  is  quite  poor ;  but  feeding  on  the  larvai  on  the  killing-grounds, 
it  rapidly  fattens,  and  often  bursts  open  as  it  falls  to  the  ground  after  having  been 
shot.  Mr.  Elliott  met  with  this  bird  at  sea,  eight  hundred  miles  from  the  nearest 
land,  flying  in  a  northwesterly  direction  towards  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

The  eggs  of  few  species  of  Waders  vary  more  than  do  those  of  Lhc  Turi-stone. 
They  vary  in  shape  from  a  rounded  to  an  oblong  ovoid,  in  length  from  1.60  to  1.72 
inches,  and  in  breadth  from  1.13  to  1.23  inches,  averaging  about  1.66  by  1.18.  Their 
ground-colors  are  a  light  olive-brown,  a  cream  color,  a  light  drab,  and  a  deep  clay- 
color.  The  eggs  are  deeply  and  boldly  marked,  chiefly  about  the  larger  end,  with 
large  splashes  and  blotches  of  light-brown,  in  some  washed  with  a  lilac  shade,  and  in 
others  with  a  tinge  of  bronze. 


Strepsilas  melanocephalua. 

BLACK  TinurSTONE. 

strepsilas  melanocephalus,  Vigors,  ZoiJl.  Joum.  IV.  Jan.  1829,  356  ;  Zoiil.  Blossom,  1839,  29.  — 
Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  702;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  516.  —  Ridgw.  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881, 
no.  510  (mdaiUHxphala). 

Strepsilas  interpres,  var.  melanocephahis,  Coues,  Key,  1872,  247  ;  Check  List.  1873,  no.  406(i. 

Stre.psilas  interpres  mclanocephaliLS,  CouES,  Check  List,  2tl  ed.  1882,  no.  599. 

Had.    Pacific  coast  of  North  America,  south  to  Monterey,  California,  north  to  the  Aleutian 
Islands;  accidental  in  India. 

Sp.  Char.    Head,  neck,  breast,  and  upper  parts  in  general,  fuliginous  dusky,  with  a  faint 


'■1W^ 


STREPSILID.E  —  THE  TURN'STONES  —  STREPSILAS. 


125 


bronzy  green  reflection,  brij,'litest  on  the  upper  parts;  posterior  lower  parts,  upper  part  of  the 
rump,  upper  tail-coverts  and  ends  of  the  greater  coverts,  pure  white.  Adult,  in  brcediuy-pliirrKuje : 
Anterior  lower  parts  sooty-bluck,  like  the  back  ;  lores  covered  by  a  larj,'e  patch  of  white;  a  small 
postdciiliir  spot  of  the  same ;  forehead  and  auriculars  streaked  or  dashed  with  white ;  juyulum 
speckled  and  dashed  with  white,  forminf;  a  wide  band  of  these  markings,  more  or  less  interrupted 
ill  tlie  middle  portion.     Adult  and  ijouny  in  winter:  Anterior  lower  parts  and  head,  smoky  brown. 


Winter  plumage. 

much  lighter  than  the  back ;  no  trace  of  white  markings  about  the  head  or  juguluin.  Younrj  in 
first  plunuKjc :  Similar  to  the  winter  dress,  but  breast,  etc.,  more  gray,  each  feather  of  the  upper 
parts  narrowly  bordered  terminally  with  light  buff  or  whitish. 

Length,  about  !)  inches  ;  wing,  8.80-9.10  ;  culmen,  .85-1.00  ;  tarsus,  1.00-1.10  ;  middle  toe, 
.90. 

This  very  distinct  species  averages  considerably  larger  than  S.  interpret,  while  it  differs  radically 
in  its  coloration,  the  pattern  of  which  is  to  a  certain  extent  quite  different,  the  dusky  on  the 
breast  extending  much  farther  back  than  in  that  species.  The  summer  dress  is  in  this  bird  much 
handsomer  than  the  winter  livery,  while  the  reverse  appears  to  be  the  case  with  the  Common 
Turnstone. 

The  Black-headed  Turnstone  is  common  along  the  Pacific  coast  of  North  America. 
A  single  specimen,  exactly  this  bird,  has  been  received  from  India.  Ur.  Cooper 
states  that  he  lias  seen  a  few  Turnstones,  in  black  plumage,  along  the  southern  part 
of  the  California  coast  during  the  cooler  months,  and  has  found  several  on  the 
Farallon  Islands  in  June ;  and  they  have  also  been  obtained  at  Monterey  and  in 
Puget  Sound  in  August,  so  that  there  seems  to  be  no  change  in  their  colors  with 
the  season.  Still  Dr.  Cooper  was  inclined  to  regard  these  as  only  immature  speci- 
mens of  (S'.  interpres,  interrupted,  from  some  cause,  in  their  full  development.  He 
was  unable  to  find  their  eggs,  and  susjiected  them  of  barrenness.  Their  habits,  so 
far  as  he  was  able  to  observe,  seemed  similar  to  those  of  S.  intcipres.  They  frequent 
rocky  shores,  and  are  fond  of  perching  on  logs,  wrecks,  etc.,  where  they  find  small 
Crustacea,  barnacles,  etc.,  on  which  they  chiefly  feed.  This  bird  is  said  to  fly  very 
swiftly,  and  as  it  moves,  to  utter  a  shrill  whistle,  which  is  its  only  note.  It  is  also 
described  as  being  very  shy,  and  associating  only  in  small  parties. 

At  Michaelofsky,  Alaska,  on  the  shores  of  Norton  Sound,  ]\[r.  E.  Adams  (Ibis,  1878) 
met  with  what  was  probably  this  species.  A  few  Turnstones  made  their  appearance, 
in  pairs,  on  the  31st  of  May.  They  frequented  the  salt-marshes,  where  he  often 
found  them  sitting  upon  logs  of  driftwood  which  overhung  the  water.  They  fed 
about  the  mud,  on  insects,  worms,  etc. ;  but  he  did  not  see  them  near  the  sea-shore, 
nor  in  company  with  any  other  species. 


126 


PRiECOCIAL  GUALLAT011E3  —  LIMICOLiE. 


Mr.  11.  lirowne  mentions  meeting  v.'ith  this  bird  on  the  sea-shore  of  Vancouver 
Island,  and  (^uite  a  number  of  examples  of  this  species  were  procured  at  Sitka,  as 
well  as  at  Kadiak,  by  Mr.  JJischott'.  Others  were  taken  by  Mr.  Bannister  at  St. 
Michael's  and  at  Nulato,  on  the  Yukon  and  at  Takehemut  by  Mr.  Dall. 

Eggs  of  this  species  (Smitlisonian  Collection,  9,  37")  obtained  by  Mr.  Dall  from 
near  the  Yukon  Kiver,  June  Ki,  1S()S,  vary  greatly  in  their  size,  one  measuring  1.58 
by  1.15  inches,  the  other  1.85  by  I.IU  inches.  They  are  of  an  oblong  pyriform  shape, 
their  ground-color  is  a  drab,  strongly  tinged  with  olivaceous,  and  very  generally  aud 
profusely  marked  with  tine  sprinklings  of  suffused  spots  and  dottings.  In  the 
smaller  example  tliese  markings  are  larger  and  darker. 


Genus  AFHRIZA,  Audubon. 

Aphrixa,  Aud.  Orn.  Biog.  V.  1839,  249  (tyi>e,  Tringa  virgata,  Lath.). 

Char.  Similar  to  Strepsiliu;  but  the  bill  quite  lUfferent,  and  much  resembling  that  of  the 
Phivers  (Charadriidw),  the  terminal  portion  of  the  cnhuen  being  much  arched,  the  niidille  portion 
depressed.  Tail  slightly  eniarginate  ;  lateral  margin  of  the  toes  more  distinct  than  in  Strepsilas, 
protlucing  a  broader,  more  sole-like  under-surface. 


A,  virgata. 

The  single  species  of  -;  genus  has  usually  been  a-ssociated  with  the  Plovers  :  but  its  affinities 
appear  to  Ije  much  nearer  to  Strepsilas,  with  which  it  agrees  very  closely  except  in  the  characters 
pointed  out  above.  It  differs  essentially  from  all  the  various  forms  ranged  under  the  Gliaradriidcc 
ill  the  completely  cleft  toes,  the  large,  nearly  incumbent  hallux,  and  the  generally  robust  character 
of  the  feet,  which  are  even  stouter  than  those  of  Strepsilas. 


Aphriza  virgata. 

THB  SUBF  BntD. 

Tringa  virgata,  Gmeu  S.  N.  I.  1788,  674. —Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  II.  1790,  735. 

Aphriza  virgata,  Guay,  Gpii.  R.  IIL  1847,  pi.  cxlvii.  — Cassin,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  698.  — 

Baihd,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  18.59,  no.  509.  — Couf.s,  Ki-y,  1872,  245  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  403  ;  2d 

ed.  1882,  no.  594.  —  RiDow.  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  511. 
Tringa  borealii,  Gmei..  S.  N.  I.  1788,  674. 
Aphriza  Townsendii,  Aud.  Om.  Biog.  V.  1839,  249,  pi.  428  ;  Synop.  1839,  226  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1842,  228, 

pi.  322. 


STREl'SILID.E  —  THE  SURF  BIRD  —  APHRIZA. 


127 


Hab.    Tacific  coast  of  Amerieo,  from  Alaska  to  Chili  ;  Suiulwicb  Islands. 

Si'.  Char.  Bill  about  us  long  us  tliu  lii'utl,  lutliur  thick  ut  thu  liasu,  ami  shallowest  about  one 
lliiid  uf  tlu!  distance  from  the  end  ;  nostrils  hw^v,  situated  in  a  vt-ry  distinct  longitudinal  groove, 
which  occui)ies  the  middle  two  thirds  of  the  bill ;  wings  long  ;  tail  rather  long,  ennirginate  ;  legs 
stout.  Adult  in  summer:  Head,  neck,  and  dorsal  region  spotted  and  streaked  with  dusky  and 
whitish  ;  the  latter  jnedonunating  on  head,  neck,  and  breast,  where  the  darker  markings  are  in  the 
form  of  irregular  streaks,  but  on  the  breast  Ijecoming  irregular,  broad,  erescentic  bai-s  ;  scajiulars 
with  large,  irregular  sjjots  of  rufous.     Upper  tail-coverts,  basal  half  of  tail,  a  broad  band  across 


ends  of  greater  wing-coverts,  edges  of  outer  webs  of  secondaries,  tips  of  primary-coverts  (broadly) 
buses,  shafts,  and  tips  (narrowly)  of  primaries,  tip  of  tail,  an<l  lower  parts  from  the  breast,  back 
(including  most  of  under-side  of  wing),  pure  white ;  sides  and  crissum  with  angular  spots  of  dusky. 
"  I'ill  dusky  toward  the  end,  orange  at  the  base;  feet  bluish  green,  claws  black"  (Audubon). 
Winter  ])lumarie  :  Head,  neck,  and  lireast,  and  most  of  upper  parts,  plain  dusky  or  brownish  slate  ; 
white  ureas  as  in  the  summer  plumage.  "  Iris  black  ;  eyeliils  black  ;  legs  olive-green  ;  claws 
black"  (Sharpe,  p.  Z.  S.  1881,  15).  Young:  Much  like  the  winter  plumage,  but  with  indistinct 
wliite  borders  to  feathers  of  the  ujiper  parts,  and  the  breast,  throat,  etc.,  white,  with  dusky  stnjaks, 
instead  of  plain  dusky.  Differing  from  the  summer  plumage  in  the  absence  of  rufous  on  upper 
parts,  and  in  the  white  maiyins  to  wing-coverts. 

AVing,  iibout  '.00  •  culmeu,  .95-l.iK) ;  tarsus,  1.20;  middle  toe,  .90. 

Very  little  is  known  in  regard  to  the  habits  or  the  distribution  of  this  species.  It 
is  found  on  the  Sandwich  Islands  and  others  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  but  is  rare  on  our 
western  coast.  A  single  specimen  —  a  female  —  w^as  obtained  at  Cape  Disappoint- 
ment, near  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  by  Mv.  Townsend.  He  states,  in  regard  to 
it,  that  it  was  sitting  on  the  edge  of  the  steep  rocks,  the  heavy  surf  frequently  dash- 
ing its  spray  over  it  as  it  foraged  among  the  retreating  Avaves.  It  flew  with  a  quick 
jerking  motion  of  its  wings,  and  alighted  again  at  a  short  distance.  The  stomach 
was  strong  and  muscular,  and  contained  fragments  of  a  small  black  sh  U-fish  which 
is  found  adhering  to  the  rocks  in  that  neighborhood. 

Dr.  Cooper  regards  this  species  as  a  rather  rare  visitor  to  our  Pacific  coast,  though 
he  has  seen  birds  which  he  supposed  to  be  of  this  species  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia 
and  on  Santa  Barbara  Island ;  but  they  were  so  Avild,  he  could  not  get  a  shot  at  them. 
Dr.  Heermann  obtained  a  specimen  of  this  bird  in  the  San  Francisco  market  in  the 
winter  of  1849,  and  thinks  that  lie  met  with  others  of  this  species  the  following 
June  on  the  Farallon  Islands,  where  they  were  gathered  in  small  flocks,  engaged  in 
|)i(kiug  up  marine  insects  from  the  rock-bound  shores,  which  were  covered  with  kelp 
and  shell-fish.  They  did  not  ajjpear  wild.  Dr.  Cooper  did  not  notice  any  of  them  on 
the  Farallon  Islands  in  June,  18G4,  but  did  see  some  of  the  Strepsilas  melanocephalus, 
which  resembles  this  species,  and  may  have  been  mistaken  for  it  by  Dr.  Heermann. 


128 


PU.ECOCIAL  GRALLATUUE8  —  LIMIC'OL.E. 


Mr.  K.  Browne  includes  it  in  his  list  of  the  birds  observed  by  him  on  Vancouver 
Island,  and  four  spoeiniens  of  it  were  procured  by  Mr.  IJischoR'  near  Sitka.  }^.. 
Henshaw  did  not  meet  with  any  of  this  species  on  Santa  Cruz  Island,  ami  he  is  of  the 
opinion  that  none  breed  in  that  group.  Mi".  Gruber  procured  a  fine  specimen  of  this 
bird  at  Santa  Uarbara  in  spring.  Mr.  Henshaw  regarded  it  as  a  rather  unconrnon 
species  on  the  coast  of  California,  and  as  one  whose  habits  are  but  little  kr.own. 
Nothing  has  been  learned  in  regard  to  its  nesting.  It  occurs  on  the  Pacific  '.oast  of 
South  America  as  far  as  Chili. 


Family  CHARADRIIDiE.  —  The  Plovers. 


Char.  Small  or  medium-sized  shore-birds  (scarcely  waders),  with  rather  short, 
somewhat  Pigeon-like  bill,  large  round  head,  short  neck,  long  and  pointed  wings, 
and  moderately  lengthened  legs,  the  hind  toe  usually  absent. 

The  above  superficial  characters  are  sufficient  to  define  the  family  of  Plovers,  as 
distinguished  from  the  allied  groups.  The  affinities  of  the  Plovers  are  with  the 
StrvpsUiihe  (Turnstones)  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  (Edlcnemida'  (Thick-kneed  Plovers) 
on  the  other ;  but  they  seem  sufficiently  distinct  from  either,  aud  form,  upon  the 
whole,  a  very  well-marked  family  of  the  great  Liiiiicoline  group. 

The  American  genera  of  Chanub'i'ulo'  (with  tlie  exception  of  Phiviunellus,  Homb. 
&  Jacq.,1  which  we  have  not  seen)  may  be  characterized  as  follows ;  — 

Table  of  American  Oenera. 

Ai    Size  large  (wing  more  than  eight  inches)  ;  bead  more  or  less  crested  ;  plumage  more  or  less 
metallic  above. 
a.  Occiput  with  a  slender  recurved  crest ;  a  well-developed  hind  toe,  with  claw  ;  wing  rounded, 
first  quill  shorter  than  foiirtli. 

1.  Vanellus.     Wing  unarmed,  or  with  very  rudimentary  spur  ;  tarsus  not  more  than  twice 

as  b)ng  as  the  middle  toe. 

2.  Belonopterus.^    Wing  armed  with  a  very  prominent  curved  spur  on  the  head  of  the 

metacarpus  ;  tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as  tbe  middle  toe. 
6.  Occipital  feathers  lengthened,  forming  a  soft,  ])endant,  rather  busby  crest ;  no  trace  of  bind 
toe  ;  wing  pointed,  tbe  first  quill  longest,  or  longer  than  fourth. 

3.  PtlloBoelys.*    Wing  armed  with  a  very  minute  spur ;  tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as 

middle  toe. 
B>    Size  medium  or  small  (wing  less  than  eight  incites) ;  bead  without  crest,  and  plumage  with- 
out metallic  gloss  above. 

c.  Wing  more  tliau  six  inches  ;  plumage  much  speckled  or  spotted  above ;  lower  parts  chiefly 

black  in  sununer. 

4.  Squatarola.     A  well-developed  hind  toe,  without  claw. 

5.  Charadrius.    No  trace  of  bind  toe  ;  otherwise  very  similar  to  Squatarola,  hut  smaller  and 

more  slender. 

d.  Wing  less  than  six  inches  ;  plumage  nearly  or  quite  uniform  grayish  or  brownish  above  (tbe 

rump  ochraceous  in  Oxycchus),  the  lower  parts  chiefly  or  entirely  white  at  all  stages. 

1  Type,  P.  sociabilii,  HoMn.  &  Japq. 

*  Belonopterua,  Reich.  HanJb.  1851,  xviii.  (type,  C/iaradriiis  cayennensis,  Gmel.  Hah.  South 
America). 

8  Ptiloacehjs,  Bonap.  Compt.  Rend.  XLIII.  1856,  429  (type,  Vanellus  resplendens,  Tschudi.  Sab. 
South  America). 


CHARADRIID.E  —  THE   PLOVERS  —  VANELLUS. 


129 


d'.  Wing  unarmed, 
e'.   No  trace  of  hind  toe, 
/'.   Tiiil  very  lon^,'  (iuilf  as  long  as  the  wing,  or  more),  extending  hall'  its  length  l)eyon<l 
tips  of  closed  wings  ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  pule  rul'ous  or  ochraceous  in  the 
American  specieH. 
0.   Oxyeohua.     Bill  slender,  about  ec^ual  in  length  to  the  middle  toe  ;  tarsus  deci- 
dedly less  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  rufous  or 
ochraceous  (except  in  0.  triculUtrin). 
/".   Tail  short  (less  than  half  as  long  as  the  wing),  reaching  little,  if  any,  beyond  ends 
of  closed  wings  ;  rump  concolor  with  the  back. 

7.  2Igiedlti8.     Bill  variable,  but  usually  shorter  than  middle  toe,  or,  if  longer,  very 

slender  ;  tarsus  less  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe. 

8.  OchtbodromuB.     Bill  very  large  (as  long  as,  or  longer  than,  middle  toe),  the  termi- 

nal half  of  the  cuhneu  much  arched,  the  base  of  the  gonys  forming  a  decided 
angle  ;  tarsus  about  cjne  and  a  half  times  to  nearly  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe. 

9.  Podaaooys.     Bill  slender,  wide  at  base,  much  longer  than  uiiddle  toe  ;  tarsus  more 

than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe. 
10.   OreophiluB.i     Bill  very  slender,  depressed,  nearly  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  ; 
tarsus  nearly  twice  us  long  as  middle  toe.     Plumage  longitudinally  striped  above, 
f".    A  well-developed,  tliough  small,  hind  toe,  with  curved  claw. 
11.   Zonibyx'    Size  small  (wing  le.ss  than  six  inches)  ;  plumage  plain  above,  except  in 
young. 
d".   Wing  armed  with  a  conical  spur  on  the  head  of  the  metacarpus. 
12.   HoplozypteruB.B     No  trace  of  hind  toe.      Size  medium ;  first  quill  longest ;  tarsus 
more  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe.     Plunnige  white  beneath,  with  black  pectoral 
collar  ;  above  ashy,  varied  with  black  and  white  in  large,  rather  longitudinal,  patches  ; 
legs  yellow. 


Ge\u.«s  VANELLUS,  Brisson. 
Vanellua,  Schaeff.     Biiiss.  Orn.  V.  1760,  94  (type,  Tringa  vanellus,  Linn.). 

Char.  Size  large  (larger  than  Squatarola).  Bill  slender,  about  equal  in  length  to  the  mid- 
dle toe,  which  is  about  half  as  long  as  the  tarsus  ;  a  distinct  web  between  outer  and  middle  toes, 
at  the  base  ;  a  well-tleveloped  hind  toe,  with  a  small  claw.  Wings  lengthened,  but  rounded,  the 
tirst  (^uill  shorter  than  the  sixth  ;  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  nearly  equal,  and  longest.  Tail 
slightly  emarginated.  Occiput  (of  adult)  ornamented  by  an  elongated,  slender,  recurved  crest. 
Plumage  of  upper  parts  metallic. 

A  single  species  only  of  this  genus  occurs  in  America,  this  being  the  common  Lapwing  or 
Peewit  of  EuroiH!  {V.  cristatus),  which  has  been  found  at  several  localities  of  Arctic  America, 
including  both  Greenland  and  Alaska.  The  South  American  birds  usually  referred  to  Vanellus 
lieloug  to  two  (juite  distinct  genera  (Itdunopterus  and  Ptiloscelys),  distinguished  by  important 
dillVreuces  of  structure,  as  tabulated  on  page  128. 


1  Oreophilm,  jAr.n.  &  Sei.by,  lUustr.  Orii.  pi.  151  (type,  0.  totanirostris,  Jard.  &  Selby,  =  Chara- 
(Irius  riiflco/lis,  Waol.     Huh.  Southern  South  America). 

^  Zunibyx,  Reicu.  Handb.  1851,  xviii.  (type,  VnncUiis  cinctua,  hiiss.,  =  C'/uiradriits  modcatus,  LiciiT. 
Ilah.  Southern  South  America). 

^  Iloploxyplcrus,  Bonap.  Compt.  Iteud.  XLlll.  1856,  418  (type,  Chanidrius  cayamia,  Latu.  Hab. 
South  America.) 

A  nearly  allied  Old  World  genus,  Hoploptcrus,  Bonap.  (type,  Charadriua  spinoaua,  Linn.),  differs  as 
foUowa  :  First  primary  shorter  than  the  fourth,  as  in  VaneUm  wnA.  Bclmwplerus  ;  wing-spur  larger,  and 
curved ;  the  legs  almost  stilt-like  in  length  (tarsus  nearly  thrice  the  middle  toe),  and  black.  There  is 
also  a,  well-doveluped  web  between  the  outer  and  middle  toes,  at  the  base,  hardly  indicated  at  all  in 
Hoploxypterua. 

VOL.   I.   —  17 


130 


PRiECUClAL  GKALLATOIIES  —  LnUCOL^E. 


VanelluB  capella 

THE  LAPWIMO. 

TriiKja  vanellns,  Linn.  S.  N.  id.  10,  1758,  148  ;  ud.  12,  1700,  248. 

Ckmulnita  vaitrllus,  \Va(il.  Syst.  Av.  1827,  no.  47.  —  X.VUM.  V0«.  Dcutschl.  IX.  1838,  200,  pi.  179. 

Vanellm  ctijicllu,  Scii.vKKb'.  (hn.  Mii.s.  178U,  40.  —  Stkjn.  Pioc.  L'.  S.  Nut.  Mus.  Vol.  4,  1882,  35. 

Vtinelliis  mil(j(vis,  IlKfiisr,  Orii.  Tii.mIu'IiI).  II.  I,s03,  313. 

Vancllus  crMiiiis,  Mkykis,  Vo^.  UcnUchl.  I.  181(i,  10.  —  Mawim.,  Man.  II.  55.  —  Ki'.Y.s.  &  Bi.as. 

Will).  Kur.  tiO.  — (iUAV,  (icMi.  B.  11.  541  ;  (at.  Biit.  B.  1803,  137.  — (Joui.D,  Birds  Lur.  pi.  201. 

—  UiiHiW.  Norn.  N.  Am.  15.  1881,  no.  512.  — Couks,  ('licck  List,  2d  ud.  1882,  no.  503. 
Vandlua  gavin,  X.v.xvw,  Syst.  ("at.  1810,  20.   -Srici-ii.  Gen.  Zoi.l.  XL  500,  pi.  38. 
Vancllus  biivruis,  BuKiiM,  Vdg.  Dnitsclil.  557. 
The  Peewit,  or  Laptnng,  Yaiiu.  Brit.  B.  od.  2,  II.  481,  fig.  ;  od.  3,  11.  515,  lig. 


V,  capella. 

Had.  Entire  Palajarctic  region ;  occasional  in  Arctic  America  (Greenland,  "  Reixhahdt, 
Ibis,  18G1,  9;"  i^huuU  in  Norton  Sound,  Alaska,  Dall  &  Bannister,  Trans.  Chicago  Acad.  I. 
1869,  293). 

Adult,  breeding-plumitge :  Pileuui,  crest,  fore-part  of  the  lores  and  malar  region,  diin,  throat 
and  entire  breast,  blue-black,  faintly  glossy.     Side  of  the  head  and  neck  white,  the  aape  ashy. 


Back,  scapulars,  and  tertials,  metallic  bottle-green,  changing  to  coppery  purple  on  the  outer  scapu- 
lars ;  wing-coverts  dark  purplish  blue,  changing  to  greenish,  becoming  decidedly  green  on  the 


i-^ 


rilAUADUIIDvK  —  THK   I'LoVKRS  —  VANELLUS. 


131 


"iLiitfr  coverts.  Ui-iiiim's  thill  black,  the  inils  of  the  outer  three  jiriiimrieg,  for  un  inch  or  more, 
(lull  liKht  cinereous,  the  8hut't»  white.  Uunip  like  tlie  buck,  but  le**  nietuilic. ;  upper  tuil-coverts 
ili'i'p  rui'ous.  liasal  iiiili'iinil  to|i  of  the  tail  piiie  wliite  ;  sul)l<'ruiiutil  poiilDii  <lull  liljiik,  liiis  culor 
iliiii'iisinn  in  extent  to  tlie  tiuter  fealiiers,  liualiy  nearly  or  ipiite  disaiiiieariii^-  on  the  lateriil  pair, 
iiiiwer  parts  in  general  pure  white,  becoinin};  li^ht  rufous  on  tlie  lower  tuil-coverts.  Winter  jilti- 
iinuii  :  Similar,  but  with  anteriir  half  of  hires,  liroad  supeniliary  stripe,  chin,  ami  entire  thmat, 
white  ;  while  of  sides  of  na|ie  and  oe(i|put  mori!  or  le>s  tin^ecl  with  bull'.  Hill  lilackish  ;  iris 
brown  ;  le^s  and  feet  didl  crimson  or  lake-reil  (iirownish  in  winti'r). 

Ihvnij  ijoiiiiii :  Top  and  sides  of  the  head,  ancl  entire  upper  parts,  dull  Il;,'ht  brownish  gray 
mottleil  with  iilaek,  the  shoulders  tln^'ed  with  li;^iil  rusty,  ami  the  rump  with  huge  spots  of  deep 
black.  Whole  nape,  chin,  ihioat,  and  entire  lower  parts  (e.xcept  ju^'idum),  white,  the  first  tin{,'ed 
with  li;^hl  ashy  ;  Ju^;ulum  nearly  uniform  dusky  grayish  (.')(i8,s.j,  Sa.xony). 

Wing,  ».5()-!),(K) ;  tall,  -1.00-4.25  ;  cuhnen,  1.00  ;  tarsu.s,  •2.W  ;  middle  toe,  1.00-1.10. 


Tiu'  wt'U-kiiow'ii  Liipwiiif,'  of  Europe  i.s  oiui  of  tlu'  uuist  comiuoii  and  familiar  of 
the  birds  of  the  wesU-ni  ptutious  of  that  coiitiiu'tit.  Its  occasional  presence  in  (Jreen- 
liiml  and  other  parts  of  North  America  gives  it  a  place  annyng  our  rare  and  accidental 
visitants.  It  is  common  ami  indigenous  to  Irelaml  and  tin'  IJritish  Islaiuls,  ami  is 
iihumlant,  in  all  suitable  localities,  as  far  as  the  most  remote  d'  the  Shetlaml  group, 
it  is  common  in  Denmark,  ami  is  e([ually  abumlant  throughout  Norway  and  Sweden; 
also  occurring  on  the  Farcie  Islamls  ami  in  Icelaml,  ami  being  common  througlumt 
the  Emitire  of  Ivussia.  It  is  fouml  in  less  abundam-e  in  France,  Spain,  Italy,  Egypt, 
and  Asia  .Minor,  ami  has  been  taken  on  the  plains  between  the  IJlack  and  the  Cas- 
pian seas.  Specimens  have  also  been  received  from  India  ami  Chimi ;  ami  Tem- 
minck  includes  it  among  the  birds  of  Japan.  In  some  of  its  general  habits  the 
Lii})wing  appears  to  be  similar  to  the  Kildecr  of  our  owji  (!ountry.  It  is  known  to 
many  as  the  Lapwing,  both  from  its  peculiar  slow  flapping  of  the  wings  as  it  flies, 
and  the  singular  maimer  in  which  it  droops  its  wings,  in  affected  lameness,  wlieji  its 
nest  is  in  danger.  It  is  also  called  the  I'eewit,  from  its  fre(piently  repeated  note, 
closely  resembling  the  word  jh'e-vcet.  liy  the  French  this  note  is  thought  to  resemble 
the  word  dije-hutf,  and  the  bird  is  known  to  them  by  this  name. 

The  habits  of  this  species  are  those  of  a  true  I'lover.  It  frequtMits  marshy  grounds 
or  the  margins  of  lakes  and  rivers,  wild  heaths,  and  open,  uninclosed  country.  In 
such  localities  these  birds  are  very  common  in  Great  Britain,  and  breed  la  large 
numbers.  Their  eggs  are  regitrded  as  a  luxury,  and  are  much  sought  after  in  all  the 
districts  where  this  species  is  common. 

When  its  nest  is  disturbed,  the  female  runs  from  the  eggs  and  flies  near  the 
ground,  but  makes  no  noise.  The  males,  however,  are  very  clamorous,  fly  about  the 
intruder,  and  endeavor  by  various  instinctive  manoeuvres  to  draw  off  his  attention 
from  their  treasures. 

In  some  of  the  English  counties  all  the  most  likely  grounds  are  carefully  searched 
once  every  day,  in  the  season  for  eggs,  by  women  and  children,  as  well  as  by  dogs 
trained  for  the  imriiose.  Yarrell  states  that  in  1839  two  hundred  dozen  of  these 
eggs  were  sent  to  the  London  market  from  Komney  Marsh  alone. 

The  nests  of  the  Lapwing,  like  those  of  the  whole  family  of  Plovers,  are  mere 
depressions  in  the  ground,  with  a  few  dried  bents  lining  the  bottom.  The  number 
of  eggs  is  four,  and  these  have  an  average  of  1.93  inches  in  length  by  1.34  inches 
ill  breadth.     Their  color  is  dark  olive,  blotched  and  spotted  with  blackish  broAvn. 

The  young  Lapwings,  just  hatched,  are  covered  with  a  yellowish  fawn-colored 
down  spotted  with  brownish  black,  and  there  is  a  light-colored  collar  around  the 
neck.    They  can  run  almost  as  soon  as  hatched,  following  the  parent  bird,  who 


132 


I'U.KCCJCIAL  <i|{AI,l,AT«)l{i:s  -  MMIfM-.l-;. 


leads  tht'iii  in  Mciircli  of  t'ootl.  Tlii'.v  tt't'd  on  cartli-woniis,  hIu^m,  iiiul  iiisi'ctH  of 
viirious  kinds,  in  all  tlicir  (lilTcrcnl  siaK<'^<.  and,  on  accuunt  of  tlit'ir  u.sidnlnes.s  in  tlic 
dt'Mtrurtion  of  in.si'cts,  art'  frt'<iuiiitl)  i<«'i»t  in  gunU-ns,  wIu-it  tin-)'  btrunK'  ^uite  tunii', 
and  urn  vuiy  iutcn-Mtint,'  |icts. 

In  till'  antnnm  the  La|i\vinj,'s  colliM't  in  Hocks;  and  from  that  time  to  the  end  of 
the  winU'r  art-  fxicllcnt  eating. 

This  liird  is  rt'cordcd  1>}  Kt'inhardt  as  of  oci-asional  occurrence  in  Greenland,  and 
Dall  and  ISaunistcr  met  with  it  in  Alaska  amonK  tin-  islandH  in  Norton  Sound. 


Gkni'h  SQUATAROLA,  Civikk. 

Sqitalarola,  Cvviv.w,  Hi'g.  Aiiiiii.  I.  1S17  (typr,  Tiiiiijn  siiiwfdnilfi,  Linn.), 

Chak.  a  nulimentary  himl  toe.  Let;*'  roticulntiMl  with  I'lnnj-mleil  hcxiiKoiis  anteriorly,  of 
which  tlu'ic  me  ftve  or  »h  in  u  tnuisvi-iw  row;  fuwiT  I'chiiicl.  Firnt  priniury  lonjjcst.  Tail 
Blit,'hlly  rounded. 


iS.  helvetica. 


I. 


Squatarola  helvetica. 

THE  BLACK-BELLIED  FLOVEB. 

Tringa  squatarola,  Linn.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  1758,  149  ;  cd.  12,  1766,  2.'>2. 

Tringn  liclvetiat,  I.inn.  S.  N.  imI.  12,  1766,  250. 

Sqimtarola  Iwlvetim,   Cuv.   lifcg.    Auiiii.    1817.  —  BiiEiiM,    Viig.    Deutschl.  1831,  554. —Cass,  in 

Bainl'sB.  N.  Am.  1858,  697.  —  nAinn,  fat.  N.  Am.  B.   IS.W,  no.  510.  —  C'ouF.s,  Key,  1872, 

243  J  Check  List,  1873,  no.  395  ;  2(1  cd.   1882,  no.  580  ;  Binls  N.  W.  1874,  448.  —  Ridow. 

Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  513. 
Charadriua  hclvcticm,  Liciir.  Vcrz.  DonW.  1823,  no.  728.  — NrxT.  Man.  II.  1834,  26.  —  AuD.  Orn. 

Biog.  IV.  1838,  280,  pi.  334;  Synop.  1839,  221  ;  Birds  Am.  V.  1842,  199,  pi.  315. 
Charadrius  apricariiis,  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  Vil.  1813,  41. 

Had.  Nearly  cosmopolitan,  hut  chiefly  the  northern  hemisphere  ;  hreedinj?  in  the  extreme 
northern  parts  of  its  range,  migrating,'  in  winter  to  southern  regions,  extending,  in  Americn,  as  far 
as  Brazil  and  New  Granada.     Bermudas,  and  throughout  the  West  Indies. 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  and  legs  strong  ;  wings  long  ;  a  very  small  rudimentary  hind  toe.  Summer  : 
Around  the  hase  of  the  hill  to  the  eyes,  neck  before  and  under  parts  of  body,  black  ;  upper  parts 


CITAllADniin.f!  -  TIIK   I'LoVKIlS  -  .SylATAIMF-A. 


133 


wliitp,  nmrlv  ]WU'  niid  iiii«i")tt«il  mi  ih..  Inivliciul  ;  hIiIch  uI'  llif  neck  iiml  rutii|)  tinffwl  with  nxliv, 
iiml  liuviiin  iiri'^iilar  tnin^viTm!  ^pots  dI'  IjiowiuhIi  Muck  mi  the  Imrk,  Kni|iiiliirH,  uinl  wiiin-covt-rtM  ; 
till!  l)ri)Wiii«li  lilaik  liv«iuriitly  iircdmiiiiiiitiiiK  on  lliim  its,  uihI  tln' niiiip  uImo  rrciumilly  with 
iraiifivfrsi;  Imw  ol'  tliu  muiv.     Lowlt  pint  ul  ihu  ubiloiucii,  tiliia,  aixi  uikIjt  tail-covi-rlH,  wliile. 


Siiiniiiir  /iliniKii/c. 

Qm\h,  hrownisli  hlai'k,  lii,'lit('r  on  tlioir  iniuT  wi-lw,  with  a  iniiMlc  pmlinii  of  their  Khaftw  white, 
mill  a  narrow  hinj^'itudinal  wtripe  ol'  wliile  lienuently  on  the  .shorter  ]iriniarieN  ami  serondarii'H. 
Tail  while,  with  transverse  iinperlect  narrow  hamls  ol'  lilauk.  The  lilaek  eolnr  ol' the  ninler  imrtu 
^,'enerally  with  a  faint  hroiizeil  or  coppery  lustre,  and  presentinj,'  a  scale-like  appearaiu'o ;  the 
hrownith  black  of  the  upper  parts  with  a  greenish  lustre.  Mill  and  le^^s  Mack  ;  iris  hrown.  I'oioij/cr 
and  winter  plKmnyn :  En'iro  upper  parts  dark  hrown,  with  circular  mid  irrp^ular  small  spots  of 
white,  and  freipiently  of  yellow,  most  numerous  on  the  winj,'-coverts  ;  njjper  tail-coverts  white. 
Under  parts  white,  with  Hhort  longitudinal  lines  and  Hpots  of  dark  hrownish  cinureouH  on  the  neck 


Winter  plumage. 

and  breast ;  quills  brownish  black,  with  n  lar},'e  lon^dtudinal  space  of  wliite  on  their  inner  webs  and 
also  on  the  outer  webs  of  the  .shorter  primaries.  Young:  Upper  parts  lighter,  and  with  the  white 
spots  more  irregular  or  less  rounded  ;  narrow  lines  on  the  neck  and  breast  more  numerous. 

Total  length  about  11^  inches;  wing,  7^ ;  tail,  3  inches;  culmen,  about  1.10;  tarsus,  1.95  ; 
middle  toe,  1.15. 

We  can  discover  no  ditl'erence  between  American  specimens  and  those  from  Europe.  In  the 
young  and  winter  plumage  there  is  considerable  variation  in  the  di.stinctness  of  the  yellow  wash 
on  the  upper  parts,  the  light  markings  of  the  upper  surface  being  in  some  examples  entirely  of 
this  color,  while  in  others  there  is  scarcely  even  a  tinge  of  it. 


134 


PR.ECOCIAL  GHALLATOUES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


i  t 


While  the  coloration  dI"  tliis  sjn'cit's  liciirs  considi'ra1)lc  resonililnnco  to  that  of  the  Golden 
Plovers  {Chara(h-iiis),  it  iiiiiy  bi'  rwulily  (li.stiiimiisjied,  in  nil  stii^fs.  apart  from  other  marked 
differences,  by  the  dusky  bhuk  axillaiK,  these  fenthera  being  either  Hinoky  gray  or  pure  white  in 
the  species  of  Charadrim. 

The  well-known  Heetle-head,  or  Uliick-lu'lliod  Plover,  is  t'lniiieiitly  cosmopolitan 
in  its  distribution,  ranging  over  the  northern  portions  of  Asia,  Europe,  and  North 
America  during  its  periods  of  re])rodu(!tion,  at  other  times  waiuleriug  in  an  irregular 
manner,  in  scattered  groui)s,  over  Southern  Asia,  Northern  and  even  Southern  Africa, 
Australia,  the  West  indies,  and  Central  and  South  America  to  IJrazil. 

Mr.  Swinlioc  (Ibis,  180^,  p.  404)  mentions  finding  this  sjiecies  frequenting  the 
shore?:  and  the  mouths  of  the  rivers  of  Formosa  during  winter.  This  writer  after- 
ward speaks  of  meeting  with  it  in  small  fioeks.  in  the  same  season,  on  the  river 
mud-flats  at  Amoy,  where  they  were  seen  up  to  February,  but  not  later.  One  was 
kept  in  an  aviary  at  Anujy,  but  appeared  to  have  umlergone  no  change  in  plumage  as 
late  as  the  end  of  May.  Mr.  Swinhor  also  records  tiie  procuring  of  a  single  specimen 
on  the  Islaiul  of  Hainan;  it  was  shot  in  the  Huiigpe  Lagoon  on  the  .'{0th  of  March. 
Captain  Sperling  found  this  bird  conuuon  at  Zanzibar,  where  in  November  he  proctired 
it  in  immature  plumage.  Dr.  Andrew  Smith  noticed  it  at  Algoa  l?ay,  in  South 
Africa,  till  through  the  brecdiug-season,  and  brought  specimens  to  England ;  but  as 
none  had  the  black  color  on  the  breast,  it  is  not  probable  that  any  were  actually 
breeding.  Mr.  Blyth  has  obtained  this  bird  at  Calcutta ;  aiul  INIr.  Temminck  has 
received  it  from  Japan  in  both  the  summer  and  winter  phunage.  Specimens  from 
the  Sunda  Islands  and  from  New  Guinea,  though  killed  at  ditt'erent  seasons,  were  all 
in  the  immature  or  winter  i)lumage.  This  species  is  also  included  by  Dr.  Horsfield 
in  his  list  of  the  birds  of  Java.  Dr.  Middendorff  mentions  this  Ph)ver  as  one  of  the 
birds  of  Siberia,  and  gives  it  in  his  hyperborean  list,  which  incbules  the  birds  pene- 
trating to  the  extreme  north.  Mr.  Saunders  (Ibis,  1871)  states  that  this  Plover  is 
not  uncommon  in  Southern  Spain  during  its  migrations.  The  first  specimens  were 
obtained  at  ^lalaga  in  May.  During  the  winter  few  were  met  with,  the  majority 
having  evidently  gone  farther  south.  Mr.  Wheelwright  obtained  old  birds  of  this 
species  on  the  southern  coast  of  Scania  in  August,  in  nearly  full  summer  dress,  as 
well  as  those  of  the  year,  and  inferred  that  they  must  have  bred  somewhere  on  the 
European  continent.  He  is  confident  they  do  not  breed  at  Quickiock,  nor  have  any 
of  its  eggs  been  taken  there  by  Mr.  Wolley  or  by  any  one  else.  Still  he  thinks  that 
they  must  breed  somewhere  on  the  Scandinavian  fells,  and  they  were  found  breeding 
in  18G2  in  Finland,  by  Mr.  Tristram.  I'rofessor  A.  Newton  descril)ed  an  egg  (P.  Z.  S. 
1861)  which  was  taken  by  Middendorff  on  the  Taimyr  Kiver,  North  Kussia,  lat.  74°. 
July  1,  184,'3;  and  Mr.  Wheelwright  received  what  were  said  to  be  the  eggs  of  this 
species  from  Greenland,  and  which  reseml)led  those  of  the  European  ('.  jdtivialis. 
Messrs.  Alston  and  Brown  (Ibis.  January,  1873)  mention  meeting  with  this  species 
near  Archangel,  Russia,  June  2.  In  Great  Britain,  Farrell  gives  it  as  a  winter  visitor, 
and  not  a  native  resident.  It  occurs  at  the  end  of  antunni,  through  the  winter,  and 
in  the  spring,  retiring  to  high  northern  latitudes  during  the  breeding-season,  and 
rc-appearing  when  that  season  is  over.  Specimens  in  the  full  black  phunage  may 
occasionally  be  procured  in  the  London  market  in  May.  Mr.  Selby  met  with  a  fcAv 
of  these  birds  in  the  Fen  Islands  in  June,  but  could  never  detect  any  young.  In  the 
winter  this  Plover  is  more  common  on  the  shores  than  inland.  It  is  more  abundant 
in  Holland  and  in  France  than  in  Germany,  and  is  also  found  at  Genoa  and  in  Italy 
generally,  passing  through  Sicily  on  its  way  to  and  from  Africa. 


CIIAnADRIID.E  —  TIIK  PLOVERS  -  SQl'ATAROLA. 


135 


In  the  Appendix  to  Captain  ]*arry's  Second  Voyage,  Richardson  states  that  this 
bird  was  found  breeding  near  the  margins  of  tlie  marshes  immediately  to  the  south- 
west of  Fury  I'oint  in  considerable  numbers.  Some  specimens  were  also  obtained 
near  Felix  Harbor.  The  sanu-  writer,  in  liis  "  Fauna  Boreali-Amerieana,"  states  that 
it  breeds  in  o])en  ground  from  IVnnsylvauia  to  the  nortiiern  extremity  of  tlic  con- 
tinent. This  is  a  mistake  —  an  error  origimiily  of  Wilson's,  but  co])ied  also  by 
Audubon,  Xuttall,  and  Samuels.  It  does  not  breed  within  the  limits  of  the  United 
States,  and  probably  nowhere  south  of  the  exLrenu'  northern  latitudes.  Specijiieiis 
have  been  received  from  Hudson's  15ay  by  Cr.ptain  Blakiston  which  had  been  taken 
there  by  Mr.  Murray.  It  was  found  on  the  JMackeuzie  by  Mr.  Ross,  where,  however, 
it  was  rare. 

This  Flover  passes  northward  througli  the  United  States  in  May.  and  returns 
southward  in  August.  It  occurs  si)aringly  in  various  ])arts  of  this  country  iiTCgu- 
larly  during  the  intervening  winter  months  from  August  to  May.  According  to 
Giraud,  it  reaches  Long  Island  early  in  the  month  of  May,  and  s])ends  but  a  few 
days  on  the  sandbars  and  beaches,  tlien  leaving  for  the  north.  In  the  month  of 
August  it  returns  with  its  young.  These  are  so  different  in  their  plumage,  that  by 
many  gunners  they  are  supposed  to  be  ;\  diiferent  bird,  and  are  knowni  as  the  "  l>ull- 
lieaded  Plover"  or  the  " Reetle-headed  Plover."  They  are  very  shy.  but  may  fre- 
(juently  be  enticed  within  gunshot  by  imitating  their  plaintive  note.  In  autumn  they 
are  found  along  the  whole  sea-coast  of  Long  Island,  subsisting  on  minute  shell-fish 
iuid  marine  insects,  and  becoming  very  fat.  They  renuiin  until  the  latter  part  of 
Septendier,  when  they  move  southward.  Early  in  the  autumn  this  bird  is  very  abun- 
ilaut  about  jMontauk  I'oint,  aiul  during  September  Giraiul  met  with  it  thrcmghout 
Ills  entire  route  across  the  hills,  but  found  it  most  niuuerous  on  a  large  bare  sjjot 
abounding  with  grubs,  worms,  and  insects  of  various  kinds,  about  four  miles  from 
the  lighthouse. 

According  to  Lewis  this  bird  is  best  known  to  sportsmen  of  the  Middle  States 
as  the  '"Old  Field."  or  "AVliistling"  J'lover.  It  jiasses  through  Mew  .lersey  early 
in  Jlay,  and  returns  in  August. 

Those  that  feed  on  the  uplands  on  berries  and  grasshoppers  are  fat  and  of  a  line 
tlavor;  but  those  frccpuMiting  the  sea-coast  soon  accpiire  a  sedgy  and  unpleasant 
taste.  They  naturally  tiy  high,  and  kec])  uj)  an  incessant  whistling,  which  is  easily 
imitated  and  made  use  of  as  a  decoy.  This  bird  is  ditHcidt  of  approach  while  feed- 
ing, and  its  capture  requires  much  precaution  and  the  use  of  various  stratagems. 

So  far  as  it  is  possible  to  ascertain,  this  Plover  does  not  breed  in  the  nu)untains 
of  Pennsylvania;  and  the  statements  of  Wilson  and  Audubon  in  regard  to  its  breed- 
ing habits,  and  their  dcscrii)tion  of  its  nests  and  eggs,  must  be  admitted  to  have  been 
based  on  incorrect  infornuition.  The  eggs  described  by  Wilson  are  probably  those  of 
tlie  Willet,  and  do  not  at  all  resemble  those  of  this  species ;  while  the  eggs  described 
by  Audubon  are  yet  more  dissimilar,  and  without  much  doubt  were  those  of  Rartram's 
Tattler,  which,  as  well  as  this  species,  is  known  as  the  "  Field  Plover." 

In  its  winter  wanderings  this  species  visits  the  West  Indies,  Mexico,  Central 
America,  and  parts  of  South  America.  Early  in  Septend)er,  or  from  the  5th  to  the 
loth,  they  are  found  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  return  on  their  way  north  during  the 
latter  part  of  May.  Mr.  Salvin  states  that  it  occurs  on  the  sandy  plains  of  Chiapan, 
in  Guatemala,  where  it  was  found  intermingled  with  flocks  of  Triiiyce.  Leotaud 
mentions  it  as  a  migratory  visitant  in  Trinidad,  where  it  is  hardly  ever  seen  by 
itself,  but  is  usually  in  the  midst  of  a  flock  of  the  ChnrmJrlus  virgininis.  It  arrives 
about  the  end  of  August,  and  leaves  in  October.     The  Reetle-head  not  only  accom- 


136 


PR.ECOCIAL  GUALLATOliES  —  UMICOLJi. 


I 


panies  the  Golden  I'lovei',  but  the  manners  of  both  appear  to  be  identical.  They  are 
thus  met  witli  together  botli  on  tlic  shores  and  in  the  savannas,  but  always  in 
limited  numbers. 

(t.  H.  White  procured  it  near  the  City  of  Mexico ;  it  was  obtained  in  the  Bahamas 
by  Dr.  Bryant;  and  in  the  Bermudas,  where  it  is  of  rare  occurrence,  by  Lieutenant 
Wtdderburn.  Jt  is  found  in  Jamaica  and  in  Cuba  from  August  to  April.  In  Florida, 
according  to  Mr.  !Moore,  it  is  present  throughout  the  year,  and  is  (luite  common  even 
in  the  sununer  nuinths.  The  summer  birds  are  all  in  their  winter  idumage,  have  no 
black  beneath  them  except  on  their  axillaries,  and  no  white  on  their  heads,  but 
sober  winter  gray ;  none  show  either  by  their  actions  or  by  the  condition  of  their 
internal  organs  any  symptoms  of  breeding.  Migrants  return  the  11th  of  August,  and 
many  spend  the  Avinter  in  Florida. 

The  Baron  Droste  lliilskoff,  in  his  "  Birds  of  Borkum,"  states  that  this  species 
passes  there  late  in  May,  and  again  ippears  in  its  southward  migrations  in  August 
and  early  in  Septembtn-.  He  describes  it  as  a  tine,  lively  bird,  carrying  its  head  and 
body  erect,  and  its  breast  thrown  forward.  It  runs  backward  in  the  manner  of  the 
Golden  Plover;  and,  before  flying,  always  lifts  its  wings  high  above  its  head.  Its 
flight  is  peculiarly  swift  —  more  so  than  that  of  most  other  shore  birds  — and  it  flies 
off  in  a  straight  line,  now  a)iproaching,  and  now  leaving  the  ground  in  easy  dips, 
extending  the  wings  far,  and  flying  with  powerful  strokes.  The  call-note  of  this 
bird,  he  adds,  is  a  sharp  whistle,  tIJ-e-ih,  the  final  note  being  very  softly  sounded.  On 
the  wing  it  rejjeats  this  mtte  with  long  ]»auses ;  and  when  at  rest,  if  another  of  the 
same  species  settles  down  beside  it,  the  hist  i)art  of  the  call-note  is  repeated  back  and 
forth  between  the  two.  At  sunset  they  are  most  uneasy,  and  fly  about,  calling  con- 
tinually, late  into  the  night.  They  are  very  Avatchful  and  shy,  carefully  avoiding 
every  susi)icious-looking  mound,  and  very  rarely  ai)proaching  a  place  Avhere  a  sports- 
man is  hid.  This  is  the  sentinel  of  other  shore-birds,  warning  them  by  its  sudden 
flight  and  loud  alarm-note.  ( hi  the  edge  of  the  water  it  seeks  its  food  in  the  foam  ; 
and,  like  the  sandpijter,  wades  up  to  its  belly  in  the  water. 

Lord  Lilford  states  that  this  bird  has  a  curious  habit  of  throwing  somersaults  in 
the  air,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Tumbler  I'igeon  and  KoUer.  He  noticed  this 
particularly  in  ^larch,  IS.")?,  on  the  Gulf  of  Arta. 

According  to  Dr.  Cooper's  observations,  this  Plover  is  not  common  along  the 
southern  coast  of  CJalifornia,  although  sonu'  are  found  there  from  October  to  May ; 
but  a  single  specimen  was  obtained  by  him  on  Catalina  Island.  Farther  north  in  that 
State  it  is  more  abundant  in  the  wet  season,  and  chiefly  along  the  sea-beaches. 
Occasionally  it  visits  the  prairies,  and  is  then*  known  as  the  Whistling  Field 
Plover. 

About  the  end  of  August  these  birds  descend  to  the  sea-coast  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Columbia  River,  but  are  later  in  their  appearance  Avithin  the  limits  of  California. 
They  there  feed  on  shell-flsh,  Crustacea,  and  other  snudl  marine  animals.  They  are 
generally  very  shy  and  watchful,  whistling  louilly  as  they  fly,  after  the  manner 
of  the  Kildeer.  This  species  Avas  noticed  in  considerable  numbers  about  Lake  Kos- 
konong,  Wis.,  Aug.  15,  IHlli. 

Mr.  Nelson  mentions  it  as  a  not  uncommon  migrant  on  Lake  Michigan,  where  it 
arrives,  in  full  breeding-plumage,  about  the  Iflth  of  May.  A  few  remain  during  the 
summer;  and  although  ;Mr.  Nelson  conjectures  that  they  may  breed,  this  is  not 
probable.  Certainly  none  of  their  eggs  have  ever  been  detected  except  in  the  highest 
Arctic  regions.     They  return  in  September,  Avearing  their  fall  plumage. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  discovered  this  species  breeding  on  an  island  in  Franklin  Bay,  on 


CIIAUADRIID.E  —  THE  PLOVERS  —  SQUATAROLA. 


137 


tliu  Arctic  coast,  July  4.  The  uest  contained  tour  eggs,  and  was  composed  of  a  little 
u  itlieri'd  grass,  placed  in  a  depression  on  the  side  or  face  of  a  very  gentle  euiiueucc. 
iiotli  i)arcnts  were  seen,  and  the  male  shot.  They  were  at  tirst  mistaken  for  the 
Uoldeu  I'lover ;  but  their  note  and  general  appearanc^e  soon  undeceived  him.  This 
was  the  first  of  the  species  he  had  ever  seen  during  his  sojourn  in  the  country. 
While  it  may  exist  on  tlu!  Arctic  coast  and  in  the  Barren  (.J rounds,  he  is  quite 
coutidi'Mt  that  lu'  never  met  with  it  before.  The  eggs  in  this  instance  contained 
partially  developed  endnyos.  On  the  following  day,  July  ~>,  18G4,  another  nest, 
containing  four  eggs  also,  in  the  same  stage  of  development,  was  secured. 

A  third  nest,  with  four  eggs,  Avas  discovered  the  following  night,  and  a  snare  was 
set  to  secure  the  parent.  The  fenude  was  taken,  but  before  it  was  secured,  a  Snowy 
Owl  devoured  the  bird  and  destroyed  the  eggs. 

In  regard  to  the  breeding  of  this  I'lover,  we  learn  from  Aliddendorft"  that  he 
observed  none  of  this  species  on  the  IJoganida  earlier  than  the  2r)th  of  May.  By  the 
L'Oth  of  June  the  females  were  sitting  there  on  their  nests,  which  had  been  formed 
by  collecting  together  dried  leaves  aiul  grasses,  and  in  which  were  four  eggs,  which 
he  compares  in  shape  with  the  eggs  of  the  Lapwing  and  the  Dotterel  {CJutntdrlus 
iiinrlnellus).  He  gives  their  average  length  at  li.lO  inches,  and  their  average  largest 
diameter  1.4)1  inches.  They  differed  very  considerably  in  size,  the  largest  being  2.18 
inches  in  length,  and  the  smallest  only  1.87  inches.  Nor  does  the  c(dor  afford  any 
distinctive  mark.  The  ground-color  is  sometimes  yelloAvish  gray  and  sometimes 
brownish  yellow,  the  dark-brown  spots  being  like  those  of  the  Ch.  ii/iirialis.  Midden- 
(lorff  also  found  this  bird  breeding  on  the  Byrranga  Mountains,  in  latitude  74". 

ilr.  Dresser  describes  one  of  the  eggs  obtained  by  Middendorff  as  nu/asuring  2.07 
by  1.40  inches,  with  a  ground-color  of  a  dull  day-ltrown,  and  bearing  markings 
distributed  over  the  surfaiic,  but  collecting  together  at  the  larger  end,  blackish  brown 
in  color,  and  irregular  in  shape.  There  were  al'-o  a  few  unch'rlying  jmrplish  shell- 
markings. 

Eggs  of  this  species  collected  by  Mr.  MacFarlane  in  an  island  in  Franklin's  Bay, 
on  the  Arctic  coast,  in  July,  1804,  an<l  in  18(!5,  and  nund)cred  lllSW,  11196,  and 
11199,  S.  I.,  exhibit  certain  general  resend>lances  to  the  egg  of  the  more  common 
(li)lden  I'lover  {Ch.  virf/itnrus).  Tlu'V  have,  however,  certain  constant  differences 
which  do  not  readily  adnut  of  exact  description.  These  three  sets,  two  of  four  and 
one  of  three  eggs,  differ  from  the  average  egg  of  the  fiftjinims  in  the  more  nearly 
('([C'd  distribution  of  the  s])ots  over  the  whole  egg.  In  two  of  thes"  sets  the  ground 
color  is  of  a  light  greenish  drab;  in  the  other  the  ground  is  a  light  rufous  drab, 
without  any  mixture  of  green.  The  s]K)ts  are  of  a  dark  shade  of  umber  or  bistre, 
and  the  darkness  of  the  shade  is  tpiite  uniform,  and  never  intensified,  as  in  the  eggs 
(if  the  virrjlitkus.  They  are  strongly  pyrifcu-m  in  shape,  and  vary  in  length  from 
1.90  inches  to  2.30,  and  in  breadth  from  1.40  to  1.47  inches.  They  are  longer  and 
broader  than  the  virfjmicus,  and  their  breadth  is  also  proportionally  greater. 

.Messrs.  Harvie-Brown  and  Seebohm.  in  the  summer  of  187o,  found  the  Gray  I'lover 
breeding  on  the  tundras  of  the  I'etchora  River,  in  Northern  Bussia  in  Europe,  where 
tliey  procured  a  rich  series  of  eggs  descriV)ed  as  intermediate  in  color  between  those 
of  the  Golden  Plover  and  the  Lapwing,  and  subject  to  variations,  some  being  much 
browner,  and  others  more  olive,  but  none  so  green  as  the  eggs  of  the  Lapwing, 
nor  so  orange  as  those  of  the  Blover.  The  blotching  is  in  every  respect  the  same, 
the  underlying  spots  equally  indistinct,  and  the  surface  spots  large,  especially  at  the 
greater  end,  but  occasionally  small  and  scattered.  In  size  they  vary  from  1.90  by 
1.35  to  2.20  by  1.40  inches. 

VOL.  I.  —  18 


138 


PRiECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOL/E. 


Genus  CHARADRIXTS,  Linx^us. 

Charadriua,  Linn.  S.  X.  eJ.  10,  1758,  150  ;  cd.  12,  1766,  253  (type,  C.  apricarius,  Linn.). 

Char.  Similar  to  Squntarola,  but  without  any  tmce  of  hind  toe.  Plumage  also  very  similar, 
but  form  rather  more  slender. 

Only  two  si)ecies  of  Charadrius  proper  are  known,  one  peculiar  to  the  Paliearctic  Region,  but 
occu'iiug  accidentally  in  Greenland  ;  the  other  spread  over  the  remaining  portioua  of  the  world, 


C.  dominiais. 

including  the  greater  part  of  America,  the  islands  throughout  the  Pacific,  and  the  coaste  of  Asia. 
They  differ  chiefly  in  the  color  of  the  axillary  feathei-s  and  the  lining  of  the  wings,  as  follows  : — 

1.  C.  aprioariufl.     Axillars  and  lining  of  the  wing  pure  white.    Hah.  Paltearctic  Region, 

breeding  in  Eastern  Greenland. 

2.  C.  dominicus.     Axillars  and  lining  of  the  wing  smoky  gray. 

a.  Var.  ihminicus.  Average  dimensions  :  i  Wing,  7.09  ;  culmen,  .92  ;  tarsus,  1.70  ;  middle 
toe,  .90.  Hah.  North  America  generally,  migniting  southward  ;  breeding  in  the  high 
north  (including  the  coasts  and_  i:*lands  of  Alaska  ?). 

h.  Var.  fulviis.  Average  dimensions  :  *  Wing,  6.40  ;  culmen,  .92  ;  tarsus,  1.72  ;  middle  toe, 
.90.     Hub.  Pacific  Islands  and  Asia ;  coast  and  islands  of  Alaska  in  migrations. 


lU 


Charadrius  apricariua 

EUBOPEAN  GOLDEN   PLOVEB. 

Charadrius  apricarius,  Lixn.  S.   I.  cd.   10,  L   1758,  150 ;  ed.  12,  L  1766,  254.  —  Bukhm,  Vog. 

Deutschl.  1831,  541,  pi.  27,  lig.  3. 
Charadrius  pluvial  is,  Linn.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  \.  1758, 151  ;  ed.  12,  L  1766,  254.  —  Key,s.  &  Blas.  Wirb. 

Eur.  1840,  70.  —  Sciileg.  Rev.  crit.  1844,  81.  —  GitAY,  Gen.  IJ.  III.  1849,  544  ;  Cat.  Brit.  B. 

1863,   1.39.  —  RiDow.   Norn.   N.  Am.   B.   1881,  no.   514.  —  CoUE.s,  Check  List,  2d  ed.  1882, 

no.  583. 
Charadrius  aurahis,  Bechst.  Naturg.  Deutschl.  IV.  1809,  395.  —  Naum.  Viig.  Deutschl.  VII.  1834, 

138,  pi.  173. 
Charadrius  altifrons,  BnEiiM,  t.c.  542. 
Pluvi^ilis  aurea,  Macoii.i..  Man.  II.  1842,  49. 
Tlic  Qolden  Plover,  Auct. 

Hab.  Western  Palsearctic  Region,  migrating  to  Africa,  etc.,  in  winter ;  breeding  in  Eastern 
Greenland  (Finsch). 


Twenty-four  specimens  measured. 


Twenty-three  specimens  measured. 


Ok. 


CHARADRIID^  —  THE  PLOVERS  —  CHARADRIUS. 


139 


Sp.  Char.  Lining  of  the  wiii),'  ami  axiliiirs  always  pure  white  ;  tiblic  naked  for  only  about 
half  the  luii;,'th  of  the  tarsus,  or  less.  Adult  in  suiniiier :  Ahove  dusky  lilack,  everywhere  spotted 
with  bright  ochre-yellow,  the  wings  with  both  the  ground-color  and  the  markings  paler  ;  primaries, 
priiuary-coverts,  and  alulu;,  plain  brownish-slate,  with  a  narrow  terminal  margin  of  white ;  about 
tiie  terminal  half  of  the  shafts  of  the  (juills  also  wliii";  tail  grayish  slate,  with  rather  naiTow 
obliijue  bars  of  white,  these  tinged  with  yellow  on  the  middle  feathers.  Entire  side  of  head,  up 
to  the  u|)per  edge  of  the  lores  and  auriculars,  chin,  and  foreneck  uniform  dull  black  or  dusky  ;  this 
extending  downward  over  the  middle  of  the  juguliim,  grailually  narrowing,  until  l)elow  it  forms  a 
stripe  only  a  little  more  than  half  an  incii  wide,  but,  suddenly  expanding,  covers  the  entire  lower 
breast,  abdomen,  and  anal  region.  Forehead  and  superciliary  stripe  white,  thi.s  continued  down- 
ward along  the  edge  of  the  black,  gradually  widening  below,  until,  where  the  black  becomes  nar- 
rowest, the  white  measures  nearly  one  inch  in  wiilth.  Sides  of  the  breast  (|)osterior  to  and  above 
the  white)  spotted  and  barred  black  and  ochre-yellow  ;  crissum  mostly  white.  Bill  black  ;  iris 
dark  brown  ;  legs  and  feet  bluish  gray  (MAC(iii,LiVHAv).  J  F  inter  plumage :  Upper  parts  as  in  sum- 
mer, but  the  yellow  markings  more  golden  ;  black  of  lower  parts,  throat,  etc.,  replaced  by  light 
grayish,  .spotted  and  streaked  with  darker,  the  throat  and  abdomen  immaculate  white.  Young: 
Above  .spotted  dusky  and  ochre-yellow,  much  as  in  the  adult ;  lower  parts  as  in  the  winter  adult, 
but  jugulum  and  sides  of  breast  strongly  sulfused  with  light  ochre-yellow.  Doiouj  young .  "  Bright 
golden,  varied  with  black  on  the  head  and  back,  the  hind  part  of  the  neck  bright  yellow  ;  a  spot 
under  the  eye,  and  under  surface  of  the  body  pure  white"  (Dresser). 

Total  length  about  10.50  ;  extent,  22.00.  Wing,  about  7.00 ;  culmen,  .90 ;  tarsus,  1.60-1.60 ; 
middle  toe,  1.00. 

Except  in  the  pure  white  axillars  and  under  wing-coverts,  there  is  little  in  the  coloration  of 
this  species  to  distinguish  it  from  the  American  C.  dominicus  and  its  Asiatic  representative,  G. 
fulvus.  It  is  more  golden  above,  however,  though  some  specimens  of  C.  fulviis  are  as  much  marked 
with  this  color. 

Charadrins  dominicus. 

THE  AMERICAN  QOLDEN  PLOVER. 

Charadriiia  dominicus,  MiJLLEit,   Syst.  Nat.  Suppl.    1776,  116. — Cass.  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sei.  Philad. 

1864,  241.  —  RiOGW.  Noni.   X.  Am.  B.   1881,  no.  515.  —  Coues,  Check  List,  2d  ed.  1882, 

no.  581. 
Charadrins pluvialis,  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  VII.  1813,  71,  pi.  50,  fig.  5  (nee  Lixx.). — Swaixs.  & 

Rich.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  369.  —  Nutt.  Man.  II.  1834,  16.  —  Aud.  Orn.  Biog,  III.  1835,  623. 
Chamdrius  virginicn.i,  "  Bouckhausen  and  Bechstein,"  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.   1823,  no.  729.  — 

Cassix,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  690.  —  Baiud,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  503. 
Charadrins  fulvus,  var.  virginicus,  Coues,  Key,  1872,  243;  Check  List,  1874,  no.  390,  Birds  N.  W. 

1874,  449  (.synonymy). 
Charadrins  viarmorafns,  Waol.  Sj'st.  Av.  1827,  no.  42.  — Aud.  Orn.  Biog.  V.  1839,  575,  pl.  800  ; 

Syuop.  1839,  222  ;  Birds  Am.  V.  1842,  203,  pl.  316. 
Charadrins  fiilvus  aitwricanus,  Suhleo.  Mus.  P.-B.  Cursorcs,  1865,  53. 


Hab.  America  in  general,  from  the  Arctic  coast  (including  Greenland)  to  Paraguay  and  Chili ; 
breeding  in  the  Arctic  and  Subarctic  districts,  winter  migrant  to  southern  localities. 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  rather  short,  legs  moderate,  wings  long,  no  hind  toe,  tarsus  covered  before  and 
behind  with  small  circular  or  hexagonal  scales.  Summer  plumage:  Upper  parts  brownish  black, 
with  numerous  small  circular  and  irregular  spots  of  golden  yellow,  most  numerous  on  the  back 
and  rump,  and  on  the  upper  tail-coverts,  assuming  the  form  of  transverse  bands  generally  ;  also 
with  some  spots  of  ashy  white.  Entire  imder  jiarts  black,  with  a  brownish  or  bronzed  lustre, 
under  tail-coverts  mixed  or  barred  with  white.  Forehead,  border  of  the  black  of  the  neck,  under 
tail-coverts,  and  tibiae,  white  ;  axillary  feathers  cinereous;  quills  dark  brown  ;  middle  portion  of 
the  shafts  white,  frequently  extending  slightly  to  the  webs  and  forming  longitudinal  stripes  on  the 
shorter  quills  ;  tail  dark  brown,  with  numerous  irregular  bands  of  ashy  white,  and  frequently 
tinged  with  golden  yellow  ;  bill  black  ;  legs  dark  bluish  brown.     Winter  plumage  {young  and 


140 


rU.ECOL'IAL  GHALLAToliES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


adult)  :  Under  parts  dull  ashy,  spotted  with  brownish  on  the  neck  nnd  breuyt,  fre(iuently  more 
or  less  mixed  with  l)liick  ;  muny  spots  of  the  upper' parts  dull  ashy  while  ;  other  8i)ot»,  especially 
on  the  rump,  golden  yellow. 

Total  length,  about  9.60  inches  ;  wing,  7.00  ;  tail,  2.ri() ;  culmen,  ,92  ;  tarsus,  1.70  ;  middle 
toe,  .90. 

Specimens  vary  in  the  relative  amount  of  the  black  and  golden  on  the  upper  j)arts,  in  the 
width  of  the  white  on  the  forehead,  and  other  details  of  coloration.     All  the  specimens  in  summer 


plumage  from  Alaska,  including  St.  Miihnel's,  Popolf  Island,  Kadiak,  and  Sitka,  are  apparently 
referable  to  the  American  form  ;  at  least  we  cannot  distinguish  them  from  other  Xortii  Ameri- 
can e.xamples  in  the  same  plumage,  while  their  measurements  are  decidedly  tho.se  uf  rfomtniViw. 
Twenty-si.x  specimens  in  all  have  l)een  e.xamined,  these;  re])re.^enting  almost  as  many  localities, 
from  the  Arctic  coast  to  Costa  Rica.  Careful  measurements  of  this  series  afford  the  follow- 
ing re.sults  :  —  Eleven  gpeeimenit  in  mtmiiitr  [ilumaije :  Wing,  0.8(1-7.3."),  average,  7.11;  culmen 
.85-1.00,  average,  .01  ;  tarsus,  l.(i(»- 1.8.5,  average,  1.73;  nii<ldle  toe,  .8.')-l.or),  average,  .91.  Six 
adults  in  chanrjimj  plmnnge  :  Wing,  (i. 90-7.30,  average,  7.12;  culmen,  .90-1.00,  average,  .Oti ; 
tarsus,  l.()5-l.82,  average,  1.70  ;  middle  toe,  .80-.9."),  average,  .90.  Seven  specimens  in  uinter 
plurn/ige  (mosflij  ijoumj)  :  Wing,  ().80-7.20,  average,  7.03  ;  culmen,  .80-1.00,  average,  .91 ;  tarsus, 
1.55-1.75,  average,  l.fifi  ;  middle  toe,  .85-.95,  average,  .87.  Average  of  the  whole  scries:  Wing, 
7.09;  culmen,  .91  ;  tarsu.s,  1.70;  middle  toe,  .JK». 

The  Green,  or  Golden,  Plover  of  North  America  is,  within  the  limits  of  the  United 
States,  a  migratory  speeies  exclusively,  and  is  confined,  to  a  large  extent,  in  its  flights, 
to  the  vicinity  of  the  coast.  Straggling  parties,  in  the  fall,  pass  south  through  the 
interior;  but  these  are  chiefly  birds  in  an  immature  phnuage.  Their  migrations 
in  the  spring  begin,  in  the  more  southern  States,  early  in  March,  and  continue 
through  thiit  and  the  following  month.  Their  movement  at  this  season  is  more  rapid 
than  in  the  fall,  and  they  make  few  and  short  pauses,  their  flights  being  made  more 
frequently  by  interior  routes.  Audubon,  when  in  Xew  Orleans,  March  16, 1821,  wit- 
nessed €an  extraordinary  flight  of  these  birds  near  the  Lake  of  St.  John.  They  passed 
in  many  thousands  in  a  northeasterly  direction.  He  estimated  the  number  of  Plovers 
destroyed  by  the  sportsmen  on  that  day  at  forty-eight  thousand.  These  flights  took 
place  only  just  after  there  had  been  several  very  warm  days,  followed  by  a  strong 
northeast  wind.     The  birds  were  not  generally  in  good  condition. 

The  late  l)r.  Lincecum,  of  ^Vashington  Co..  Texas,  states  in  his  manuscript  notes 
that  all  through  April  the  Golden  Plov-  is  passing  northward  throughout  Texas.  Only 
very  few  stop  on  the  prairie  and  remain  all  summer,  and  these  do  not  breed  there. 
They  do  not,  when  they  are  passing  north,  trav'  in  groups,  but  fly  widely  scattered, 
chirping  as  they  go,  and  seeming  to  try  to  keep  in  hearing  of  each  other.  They 
appear  to   travel  as  much  by  night  as  during  the  day,  since  their  peculiar  call. 


CHARADRIID.E  —  THE  PLOVERf^  —  CHARADRIUS. 


141 


or  ohiri)ing,  is  heard  during  the  month  of  their  passage  at  all  hours  of  the  night. 
Tliey  often,  wlien  passing,  fly  at  a  great  elevation.  He  states  that,  several  miinites 
l)efore  the  sun  had  appeared  above  the  horizon,  he  has  seen  it  shining  brightly  on 
the  under-part  of  their  body  and  wings.  They  pass  southward  in  early  autuiuu  in  the 
siiiue  way,  travidling  wide-scattered,  both  night  and  ilay.  lie  considered  it  a  poor 
bird  for  food,  never  having  been  so  fortunate  as  to  get  a  fat  one. 

Their  migrations  in  the  fall  are  more  geiu'rally  noticed,  and  are  more  remarkable 
than  those  whiidi  take  plact'  in  the  spring.  They  occur  with  great  rcgidarity  late  in 
August,  when  the  great  body  of  the  migrating  flocks  move  south  with  so  much  regu- 
larity, and  with  the  accomiilisliment  of  such  great  distances  passed  over  without 
opportunity  for  rest,  as  to  excite  nuich  interest.  A  succession  of  flocks  pass  through 
Nova  Scotia,  striking  b<;hlly  out  to  sea,  and  if  the  weather  is  fair,  taking  a  direct 
line  southward;  they  go  to  the  east  of  tlu'  Uernuidas,  and  if  not  interfered  Avith 
l)y  storms,  niaki'  no  stops  until  the  West  Undies  niv  reached.  They  (!ven  ])ass  over 
the  first  of  these  in  their  course.  Shoidd  an  easterly  storm  prevail  about  the  24th 
of  August,  the  birds  are  driven  from  their  path,  and  pass  in  large  numbers  over  the 
eastern  jmrtion  of  .Maine,  and  sul)se(pieutly  over  the  southeastern  extremity  of 
Massachusetts.  In  some  seasons  large  numbers  suddenly  appear  on  iMontauk  Point, 
at  the  <'ast  end  of  Long  Island.  Mr.  Lawrence  states  that  when  they  are  seen  in 
such  numbers  it  is  usually  about  the  li8th  of  August,  not  varying  mort;  than  a  day 
or  two  from  that  time,  and  then  only  when  a  southeast  storm  has  driven  them  out 
of  their  regular  course  over  the  sea  on  to  the  island.  Mr.  Lawrence  was  at  this  point 
in  August,  18.~)8,  and  a  southeast  storm  began  on  the  27th  of  that  month.  Flocks 
of  these  birds  were  just  ajipeariug  as  he  left  on  that  day,  and  he  afterward  learned 
that  on  the  2<Sth  tliey  came  in  \nnisual  uund)ers.  In  these  visitations  they  remain 
liut  a  short  tiriie,  the  main  body  moving  on  south  in  two  or  three  days.  In  ordi- 
nary seasons  only  a  few  flocks  pass  the  Point  at  the  time  of  their  migration.  As 
the  result  of  Icmg  observation,  Mr.  I'atriek  Gould  —  ^Ir.  Lawrence's  informant  —  had 
made  out  tluit  unless  a  storm  occurred  just  at  the  time  named,  no  iniusu.al  flight  took 
place,  showing  that  their  principal  migration  is  made  each  year  at  a  fixed  period, 
and  is  ended  within  two  or  three  days,  (riraud,  whose  observations  of  this  Plover 
are  confined  to  their  constant  and  regidar  nugrations,  and  who  took  no  note  of  these 
extraordinary  flights,  states  that  in  their  northern  movements  in  spring  they  arrive 
on  Long  Island  in  the  latter  part  of  April,  and  soon  pass  on  to  more  northern 
regions.  They  return  in  the  early  part  of  September,  and  frequent  the;  Plains  of 
Hempstead,  Shinnecock  Hill,  and  Montauk,  where  they  feed  on  a  variety  of  insects. 
Chasshoppers  are  their  favorite  fare,  as  well  as  berries.  Occasionally  he  met  with 
these  birds  along  the  shores  and  about  the  ponds  or  the  low  wet  meadows ;  but  they 
generally  prefer  high  and  dry  laud,  unincumbered  with  woods.  Hempstead  Plains 
are  well  adajited  to  their  Iiabits,  and  in  some  seasons  they  are  qirite  abundant  on 
that  miniature  prairie.  To  Long  Island  hunters,  and  in  the  New  York  market,  this 
is  known  as  the  "Frost  Pird."  as  it  is  usually  most  jdentiful  during  the  first  frosts 
of  autumn,  when  it  is  in  fine  condition  and  exceedingly  well  flavored. 

In  regard  to  the  appearance  of  this  bird  at  Permuda,  Major  Wedderburn  states 
that  during  some  years  large  flocks  pass  over  those  islands ;  but  he  gives  the  time 
as  September  and  October,  instead  of  the  latter  part  of  August  —  the  usual  epoch  of 
its  migrations.  Except  in  stormy  weather,  it  does  not  alight  in  any  great  numbers. 
In  1847  the  flight  was  as  early  as  the  21st  of  August,  and  in  1848  a  single  bird  was 
seen  on  the  25th  of  July.  On  the  9th  of  March,  1852,  one  was  shot  on  the  north 
shore  —  the  only  instance  of  its  appearing  in  spring.    To  this  statement  Mr.  Hurdis 


142 


PR^ECOCIAL  ORALLATORES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


adds  that  this  bird  only  visits  Henmida  (hiriiifj  its  great  southern  niifjration,  a  few 
being  met  with  by  tlie  1st  ot  Si'iitenibcr,  (ir.  rarely,  a  few  days  earlier.  As  a  gen- 
eral rule,  it  passes  over  Herniuda  in  large  and  nunierou*  Hocks  between  the  Kith  and 
irth  of  September.  If  tlie  weather  is  favorable,  the  Hoeks  i)ass  on,  at  a  considerable 
elevation,  in  a  soutiierly  or  so\itlieasterly  direction,  the  form  of  the  Hight  being  a 
leading  (duster,  from  wliich  extend  three  long  lines  in  single  file.  They  nnist  have 
come  over  a  distance  of  eigiit  hundred  miles,  and  have  u  still  longer  flight  to  accom- 
plish before  they  can  reacdi  tm-n  jinini. 

Occasionally  hurricanes  originate  in  tlie  West  Indies,  rage  with  great  violence, 
and  pjuss  to  the  westward  of  JJermuda.  It  is  impossible  for  the  I'lovers  to  proceed 
if  they  meet  one  of  these  territi(^  storms  of  wind  and  rain,  and  they  take  refuge  in 
the  Hernnulas.  It  is  very  remarkable  that  they  are  always  extremely  fat,  and  they 
are  in  consequence  nuich  .scmght  l>y  the  hunters.  A  few  flocks  —  later  arrivals  —  are 
met  with  up  to  the  middle  of  October.  Mr.  Ilurdis  was  informed  by  a  friend  long 
resident  in  Antigua  that  in  September  this  island  is  ainuially  visited  by  countless 
flocks  of  this  bird.  ( )n  one  occasion,  when  the  weather  was  stormy,  this  Plover  made 
its  appearance  in  such  multitudes  that  in  St.  John's  the  inhabitants  in  all  directions 
shot  them  from  their  doors  and  windows,  even  the  boys  killing  them  with  sticks  and 
stones.  Similar  occurrences  are  narrated  as  having  taken  place  in  Martinique  and 
Barbadoes. 

This  bird  is  said  to  display  great  tivity  when  on  the  ground,  and  it  often  runs 
with  considerable  rapidity  before  taking  wing.  It  is  not  so  timid  as  the  Klack-bellied 
Plover,  and  is  easily  decoyed  by  imitating  its  peculiarly  mellow  note,  and  is  often 
observed,  if  thus  enticed  when  passing  in  a  certain  direction,  to  check  its  course, 
turn  round,  and  present  itself  as  an  easy  mark.  The  stay  of  this  species  is  short, 
and  as  the  season  advances  it  passes  southward,  always  moving  in  flocks  and  in  a 
very  regular  manner. 

In  their  wintry  wanderings  they  alternately  visit  the  West  Indies,  Central  and 
South  America,  to  Paraguay  and  Chili.  Salvin  noted  their  appearance  in  the  open 
pasture-lands  about  Duenas,  Guatemala,  in  the  second  week  of  April,  where  they 
were  always  seen  in  company  with  flocks  of  Kartram's  Tattler.  This  bird  appears  to 
be  of  accidental  occurrence  in  Florida,  where  Mr.  Moore  saw  but  two  individuals,  one 
in  the  spring.  Professor  Alfred  Xewton  refers  to  their  autumnal  migrations  through 
St.  Croix,  where  they  often  appear  in  large  numbers.  There  they  are  usually  seen 
after  a  gale  from  the  south  or  southwest.  From  this  he  infers  that  they  are  arrested 
in  their  southern  migration  by  the  wind,  and  compelled  to  defer  journeying  farther 
until  the  weather  has  changed.  To  this  Mr.  Edward  Xewton  adds,  that  their  arrival 
is  hailed  with  delight  by  the  sportsmen,  every  one  possessing  a  gun  hastening  to  the 
pastures  on  the  south  side  of  the  island,  and  there  awaiting  the  long  line  of  these 
birds  as  they  fly  up  from  the  sea  without  exhibiting  the  least  shyness.  They  were 
first  noticed  by  the  Newtons,  August  31,  and  as  all  the  birds  seen  had  more  or  less 
traces  of  the  black  breast  of  the  breeding-])lumage,  it  was  supposed  that  the  young 
birds  must  have  taken  a  different  line  from  their  parents  in  their  migration.  In 
Trinidad,  according  to  Lootaud,  this  species  is  a  regular  migratory  visitant,  arriving 
about  the  end  of  August  and  moving  south  in  ( )ctober,  and  is  always  found  in  flocks 
of  consideraVjIe  size,  frequenting  the  sea-side,  but  being  even  more  fond  of  the  interior 
meadows,  and  especially  of  those  freshly  turned  up,  where  it  finds  a  great  abundance 
of  the  worms  on  which  it  feeds.  It  is  the  most  regular  of  the  birds  of  passage, 
arrives  in  varyi'  '  numbers,  and  is  sought  after  by  the  local  epicures ;  although 
L^otaud  adds  that  this  supposed  excellence  of  its  flesh  is  more  imaginary  than  real. 


CHARADRIIDiE  —  THE  PLOVERS  —  CHARADRIUS. 


143 


On  the  Pacilic  coast  this  bird  is  comparatively  rare.  Dr.  Cooper  never  met  with 
it  in  Southern  Calii'ornia,  and  has  only  seen  a  single  specimen,  shot  near  San  Fran- 
ciHCO  by  Mr,  J.  Hej)burii.  Dr.  Newberry  mentions  having  noticed  it  in  the  northern 
part  of  that  State  in  autumn. 

In  Nortlicastern  Illinois  and  near  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan,  Mr,  Nelson  con- 
siders this  species  a  very  abundant  migrant.  It  arrives  in  large  flocks  early  in  April, 
tlie  black  of  their  breeding-plumage  only  just  beginning  to  mottle  their  white  breasts. 
I'licy  frcipu'nt  wet  ja'airies  until  the  hist  of  the  month,  when  they  leave,  a  few 
remaining  into  May.     Returning  early  in  September,  they  stay  until  October. 

They  resort  to  breed  to  the  most  northern  portions  of  the  continent,  from  Green- 
laud  to  Sitka.  Dr.  Walkpr,  of  the  "  Fox,"  nu'utions  meeting  with  them  on  the  coast  of 
thecnland,  near  (iodthaab,  and  afterward  finding  them  breeding  in  the  marshy  val- 
leys of  Bellot's  Strait  in  .lune.  This  species  is  included  in  Keinhardt's  list  of  the 
birds  of  (ireenland,  on  the  strength  of  specimens  taken  there  by  Holbtill. 

Captain  lUakiston  noted  it  as  only  a  passing  visitor  in  the  more  southern  parts  of 
British  America,  and  as  numerous  in  iaitumn  on  the  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay  ;  but  it 
did  not  appear  to  be  common  on  the  Western  plains.  Mr.  Ross  mentioned  this  Plover 
as  being  abundant  on  the  ^lackenzie,  and  Hearne  speaks  of  it  as  having  been  called, 
a  century  ago,  by  the  Indians  of  Hudson's  Bay,  "Ilawk's-eye,"  —  a  name  indicating 
its  watchfulness,  when  sitting,  in  preventing  a  too  near  approach.  He  describes  its 
motions  when  on  the  wing  as  swift  and  irregular,  ])articularly  when  single  or  in  small 
flocks.  Though  never  nunu'rons  at  Churchill  Uiver,  yet  at  Fort  Y'ork,  in  the  fall  of 
1773,  he  saAV  this  bird  in  immense  flocks.  They  were,  however,  by  no  means  equally 
plentiful  in  all  years  nor  in  all  places.  At  Fort  Albany  several  barrelsfid  were 
aninially  salted  down  for  winter  use.  He  adds:  "This  bird  during  the  summer 
resorts  to  the  remotest  northern  parts,  for  I  have  seen  them  at  Copper  Kiver,  though 
in  those  dreary  regions  only  in  pairs.  The  young  leave  the  nests  as  soon  as  hatched, 
and  when  but  a  few  days  old  run  very  fast.  At  night  or  in  rainy  weather  the  old 
ones  call  them  together  and  cover  them  with  their  wings  in  the  same  manner  as  a 
lu'U  does  her  chickens." 

Richardson  in  his  account  states  that  the  breeding-cpiarters  of  this  species  are  the 
Barren  Ground,  the  Arctic  coast,  and  the  islands  of  the  Arctic  Sea ;  that  they  hatch 
early  in  June,  and  retire  southward  in  vVugust.  Numbers,  however,  linger  on  the 
muddy  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay,  and  on  the  sandy  beaches  of  the  rivers  and  lakes  of 
tlie  interior,  until  the  hard  frosts  of  September  and  (Jctober  drive  them  away.  At 
this  period  they  are  very  fat,  and  are  highly  prized  by  the  epicures  of  the  Fur 
Country. 

This  Plover  appears  also  to  be  a  common  species  on  the  northwestern  coast.  Ban- 
nister gives  it  as  common  at  St.  Michael's.  It  was  procured  by  Bischoft"  at  Sitka  and 
Kadiak,  and  is  mentioned  by  Dall  as  being  abundant  at  Nulato  and  all  along  the 
Yukon  River,  where  it  arrives  during  the  latter  part  of  May. 

Mr.  MacFarlane's  Arctic  Notes  are  very  full  in  reference  to  the  nesting  and  breed- 
ing habits  of  this  species.  The  nund)er  of  eggs  was  almost  invariably  four,  but  in 
one  instance  five  were  said  to  have  been  found.  Out  of  one  hundred  and  fourteen 
recorded  nests,  ninety-two  contained  four  eggs.  In  one  instance  only  one  egg,  nearly 
ready  to  hatch,  was  found.  The  nests  were  noticed  throughout  the  Barren  Grounds, 
from  the  time  of  the  party's  leaving  the  woods  quite  uj)  to  that  of  their  arrival 
on  the  Arctic  Ocean.  The  nests  were  in  all  instances  mere  depressions  in  the  soil, 
generally  lined  with  a  few  dry  leaves,  and  were  diflicult  to  find,  as  there  was  nothing 
to  distinguish  them  from  the  soil  —  which  the  eggs  very  closely  resemble  in  color  — 


144 


I'li.HCOCIAl-  (H{AI.I,AT()UK.S  ~  LI.MICOL/K. 


, 


and  us  tho  ft'iiuile  glides  fnuu  licr  nest,  if  ivitproaclit'il,  even  wliuu  the  intnuk'rs  are  still 
at  a  distancf.  Slu'  runs  a  rcrtaiii  (listain'c,  and  il'  slic  smcchmmIs  in  enticing  tiic  party 
away,  will  tiicii  take  to  tii^ht.  in  a  IVw  instam-fs,  wiicn  tlir  liird  was  siiriiriscd  l)y  a 
near  ajfiiroach  iM't'orc  slic  Ictt,  sin-  iiretcndcd  lauicness,  and  Huttert'd  at  tlu'ir  fot't. 
Tlu'  «'Kgs  wt'it'  found  in  .luni',  and  sonic  even  as  late  as  iluly,  and  (juitc  t'rcsh.  Wln'U 
tiiL'  gronufl  was  (covered  with  newly-fallen  snow  the  nests  were  more  readily  recog- 
nized. When  approaciied  the  female  usually  left  her  position  at  a  qu'ek  paee  — 
between  a  run  and  a  walk  —  and  in  no  ease  was  slie  known  to  tly  up  direetly  from 
her  eg^s.  In  one  instanee.  where  the  presenee  of  a  nest  was  susjieeted.  hut  the  exai't 
locality  of  which  they  were  not  alile  to  discover,  the  party  withdrew  to  a  distance 
and  watched,  wlien  the  female,  after  resorting  to  various  nmnauivrea  to  hide  the  place, 
at  last  revealed  it  l)y  Hnally  settling  down  upon  her  eggs. 

Tlie  eggs  of  this  sjiecies  have  a  ground  id'  various  shades  of  drab,  differing  in 
several  specimens,  and  varying  from  a  light  greenish  drab  to  a  very  deep  shade, 
unmixed  with  any  other  color.  Others  have  a  ground  of  a  pale  rufous-tlrab.  All  are 
marked  with  blotches  of  a  deep  umber,  api>roaching  to  blackness.  These  nuirkiugs 
are  smaller  and  more  scattered  around  the  pointed  end;  but  are  larger  and  become 
confluent,  with  intensified  s^jots,  around  the  obtuse  ai)ex.  Their  average  length  is 
al)ont  l.Ul  inches,  and  their  average  breadth  l..'U  inches.  Their  maximum  length 
is  U  inches,  their  mininuim  1.84;  their  breadth  varies  from  l.'Jo  to  1.,'55  inches. 


Charadrius  dominicus  fulvus. 

THE  PACIFIC  GOLDEN  PLOTEB. 

Charadritis  fulvus,  Gmki,.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  687. —  Couks,  Klliott'.sPiybilof  Islands,  1873,  179  (Prybilof 

Isliiiuls,  Alaska). 
Charadrius  f ah' UH,  a.  J'ulnin,  t'oUEs,  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  449  (syuoiiyiny). 
PI uviaU.1  faleus,  BoNAi'.  C'omjit.  Hfiid.  185(5,  417. 
Charadrius  diiminicuH  fuhuH,  IJiniiw.  Proc.  U.  .■<.  Xiit.  Mils.  Vol.  3,  1880,  198,  221  ;  Nora.  N.  Am. 

B.  1881,  no.  .IIS  (f.  —  (.'oi-Es,  Clieck  List,  2a  imI.  1882,  no.  582. 
Charadrius  j-aiilhoduiluH,  \Vai;i,.  Syst.  Av.  1827.  —  Cas.sin,  U.  S.  Expl.  Exp.  1848,  239. 
C/utradrius  tahi/rusis,  I.K.ss.  Man.  II.  1828,  ."521. 
Charadrius  rjiaucopstui,  Fohst.  Uescr.  An.  I'd.  Licht.  1844,  176, 
Charadrius  hmijijtes,  "Tkm.m.  Mns.  Luf,'dnn.'' 

Ouiradrius  auralus  oricntdlis,  Ti;mm.  k  Si'iii.Ed.  Faumi  Jap.  1845,  pi.  62. 
Charadrius  auratus,  Sciiuknck,  IJcise  Amur.  1860,  410. 

Hah.  Whole  of  A.siu,  and  islands  throughout  the  Piieitic  Ocean  ;  Prybilof  Islands  and  const 
of  Aliu>ka  (nuniLTous  specimens  in  National  Museum). 

Chau.  Similar  to  G.  duminicus,  but  wing  much  shorter,  and  color  much  more  golden,  the 
upper  surface  being  uhnost  continuously  washed  with  golden  yellow.  Average  measurements: 
Wing,  «i.40  ;  culnien,  .92  ;  tarsus,  1.72;  middle  toe,  .90. 

The  only  American  specimens  of  this  form  of  tho  Golden  .jver,  which  ranges  throughout  the 
islands  of  the  Pacific,  besides  Southern  and  Eastern  Asia,  are  from  the  islands  and  coasts  of  Alaska. 
They  are  all  in  the  winter  plumage,  suggesting  the  probability  of  their  being  mere  migrants  to  our 
shores.  The  very  fine  specimens  in  the  collection,  obtained  chiefly  by  Messrs.  Lucien  M.  Turner 
and  E.  \\ .  Nelson,  of  the  U.  S.  Signal  Service,  at  St.  Michael's,  Norton  Sound,  are  perfectly  typical 
of  the  race,  most  of  them  Ix'ing  continuou.sly  golden  yellow  above,  relieved  oidy  by  the  black 
spotting.  The  jugnhini  is  also  deeply  tinged  with  this  color.  There  are  no  specimens  in  the 
Bunnner  plumage,  from  any  locality,  in  the  collection,  so  we  are  unable  to  point  out  the  exact 
differences  from  the  con-espondiug  stage  of  C.  dominicus}    Altogether  we  have  examined  in  this 

*  Since  the  above  was  written,  the  National  Museum  has  come  into  possession  of  an  adult  male  in 
changing  plumage,  from  New  South  Wales  (Xo.  71561,  obtained  from  the  New  South  Wales  Museum), 


CirAKADUIID.*:  —  THE   PLOVKUS  —  CHAltADUns. 


145 


coniK-ctioti  uiiwunlH  of  thirty  sjieeiiuens,  fl\o  greater  number  hviii^  from  tho  Piicilic  islnmlH.  Mcum- 
iiiviiieiitH  of  II  part  uf  tliJH  8«rii-H  (otiivr  spfuimeiiit  not  liein^'  availalilt'  for  tliu  piu'iiosf)  givu  tlit- 
I'lilliiwiii;,'  ivsiiltii  : — Sifcu  8j)ecimi:nii  fram  Aladd  :  Win;,',  (!.:i')-<l>*(>,  ii\i'raj,'L',  (i.  I!( ;  chIiul'M,  .85- 
.!l,'>,  avuruHi'i  .SSI;  tarsurt,  1.70-I.n"),  avi'iaj;i',  l.7t>  ;  niiijiili'  tur,  .s.'i-.KO,  a\<ia;,'i',  ,h!).  Sijiern 
:ipa-uiuitii  /rinn  I'wijic  ulundu,  Jnilia,  iiitd  China:  Winn,  <i.  Kl-'l-''",  uvtMaj^'c,  (1.3(1 ;  cniniL'n,  .H5- 
l.(M»,  avcra^i!  .1)3  ;  tar«us,  l.r)")-l.H,'),  uwragi',  l.(i!)  ;  miildli!  toe,  .M-.'X>,  avfra^i-,  .1)1.  Tiie  uvura^L' 
of  iliii  wliolu  Hurit's  i.-i  aw  j^ivun  aliovc 

In  tlie  I'olli'ftion  tiieri;  i.-t  oni'  s|)L-cinu'n  (No.  1H53)  lalu.'lli'd '•  (7i(«;'i((/r('i(«  yi/i/riVi/io,"  rccoiveil 
from  Au^.  licfcvrc,  i'aris,  ami  Hn|)i)o.seil  to  liavi?  Itfcn  olitaint'il  in  France  —  altliougii  tlii.s  i.s  not 
assertril  on  tin-  ori^inul  laln'l  —  which  liearn,  Ih-hiiIl*  tho  nanii-,  only  tiiu  in.scrijttion,  ^' /jremnit  livr/e 
il\'li'."  It  is  typical  fulvm,  having  Nnioky  ^ray  a.xiilars,  ami  measuring  as  follows  ;  Wing,  (J.(X) ; 
culnitMi,  .\)-J, ;  tarsu.s,  I. To  ;  nii<l(llu  toe,  .<J(i.     It  is  an  adult  in  changing  [)hunagu. 


A  siu},'lt'  Hijpcimcii  of  this  Asiatic  sppcifS  was  piocurod  hy  Mr.  Elliott  on  tho  I'ry- 
biluf  Lslands,  thus  first  giving  it  a  jilaco  in  thf  fauna  of  North  Amcriea.'  Tlii.s 
t'xaniplt'  was  taken  on  the  Island  of  St.  Taul's,  May  I*.  IS7.'3.  Mr.  Elliott  states  that 
a  few  stragglers  land  in  April  or  early  in  May  on  their  way  north  to  breed,  but  never 
remain  long.  Tliey  return  in  greater  numbers  the  latter  i)art  of  September,  and  grow 
fat  upon  the  larvif  generated  on  the  killing-grounds  of  the  fur  seal,  and  leave  for 
tlie  .south  by  the  end  of  (Jetolier.  Numerous  specimens  taken  on  the  coast  of  Alaska 
are  in  the  National  Museum.  This  spooies  is  very  closely  allied  to  the  r!r(j!uiiiiius, 
so  that  Drs.  Hartlauh  and  Finsch  regard  it  as  verj'  probable  that  they  art;  identical 
species. 

Mr.  Dresser,  iu  his  nceount  of  this  bird,  refers  to  specimens  taken  in  Nortlieastern 
Africa  on  the  Red  Sea,  in  Siberia,  India,  Ceylon,  Malacca,  Java,  Hanca,  liorneo, 
Timor,  IJatchian,  Australia,  Hainan,  Formosa,  China,  and  also  to  one  from  the  Arctic 
seas,  killed  in  hit.  (H)°  30'  N.,  long.  17o°  L'O'  E.,  Sept.  3,  ISoL',  and  nearer  the  American 
than  the  Asiatic  shore.  It  also  occasionally  extends  its  range  into  Europe,  having 
once  bei'n  seen  at  Heligoland  and  twice  at  Malta.  It  will  thus  be  seen  either  to  be 
a  great  wanderer  or  to  have  (piite  an  extended  range. 

It  is  without  doubt  this  bird  tliat  is  referred  to  by  Pallas  as  C.jjluvialis.  By  that 
traveller  it  is  spoken  of  as  being  rare  in  the  northern  parts  of  Russia,  but  exceedingly 
common  in  Siberia,  whence  it  migrates  in  the  autumn  in  Hocks  to  more  southern 
localities  in  comi)any  with  the  Dotterel.  It  was  met  with  on  the  banks  of  small 
rivers  and  in  cattle  pastures.  Steller  is  quoted  as  having  taken  it  in  Kamtschatka 
in  autumn. 

Mr.  Dresser  states  that  it  breeds  within  the  Arctic  Circle.  Middendorff  observed 
it  on  the  tundnts  of  the  Taimyr,  in  lat.  74°  X.,  in  full  summer  plumage.  The  birds 
were  gathered  in  large  flocks  on  the  4th  of  June,  and  had  eggs  by  the  17th.  They 
assembled  on  the  2d  of  August,  on  Lake  Taimyr,  to  return,  and  none  were  seen  after 


uml  another,  in  nearly  complete  suninicr  dress,  from  Shanghui,  China  (N'o.  85742,  April  21, 1881 ;  Shanghai 
Miiscinii).  Upon  close  comparison  of  these  specimens  with  examples  in  convs|H)nJing  plimiiij,'«  from 
Xortli  America,  wc  cannot  sec  that  they  differ  in  the  minutest  particular  as  regards  coloration.  They  are, 
however,  decidedly  shorter  winged,  their  measurements  being,  respectively,  as  follows  ;  — 

Wing.  Ciiliiien.  Tarsus.  Middle  Toe. 

No.  71.'i61,  ,J,  New  South  Wales,     6.30  .95  1.65  1.00 

No.  85742,  i,  Shanghai,  6.S6  1.02  1.75  .95 

Average  of  O.  dominicm,  7.09  .91  70  .90 

'  Since  the  above  was  (M-nued  by  Dr.  Brewer,  numerous  Alaskan  si)ecka.<in8  have  been  received  at  the 
U.  S.  National  Museum,  collected  by  Messrs.  Turner  and  Nelson,  and  others,  chiefly  at  St.  Michael's, 
Norton  Sound. —  H.  H. 

VOL.  I.  —  19 


146 


PR.ECOCIAL  GKALLATUULS  -  I.IMICOL^. 


I 


.1 

:i. 
I'  ' ' 

iiii 


tilt'  9tli  of  that  month.     ( Mi  th»'  UoKiiiiifhi,  lut.  70°  N.,  they  arrived  May  LM,  and  wore 
not  noticed  later  than  Aii>,'ust  .'U.     Tliev  nested  on  the  li:iriens  of  rid.skuj-Ostrog. 

Aeeordinj?  to  Mr.  Heiiiv  Whitelv,  as  i[\ioted  liy  Mr.  Dresser,  it  is  liy  no  means  a 
rare  liird  in  .lajian,  wiii're  he  ol(taine<l  three  s|)eeimens.  Sept.  L't  and  Oet.  .'{,  IHCm. 
In  India,  aeeordin^'  to  I>r.  .lerdoii,  it  ueeiirs  (^eiierally  in  open  phiins,  ^I'li^^^y  thnviiH, 
ploiigiied  fields,  and  on  the  edt,'es  of  rivers  and  lakes,  assoeiatinj,'  in  Hocks  of  varying 
magnitude,  and  feeding,'  on  lieetles  and  other  hard  insects,  worms,  and  the  like.  ||c 
speaks  of  it  as  having  a  shrill  whistling,'  call,  and  as  flyin),'  very  rapidly,  lie  also 
states  that  many  hreed  in  that  conntry — even  toward  the  sonth,  as  at  Nellore  — 
while  others  were  oliserved  to  pass  northward  to  Itreeii,  retnrnin^j  in  Septendier. 

Mr.  Iloldworth  mentions  this  species  as  heing  very  common  in  Ceylon  in  winter, 
especially  in  the  north  of  that  island,  extending  as  far  south  as  (loliunho.  I'rcd'essor 
Schlegel  nd'ers  to  more  than  sixty  specimens  (d'  this  species,  collected  in  nearly  every 
island  of  the  Malay  .Vrchiiielago,  and  now  in  the  Leyden  Museum. 

In  Australia,  aeeording  to  Mr.  (Jould,  although  nowhere  very  abundant,  this  bird 
is  generally  dispersed  all  over  the  colonies,  from  Tasmania  northward.  Several 
specimens  were  procured  on  the  hanks  of  the  Derweiit  in  Tasmania,  and  others  were 
observed  in  small  nundters  on  the  flats  below  Clarence  Plains,  lie  also  killed  exam- 
ples on  an  island  in  Uass's  Straits.  Its  habits,  manners,  and  general  economy  are 
said  closely  to  resend)le  those  of  the  (Jolden  I'lover  (d'  Kurojte.  It  freipients  o|)eii 
plains  in  the  nei;,'hbornood  of  marshy  lands  or  the  sea-beach,  runs  with  amazing 
facility,  and  Hies  with  great  rapidity.  Indications  of  the  bn-eding-plumage  begin  to 
appear  early  in  the  spring.  Mr.  Gould  thinks  that  none  remain  to  breed  in  any  of 
the  southern  parts  of  Australia. 

Dr.  K  (Tiiilfe  mentions  finding  this  Plover  in  Tongatabn,  one  of  the  Tonga  Islands, 
where  it  occurred  in  flock.s  of  from  thirty  to  fifty  individuals.  They  ran  in  search 
of  food  on  sand-banks  hd't  dry  at  low  water,  and  when  approacdicd  within  gunshot 
uttered  a  shrill  tuli-lnH-twi-tiri,  and  then  took  to  Hight.  At  high-water  they  freciuented 
the  open  grassy  jdaces  on  fitdds  and  fallows.  This  species  was  found  all  the  year 
round  on  that  island,  but  was  more  numerous  from  October  to  March,  and  during  the 
season  of  migration. 

Mr.  Layard  ("  Ibis,"  187S,  p.  li()l')  mentions  its  occurrence  in  Now  California,  where 
it  was  found  breeding  cm  the  i.slets  off  An.servata,  elo.se  to  Noumea;  and  Mr.  Hlakiston 
("  Ibis,"  p.  lilS)  speaksof  it  as  connuon  throughout  .Japan.  .Mr.  I{.  Swinhoe  ("Ibis," 
1874;  mentions  meeting  with  this  species  at  Ilakodadi  in  Japan  in  May.  He  else- 
where gives  the  range  of  this  species  as  throughout  China.  He  procured  it  between 
Takoo  and  I'ekin,  and  states  that  he  found  it  a  common  bird  near  (Janton,  ])assing 
the  summer  there.  He  also  sjieaks  of  finding  it  in  Formo.sa,  where  it  was  common 
all  the  year  round,  breeding  in  great  abundance  in  nuirshy  plains  U)  the  southwest. 
He  also  met  with  it  in  his  excursion  to  Hainan,  and  states  that  it  was  connuon  in  the 
marsh  near  the  city  on  the  5th  of  Ftdiruary.  He  found  it  in  the  dry  rice-tields  of 
Paklai,  in  Western  Hainan,  on  the  21st  of  March,  and  abundant  anutng  the  sweet- 
potato  gardens  of  Hoitow  on  the  23d  of  that  month.  On  the  2d  of  April,  at  Kinnge- 
how,  he  saw  these  birds  on  the  l)each,  Avhere  they  were  then  l)eginning  to  acquire  the 
black  uuderdress  of  sununer. 

According  to  Mr.  Swinhoe,  its  eggs  —  four  in  number  —  are  laid  in  a  loose  nest 
of  dried  grasses  and  fibres  placed  in  a  hollow.  They  have  a  yellowish-gray  ground, 
blotched  and  spotted  with  deep  blackish  sepia,  and  have  occasional  obsolete  purplish 
gray  spots.  The  eggs  do  not  vary  much  in  their  size,  are  narrowed  near  one  end,  and 
measure  1.50  inches  in  length  by  1.10  in  breadth. 


ciiARAnniin.E  —  the  plovers  —  oxyeciius. 


147 


Mr.  II.  Hei'lM)hiu  (Urn,  1M71>,  p.  l.').'{j  first  iiu'l  with  this  Mju'cieH  in  Sihvriii,  .luiic  5, 
iiiul  secured  niaiiy  HperiiiieiiH  uh  it  puxMeil  tlie  Kou-rug-i-ka  in  its  niigrutionH.  ITe 
ii^iiiii  ""'t  witli  it  on  tilt'  open  tuin/ni,  hcyoml  tin-  limit  of  I'orrMt-growth,  in  Int.  GU" 
.to'.  The  nest  was  ii  mere  hollow  in  the  uronml,  lint'd  with  broken  stiilks  of  reindoer- 
iiioss.  The  eggs,  fonr  in  nnmlier,  averaged  1.1M»  hy  !.;]«'.  These  were  taken  .fuly  Hi, 
and  were  very  niueh  incubated. 

Mr.  Seebolim  shows  that  Mr.  Swinhof  prniialily  erred  in  stating  that  this  TMover 
lirieils  in  Formosa,  antl  that  he  mistook  the  eggs  of  .Etjialitin  (Jcojf'roi/l  for  those 
of  this  species. 


' '  ('If 

i  T 


GKxrfl  0ZYECHX7S,  ]!i:i(  ukn-dacu. 

Oxiiechm,  REU'iiEsn.,  Av.  Syst.  1853,  Introil.  p.  xviii  (tyj*,  Ckaradrius vociferui,  Linn.). 

Cii.vK.  IJill  unmll,  nk'tulur,  iibeiit  wpuil  to  tlie  niiddli;  toe  (without  null) ;  tnrsiw  nenrly  twice  an 
long  UM  iiiiililii!  lot'  ;  tail  long  (about  two  tliiriN  us  long  m  thu  wings),  reaching  half  its  length 
beyond  till'  ends  of  the  primaries,  grmlnated,  the  lateral  feathers  about  ,75  shorter  than  the  middle 
jiiiir  ;  rump  dill'ereiit  in  cilor  from  tin-  back. 

The  single  N'orili  Ameriean  species  of  this  genus  dilfers  conspicuously  Irom  the  Plovers  usually 
inilnded  together  under  .Kijiulilii/ui  the  broad,  lengthened  tail,  and,  so  far  as  coloration  is  c(m- 
cerned,  in  tint  ochraceoii.  lunipand  the  pairof  bhick  bands  across  the  breast.  It  may  be  remarked, 
however,  that  uulurutiou  uluiie  is  of  slight  importuuco  as  u  churuuter  iu  thin  group. 


0.  vociferus. 

Two  Old  World  species  appear  to  belong  here  rather  than  with  the  true  Alyinlitis,  namely, 
niriraihius  friaillnriK,  A'ieill.,  of  South  Africa,  and  C'h.  nigrifrons,  Cuvieh,  of  Australia.  The 
former  is  nnich  like  a  ndniature  Kildeer  Plover,  having  two  black  pectoral  bands,  like  0, 
vncifenig  (though  their  relative  width  is  reversed,  the  posterior  one  being  the  l)ro(ider) ;  the  pro- 
portions and  details  of  form  are  (pdte  the  same,  but  the  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  are  concolor 
with  the  back.  The  Australian  spei^ies  agrees  essentially  with  the  above  in  size  and  proportions, 
liut  has  broader  and  acuuunate  rectrices,  and  the  tail  is  more  nearly  even,  while  the  plumage  is 
handsomer  and  more  varied  than  in  any  other  species  of  the  group  ;  the  scajjular  region  being 
adorned  with  a  patch  of  rich  maroon  chestnut,  the  upper  tail-coverts  rufous  chestnut,  etc. 


im 


.    I 


^    ■I 


148  PUJ-X'OCIAL  GUALLAKtUES  — LIMICoLJ:. 


Ozyechus  vocifems. 

THE   KILDEEB   PLOVEB. 

nhnradnit.1  vnn/criia,  LiNN.  S.  N.  ed.  10,  I.  \7M,  luU  ;  vd.  V>,  I.  1766,  258.  —  Wii.s.  Am.  Orn.  VII. 

181it,  7;),  i>l.  uit,  life'.  6.  —  XuTT.  Man.  II.  \x:H,  ii.  —  Ai  D.  Oiii.  Biog.  III.  ISafi,  191  :  V.  1839, 

.'i77,  pi.  225  ;  Syiiop.  1S3U,  222  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1842,  207,  pi.  317. 
^'li/ilis  riifl/i'fu.i,  I'xiNAl'.   Coiiip.    Li»t,   1838,   45.  —  ('.Vssin  in   Iliiinrs  B.    N.    Am.   1858,  692.— 

lUiiiK,  tat.  X.  Am.   IJ.  l.S5!t,  no.  504.  —  CofEs,  Kry,  1872,  244 ',  Check  List,  1874,  no.  397  ; 

2(1  c<l.  1882,  no.  .181. 
Oxi/frlinn  fiM-i/fi-iin,  lii:i(  II.  Sy.st.  Av.  1853,  pi.  xviii.  —  HiDGW.  Noin.  N.  Am.  U.  1881,  no,  516. 
Chni-iiilriii.s  tiirqiiiihtii,  \AS\.  S.  N.  1.  1766,  255. 
Charndnu-1  jmii" iccn.iis,  fi.Mi:i..  S.  X.  I.  1788,  685. 

Had.  The  wlioli-  of  ti'in]icrat(!  Xoitli  Anu-riia,  inij,'ratiiig  in  winter  into  tropical  America  as  I'ar 
as  New  (Jranadii ;  West  Indies  in  jji'iienil ;  Beriiiudas  ;  River  Avon,  Enj,'lan(l  (tide  ScL.,  Ibis, 
18(i2,  2".")  ;  one  specimen  taiien  April,  18.57). 

Si',  (.'hah.  All  "If:  Pileiim  and  upper  parts  generally,  grayish  brown,  inclining  to  umber, 
rump  and  ujtper  tail-coverts  ncliraceons-rufous,  lighter  on  the  latter.  Forehead  and  broad  super- 
ciliary stripe,  throat,  nuchal  colliu-,  and  lower  parts,  white.  Fore  part  of  the  crown,  loral  stripe, 
continual  toward  occiput,  coUur  round  neck,  and  band  across  breast,  black.     Primaries  dusky,  the 


inner  quills  marked  on  outer  webs  with  white.  Tail  chiefly  pale  ochmceous-nifous,  variegated 
with  wliite,  dusky,  and  grayish,  chiefly  towanl  the  end.  Bill  Idack  ;  iris  dark  brown  ;  eyeliils 
(in  life)  orange-red  or  scarlet  ;  legs  and  feet  pale  pinkish  grayish,  or  pale  grayish  yellow. 

Yovy>(j:  Similar  to  the  adult,  but  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  more  or  less  con.spicuously  mar- 
gined with  pale  rusty  or  I'ulvous. 

Dnwmj  Yimwj:  Upper  parts  genemlly,  including  pilcum,  light  grayish  brown,  the  two  areas  of 
this  color  boundeil  all  rouml  by  black,  a  wide  'ollar  of  which  cro.s.ses  the  Juguluni,  and,  extending 
across  the  nape  beneath  a  broad  white  collar,  completely  encircles  the  neck  ;  a  broad  bar  of  velvety 
black  down  the  middle  of  the  humeral  region,  and  a  narrow,  more  interrupted  stripe  of  the  same 
down  the  rump.  Forelieail,  throat,  lower  parts  generally,  "  hand-wing,"  and  posterior  border  of 
the  humerus,  pure  wliite  ;  the  flanks  and  crissum  more  isal)ella-color  ;  n  narrow  black  line  run- 
ning from  the  rictus  to  the  eye. 

Total  lengtli,  about  10  inches  ;  extent  of  wings,  20.50  ;  wing,  6. .50  ;  tail,  3.50. 

The  Killrtee,  or  KiWeer  Plover,  has  a  with;  distribution  throughout  the  continent, 
and  breeds,  wherever  it  is  found,  fiom  Central  America,  Mexico,  and  Southwestern 
Texas,  to  the  plains  of  the  Saskatchewan.     It  is  more  abundant  in  some  parts  of  the 


CHARADRIID.E  —  THK  PLOVERS  —  OXYECHUS. 


149 


country  than  in  otliors,  and  as  a  jjfMU'val  tliinj;  is  more  numerous  in  the  interior  than 
near  the  sea-coast.  A  huge  proportion  are  migratoiy  in  tlie  winter  to  the  West 
Indies  and  Northern  South  Auu-rica. 

Tliroughout  New  England  it  is  found  generally  distriWuted,  but  nowhere  common, 
or  only  so  in  very  exceptional  instances.  A  few  are  seen  as  far  eastward  as  Calais, 
init  only  in  the  fall,  and  these  arc  evidently  accidental  visitors.  A  single  specinuMi 
is  recorded  as  taken  in  England.  In  the  interior  it  is  found  nuich  farther  north  than 
ni'ar  the  coast.  Iiichardson  notes  its  common  presence  in  the  Valley  of  the  Saskatch- 
ewan, where  it  arrives  about  the  liOth  of  April,  and  where,  during  its  residence,  it 
frequents  the  gardens  an<l  cultivated  fields  of  the  trading-jjosts  in  (pu'st  of  its  food. 
It  is  very  familiar,  hovering  over  the  heads  of  intruders,  and  reiterating  its  loud, 
shrill  cry.  Cai)tain  IWakiston  noted  its  first  arrival  at  Fort  Carlton,  in  1858, 
on  the  lUth  of  April,  finding  it  a  bird  diftiindt  to  ajiproach  within  shooting  dis- 
tance. M.  liourgeau  also  obtained  specimens,  as  well  as  their  nests  and  eggs,  on  the 
Saskatchewan. 

In  Northeastern  Illinois,  near  Lake  Michigan.  Mr.  Nelson  regards  this  species 
as  only  a  summer  resident,  arriving  the  1st  of  March  and  departing  in  October, 
although  stragglers  often  .a]»pear  in  the  mihler  days  of  mid-winter. 

In  Southeastern  ( hegcm  Captain  Uendire  found  it  one  of  the  earliest  birds  to  arrive 
in  spring,  and  generally  distributed  in  summer. 

On  Long  Island,  according  to  Mr.  J.  II.  Hatty,  the  Kihleer  remains  until  (luite 
late  in  the  fall,  and  is  seen  again  very  eiirly  in  the  spring.  He  does  not  think,  how- 
ever, that  it  stays  there  throughout  the  winter,  although  one  was  procured  by  him 
on  the  27th  of  Novembi-r,  IST'J,  when  the  ground  was  frozen  hard  and  all  the  ponds 
were  covered  with  ice  :  its  stomach  contained  common  ground-worms. 

The  Kihleer  breeds  as  far  south  at  least  as  Mexico.  Dr.  Berlandier  states  that 
it  lives  in  the  neighborhood  of  Matamoras,  in  the  vicinity  of  swamps,  and  that  it 
is  also  found  throughout  the  entire  State  of  Tamaulipas,  where  it  is  known  as  the 
Tildeo. 

Dr.  Lincecum  states  that,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Long  Point,  Texas,  it  remains 
during  winter  in  large  flocks,  flies,  and  feeds,  and  sounds  its  ])eculiar  note  as  much 
at  night,  seemingly,  as  in  the  day.  It  occtasionally  nests  about  the  rocky  streamlets 
on  the  prairies  of  that  country.  He  never  met  with  a  nest,  though  he  has  once 
been  very  near  to  one,  the  old  bird  trying  by  various  pretences  to  allure  him  away 
from  a  certain  locality  ity  the  side  of  a  rocky  stream.  It  carries  its  young  about 
with  it  from  their  earliest  infancy.  No  bird  —  as  Dr.  Lincecum  remarks  —  walks 
with  more  ease  or  more  gracefully  than  the  Kihleer,  young  or  old. 

Though  genertilly  more  common  in  the  interior,  the  Kihleer  is  occasionally  abun- 
dant in  certain  localities  near  the  sea.  Dresser  found  it  equally  common  near  the 
sea-coast,  and  itdand  in  Texas  at  almost  every  imol.  This  bird  breeds  in  Texas,  both 
in  the  interior  and  on  the  coast,  as  Mr.  Dresser  received  its  eggs  from  Systerdale 
taken  late  in  May;  and  when  on  Galveston  Island,  ]\Iay  2(5,  a  German,  who  was 
with  hinj,  found  a  young  Kildeer  in  a  depression  in  the  ground  made  by  the  hoof  of 
a  horse. 

Major  Wedderburn  mentions  this  bird  as  a  winter  visitant  of  Bernuida,  where 
specimens  were  occasionally  obtained  from  the  12th  of  November  to  the  4th  of 
March.  Mrs.  Hurdis  adds  that  it  is  principally  found  in  the  months  of  December 
and  January  in  small  flocks ;  that  its  note  is  peculiarly  soft  and  pleasing.  It  is  not 
seen  in  the  spring. 

While  a  few  occasionally  winter  in  the  Central  Western  States,  in  all  the  South- 


i 


150 


PRiECOCIAL  GUALLATORES  —  LIMICOLiE. 


ern  States  they  are  resident  throughout  tlic  year,  and  most  numerous  in  the  winter. 
They  are  also  found  at  this  season  in  Mexieo,  Central  America,  and  the  West  Indies. 
Mr.  Salvin  observed  a  Hock  of  these  Plovers  frecjuenting  the  open  land  near  Duenas 
during  the  winter,  and  oecasionally  feeding  in  the  cochineal  plantations  between  the 
rows  of  nopal.  He  also  found  it  common  in  other  parts  of  (Juatemala,  both  in  all 
the  highland  swa:aps  and  in  similar  localities  in  the  hot  district  with  little  eleva- 
tion, everywhere  jireferring  interior  fresh-water  marshes  to  the  tide-washed  sand- 
banks of  the  shore.  Mr.  Leyland  also  nu't  witli  individuals  near  Omoa,  and  Mr.  G. 
C.  Taylor  obtained  several  specimens  on  Tigre  Island,  and  afterward  on  the  open 
part  of  the  plains  of  C'omayagua.  Specimens  wer»'  taken  in  St.  Thomas  by  Mr. 
Riise,  and  Dr.  Bryant  speaks  of  it  as  very  common  in  tlie  liahamas  during  winter. 

Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper  mentions  the  Kildeer  as  a  constant  resident  in  California  wher- 
ever water  is  permanent.  It  was  especially  abundant  at  Los  Angeles,  December, 
18G().     Except  in  its  more  northern  places  of  abode,  it  is  only  partially  migratory. 

Dr.  Cooper  also  states  that  this  IMover  winters  in  all  j)arts  of  California  south  of 
San  Francisco.  It  migrates  during  April  and  May  northwards,  but  a  jwrtion  remain 
in  summer  in  all  the  western  i)art  of  that  State.  The}'  prefer  gravelly  shores  of 
brooks  and  rivers,  but  sometimes  visit  inundated  meadows,  or  even  dry  and  barren 
plains,  where  they  feed  on  insects,  and  i)r()l)ably  also  on  seeds. 

They  are  very  noisy,  and  their  note  —  wliicli  to  the  Si)anish  ear  sounds  like  tildeo, 
and  not  kildeer  —  is  uttered  in  a  comiilaining  tone  wJienever  anyone  api)roaches 
them.  Though  by  no  means  timid,  they  always  seem  very  much  distressed  by  the 
presence  of  man,  and  act  as  if  they  had  nests  at  all  seasons;  and,  whether  they 
are  actually  nesting  or  not,  run  before  their  pursuer,  counterfeiting  lameness,  and 
apparently  trying  to  excite  pity  by  their  melancholy  notes.  In  California  they  are 
not  generally  regarded  as  good  food,  being  of  a  strong  and  musky  flavor ;  but  in  the 
autumn,  when  fat,  they  are  not  unfrequently  eaten. 

Near  Fort  Hays,  in  Western  Kansas.  Ttlr.  J.  A.  Allen  found  this  species  by  far  the 
most  numerous  of  the  Gnilln:  He  afterward  ascertained  it  to  be  ecpiallj'  abundant 
in  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  valley  of  Great  Salt  Lake.  Mr.  Kidgway  found 
it  more  or  less  common  in  the  prairies  of  the  southern  part  of  Illinois,  and  in  his 
Western  explorations  it  was  by  far  the  most  generally  distributed,  as  well  as  the  most 
abundant  bird  of  the  order  in  all  the  fertile  portions  of  the  West,  and  resident  in  all 
sections  where  the  streams  are  not  frozen  for  any  length  of  time  during  winter. 

On  Long  Island  the  Kildeer  is  more  numerous  than  in  New  England.  There, 
according  to  (riraud,  in  summer  it  prefers  the  oi)en  dry  ground ;  but  on  the  approach 
of  winter  it  descends  to  the  sea-shore.  It  is  more  numerous  in  the  northern  por- 
tions of  that  island,  which  from  their  higher  situation  are  better  adapted  than  the 
southern  for  its  residence  in  the  summer.  In  his  pedestrian  excursion  around  that 
entire  island,  Giraud  met  with  this  I'lover  occasionally,  but  found  it  most  alnnidant 
in  a  tract  of  waste  ground  near  (Jreen  Point.  The  l)irds  were  very  tame,  and  had 
evidently  enjoyed  undisinited  possession  of  the  place  for  some  time.  They  were 
collecting  worms  and  various  kinds  of  insects ;  and  he  watched  their  employment 
without  interrupting  it. 

The  Kildeer  feeds  on  worms  and  various  kinds  of  insects  on  the  uplands,  and  i.lso 
frequents  shallow  jiools  and  brooks  in  search  of  such  small  Crustacea  as  are  found  in 
the  water.  In  the  fall  it  is  said  to  follow  the  ploughman,  and  pick  up  the  larv» 
and  other  forms  of  insect  life  that  are  turned  over  in  the  furrows. 

Like  most  of  its  race,  this  Plover  passes  much  of  its  time  on  the  ground,  over 
which  it  moves  with  great  rapidity.     It  can  run  with  such  swiftness  that  —  accord- 


CIIARADRIID^  —  THE  PLOVERS  —  JIGIALITIS. 


151 


ing  to  Audubon  —  to  run  "like  a  Kildeer"  has  in  some  parts  of  the  country  passed 
into  a  proverbial  phrase.  This  bird  is  also  e(iually  active  on  the  wing,  and  mounts 
lit  pleasure  to  a  great  height  in  the  air  with  a  strong  and  rapid  Hight,  which  can  bo 
continued  for  a  long  distance.  Sometimes  it  skims  (piite  low  over  the  ground,  and 
at  other  times  mounts  to  a  great  height ;  and  during  the  love-season  it  is  said  to 
perform  various  kinds  of  evolutions  wliile  on  the  wing. 

Its  note  consists  of  two  syllal)les,  resendding  in  sound  kill-dac,  rapidly  enun- 
ciated ;  and  occasionally,  when  the  bird  is  imich  excited,  only  the  last  syllable  is 
repeated  after  the  first  utterance  of  the  doulilc  note.  (Jenerally  it  is  sounded  in  a 
loud,  clear  tone,  and  as  a  signal  of  alarm.  It  not  unfrecpiently  startles  other  birds 
and  puts  them  on  tiieir  guard,  this  habit  rendering  the  Kildeer  an  object  of  dislike 
to  the  hunter.  During  the  summer  —  esi)ecially  when  it  is  breeding,  and  afterward, 
even  when  its  young  are  fully  grown  —  the  Kildeer  is  a  noisy  anil  restless  bird,  and 
is  disturl)ed  by  the  near  approach  of  man.  It  will  often  s(pmt  until  one  is  close 
upon  it,  and  will  then  suddenly  fly  up  or  run  off,  startling  the  unwary  intruder  by 
a  loud  and  clear  cry.  According  to  Auilubon,  during  the  winter  it  is  an  unusiuiUy 
silent  bird.  At  this  season  it  is  found  dispersed  over  the  cultivated  fields  in  Florida, 
Georgia,  the  Carolinas,  and  other  Southern  States,  diligently  searching  for  food. 

It  is  said  to  breed  in  Louisiana  in  the  iK'ginning  of  April,  in  the  Middle  States 
in  May,  and  on  the  Saskatchewan  in  June.  Its  nest  is  of  very  simple  construction, 
and  is  usually  a  mere  hollow  in  the  ground,  without  any  lining,  or  with  merely 
a  few  bits  of  dry  grasses.  Occasionally  it  is  said  to  construct  a  nest  of  grass  in  a 
bunch  of  plants,  but  this  is  very  rarely  done.  Wilson  mentions  having  seen  nests 
of  this  species  with  snuill  fragments  of  shells  forming  a  rim  around  the  eggs. 
During  incvd)ation  the  parents  alternate  in  sitting  upon  their  eggs,  and  do  not  leave 
them  day  or  night,  differing  in  a  marked  manner,  in  this  respect,  from  the  melodus 
and  the  Wilson t.  The  young  run  alwut  the  instant  they  leave  the  shell.  If  the 
nest  is  approached  during  incubation,  or  when  the  young  are  in  danger,  both  jiarents 
resort  to  various  manoeuvres  to  entice  away  the  intruder :  the  female  droops  her 
wings,  utters  plaintive  notes,  and  simulates  lameness;  the  male  is  more  demon- 
strative, and  dashes  about  his  head  with  angry  vociferations. 

The  eggs  are  usually  four  in  numlter.  never  more  —  so  far  as  known  to  us  — 
and  very  rarely  less.  They  are  inriform  in  shape,  being  much  rounded  at  one 
end,  and  pointed  at  the  other.  Their  ground,  when  the  egg  is  fresh,  is  a  rich  cream- 
color,  fading  into  a  dull  white,  over  which  are  profusely  sjiread  blotches  of  varying 
sliape  and  size,  of  dark  purplish  brown,  ajjproaching  black.  These  increase  in  size 
toward  the  larger  end,  and  cover  a  greater  proportion  of  it,  but  are  finer  and  more 
scattered  elsewhere.  They  measure  1.(m  inches  in  length  by  1.13  inches  in  their 
greater  breadth. 


Gexus  2IOIAI1ITIS,  BoiE. 

jEgialUis,  BoiE,  Isis,  1822,  558  (tyiHj,  Cluiradrius  hiaiicitla,  Linn.). 

^gialitcs,  BoiE,  Isis,  182(5,  978. 

^ijialcus,  Ueuuksu.  1.  c.  (type,  Charadrius  semipalinatus,  Bosap.). 

Leucopoliua,  IJoxap.  Comiit.  Rend.  XLIII.  1856,  417  (tyiie,  Charadrius  leucopolins,  Waol.ss  C.  mar- 

ginatus,  ViEII.l.. ). 
?  Oirripcdcsmus,  Bonap.  Coiupt.  Ueud.  1856,  417  (type,  Cluiradrius  civrhipcdesmus,  WA0L.=C7t.  won- 

golicus,  Pall.). 

Char.    Similar  to  Oxyechus,  but  the  species  of  smaller  size,  with  shorter  and  less  graduated 
tail  (leus  than  half  us  long  as  the  wing),  aud  ruuip  coiicolor  with  the  buck  (grayish). 


152 


PRiECOCIAL  GKALLATOKES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


The  numerous  species  of  this  genus  vary  greatly  among  themselves  in  the  details  of  structure, 
iilthough  there  is  a  general  similarity  of  coloration  throughout  the  group.  The  American  species 
may  be  distinguished  as  follows  :  — 


jE.  nitwfd. 


A»    Nape  crossed  by  n  more  or  leas  distinct  white  collar. 
a.  Bill  decidedly  shorter  than  middle  toe,  very  stout  (excejit  in  ^.  curonica),  the  basal  half 

light  colored  (orange  or  yellow)  in  adults,  except  in  -£'.  curonica, 
a'.  A  distinct  web  l)etween  Imse  of  inner  and  middle  toes. 

1.  JB.  semipalmata.     Abuve,  grayish  brown  ;  forehead,  ling  round  neck,  and  lower  parts, 

white.  In  summer,  fore  part  of  crown,  lores,  and  broad  pectoral  collar  (continued  round 
back  of  neck,  below  the  white  nuchal  collar)  black  or  dusky.  In  winkr,  these  black 
markings  ixjplaced  by  grayish  brown,  like  the  back,  etc.  Yonnij,  like  winter  adults,  but 
bill  wholly  black,  and  featiiers  of  upi)er  parts  nuirgined  terminally  witli  buff.  Wing, 
about  4..'Jl)-4.7r)  ;  culnien,  .J.J-.oO ;  depth  of  bill  at  base,  .20;  tarsus,  .95;  middle  toe, 
.()5-.70.  Huh.  Nearly  the  wlnde  of  America. 
a".  No  web  between  base  of  inner  and  middle  toes. 

2.  XI  blaticula.     Colore  of  ..£'.  semijHilmata,  but  pectoral  band  broader.     Wing,  about  5.00  ; 

culmen,  .50-..")5  ;   depth   of  bill   at    base,   .20-.:i2  ;   tarsus,  l.(H);   middle    toe,  .60-.65. 
Hah.  Paliuarctic  Region  and  jiortions  of  Arctic  America. 

3.  JD.  ouronioa.     Similar  to  ^E.  hiaticida,  but  smaller  and  much  more  slender,  especially 

the  bill,  which  is  always  black  ;  middle  of  crown  crossed  by  a  more  or  less  distinct 
whitish  Ijiir,  immediately  iH-hind  the  black  patch.  Wing,  4.3.5—4.70  ;  culmen,  .50-.52  ; 
depth  of  bill  at  basi',  .15-18  ;  tarsus,  l.(H^-1.05  ;  middle  toe,  .55-.60.  Hab.  Paia'arctic 
Regicm  generally  ;  accidental  in  Cidifornia  and  Alaska  f 
.  4-  JD.  meloda.  Above,  i)ale  brownish  gray  ;  foi-ehead,  lores,  nuchal  collar,  aii<l  lower  parts 
white.  Ill  summt'i;  a  band  across  {on  \K\rt  of  crown,  and  one  across  each  side  of  breast 
(the  latter  .sometimes  c(mnectetl,  so  as  to  form  a  continuous  jjectoral  band),  black  or 
dusky.  In  winkr,  the.se  black  markings  replaced  liy  light  brownish  gray,  and  the  bill 
almo.st  entirely,  or  wholly,  l>lai:k.  Yoiiiig,  like  tlie  winter  plumage,  but  feathers  of  upper 
surface  with  distinctly  i»aler  terminal  nmi-gins.  Wing,  4.."iO-4.80  ;  culmen,  .45-.50  ;  depth 
of  bill  at  base,  .20-.22  ;  tarsus,  .85-1.00  ;  middle  toe,  .,55. 

a.  var.  vielwla.     Black  i>ectond  baiul  wholly  oi'  ])aitially  interrupted  iu  the  middle  poi- 
tion.     Hah.  AtLmtic  coa.st  of  Uiuted  .><tates. 

/3.  var.  circumcincta.    Black  jjectoi-al  band  entirely  continuous.   Hah.  Missouri  River  Region 
of  United  States,  straggling  easlwanl. 
6.  Bill  much  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  very  slender,  wholly  black. 

6.  XL  alezaodriQa.  Above,  light  brownish  gray ;  forehead,  superciliaries,  nuchal  collar, 
and  lower  parts  white.  In  summer,  fore  jtart  of  the  crown,  a  transverse  patch  on  each 
side  of  breast  (and  sometimes  a  loml  streak),  black  or  dusky  ;  pileum  sometimes  (espe- 
cially in  adult  nmles)  buify  or  rufescent.     Bill,  legs,  and  fei-t,  black  or  dusky. 


CHARADRIID.E  —  THE  PLoVKHS  —  .EGIALITIS. 


153 


a.  akxatuhiiM.^     Lores  ulwnys  crossed  by  ii  •lu'-ky  striiii-.     In  sumnur,  pileum  brownish 

gruy  or  dull  Imff.     Wiii^',  4.40  ;  culiiieii,  .55-.(iO;  tarsus,  l.(>:i-l.l:i  ;  middle  toe,  .55-.(i(>. 

//((/).  Eurcipe,  etc. 
/3.  dmUmtn  (?).'■'    Lures  ulways  witli  u  bluclc  streiik.    In  xninnur  (and  I'reiiuently  in  winter 

also),  jiileuni  liri;,'lit  rjddisli  liul!  or  liiiiianion-rul'ous.   Wiii^;,  4.;$;")— 4.7<» ;  culnien,  .(J8-,7H; 

tarsus,  l.l(»-l.l.')  ;  nuddle  toe,  .(i.'t-.TO.     Ilnh.  Eastern  Asia  (IIonj,'-Ki)nj,',  etc.). 
y.  iiiroMi.     Lores  usually  entirely  wliite  (never  with  a  continuous  or  distinct  dusky  streak). 

//(  gnnimn:  iiileiini  [lale  brownish  Ki'ay  or  grayish  liutt".     Win;;,  4.20-4.30  ;  culineii,  .(!0  ; 

tarsus,  .!M>-i.O.') ;  niitldle  toe,  .r)")-.(!o.     Ilnh.  Western  America ;  Yucatan;  Cuba  (f). 
B.    Nape  without  trace  of  white  or  dusky  collar. 
a.  Culmen  e(|ual  to  or  lon^-r  than  the  nudiUe  toe,  the  bill  slender. 

6.  JB.  albidipectUB.^     iireast  without  trace  ol  either  black  or  grayi.sh  band,  but  tinged,  es[)e- 

cially  on  each  side,  with  light  cinnamon  ;  the  sides  of  the  neck  and  un  indistinct  nuchal 
collar  deeper  cinnamon;  lorehead,  dieeks.  and  lower  parts,  except  as  described,  white; 
loral  stripe,  crown,  post-ocuLir  streak,  and  post-auricular  spot  dusky  Idack.  Wing,  4.10; 
culmen,  .(iO  ;  di'i'th  of  bill  at  base,  .17  ;  tarsus,  l.lo  ;  ndddle  toe,  Sm.     Huh.  Chili. 

7.  .SI.  collarlB.''     Foreliead,  cheeks,  and  lower  jiarts  pure  white,  the  juguluni  with  a  dis- 

tinct black  transverse  band,  broadest  later.illy  ;  di.stinct  loral  stripe  and  anterior  half 
of  the  crown  black  ;  upi>er  jiarts  grayish  brown,  the  leathers  margined  with  paler,  and 
tinged  witii  rufous,  especially  on  the  crown,  auriculars,  and  sides  of  neck.  Ymukj,  with 
the  black  on  the  crown  and  lores  al)seiit  or  barely  indicated,  and  vhe  jugular  band  much 
narrowed,  or  even  interrupted,  in  tlie  ndddle  portion.  Wing,  .■}.7o-4. 15  ;  culmen,  .(iO ; 
depth  of  bill  through  base,  .1')-.17;  tarsus,  l.(M)-I.IO;  middle  toe,  .oO-..').^.  Huh.  Tropi- 
cal America  in  general,  from  I'araguaj",  Buenos  Ayi-es,  and  Ciiili  to  Southern  Mexico. 

8.  Si.  falklandioa.^     Forehead,  lores,   and   under  ])arts   white,  the  juguluni  crossed  by  a 

'  vEoiAi.rris  .M.Kx.vNiuiix.v  (LiMii.).     The  Kcntisli  Plover. 

t'/iiirddriiis  iili.niiiiln'iuis,  I, INN.  S.  N.  cil.  Id,  I.  1758,  IHO. 

^■Kiliii/ilin  ali:fiimh-'uiiix,  ( 'oi.i.iTr,  Clirist.  Vi<lcnsk.  Fiirh.  1881,  4.  — Stejn.  Proc.  U.  S.  Nnt.  Mus. 

Vol.  ,1, 188-.',  35. 
Cliiiroflrin.H  vanliniuis,  Lath.  Iml.  Orii.  Suppl.  1801,  p.  Ixvi. 
A^ijialitis  oiiifiiiinis,  BoiK,  [sis,  18'J2,  i'l.'iM,  ct  All T. 
Chdradrius  iilhi/rniis,  Mkvi.ii,  Tiisdiciili.  dciitsch.  Viig.  ii.  323. 
Vharadrius  Utlnrulis,  Bkiiist.  Xaturg.  Dcutscld.  iv.  430,  pi.  23. 
j-EijialiUH  alhigitlnn's,  Bkku.m,  Vug.  DiMitscld.  \i.  552. 
2  (?)  .'EoiAiJTis    DKAi.iiATA,  .Swinli.   IMoc.  Zoul.    Soc.   Lond.  1870,    138   (southern  coa.st  of  Chinn, 

including  Fmiiiosa  and  Hainan). 
To  this  liiitl  I  refer,  with  nmcli  hesitation,  live  specimens  of  an  A'ljinHtis  from  IIong-Koiig  Hay,  col- 
lated by  Mr.  I'.  L.  .louy,  of  the  I'nited  States  National  .Museum.  These  birds,  while  closely  rescinliliiig 
.A,',  iilixaniliiiiii  (vel  cniitiiinn),  are  unil'onnly  inudi  largev  than  K.uropean  exanijilcs  of  the  latter,  iis 
iniliiiited  by  the  measurements  ^iven  aliove  ;  tliey  are  likewise  nnieli  inure  richly  colored,  an  adult  male 
collected  Xovember  12,  and  an  adult  female  olitidned  about  the  same  time,  having  the  entire  crown  and 
(Mci|int  a  .soft  einnamon-bulf  or  light  cinnanion-nil'uus,  the  leuiale  having  even  the  whole  dorsal  region, 
iiicluiling  the  tertials,  tinged  with  this  color. 

*  -EoiALrris   Ai.Bti)ii>K(Tis,  Itidgw.  Proc.  r.  S.  Xat.  Mus.  Vol.  5,  1883,  p.  526. 

*  ^EuiALiris  roLl.Alils  (Vieill.),  A/am's  Hinged  Plover. 

CImmdrius  ollaris,  Vikii.i..  Enc.  Metli.  II.  1823,  334. 

Mji'ililes  colloris,  Set.,  k  Sai.v.  P.  Z.  .S.  18ti!»,  252;  Norn.  N'cotr.  1873,  143. 

CImi-adnm  Azni-a;  HciiT.  Verz.  Doubl.  1823,  71.— Tkm.m.  PI.  Col.  184. 

"C/iiiradrin.s  Inrvuliis,  LKSso^i," 

./Eguililin  (jrucilis,  Cauan.  .1.  f.  O.  1872,  158  (Isthnuis  of  Tuhuantepec). 

*  ^GiAi.rris  KAi.Ki.ANnuA  (bath.).     Fidklund  Island  I'ing  Plover. 

Chffi-udriiui  fiilUinidicu.i,  Latii.  Ind.  (hii.  ii.  17i)0,  747. 
./Hijialites  fidkltindieus,  Aniiorr,  Iliis,  18i!l,  155. 
"C/mradrins  anntiU'jeru.i,  Waoi..  Syst.  Av." 
"t'/iiirii)lriu.s  in/rrliocfii/uihtu,  Liissos  et  (lAisNirr." 
Chiimdrins  Irifiiscwlnn,  Liclir.  Ver/.  Doubl.  1823,  71. 
"  Charndriiis  bi/iiscialna,  \Va(1i..  Syst.  Av.  spec.  31." 
VOL.  I.  —  20 


—  ~f^Wt<' 


154 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATUUKS  —  LIMICOLJI. 


iiorrow,  till'  bmiwt  by  a  biomk-r,  biiiul  <•!'  blmk  (or  timvish  in  yoiinn  "'"'  winter  dress). 
In  Hiimmer,  liuml  acros-i  I'oiv  i>arl  of  crown,  auriculars,  narrow  Jugular  band,  and  broad 
peL-tural  zoni-  black  ;  jiik-iun  and  naiM.-  usually  rufoint,  niuru  or  K-ss  niixeil  with  brown- 
ish f^ray  centrally  (.lonictinii-s  almost  wholly  yrayish,  like  buck).  In  winter,  iiiluuni  and 
na|iu  brownish  '^vny,  iikt-  tlu'  back,  and  all  the  black  markings  replaced  by  grayish. 
Wing,  4."5-."i.(Mi;  cuhiun,  .(('i-.'."* ;  tlepth  ol  bill  at  Iwwj,  .18-.S{(i;  tarsus,  1,25;  middle 
toe,  .7<>-.7').  //ill).  Southern  South  America. 
9.  JB.  mongolioa.  In  imninin-,  whole  breast  and  nnjio  dear  cinnamon-rufous,  and  top  of 
head  tinged  with  the  same;  lores,  sub-orl)ital  region,  and  auriculars  black,  the  former  bor- 
dered above  by  a  white  line,  sometimes  meeting  over  the  forehead  ;  chin,  throat,  fore- 
neck,  belly,  and  crissum  jiure  white  ;  ui>i)er  i)arts  brownish  gray.  In  winter,  the  rufoua 
entirely  absent  ;  foreheatl  and  lower  parts  white,  the  breast  crossed  by  a  faint  grayish 
brown  liar,  darkening  into  a  dusky  patch  on  each  side  ;  auriculars  and  loral  streak 
somewhat  dusky.  Wing,  5. 15-.'). 40.  Ilalj.  Asia  in  general,  breeding  northward  j  Choris 
Peninsula,  Aliuska. 


JBgialitiB  semipalmata. 

THE  BEMIFALMATEO  BIITO  FLOVEB. 

Tringa  hiaticula,  Wilson,  Ami.  Oni.  VII.  1S13,  65,  pi.  51»,  f.  3  (ucc  Linn). 

Charailrins  hiatictdn,  Oun,  cd.  Wils.  VI!.  Cit. 

Charmlrius  Sfinipnliniilus,  Bona  I'.  Coiiip.  List,  1838,  45. 

^IfinUtcsscmipiilhiiiln.s,  Cahan.  .1.  f.  U.  LH5li,  4-.>5.  —  Cassin,  in  Bnird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  CDl  — 

Baiiu),  Cut.  N.  Am.  15.  18uil,  n...  :,07.  —  CoiEs,  Key,  1872,  244  ;  Chuck  List,  1873,  no.  SDl* ; 

ad  ed.  1882,  N'o.  58(1.  —  Kiuow.  Xoni.  X.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  517. 
Chnriidriua  breviroslris,  M\\.  Beitr.  IV.  70U  (Brazil). 

Had.  North  America  in  genenil,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  and  Sub-arctic  districts,  migrating 
south  in  winter  throughout  the  tropical  regions,  as  far  as  Brazil  luid  Peru.  Bermudas  ;  whole  of 
West  Indies ;  Galapagos, 

Sp.  Char.  Small ;  wings  long,  toes  connected  at  base,  esjxscially  the  outer  to  the  middle  toe. 
Front,  throat,  ring  around  the  neck,  and  entire  under  parts,  white;  a  band  of  deep  black  across 
the  breast,  extending  around  the  back  of  the  neck  lielow  the  white  ring,  liand  from  the  base  of 
the  bill,  under  the  eye,  and  wide  frontal  band  above  the  white  band,  black.  Upper  parts  usliy 
brown  ;  quills  brownish  black,  with  their  shafts  white  in  a  middle  portion,  and  occa.sionally  a  lan- 
ceolate white  spot  along  the  .shafts  of  the  shorter  jU'lmaries  ;  shorter  tertiaries  edged  with  white  ; 
greater  coverts  tipped  with  white.  Middle  feathers  of  the  tail  ashy  brown,  with  a  wiile  cubter- 
minal  band  of  brownish  black,  and  narrowly  tipiied  with  white ;  two  outer  tail-feathers  white, 
others  intermediate,  like  the  ndddle,  but  widely  tipped  with  white.  Bill  orange-yellow  at  base, 
black  terminally;  legs  pale  flesh-color.  /"Vnui/i  similar,  but  rather  lighter  cidored.  Young  with 
the  black  replaced  by  ashy  brown,  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  bordered  with  paler.  Downy 
young:  Above,  pale  grayish  brown,  mottled  with  black:  a  frontal  crescent,  broad  nuchal  collar, 
and  entire  lower  parts  white. 

Total  length,  about  7  inches  ;  wing,  4.75;  tail,  2,25  inches. 

The  "  Ring  Plover  "  of  America  is  coniraon  to  the  whole  of  North  America,  not 
even  exonptinj,'  its  more  northern  portions.  It  is  apparently  as  abundant  on  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific  as  of  the  Atlantic,  and  during,'  its  migrations  is  common  on 
the  margins  of  the  lakes,  rivers,  tind  ponds  of  the  interior.  It  probably  breeds  in 
the  more  northern  jmrtions  of  the  United  States ;  but,  so  far  as  we  are  aware,  its 
nest  has  never  Ijeen  taken  within  (uir  limits.  A  few  pass  the  summer  on  the  shores 
of  Lake  Koskonong,  in  Wisconsin,  but  they  are  not  known  to  breed  there.  Audubon 
is  mistaken  in  saying  that  they  confine  them.selves  in  the  spring  to  the  sandy  beaclies 
of  our  searcoasts.  They  are  <|uite  as  numerous,  and  perliaps  more  so,  about  the 
collections  of  fresh  water,  in  the  interior,  wherever  they  can  find  suitable  food. 


CHAItADRIID.K  —  THK   PLOVKRS  —  .WilALl  1  IS. 


155 


H 


Dr.  Cooper  did  not  Hu<l  this  species  comnioii  along  the  soutliern  portion  of  the 
California  »oa.st.  At  San  Diego  he  saw  only  .)ne  small  Hook,  on  the  lid  of  May.  On 
the  3d  of  May,  l(Sr»4,  he  I'oinid  tliem  niigrating  north  of  the  Colinnhia  Kiver,  and 
is  eontident  that  none  remain  within  the  L'nited  States  during  the  summer.  They 
return  in  SeptcMuber,  and  frecpient  the  dry  fields,  as  well  as  the  shore  and  bays. 

In  its  soutliern  migrations  it  visits  lierniuda.  oceurring  there  fnmi  the  Kith  of 
•Vugust  to  the  last  of  OetoU'r.  It  visits  all  tiie  West  India  Islands,  the  (Jalapagos, 
ami  South  America,  as  far  at  least  as  I?razil  and  Peru. 

Its  northern  migrations  e-xtend  to  IJreeidand.  Dr.  Walker,  of  the  "  Fox,"  met  with 
it  thert',  and  afterward,  in  .Fune.  in  the  marshy  valli'vs  near  HeUot's  Strait,  where  it 
was  breeding.  It  is  not  meiitinnt'd  as  having  Imm-u  met  witli  l>y  Cai)tain  H.  kiston  on 
the  Saskatchewan,  but  is  recorded  as  having  been  taken  at  Vork  Factory  ;  and  Mr. 
Murray  |trocured  it  from  near  Severn  House,  from  Hudson's  Hay.  and  also  In'tween 
there  and  Lake  Winnii>cg.  Mr.  H.  K.  Hoss  found  it  common  on  the  Mackenzie 
Kiver.  A  few  are  known  to  summer,  and  probably  to  Inccd.  on  (Irand  Menan. 
Richardson  states  that  this  s])ecies  al)ound  during  the  summer  throughout  Arctic 
America,  where  it  breeds  in  situations  similar  to  those  inhaliited  by  the  (Jolden 
Plover.  The  natives  aver  that,  on  the  approa<'li  of  a  storm,  this  bird  has  been 
known  to  clap  its  wings  and  to  make  a  chirruping  noise. 

Mr.  Kcnnicott  met  with  it  in  .lunc  at  Lake  Winnipeg,  in  Se])tember  at  Fort 
Sim])Son.  ami  in  May  at  Fort  Resolution  and  on  the  Vnktni  River.  Mr.  B.  R.  Rosa 
procured  specimens  at  Fort  Simpson  in  .May,  and  Mr.  MacFarlane  found  it  breeding 
on  the  Arctic  coast,  June  'JO,  and  afterward  on  the  Anderson  River.  Mr.  Mc- 
Dougal  met  with  it  in  the  (Sens  de  Large  .Mountains,  and  Mr.  R.  McDonald  in  the 
mountains  west  of  the  Low»'r  ^lackenzie  River. 

In  Florida,  according  to  Mi'.  N.  I?.  ^loore,  the  Ring  Plover  is  present  during  the 
entire  winter,  arriving  there  as  early  as  the  11th  of  August. 

Dr.  Rryant  found  this  bird  a  winter  resident  in  the  Hahaiuas,  where  it  remained 
from  its  autumnal  Higlit  until  its  departure  in  May.  Dr.  (iray.son  found  a  single 
individual,  assigned  to  this  species,  on  Mare  Island,  in  San  I'ablo  Hay,  near  San 
Francisco.  Mr.  Nelson  states  tliat  in  Illinois  the  spring  migrations  of  this  Plover 
extend  from  April  2.">  to  Alay  .'50,  and  its  fall  movements  from  .Inly  31  to  the  end 
of  October.  He  is  suspicions  that  some  breed  not  much  to  the  north  of  Chicago ; 
l)ut  ills  ojiinions  require  confirmation. 

Audubon  states  that  this  bird  i>as.ses  the  winter  along  the  shores  of  South  Caro- 
lina, (Jeorgia,  Florida,  and  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Mr.  Dresser  mentions 
it  as  common  about  the  pond-holes  near  San  Antonio  in  the  autumn  and  spring,  but 
noticed  noiu'  near  ^latamoras,  and  docs  not  speak  of  it  as  being  seen  in  winter. 
It  is  found  during  the  winter  in  .Mexico,  C'cntnil  America,  and  in  several  of  the  AVest 
India  Islands.  Salvin  met  with  it  in  Guatemala  on  the  sandy  flats  near  Chiapam. 
Mr.  Leotand  mentions  its  making  its  appearance  in  Trinidad  each  year,  from  the  last 
of  July  to  October,  and  in  much  larger  flocks  than  the  in/sonluti.  They  live  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  latter  do.  but  not  unfreqitently  forsake  the  borders  of  the  sea  to 
iced  in  the  moist  lamls  of  the  interior.  .Vt  the  time  of  their  general  dejiarture  a  few 
are  observed  to  remain  behind  and  to  continue  about  the  edges  of  marshy  pools. 

While  a  few  keej)  in  pairs,  until  joined  by  their  i)rood,  this  Plover  is  generally 
found  in  small  scattered  groups  of  five  to  ten  associated  together,  yet  each  pair  by 
itself.  They  frequent  alike  salt-marshes,  sandy  lieaches,  and  mud-flats  left  bare  by 
the  receding  tide.  They  are  found  in  company  with  several  of  the  smaller  Tringce  ; 
and  although  each  bird,  while  searching  for  food,  appears  to  be  unmindful  of  the 


,3 


156 


riLKCOClAL  OKALI.ATtHtKS    -  LIMirOL/K 


otlicr's  im'st'Mco  us  long  us  it  is  undistiirlMMl.  yet  if  iilarmod  tlioy  riso  and  join  in 
Hocks.  Tiu'v  run  witii  },'r('at  swiftness  and  ;,'iiui'  over  tiic  sandy  lifacdirs.  Tlicy 
arc  a  very  silent  liird  except  wiien  tlicir  treasures  are  tlireatcncil  or  when  sud- 
<leidy  alarmed.  Tiiey  arc  wnsus|>icious  to  an  unusual  dc;,'rce,  few  Waders  more  .so, 
and  may  always  he  reailily  aiiproaclicd.  The  younj,'  acconi|)any  the  parents  as 
.soon  as  hatched,  and  until  nearly  f,'rown  are  sheltered  hy  the  mother  in  the  num- 
ner  of  the  domestic  hen.  When  first  hatched  they  have  a  somewhat  striking  mottled 
appearance. 

On  Lake  Koskouonj,'.  in  IST.'t.  this  sjieeies  had  reached  its  t,M"<'i't<'st  alumdanoe  hy 
the  l."ith  of  .\uj,Mist;  and  (iiraud  mentions  its  always  arrivinj,'  in  Konj,'  I.sland  in 
the  latti-r  part  of  the  same  month.  It  passes  northward  in  its  sjirinf;  mif,'rations 
early  in  May.  (Iiraud  states  that  this  Plover  frccpu'iits  the  sanu'  situations  with  the 
Semipalmatcd  Sandpiper,  in  company  with  which  it  is  often  seen  j^atherinj^  its  food, 
and  like  that  liird  admitting,'  of  a  very  near  a|iproach.  When  alarnu'd.  it  utters  a 
very  sharp  note.     Late  in  the  fall  it  mi},'ratcs  south. 

Auduhon  states  that  in  their  l>reedin.i,'-|ilaces  hirds  (d'  this  species  resort  to  moun- 
tainous mossy  lands.  In  liahrador  he  met  with  them  in  almost  every  [dace  at  which 
he  landed,  and  found  them  breedinjj;  in  all  the  spots  that  were  adapted  for  that 
jMirpose.  On  heinj,'  surjuMsed,  when  in  charj,'e  of  their  youn};,  they  wouhl  heat  the 
p^round  with  the  extremities  of  their  opened  winjj;s.  as  if  unalilc  to  rise.  If  pursued, 
they  at  first  permitted  a  near  approach,  and  then  took  to  Hij,dit,  seekiu},'  to  <leeoy  the 
intruder  fnuu  their  younjj,  which  sipiatted  .so  closely  that  it  was  ditticult  to  distin},'uish 
them.  If  the  latter  were  traced,  they  ran  swiftly  off,  uttering  a  plaintive  prpjK  which 
never  failed  to  i)ring  their  mothers  to  their  aid. 

In  that  regiiui  this  bird  hegins  to  breed  early  in  June,  and  young  ones  Jiboiit  a 
week  old  were  procured  on  the  I'd  of  dune.  The  nest  of  this  species  is  sim])ly  a 
small  cavity  in  the  nuiss,  in  a  place  sheltered  from  the  north  winds,  and  open  to  the 
full  rays  of  the  sun,  and  usually  near  the  margins  of  small  ponds.  The  eggs  are 
always  four,  and  placed  with  the  snuiU  ends  together;  they  are  pyriform  in  shape 
—  pointed  at  one  end,  and  obtuse  at  the  other. 

AudidMui  states  that  by  the  iL'th  of  August  all  the  individuals  that  had  bred  in 
Labrador  had  taken  their  departure,  .some  proceeding  by  the  Atlantic  shore,  others 
by  the  great  lakes  and  rivers.  .\t  this  period  they  are  sometimes  seen  in  plougheil 
fields  searching  for  insects  and  worms.  Their  \isiuil  food  consists  of  small  Crustacea, 
mollusks,  and  the  ova  of  marine  aniumls. 

This  I'lover  extends  its  migr:itions  to  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea,  and  in  these 
more  northern  localities' lines  the  de])ression  in  the  .sand  which  serves  for  its  nest  with 
dried  grasses.  i\rr.  MacFarlaiM>  found  its  nest  made  of  withered  leaves  and  grasses 
in  a  depression  on  the  shore  just  above  high-water  mark.  This  bird  was  said  to 
be  tolerably  numerous  in  that  region.  Mr.  Kennicott  found  it  eonimon  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Winnipeg.  It  was  also  found  by  Mr.  Dall  to  be  very  common  at 
Nulato,  St.  Michael's,  and  near  the  mouth  of  the  Y\ikon.  There  also  the  eggs  were 
found  laid  in  small  depressions,  made  very  smooth  and  round,  and  lined  with 
a  little  dry  grass,  very  carefully  ])ut  in.  The  nests  observed  contained  only  two 
eggs  each. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  found  this  species  qiiite  common  on  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea, 
at  Franklin  Bay,  at  Anderson  River,  Fort  .Vndcrson,  and  other  localities  near  the 
coast.  The  nests  were  always  mere  cavities  dug  in  the  soil,  sometimes  with  a  few 
withered  leaves,  and  occasionally  with  no  lining  whatever.  The  numlier  of  eggs  was 
usually  four ;  in  no  instance  more,  but  occasionally  three  or  two.     The  parent  bird 


CHARAnRIin.K  —  THE   I'l-OVERS  —  .flGTALITIS. 


167 


usually  Klidod  from  her  nest  iiml  run  a  sliort  distiuu^e  Ix-t'ore  llyinj,' ;  Honiotiincs  slu' 
(h'oupt'il  lit'r  wiiifjs,  and  prctt-ndt'd  liuncnt'ss.  The  nests  were  near  the  edjje  of  the 
sea.  near  the  water  of  small  lakrs,  and  on  islands  in  rivers.  Mr.  MaeFarlane  speaks 
of  tiiem  as  t()leral>ly  numerous  in  that  ipiarter,  as  well  as  in  the  country  Ix'twixt 
tlie  .Vretie  eoast  and  l'\u't  (Jood  Hope,  (hi  his  annual  .July  journey  to  that  post,  I'ti 
rimto  for  Fort  Simp.soii,  he  has  noticed  Plovers  of  this  sj)eeies,  together  with  their 
youu^'  of  the  season,  occupied  in  fecdinj;  and  diverting,'  themselves  on  the  shore.s  of 
the  dilferent  lakes. 

Mr.  Ludwif,'  Kundien  mentions  the  arrival  of  this  bird  in  the  (!unil»erland  waters 
aliout  tiie  middle  of  .luue.  and  says  that  it  is  l>y  no  means  rare  tiiere,  hreediug  on 
tiie  mossy  hanks  of  fresii-water  ponds.  It  mij,'rates  southward  as  soon  as  the  fresh- 
water ponds  are  frozen  over. 

An  e^K  <'f  this  species  (No.  Ill)  collected  in  Labrador  by  Thieuemann  is  of  oblong- 
oval  shape,  tapering  at  one  end  and  rounded  at  the  «)ther.  The  ground-<'olor  is  a  nearly 
pure  drai),  and  tiu'  markings  are  scattered,  i.solated,  nmnded,  occasionally  irregidarly 
shaped  Idotciu-s  of  dark  bistre,  hardly  distinguishalde  from  Idack.  Some  are  diluted 
witli  the  groinid-eoh)r.  and  are  more  ob.seure,  having  a  shading  of  ]mrplish  slate; 
another  (No.  17-),  also  from  Labradcu",  collected  by  Dr.  Trndeau,  is  nu)re  rouniled 
in  shape,  the  blotciies  Ix-ing  larger,  and  the  deep  liistre,  in  a  strong  light,  shaded  with 
wine-color.  Three  other.s  (No.  I.SH2)  from  St.  (Jeorgo's  I5ay,  collected  by  Mr.  Drexler, 
,Fune  L'(').  ISfUt.  corresjiond  with  No.  111.  These  eggs  have  the  following  nu-asure- 
ments:  No.  Ill,  L.T)  inches  by  .UU;  No.  171',  1.20  by  .5)8;  No.  1882,  1.25  by  1.00, 
1..S0  by  .90,  and  1.35  by  .99. 

2!gialitis  hiaticiila. 

THE  EUROPEAN  BINO  PLOVER. 

Chnrndrim  hiaficula,    Lixs.  .S.    X.   v<\.  lo,   I.  1758,  l.TO ;  v,\.   12,   I.   1760,  2.53.  —  Nai'M.  Viig. 

neutsohl.  VII.  1833,  2i»l,   j.l.    17.').  -  Maciui.i,.    Man.    II.    .'•2.  —  Sciii.Kti.   Hov.  C'lit.  83.— 

<!liAV,  Oi'ii.  III.  ;,H  ;  (at.  Brit.  IJ.  18(i,'},  140, 
A:<jiiilitis  hi'tHnild,  BiiiK,  Isi.H,  1822,  .""lIS.  -    Kkvs.  k  Bi,A.i.  Wirli.   Eur.  71.  —  RiDow.  Norn.  N. 

Am.  n.  1881,  No.  .''.18.  —  CoiKs,  Chock  l>ist,  2(1  cil.  1882,  No.  58», 
C/uinv/riiui  tori]imh(s,  Leacii,  Syst.  Cat.  1816,  28. 
yEniiiliUa  sr/itdilrinnnli.i,  Iliii'.lIM,  Viig.  DtMitscIil.  548. 
Ilialicitia  iinniildtd,  (iitAV,  List  (icii.  H.  1840,  65. 
The  Ring  Dollcnl,  Hkwick,  Brit.  B.  I.  1707,  334,  fig. 
Ringed  Plover,  Yauh.  Brit.  B.  ed.  2,  II.  405,  fig.  oil.  3,  II.  404,  fig.  et  AucT. 

Hah.  Tiie  Paliniivfic  Region,  and  portions  of  Arctic  America,  Ineoding  on  we.stcm  shores  of 
CiuiilK>rlaii(l  Oulf  (Ki'mi.ikn). 

Sp.  Char.  Adult :  A  narrow  frontlet,  band  across  fore  part  of  the  crown,  auriculnrs,  lores,  and 
Kul>-orl)ital  region,  Mack,  nil  these  aivas  conlliicnt ;  collar  across  lower  part  of  the  nape,  coiitiiiuouH 
witli  a  broad  Jugular  band,  also  black.  Forehead,  postocular  patcli,  nuchal  collar,  chin,  throat, 
miliar  region,  and  lower  parts  (except  as  described)  pure  white.  I'ileiiin  and  upper  parts  generally, 
deep  brownisli  gray  or  gniyisli  brown.  Basal  half  of  bill  oninge-red  in  life,  yellowish  or  otherwise 
hght  colored  in  the  skin  ;  legs  and  feet  orange  ;  iris  dark  brown  ;  terminal  half  of  bill  black. 
YouMj:  The  black  markings  obsolete  (replaced  by  dull  gr.iyish)  and  the  feathers  of  the  upper 
surface  bonlered  with  jiale  huffy.     Bill  wholly  ilnsky. 

Wing,  about  riM) ;  culnien,  ..')(t-..').5  ;  tarsus,  about  l.(M) ;  middle  toe,  .60-.65. 

With  a  close  genend  resemblance  to  .E.  Kimipiilmaid,  this  sjKicies  may  be  immediately  dis- 
tinguishetl  by  the  entire  absence  of  a  web  between  the  inner  an<l  middle  toes,  the  smaller  size  of 
that  between  the  outer  and  middle  toes,  the  much  gnmter  width  of  the  black  beneath  the  eye, 
and  of  that  across  the  juguluin.  It  is  idso  decidedly  larger;  while  there  are  other  differences  of 
coloration. 


I 


158 


Pll.KCOCIAL  ORALLATOHKS-  I,IMI(Or,.K. 


The  four  iiilult  i>xitin|tli'»  IwlorL'  iii*  ditfi-r  very  conHidunhly  I'mni  each  other  in  Home  pointx  of 
coloration.  A  (treunliinil  Hpccjnicn  iiml  two  skinx  fi'oni  tlii>  American  nliore  of  CntnlM-rland  (iiiif 
have  till?  iilai'lt  jugular  collar  fxti'miiii;,'  upwanl  over  the  lowi'r  ((art  of  the  throat,  forming  llicrc 
(|uite  a  lU'oniinent  angle,  while  in  a  l^uropean  Hpeeiincn  the  anterior  herder  of  thin  Jugular  eollar 


forni«  a  straight  transverse  line  ;  in  tlie  latter,  on  tlif  other  hand,  the  posterior  edgi  of  the  jugular 
collar  is  irregular  —  decidedly  concave  in  the  niiddhs  and  convex  laterally —  while  in  the  Amer- 
ican specimens  it  runs  nearly  straight  across.  Whether  these  differences  Itetwecu  the  hirds  of  this 
species  from  North  Ann  rica  antl  Europe  are  coUHtant,  can  only  be  determined  by  the  examination 
of  more  extensive  material. 

Of  the  American  skins,  two  adult  males  collected  at  the  same  [dace  and  on  the  same  day  (head 
of  Cumlierland  (lulf,  .Iinie  i'l,  1878,  L.  KrMi.iKX)  dilfcr  remarkably  from  one  another  in  the 
width  of  the  white  frontal  b:md.  In  No,  7(ii;32  this  measures  only  one  tenth  of  an  inch  in 
breadth,  while  in  No.  70133  it  is  three  tin»es  as  wide  !  ;  there  is  a  nearly  corresponding  difference, 
however,  in  the  extent  nf  the  black  on  the  crown,  this  measuring  in  the  two  specimens,  respec- 
tively, .40  and  .30  of  an  inuh. 

The  present  bird,  so  well  known  as  the  Kinf  I'lover  of  Europe,  and  until  quite 
rerently  supposed  to  Inive,  no  other  claim  to  u  plaee  in  our  fauna  than  its  rather 
common  presence  in  (Jreiniland,  must  now  be  fully  admitted  to  be  a  North  American 
species,  on  other  and  quite  indisputable  ground.s.  An  uiulonbt»'d  specimen  of  it  has 
been  tiiken  at  (}reat  Slave  Lake,  and  it  has  since  been  found  breeding  within  our 
borders.  I'rofessor  Newton  states  that  it  breeds  generally  throughout  Greenland, 
and  that  it  is  found  on  Sabine  and  Olavering  islainls.  It  is  also  said  to  l)e  abundant 
on  the  shores  of  Possession  Hay  and  Regent's  Iidet.  ami  was  found  by  Professor 
Jorell  on  the  Seven  Islaiuls  (hit.  .Sff  4.")'  N.)  —  at  that  time  the  highest  northern  range 
of  any  shore-bird.  More  recently  its  claim  to  be  acknowledged  as  North  Ameri- 
can, as  wt  il  as  High-Arctic,  has  been  confirmed  by  Mr.  Feildcn,  of  the  IJritish  Arctic 
Expedition  of  187/)-7(!,  and  by  Mr.  Kumlien.  The  former  states  (Ibis,  October, 
1877)  that  a  single  example  of  this  species  was  observed  in  Smith's  Sound,  where 
it  was  obtained,  Aug.  4,  187r».  on  the  lieaeh  Ordering  the  Valley  of  the  Twin  (ilacier, 
in  Buchanan  Strait  (lat.  78°  48'  N.).  Tt  was  seen  threading  its  way  among  the  stones 
and  .stranded  blocks  of  ice  near  the  Avater's  edge,  and  was  evidently  nesting  in  the 
neighborhood,  as  it  was  a  female,  and  the  feathers  of  the  under  parts  were  worn  off 
by  incubation.  Mr.  Kumlien  also  informs  us  that  this  species  is  apparently  more 
common  than  even  the  spmipalvuttn  in  Cumberland.  It  arrives  there  about  the 
middle  of  June,  and  breeds  in  the  same  localities  as  that  species.  It  is  also  very 
common  about  Disco  Island,  Greenland,  where  he  procured  young  birds. 


"  Tl 


CIIAUADIlIin.K  —  THE  PLoVEHH  —  .EOIALITIH. 


159 


This  suiiiowluit  cosimiiiolitaM  sprcii-s  is  found  thiuiighout  th<>  nurthcrn  uiiil  eentrul 
portions  ot  Kmii|K',  ami  is  inirticuliiiiv  conimoii  in  (in-ut  Hiitaiii,  wIutu  it  occurs 
tlirouj^iioul  tilt'  year.  It  i'S|n'(ially  Irciiuciits  inlets  an<l  hays,  where  it  feeds  at  low 
water,  on  the  fiats  alonj;  the  coast,  at  iioiiits  where  the  eld)  of  the  tide  I'Xi.uses 
extendetl  surfaces.  This  liird  is  also  found  on  the  hanks  of  lar^o  rivers,  and  is  occa- 
sionally met  with  ai)out  the  margin  ot  iidand  sheets  of  water.  As  a  sjiccics  it  iu  very 
ahundant,  and  its  hahits  are  descrihcd  as  lively  ami  intcrestint,'. 

.Mr.  Varrell  mentions  that  these  hinls  hav^;  heen  found  hreeding  on  tiie  warrens  of 
Iteachamwi'U  ami  at  Klvcden,  and  on  other  warrens  and  heaths  near  Thetford  in  Nor- 
folk, and  in  several  otiier  samly  warrens  in  Norfolk  and  in  Suffolk,  at  a  considerahle 
distance  from  the  sea.  They  are  said  to  jiair  and  nest  very  early  in  the  season.  Mr. 
Hulmun  found  them  sittiuj,'  (Ui  their  e^^gs  as  early  as  the  .'U)th  of  .March.  Like  all 
the  hirds  of  this  genus,  the  Hing  Plover  makes  no  other  nest  than  a  .slight  cavity  in 
the  .sand,  in  which  its  four  eggs  are  laid ;  hut  it  sometimes  lines  or  covers  this  cavity 
with  a  nundier  of  small  .stones  ahout  the  size  of  peas,  \ipon  which  the  eggs  are  laid. 
This  very  peculiar  hahit  of  the  sjiecies  has  given  rise  to  the  local  mime,  hy  which 
it  is  known  in  some  of  the  ctiuntics  of  Kngland,  of  .Stonehatch. 

When  rohhed  of  its  eggs,  this  Plover  will  lay  another  .set  of  four;  and  this  it  will 
do  three  or  four  tinn-s  in  a  sea.son  if  as  often  despoiled. 

Others  of  this  species  de|)osit  their  eggs  in  any  accidental  depression  on  a  hank  of 
sand,  broken  shells,  or  .shingle  ahovc  high-water  mark.  The  j)arent  hirds  are  devoted 
in  their  attachment  to  their  young;  and  when  disturhed  resort  to  various  devices  and 
e.xiiedients  to  divert  attention  from  their  eggs  or  nestlings.  The  similarity  in  color, 
hoth  of  their  young  and  of  thi'  eggs,  to  the  surrounding  ohjects  is  u  great  source  of 
security,  remh-ring  it  ditficult  to  distinguish  them. 

The  fooil  of  tht!  ISinged  IMover  consists  of  insects,  worms,  and  various  forms  of 
murine  life,  thin-shelled  Crustacea,  t'tc.,  with  which  salt-water  pools  abound.  Their 
note  is  said  to  he  a  shrill  whistle. 

This  species  is  migratory  in  the  high  northern  latitudes,  in  which  it  breeds,  and  in 
which  it  is  found  only  in  the  summer,  or  from  March  to  October.  Ilewitsoii  found 
it  throughout  Norway,  and  Linmeus  met  with  it  in  various  [)arts  of  Lapland  in  his 
jiiiirncy,  even  as  far  north  as  the  Lapland  Alps.  Scoresby,  in  his  .Fournal,  mentions 
having  met  with  this  bird  on  the  east  coa.st  of  IJreenland ;  and  other  Arctic  explorers 
have  observed  it  on  the  west  coast  of  the  same  island,  at  Princt;  Kegent's  Inlet,  and 
at  Hccla  Cove.  In  the  interior  of  Europe  it  is  seen  on  the  hanks  of  rivers.  Yarrell 
states  that  it  occurs  as  far  south  as  Italy  and  Sicily,  and  also  in  .Malta ;  and  specimens 
have  Iwen  received  from  Asia  Minor. 

The  eggs  of  this  Plover  measure  1.41  inches  in  length  by  1.00  inches  in  breadth, 
and  are  pyriform  in  shape ;  their  ground  is  of  a  pale  huft'  or  cream  color,  spotted  and 
streaked  with  lines  and  blotches  of  bluish-ash  and  black. 


21gialiti8  cnronica. 

THE  LITTLE  BIHGED  PLOVEB. 

Charadrius  curoniciis,  Gmei..  S.  X.  I.  1788,  6!t2. 

Algialilis  curoiika,  OiiAV,  Cat.  Biit.  11.  IS63,  141.  —  Haiitixo,  Ilandb.   Brit.  B.  1872,  184. 

Rincjw.  Xom.  N.  Am.  U.  18S1,  no.  .Ilit.  -  Couks,  Oheok  List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  690. 
Charadrius philipphiiis,  Lath.  Iiid.  Orn.  II.  1790,  745. 
Charadrius fluviatilii,  Bkciist.  Xiit.  Viijf.  Dputschl.  1809,  422. 
Charadrius  minor,  Mi.VKii  &  Wolf,  Tasch.  Viig.  Deutschl.  II.  1810,  324. 


100 


IMl.KCUCIAL  G/lALLAToUES—  LIM1COL.E. 


.^ijialiUn  minor,  llAliTINd,  P.  Z.  S.  li>7>,  117  uVliuku  0. 

Chiirtiilritm  iiiliriiiiilniM,  Mt.si.Hi.  <'at«l.  SJ. 

I<%$riiili-iiiii  iiiiuitiiii,  Sw  viNH.  It.  \\ .  Air.  I!.  'IXi,  \>\.  •.'.'>. 

.Kijiiil il  1.1  microrliiiiii/iiis,  Kiimiw.  Aim.  Nat.  VIII.  Krli.  l«71,  \W  (winter  pluiimKi'  ;  "Sail  Kmiiclsro, 

Cal."). 
Th,  Link  lliiigal  I'hvr,  Yauii.  Hiit.  II.  nl.  •.',  II.  p.  47:i,  lix.  i«l.  a,  II.  p.  &M1.',  (ix. 

Haii.  Till'  I'ahi'iii'i'tir  iit'^iiiii  ill  ).'i'iu'i'iil ;  WcKlrrii  At'iiiii ;  accidi'iitul  on  riHwt  of  C'ulir(>riiia(f) 
iiiitl  111  Alankii  {!).     CI.  IJAUTi.Nti,  I*.  Z.  S.  IhTI,  p.  117. 

.S|>.  CiiAU.  Ailiill  9  :  liOi'i'H,  aiiiii  iiliti'K,  anilU'iicuth  tin-  I'Vi-,  iliixkv  lirowii,  ur  iliill  liluckiMh, 
tlii.-«  I'lilor  I'l'os.'iiii;^  till'  uiili'iiiii'  part  i>l  tiir  loivlirail  at  tlic  Imm'  oI'  tlir  liill  ;  a  lii'oail  liaml  nl'  Mack 
fallout  .41)  III' an  iiuli  widi')  rriM.xiii;;  tin-  aiiti'iior  (nut  ol'  llic  crown,  Iroiii  i-yi'  to  t-yt-,  ami  sciiaratcil 
IVoni  till'  lilack  I'mntli't  \<y  a  Ixinil  of  wiiiti-  almtit  .l.'i  of  an  inch  wiiK-  ;  Iti'jiiiiil  tliis  Mack  vertical 
liaml  a  narniw  mii!  ol'  a.^liy  wliiti',  cuntiiiui'il  liack  almvi-  tlii'  r\vn  ami  anriciilars  to  tlic  occiput  ; 
ciiin,  throat,  malar  ri'^'ion,  ainl  clu-i'k'*,  pui'i*  whit*',  conlliu'iit  witli  a  Inoail  ami  very  ili^linctly 
ili'tiiiL'tl  wliiti!  nuchal  colla.' ;  a  Mack  collar  cmnpli'tcly  fiicirclin^  the  neck,  iinniciliatt'ly  lit'low  the 
white  of  the  throat  ami  nape  ;  reiiiainiii^'  iimler  part^,  iiicluilin^'  umler  Mirlace  of  the  win^,  entirely 
pure  white.  Tpin-r  part.'<,  iiiclinlin^  the  occiput  ami  posterior  part  of  the  crown,  lirowiii.ili  ;,'ray, 
li;,'liter  un  the  runipaml  eentnil  upper  tail-cuvertn  ;  kIiU-s  of  the  rump  ami  Literal  upper  tail-coverti<, 
Hhaft  of  the  outer  primary,  terininal  inar>;iii4  of  the  M'conilarie.",  outer  wi-Im  of  two  outer  tail- 
feathers,  with  ends  of  all  e.scept  the  middle  ]iair,  white  ;  inner  weli  of  outer  tail-feather  white, 
with  a  dusky  siili-terniinal  spot.  Hill  small  and  Hlender,  entirely  Mack,  e.xcept  at  the  ham'  of  the 
niamlilile  ;  iris  dark  limwii ;  le;,'s  and  feet  pale-colored,  the  latter  with  a  small  weli  coiineciinj,' 
the  outer  and  iiiiddle  toes  at  the  liase,  the  inner  and  middle  toes  entirely  .M'parated.  Will},',  4..'>i)  ; 
culiiit'ii, ..')() ;  tarsus,  I.iki  ;  midille  toe,  Xi^t  (No.  .■)(lH7(i,  Kiirope  ;  Schliillcr  Coll.). 

I'oiui;/ (((«(/  iriiilir  luliill.'):  Similar  to  the  same  staj,'e  nf  .K.  m  iiiljidlninld,  Imt  cheeks  white 
Up  to  the  eye,  white  of  the  forehead  miii'li  less  distinctly  dellned,  and  ;,'radin>{  inseiisiMy  into  the 
j,'ray  of  the  crown  ;  two  outer  tail-feathers  white,  the  inner  welis  with  a  dusky  transverse  spot  near 
till!  end.  Koriii  niuidi  more  slender  than  -/i.  miniiiuliiintit,  the  hill  especially,  which  is  also  of 
entirely  ililfeient  foiiii.  Wiii};,  4.;W  ;  tail,  :J.50 ;  culmeii,  ..')(>;  >{reatest  depth  of  hill,  .10;  tarsus, 
I.IM)  ;  middle  toe,  .(!.").  (Tyiie  of  ./•.'.  "  miVmWi///i(7iiw,  UiimiWAY,''  No.  :)!I*>23,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  ; 
"Sau  Fraiiclxco,  L'ul. ;  E.  1"".  Luuyii.N. ") 


;ir 
III 

i" 
Ic; 
«l 
lill 
an 


2]gialitis  meloda. 

a.  \'ai .  meloda.     THE  COMMON  PIPING  PLOVEB. 

"  Cluimilrius  hiaticulii,  var.,"  \Vii.niin,  Am.  Orii.  V.  181".',  30,  ]il.  'Al,  f.  2. 

Cliuriidi-iun  imilmliis,  {)VAi.  ill.  Wils.   VII.   1.S24,  71.— BoVAi'.  Am.  Oin.  IV.  1832,  74,  pi.  24. - 

Ni-rr.  Man.  11.  1834,  18. —  Am.  Orn.   IJiog.  111.  183.^  1.14  ;  V.  1831),  578,  pi.  22o  ;  B.  Am. 

V.  1842,  223,  pi.  321. 
Altjidlili.iVK/iMlim,  HoXAl'.  t'oiiip.   List,   18.'}8,   4.1.  —  ( '.v.ssix.  in   llaird's  H.   \.   Am.  \SM,  MKi.  ~ 

llAiisK,  Cliit.  X.  Am.  B.  IS-Mt,  no.  .los.  —  (oiks.  Key.  1872,  214  ;  Cluck  l.iHt,  1873,  no.  4(iu  ; 

2il  I'll.  1882,  no.  587.  —  UiiiiiW.  Xom.  X.  Am.  U.  1881,  no.  .V2i). 
CJuiradriux  Okcui,  Waiii..  Syst.  .Vv.  1>''.27. 


h.  Var.  oiroumcinota.     THE  BINOEO  PIPING  PLOVBB. 

^■Egiitlitis  melodiin,  var.  ciirumi-im-lint,  liinow.  Am.  Nat.  VIII.  1874,  101). 

^tjiiililismcMii,  var.  cireumdnctii,  C'ouk.'*,  Check  Liot,  App.  p.  133,  no.  400<j  ;  Binl.s  X.  W.  1874, 

455. 
^(jitiliku  mrtodiMeirciimeinctits',  Ihvr.w.  Xom.  X.  Am.   B.  1881,  no.  .V.'Oo.  —  CorK.s,  Check  List, 

2il  ud.  1882,  no.  588. 

Had.  Thu  Eastarn  Province  of  North  America,  hreeilinn  '"  the  northurn  jMirtion  of  its  rani,'e 
(Ikitish  Provinces  and  nioi-e  Northeni  Unitwl  States),  oml  wiiiteriuf;  southward.  I5eriimilax  ;  Ualia- 
uias  ;  Cuba  ;  Janiaicn.     The  var.  circumcinda  chietly  itatrictud  to  the  Misttouri  River  ri'nioii. 


tila 
to 
wh 
liai 


vei 
It 


CIIAUADHIID.K  -   TIIK   FLOVKHS  —  .KfJIALITIS. 


161 


Hr.  Chah.  Abuut  the  tUu  uf  .-E.  ttmtpulmata ;  bill  nhurt,  «ln)ii((.  .Ii/h/(  malt:  Fun.Lvu<l 
riii){  iirouii>l  tlu'  IhicW  uI'  thu  iiuck,  uiul  tiiliiL'  uiulir  |iui'In,  whiU' ;  u  l>uiiil  uf  l<lat  k  in  front  ulxivu 
till'  liiinil  i>f  white  ;  Imnil  cnciivlin;^  the  ntrk  licl'uru  und  liehiiid,  lint  UHnalJy  iMtciiiiiitcil  in  th(> 
nndillu  uf  tht!  liivuiit,  liluck,  ininiuiliutt'ly  ln:lii»  tiic  lin^  uf  Mhiti'  un  thu  neck  lichiuU.     lluul  iiIm)vu 


,K.  meluda. 

luul  upper  parts  oflxxly  li>{ht  liniwninh  rint'ivou"  ;  rump  and  upper  tiul-covcrtH  li;,'hti'r,  and  id'tcn 
neuily  whitu  ;  ipiills  dark  brown,  with  ii  lar;{('  portion  of  their  inner  welm  and  Hhufts  white  ;  shorter 
priniariei<  with  a  larj^e  ]ioilioii  of  their  outer  welw  white  ;  tail  at  ba.w  white,  and  with  the  outer 
feathers  white  ;  middle  feathers  w  ith  a  wide  Hub-terniinal  baiul  of  brownish  black,  and  tipped  with 
white.  Ilill  oran^,'e  at  baxe,  tipped  with  black  ;  ie),'Hoian^'e  yellow,  t'l  mnk  :  SimiLir  to  tlie  nnilf, 
but  with  the  dark  colors  lighter  and  les.-i  in  e.vteiit.  Vtiunij :  No  black  bund  in  front  ;  collar 
arouml  the  back  of  the  neck  asjiy  brown. 

Total  len},'lh,  about  7  inches  ;  win;,',  4..'')0  ;  tail,  2  indies. 

Atide  from  thu  ;{eo;.'raphicul  variations  noted  <in  p.  I.')2,  the  individual  <liscrepancies  in  the 
pliuua;,'u  uf  this  species  ure  <iuite  considerable,  involving  chiefly  the  e.\teut  and  intensity  uf  the 


j£.  mtluda  circumcincta. 

black  areas.  It  i»  quite  the  rule  umnn^  s)iecimens  from  the  Atlantic  States  for  the  pectorul  bund 
to  be  either  decidedly  narrower  centmlly,  or  alto;,'ether  interru])ted  in  the  middle  of  thu  breast ; 
while  in  examples  from  the  interior  States,  especially  from  the  Missouri  River  region,  the  pectoral 
baud  is,  in  u  large  mujurity  of  sjjecimens,  alisolutely  continuous,  uiid  nearly  ur  quite  as  wide  as  in 
A!,  itmipalmata.  .  . 

Tho  conunon  Pi|)ing  Plovor  of  the  Middle  and  New  England  States  exhibits  but 
very  few  peeuliarities  of  habits  and  luainiers  differing  from  the  rest  of  tliis  gronp. 
It  is.  if  anything,  a  little  more  shy  and  distrustful  of  man,  and  is  less  readily 

VOT,.  I. —  21 


1G2 


I'lLlXot'lAI,  (iKAI.I-ATollKS—  I.IMICOL.K. 


ii|tpr(>;w'liiul ;  but  this  i:,  |)r()l>:il)ly  owiiiji  to  tlir  intrusions  upon  its  privacy  l>y  tin- 
timing  ol  suiimifr  visitors  to  places  in  which  this  liinl  was  once  aiiuntlaiit,  and  from 
wliich  it  has  iiccn  forced  to  (h'part.  From  very  many  ol  our  most  rrequciiled  heaches 
in  New  Kni,dand  and  New  ilcrscy  this  },Macetul  and  attractive  species  lias  In-en  entirely 
ilriven  ;  and  in  iii;iii\  otiieis  wiicre  a  tew  still  remain  their  wihluess  j;ivcs  them,  in 
all  proliai>ility.  their  only  chance  lor  existence. 

In  Wilson's  day  the  I'ipinj;  Plover  was  very  ahnndant  during' the  Kiiminer  on  the 
low  sandy  shores  all  alont;  oiir  sea-coast,  from  Cape  May  northward  ;  and  since  then, 
and   until   within    twenty  years   past,  it    was   trei|nently  seen  on  all   tin-  iK-aehes  of 


Mi 


issachnsctls. 


This  liii'd   lives  near  theed''eol   the  sea.  always  on  sand\  lieach 


fcedini,'  at  low  w. iter,  on  the  sandy  flats,  ainoiij;  the  .sea-weeds  of  the  micovcri'd  rocks, 
and  also  on  minldy  Hals,  its  food  is  various  forms  of  ndnulc  marine  life — woinis. 
Crustacea,  and  the  like.  It  randy  Hies  while  fcedini;,  uniess  alarmed  ;  Imt  j,dides  alonj,' 
with  a  |iecnliar and  raphi  },'ait  over  the  surface  of  the  Hat  .sand.  .\t  hi^di-tide  it  re.sorts 
to  the  sandy  uplands  just  above  the  water;  and  in  these  places  deposits  its  e>;.i;-  in 
depressions  on  the  bai.-  saml.  The  e^}j;s  —  bmr  in  lumdier  —  arc  so  sinnlar  to  the 
surroundin<;  objects,  that  they  are  not.  readily  reco^ni/cd;  and  if  approached,  the 
parents  lesort  to  simple  but  usually  successi id,  artifices  to  draw  away  the  intruder  — 
simulatin.u  lameness,  and  lluttcrint;  near  the  ,L;round  as  if  di.sabled.  The  youii.t;  are 
alile  to  run  on  leaving;  the  shell,  and  are  led  by  the  mother  to  b'cd.  'I'hey  also 
rcsendtlc  the  .sandy  soil  on  which  tiic\  univc,  and  instantly  sipiat  if  approached, 
remainin^j:  immovaitle,  and  will  almost  allow  theiuselves  to  be  trodden  upon  rathcr 
than  i>v  their  motion  allow  their  presi  nee  to  be  reveale<l.  Durin;.^  incubation  the 
parents  rarely  sit  upon  their  *')iii!<.  except  in  the  ni^dit,  or  uidess  the  weather  is  damp: 
but  always  kee|i  lU  the  nei<;ldMirhood.  and  watch  over  their  ti'casnres  with  threat 
solicitude. 


'he   notes  id'  this   I'lover  are   remarkably   nnisical  and   pleasin 


d 


^pecih 


name  is  oic  not  undcserscil.  \\  here  it  can  be  seen  in  its  natural  condition,  in  a 
rc^;i(Mi  where  it  has  never  been  ilistur'.ii-d  or  made  apprehensive  by  intruders,  it  is  a 
jilcasin^'  object  as,  <rra  -elnlly  L^lidini;  over  the  sandy  Hals,  and  ullcrini;  from  time  to 
time  its  soil   and  plaint ive  note,  il  moves  rapidly  aloii};. 

If,  when  on  thi'  nest,  this  bird  be  loo  neaily  approached,  it  immediately  endeavors 
to  attract  alteniiiin  by  sprcadini,'  out  itswini,'s  and  tail,  draijttini,'  il.self  alon^  as  if 
niovin;,'  with  ^reat  dilliculty,  and  at  the  .^amc  time  uttcriu;..;  a  peculiar  siph-akin^  cry. 
Then,  if  successful  in  causing'  the  intruder  to  abandon  the  search   'or  the  m'  '    it 


iiVuU 


es  rapidly  away,  and  is  soon  out  of  reae 


This  species  is  b)uud  aloiii;  the  toast  as  far  to  the  eastward  as  l''astport,  but 
iH'conies  quite  rai'c  in  that  iieiKhlHuhood,  ami  only  a  b'W  are  .seen  at  <irand  .Menan. 
Auilidton  states  that  he  met  with  it  as  far  north  as  the  .Ma>;daten  Islantis,  whcie  he 
foumi  it  paired  and  with  e;^'^'s  on  the  lllh  of  .Iniu'.  iH.'t.'!.  T'>e  same  writer  menlions 
havin;.;  seen  these  birds  brecdiii!.;  in  Florida  as  early  as  tli.'  .'td  <d  .Ma  :  .so  that,  if  he 
is  correct,'  they  arc  found  with  more  nr  less  abundance  aloni.,'  our  entire  .Mlaiitic 
coast.  .Mr.  Dona''' tiiinn  procured  four  specimens  at  Lake  NN'innipc);.  '  V.  (iundladi 
has  iiibirmed  us  that  he  bmnd  them  breedini;,  and  procured  their  e;;},'s,  in  Cuba. 
They  are  only  partially  mii,'ratoiy.  leaviiif.',  our  more  utirthern  slion-s  in  the  winti'r. 
iiiul  are  foiiMil  from  (Ntclier  to  .\pril  on  the  saiuly  IhsicIics  of  the  Carolimi.s  and 
riorida.     They    move  simth  in  tlh-  fall   in    family   f,n'""'|'"*  "'    ''^''  '"'  ^'•''''  '""'  ""''•' 


'   Mr.  !'.  H.  C.iiv  foiiiMJ  this  hiM-ricN atiiiiulaiit  iit  tin-  M..  iliilcii  InIhiiiU  hi  187S,  ami  .Mi.  W.  .\.  Slriiiiii* 
liUN  I'l'Cfiitl}'  lv[Mi|-ti'il  it  Hit  I'liiniiiiiii  ill  S  Mtliiiii  l.iilii.iiliii'.       .1.  ,\.   .\. 


rUAUADUIII).!';      TIIK  I'LOVKIIS— .KOIAI.ITIS 


10;; 


(III 


till'  winter  I'i'tiirii  in  |Hiit.s.  AiiiliilNtn  st:itr>  that  during' tin-  wiiiti'i-  tlicy  arc  seen  in 
HcM'ks  of  twfiitv  or  lliirty,  anti  tliat  llu'v  as.siiriatc  witli  otlit-r  s|Hrii's.  particnlarlv 
tlif  'rnrnstoiics.  Tin'  sann'  wiili'r  asscrtrd  that  this  s|M'ci('s  in'Vfi'  |iriicn'ils  Car  inlaiul. 
i-vt'n  aloni;  till' samlx  niai'Kins  nl  mil'  lai'L^rsI  liviis;  Iml  in  iliis  In-  was  niistakrn. 
This  riiivrr  is  lonnil  alini^,'  tlir  slniir^  nl  mir  inlainl  lai'p-  hikos,  ('S|M'(iall\  l.akr 
Ontaiiii;  ami  it  oiriii's  Imth  as  a  rrsiili'iit  ami  as  a  migrant  at  l.akr  KnskiiiiDiiK'.  in 
W  isrnlisili.  It  is  |i|'iilialili'  that  sinii  rsrr|itiiilis  as  thrsi'  will  lif  rniinil  til  III'  nut 
nnlii'iini'iit  whricvrr  I'avtH'ahh'  Imalilirs  rxist,  Altliitiij,'h  iliirin^,'  its  siinimrr  nsi- 
ili'iiri'  it  si'i'iiis  to  inrli'i'  til  inn  lalhrr  than  tu  tl\.  \i't  in  its  iiiiLrratinns  it  is  rapalih' 
111'  rxtrrnii'lv  rapiil  as  wrll  as  |iiiitrartril  jnnnirvs  -  iiassiiii;  thnuii^h  tlu'  air  li_v  a 
^'liilin;^  I'Diirsi',  rlusr  nvi'i'  tin-  saiul  ii  its  shinl  llij^iits,  lint  hixli  almvi'  tiu'  sliiiic  in  ilM 
liiii^  IKissa^i's. 

Ariiinliii!,'  tu  (liranil.  llir  ri|iinj,'  I'luvir  is  vi'ry  ahnmlanl  mi  tlir  smithrrn  slimi'  of 
LmiL;  IslamI,  lurlririn^' saml.v  hfarhrs  ami  slmals.  wIhti'  it  ici'ils  mi  tlir  small  liivalvt* 
kIii'IIs  which  arc  cxpuscil  at  low  water.  It  mav  also  Im'  sei'ii  near  the  vil^r  of  the 
siirt  leeiliii^' mi  the  ile|iiisit  ot  the  leeeiliin;  waxes,  it  makes  there  no  nest  otiier 
tliaii  a  sli^'lit  exi-avatimi  in  tile  .saiiil.  The  e.^'i^s,  rmir  in  niimlier.  tlial  antlmr  ilesriiltes 
as  heiii^  of  a  jiale  M'liowisii  or  eream-eolor.  s|iei'klei|  with  limwiiish  hlaek.  When 
|iiirsiu>il  it  is  saiil  to  run  rajiiillv.  ami  if  elusely  lolluweil  it  takes  w  in^.  ^'iviii^' iiiler- 
iinee  to  a  note  whieh  is  more  slirill  than  the  orilit;;;rilv  nieliow  one  wliieli  it  smimls 
wIkmi  not  ilistnrlieil.  In  aniiimii  this  liini  is  saiil  :m  lieeome  very  fat,  ami  tu  lie  then 
(•xeelleiit  eating'.     'I'd  the  tisiieriiieii  of  Loii^'  IslamI  it  is  known  a.s  the  jieaeh-liirii. 

The  IMpiii^'  I'lover  is  thmi^'ht  tn  lie  of  aeeiilenlal  oieiirrem-i' in  lleriiimla.  wliere 
liolli  Mr.  Ilai'ilis  ami  .Major  W'eilili'iliiirn  have  iioleil  the  ueeasimial  |ii'eseiiee  of 
slrajL,'};lers ;  these  were  iisnali.N  seen  niily  alter  .!  .stmiii. 

'I'wo  r^i^s  in  mv  eolieetioii  ( Ni  .■>.'!.">).  fium  I'lux  imetuw  n,  .Mass..  are  .-.'  an  oval 
shape,  iiineli  roiimled  at  one  einl,  ami  sharplv  taperiiii;  at  the  other.  Their  ^'lunml  is 
a  li^ht  lawn-eohireil  iliah,  over  whieh  are  >parsel\  ilistiilniteil  small  rmimleil  markiii);s 
of  a  dark  liislie,  inteiisilied  almost  to  lilaekiiess.  Tliey  measure  !.'_'()  ineiies  in  leiii;lli 
li\  I  imii  ill  tlieir  greatest  lu-eadth.  I'!\repl  in  their  siiialier  si/.e  ami  their  lii^iiter 
^jronml,  tliey  are  similar  to  the  et;;j;s  of  \N  ilsmi's  I 'lover. 

The  haiiitat  uf  var.  liniiiiiiiiiiliis  is  f;ivi'n  li\  .Mr.  I{id),'wav  (Am.  Nat.  \lll.  p.  !(•".(» 
as  lietweeii  the  .Missiiiiri  Itiver  and  the  lioekv  .Muiinlains.  It  is.  huwi  ver.  Imiml  as 
far  eastward  as  Lake  l\iiskunun.\',  in  Smitiiein  \\  isemisin,  and  oeeasionailv'  even 
aloiiK  llie  .\tlanlie  eoast.  Its  haliits  appear  to  lie  ideiilieal  with  timse  ol  the  nii/oi/iis. 
Mr.  Nelson  refers  to  this  speeies  as  a  very  eoiiiimiii  siimmer  resident  on  tiie  liorders 
of  tile  lakn,  where  it  lireeds  mi  tin  liat  pelilily  iH'aeh  lietweeii  the  sand-diines  and 
the  slime.  Me  olilained  a  perfect  I'j,'^,'  from  an  ex.implc  shut  at  W  ankcLtaii.  mi  the  L'llli 
of  .\pril;  and  there  were  appearances  indicating;  that  utiiers  were  lircciliii!.;  in  the 
nei^diiHU'liood.  Some  tliirty  pairs  or  more  cxliiliited  iinmistakalilc  si.u;iis  of  having'  their 
iH'stH  on  the  licach  at  that  place  vv  illiin  a  space  of  two  iiiih  s;  and  lie  afterward  funml 
llu'.se  liirds  ipiite  niiiiiermis  at  other  points  almi^'  tiic  shore,  altln-iiKli  lie  was  nnalile 
to  discover  their  in'sts,  Tliey  were  eontinnally  ciiclinu;  almiit,  or  standiii;.,'  at  a  sliurl 
distance  iitierin^'  an  occasional  nntc  of  alarm.  !>r.  N'clic  procnred  yoiiii^  of  this 
variety,  only  a  few  da\s  old.  near  the  same  locality,  on  tiic  Isl  of  .Inly.  All  depart, 
it  is  said,  iilMiut  the  la,st  of  .SepleiulKT. 


i' 


' 


1G4 


rKJit\)CIAL  GUALLAT0RE3  —  LIMICOL^. 


f 


2Igialiti8  alezandrina  nivosa. 

THE  BHOWT  FLOVEB. 

tEijialUis  nivom,  ('Aiwix,  in  Builds  U.  N.  Am.  1S58,  OOtt  (San  Franei8;;o,  Cal.).  — B\iiil>,  Cat.  N. 

Am.  li.  1808,  no.  uOD. 
^Eiji(i'iti.ii-iiuti'iniii,  var.  iiivosii.t,  liiiiuw.  Am.  Nat.  VIII.  1874,  100.  —  Coi'Es,  Chock  List,  1873, 

A|ni.  p.  lii'i,  no.  401. 
.Egiiilili'i  •■'iiili'iiiii-t  iiivn.iii.i,  Uiiir.w.  Norn.  N.  .Vni.  B.  1882,  no.  521. — CoUEs,  Check  List,  2d  eil. 

1882,  no.  5111. 
^Eginlili*  canlianuK,  ('"ri;s,  Key,  1872,  215. 

Had.  Wt'steru  Provimc  "I'  N'tniii  AincriLa,  both  coasts  of  Midtlle  America,  nnd  Western  South 
Aim'i'ii'.'i  as  l"iir  as  Cliili  ;  Ciilni  I ' 

Si'.  CiiAK.  Hill  sK'iiilt  r,  wliolly  (Ucp  Mack,  as  h\v^  as  the  middle  toe.  AtluU  vml  :  Fonjhead, 
Biiponiliary  rt'ijion,  indistinct  nuchal  collar,  and  entire  lower  parts,  pure  white  ;  a  hand  acros*  the 
fore  part  of  the  crown,  auriculars,  ami  tran.'t verse  jMitch  on  each  side  of  the  breast,  black.     Upiier 


Smnmer  plitmafie. 

parts,  rather  li>?ht  brownish  fjray,  the  crown  and  occiput  usually  tinged  with  lifrht  reddish  buff. 
Primaries,  dusky  with  white  shafts,  the  inner  (juills  marked  with  white  ;  inner  secondaries  almost 


m 


t  A.lfiuiiroKlris,  Lawii.  (Aim.  Lye.  N.  Y.  VII.  Feb.  1802,  p.  455),  presumably  the  same  species. 
T  le  (li'sciiptjoii  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Fniidli- :  ( 'rowii,  iH'ciput,  niid  Imck  ciiiPi'i'ous,  the  fentlicrs  with  grnyisii-wliitc  mnrj;iiis  ;  winR-i'ovorts 
xoniovvlint  darker  tiiaii  tin'  back,  tL>  ends  of  the  larger  coverts  white,  formin};  a  transverse  liiir  on  the 
wing  ;  primaries  iiinlKT-brown  with  tlit'  iunei'  wel)s  lighter,  except  at  tin-  en<l,  and  iiaving  the  shafts 
white  ;  the  secDinlaiies  are  of  the  same  color  as  the  primaries,  and  tipped  with  white  ;  tertiaries  |ialer  and 
largely  marked  with  white  ;  scapulars  ashy  brown,  lighter  on  the  inner  webs,  and  having  both  webs 
crossed  with  rather  oWilete  narrow  brown  liars  ;  the  Uiiddlc  npjM'r  tail-coverts  are  pale  oehioous  brown, 
the  lateiid  ones  white  ;  the  fonr  iciiind  tail-lVathei's  are  light  oehreous  brown  at  the  base,  Ix'coniing  darker 
toward  their  ends  ;  the  other  tail-feathers  arc  white,  tliose  next  thi'  I'cntral  ones  being  pale  oehreous  iit 
the  end  ;  front,  a  line  over  the  eye,  cheeks,  a  collar  on  the  himl  neck,  ami  entire  under  plumage,  pure 
white  ;  n  si-mi-collar  of  ashy  brown  on  each  side  of  the  upper  part  of  the  breast ;  bill  black,  with  a  small 
space  at  the  base  of  the  und-.T  mandible  of  ibill  orange  ;  irides  lilaek  ;  tarsi  and  toes  purplish  black. 

"  Length  almut  rt]  in.  ;  wing.  Mi  ;  tail,  1,'  ;  bill  from  front,  i  ;  tarsi  IJi. 

"  llnl.ihif,  « 'uba. 

"  This  species  is  allieil  to  //.  vifhuliin,  b\it  is  rather  smaller  ;  the  bill  is  longer,  depresswl  nt  the  bnsi', 
and  regularly  tafH'ring  to  the  end,  where  it  is  eiinipnrativoly  sharp  ;  in  the  latter  it  is  ipiite  obtuse  and 
dilferent  in  form  ;  then"  is  less  white  on  the  'luills,  wiih  more  on  the  tail,  and  the  tarsi  are  longer  than 
those  of  ./.  iiiiIimIiih." 

The  alsive  description,  measurements  ami  all,  accords  in  every  rps|n>ct  with  the  adult  female  of./;'. 
«u'ni»(,  and  is  prolmbly  of  a  s|)ociinen  of  that  species.  But  a  single  specimen  was  captured,  this  being  a 
fonmle  caught  with  a  not  while  sitting  on  her  three  eggs  :  the  time  Wing  -July,  and  the  place  Guantananio, 
on  the  south  oooat  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  island. 


CIIARADRTID.E  —  THE   PLOVERS  —  .EOIALITIS. 


165 


wliolly  whitp.  Two  outer  tail-fpnther;'  wlmlly  whit",  thu  rest  j^rowiu},'  j»ni<luiilly  darker  to  the 
inner  pair,  which  i»re  wholly  (hisky.  Ailitlt  fi  mnli  :  Siniihir  to  the  ninle,  hut  the  liliick  niarkin^M 
icsis  distinct  (rtonietime-*  nearly  ohsoletc).  Bill  and  eyeliils  deep  lilack  ;  irin  deep  l)rown  ;  lejja 
iliill  slate-color  ;  toes  ijlack  ;  interior  of  nioiilh  lleshy  white.  Youiuj :  More  ashy  iiliove,  the  Mack 
nmrkingf'  replaced  by  ashy  ;    feathers  of  tiie  upper  parts  indistinctly  bonleix-d  with  whitish. 


IlVn/rr  pliimai/i: 

Bnirny  younfi :  Aliovo,  jmlo  fjmyish  huff,  interrupted  by  a  white  nuchal  coUur,  the  whole  of  the 
iiilored  portion  irregularly  ni-iitleil  with  black.  Forehead, lower  parts,  and  liand-winj;,  white.  A 
distinct  po.'ttocular  streak  of  dusky. 

Total  lenj,'th,  «.2.")  to  7  inches;  extent  of  wings,  13  to  14.7');  wing  4.2(M..3() ;  culmcn, .()(» ; 
tarsus,  .!)(>-l.(C)  ;  middle  toe,  ..V)-.(«). 

.Specimens  vary  chiefly  in  the  depth  of  the  ocIiracfHius  tinge  to  the  hood  and  in  the  distinctness 
of  the  black  markings.  In  some  the  former  feature  is  so  pronounced  as  to  offer  a  strong  contrast 
iil'crdor  to  the  liack,  wiiile  in  others,  shot  from  the  same  llock,  there  is  scarcely  a  trace  of  the  buff 
tinge.     Some  females  have  the  black  as  distinct  as  in  the  males  ;  in  others  it  is  almost  obsiilete. 

There  can  be  no  ipiestiou  as  to  tlie  propriety  of  separating  this  bird  from  .L.  ulr-miKlrinu  (vel 
cantiiimi)  of  Eurojte,  although  the  ivlationship  is  very  dose.  The  latter,  however,  is  uniformly 
larger,  with  longer  tarsi  and  wings,  and  has  invariably  a  distinct  line  of  black  running  from  the 
rictus  to  the  eye  across  the  lores  —  which  mark  is  rarely  even  indicate(l  in  the  .Vmerican  bird, 
though  in  a  veiy  small  percentage  it  occurs  ;  never  .so  distinct  aiul  continuous,  however,  as  in  the 
Old  World  form. 


I 


"w 


Thi.s  species  was  first  dcsprilM'tl  by  Air.  Cassiii  from  a  single  oxtuuple  (d)taine(l  by 
Lieutenant  Trowbridge  on  the  eoast  near  .San  Francisco.  The  extent  of  it.s  distribu- 
tion aiul  its  spreitic  peculiarities  may  still  be  but  imi)erfectly  known ;  it  api)ears, 
linwevcr,  to  be  nearly  restricted  to  the  region  between  the  shores  of  the  I'acitic  and 
the  Uoeky  Mountains,  occurring  in  South  .\uierica  as  far  as  ("hili.  aiul  on  both  shores 
of  Michlle  America.  So  far  as  its  Jiabits  have  become  kiu)wn,  tiiey  ajtpear  to  conform 
to  those  of  all  the  other  uu'iul)ers  cd'  this  family  in  regard  to  its  food,  its  manner  of 
tligiit.  its  movements  on  the  laiul,  its  mode  of  nesting  on  the  bare  sand,  and  in  all  its 
]ieciiliarities  of  breeding.  Thiit  it  nuiy  migrate  in  the  winter  to  the  Pacific  coast  of 
Central  America  is  made  to  iii)pear  jirobable  by  the  fact  that  Mr.  Salvin  i)r()cured  at 
Cliiapam,  (iiuitemala.  in  Septemljer.  1S(»1'.  a  single  specimen  of  a  Plover  referable  to 
*liis  species;  ami  Messrs.  Sclater  and  Salvin  mentiiui  its  occurrence  at  Islay,  Peru. 

Mr.  H.  W.  llenshaw  (Lieutenant  Wheeler's  '•  Heport,"  1870,  p.  li(>S)  found  this  spo- 
iii's  abundant  on  the  coast  of  (Jalifocnia.  At  Santa  liiirbara  it  occurred  in  large  num- 
bers, t'rerpienting  there  oidy  the  .sandy  shores,  not  following  the  creeks  inland,  and 
never  visiting  the  marshes,  though  ihese  were  within  a  few  yards  of  its  breeding- 
ground.  Its  habits  seemed  to  Ik^  exactly  tho.se  of  the  common  IMping  Plover,  and 
its  notes  very  similar  to  those  of  that  binl.  Its  fooil  consists  of  all  sorts  of  worms 
and  marine  Crustacea,  which  it  finds  close  to  the  water's  edge,  following  the  retreat- 


166 


PR.ECOCIAL  GKAI-LATurcliS  —  L1.MIC(  )I,vK. 


I 


inj;  Wivves  down,  and  Hcunyin},'  liark  as  tln-y  conif  loUiiifi;  in  af,'ain.  On  tlit-  Ttli  of 
.Inly  he  found  two  broods  of  youii},'.  wliicli  liail  Itdt  tlic  nests  Imt  a  fcsv  limns  In-foro. 
They  were  olothed  in  down,  and  wen-  yt't  ho  wt-ak  as  scarcidy  to  l)e  al)l('  to  stand. 
8ubst'(jm'ntly  he  noticed  (juiti-  a  nuinlH-r  of  nests  eontaining  ej,'j,'s.  Tlie  spot  selected 
for  a  breedinjf-ground  was  a  strip  of  bare  white  sand,  a  hundred  yards  from  tlio 
oeean.  In  every  instance  but  one  the  eg^I'^  were  deposited  in  a  siij^ht  holh)W  seratclied 
in  the  sand,  without  lining,'  of  any  sort.  In  tlie  exceptional  case  the  owners  had 
selected  from  ahm^'  the  shore  little  liits  of  pearly  nacre,  reiunants  of  iiroken  sea- 
shells,  and  upon  a  smooth  liniii},' of  this  material  had  jilaceil  their  treasures.  The 
effect  of  the  richly  colored  egj^s  as  they  lay  on  their  cushion  of  shining  mother-of- 
pearl  is  said  to  have  In-en  very  j)leasing.  .Mr.  Ilenshiiw  adds,  that  so  slight  was  the 
contrast  Im^wccu  the  eggs  and  the  drifted  sand  about  them,  that  they  woul..  be  diffi- 
cult enough  to  hnd.  were  it  not  for  the  tracks  about  the  nests.  .\s  the  birds  came  to 
relieve  their  mates  in  sitting  or  to  bring  them  food,  they  alighted  near  the  nest,  and 
thus  for  a  little  distance  around  each  one  was  a  series  of  tracks  converging  to  a  com- 
mon centre,  which  Ix'trayed  their  secret.  (Ireat  was  the  alariu  of  the  colony  as  soon 
as  his  presence  was  known.  They  gathered  into  little  knots,  following  hitn  at  a  dis- 
tance with  low  sorrowfid  cries.  When  her  nest  was  seen  to  be  really  discovered, 
the  female  would  Hy  close  by  him  and  m;>ke  use  of  all  the  arts  which  birds  of  this 
kind  know  so  well  how  to  employ  on  like  occasions.  With  wings  drooping  aiul  trail- 
ing on  the  saiul,  she  wotdd  juove  in  fiont  till  his  attention  was  secured,  and  would 
then  fall  helplessly  down,  and,  Iturying  her  breast  in  the  sand,  jireseut  the  very  pic- 
ture of  despair  and  woe.  while  the  nude  bird  and  the  otlier  ])airs  expresvsed  their  .sym- 
pathy by  Ituul  cries.  The  full  nest  coiujilement  is  saiil  to  have  iH'en  three  eggs; 
and  in  no  instance  were  more  fouml.  He  ilescribes  tliem  as  of  a  light  clay  color, 
marked  with  mnncrous  bhitclies  and  scratchy  splashes  of  l)laik.  in  size  and  appear- 
ance approaching  most  closely  to  those  of  .K.  nn  Imlo.  but  easily  to  be  distinguished 
by  the  different  style  of  the  spotting.  He  gives  their  greatest  length  as  l.JW;  their 
least,  I.!'!' ;  and  their  diameter  as  varying  from  .S".»  to  .'.(.'». 

Dr.  Cooper  speaks  of  these  birds  as  In-ing  ipiitc  common  along  the  sandy  Ijeaches 
of  the  sotithern  part  of  California,  but  becoming  rather  rare  near  San  Francisco, 
although  found  north  as  far  as  Cape  .Mendocino.  They  did  not  seem  to  migrate  at 
any  pa'ticular  .sea.son,  but  were  found  at  all  tinu-.s.  in  small  }iarties,  running  over  the 
drifted  sand  or  along  the  edge  of  the  water,  catching  insects  and  cruslacea.  In  the 
spring  they  are  less  ^^egarious,  and  the  females  retire  to  lay  their  eggs,  which  arc 
lound  just  alM)ve  the  edge  of  the  highest  water-marks,  deposited  in  slight  depressions 
in  the  sand,  sometinu's  lined  with  i'ragnu-nts  of  shells.  Tlu;  eggs  are  laid  from  A})ril 
loth  to  July  .'Wth,  the  latter  iM-ing  ju-obably  a  second  brood.  They  are  large  for  the 
size  of  the  bird,  measuring  1.1*1*  inches  by  .*.(!*.  and  have  a  brownish-white  ground, 
thickly  blotched  ami  speckh'd  with  blackish-brown  marks  rc.sendding  Turkish  let- 
ters. In  one  instance,  after  an  extremely  high  tide  at  night,  Dr.  Cooper  found  in 
the  early  morning  four  eggs  partly  hatched  in  a  (h'jiression  just  made  in  the  wet 
sand,  at  the  very  top  of  the  wave-How.  They  must  have  bi'cn  moved  theie  by  the 
old  birds  from  another  nest  that  morning.  Their  dara]>iiess  could  hardly  have  lK>en 
favorable  for  their  liatching,  though  soon  to  Im*  dried  by  ti.-e  sun,  the  heat  of  which 
saves  these  birds  much  of  the  trouble  of  sitting.  Dr.  Coojjer  has  never  heard  this 
bird  utter  any  sound. 

Mr.  Ridgway  characterizes  this  species  as  a  graceful  little  I'lover,  and  states  that 
though  previously  known  only  froi:t  the  Pacific  Region,  he  found  if  very  jd)uiulant 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  southeastern  shore  of  (Jreat  Salt  Lake.     On  the  bare 


flpll 


CHAUADUIID.E  —  THK   PLoVKRS  —  yEGIALITIS. 


167 


I  'i 


muil-fluts  aroiuul  tlie  Wunn-spring  Laki'  numbers  wcir  si'oii  luuniiig  nimbly  anil 
swiftly  over  tliu  ground,  all  the  whilr  iittt-ring  a  suit,  ratlicr  nnisical,  whistling  noti'. 
All  tilt'  spt'ciiut'iis  procurt'il  were  in  the  lull  Invt'ding-pluniagc. 

Mr.  K.  \V.  Ni'lson  alsd  mentions  nii'i'ting  with  this  spfcics  on  tlu'  shores  of  Salt 
hake,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Kiver  .Ionian.  The  birds  were  abundant,  and  he  saw 
the  young  —  oidy  a  few  days  ohl  —  the  1st  of  August. 

The  eggs  of  this  speeie.-i  have  an  average  length  of  1.18  inches,  and  a  breadth  of 
.'.)."i.  Their  ground  is  a  light  fawn-A-olored  ilrab.  over  which  tine  dottings,  lines, 
and  irregular  markings  of  a  dark  bistre  are  etjually  distributed,  except  aiiout  the 
smaller  end.  which  is  nearly  free  from  any  nuirk.  These  eggs  were  taken  near  San 
i'lancisco  by  the  late  iMr.  T.  Hepburn.  The  eggs  of  .h'.  nnitlmnis.  to  which  this 
sp»'cies  is  now  regarded  as  being  very  closely  allied,  are  of  a  slightly  more  oblong 
shape,  measuring  !.:.'.">  inches  in  length,  and  .*.M»  in  breadth.  They  have  a  yellowish 
stone-colored  ground,  spotted  and  .streaked  with  bhick. 

More  re(!ent  specimens  of  the  eggs  of  the  iih'usd  have  a  ground-i-olor  of  a  ]mle 
grayish  butt',  with  markings  in  form  of  snuill  dots  and  zigzag  i)encillings  of  black, 
and  measure  l.l.'.i  by  .i)(>.  and  \.'S>  by  .S.l  inches. 


^Igialitis  mongolica. 

THE   MONGOLIAN   PLOVEB. 

Charadriim  vumiioluK,  P.vi.i..  lirisc,  iii.  177t>,  7iiO. 

CliuriitlriuH  iniiiiijiiliiiis,  I'ai.i..  Zimjjr.  I!iism)-As.  ii.  1831,  130. 

.■EijiiillUn  iiiuiiiju/kiis,  .SwiNH.  I'.  Z.  S.  l,sti:),  :tlii ;  1«70,  Hit.  —  H.msmxi;,  Ibis,  1870,  384  ;  P.  Z.  S. 

1S71,  111,  114  (<'li(iri.>(  I'l'iiiiisulii,  Alaska,  stnniiitT  !),  — 
Charatlriits  rirrlii/Hilaiiiiiis,  Wai!!..  .S'st.  Av.  1S27,  fol.  4,  [i,  13,  no.  18. 
Chiiriiili-iiiH  iiiihtrh,  Wahi,.  Syst.  ,\v.  \^'l'.  t.  i',  Inl.  '>,  \>.  .1,  no.  40. 
Cliin-iiilriiiH  siiiKjiihii  iix,  l.i-.ss.  .Man.  Oiii.  ii.  IS'JS,  :i;(0. 
Chiiriiiln'K.i  i-iijli'olllt,  "Ci'viKii  A:  Tkmm."  I'icii.  I!cv.  Zool.  IS.M,  282. 
Chnniili-iuH  riiji,i,//iis,  Hr.vrn,  An.  &  .Miij.-.  N'.  II.  xii.  1843,  lt!9. 
Chiiriiilrhi.i  siihnijiiiiis,  llniMisiiN,  Zmil.  .Mi*i'.  1H44,  St!. 
i'liiiniili-iiiH  iiiirrhiilhiii-(i.i\  " Tkmm."  (im  in.  Pi.  V.w.  1S37,  pi.  'Jlty. 
AJijiiilitii  iiiii-i-liiii/iiiiii.i;  Keys.  &  III. As.  Willi.  Kur.  lS4ii,  7o,  ct  Ai'cr. 
Ultiliciilii  iiioriiiilii,  tiiiri.n,  B.  Aiistr.  vi.  |il.  !!•. 

IIaii.  Niirllicrii  .Asia  in  general,  \vi'.-,t  tn  St.  IVlcrsliing,  I'ak'stint',  and  Northcosteni  Africa, 
I'.'i^t  to  CJKiris  IViiiiisuia.  Alaska  ;  in  winter,  migrating  south  tliruiigh  Soiithfri  Asia,  Pliilipiiiiics, 
.Malay  Ariliipclagu,  etc..  to  Ausiralia. 

Ailiilt  (J,  Id  sumiiiir  (N'o.  K."i77!),  Vokolmma,  .Japan,  April  2k  ;  P.  L.  Jouy);  Froiuk-t,  lores,  and 
a  liiiiad  band  hcncalli  the  eve.  invnlviiiL;  tlie  auiinilars,  iliill  Mark;  a  latlici  iiaiiow  IVniital  hand 
lit  ilull  Mack,  aiiti'iiiirly  reaching  to  the  liase  of  tlie  calnu'ii  and  ]iosterioily  joining  the  tipper 
anterior  iiiaigiii  of  the  t^ye  ;  lietweuii  this  and  the  black  loiid  stripe  n  iiiirrow  stripe  of  white,  reach- 
ing,' to  within  about  .10  of  an  inch  of  the  anterioi'  aiiu'le  of  thi>  eye  ;  lower  eyelid  white.  Anterior 
and  lateral  portions  of  pik-nni  light  rcildish  Imif,  the  central  ]iortioii  (occiput  and  ]ioHteriiir  part  uf 
ci'iwn)  (hill  lii'owiiish  gi-ay  ;  nape  and  bivast  clear  li;,'ht  ifdcli.',li  cinnainon,  paler  on  the  former, 
and  laterally  extending,  brokenly,  i.loiig  the  sides  to  the  Hanks  ;  ivst  of  lower  parts  jmn-  white, 
tliat  of  the  throat  very  abruptly  bounded  posteriorly  against  the  reddish  cimiair.on  of  the  iiieast. 
I'pp'T  i>arts  (except  as  descrihed)  brownish  gniy,  witii  a  slight  lironzy  lustre  in  certain  Iij,dits,  the 
li[is  of  the  i:feater  wing-coverts  and  .secondaries,  basal  ]iovtion  of  outer  webs  of  iinier  primaries, 
sides  of  ruiiii»,  and  tips  of  iip|HT  tail-coverts,  white.  Hill,  legs,  and  feet,  black.  Win^,  .'i.l.') ;  tail, 
-MX);  culiuen,  .(i2  ;  tarsus.  1,1.");  iniildlc  toe,  .7!>.  U'inhr  jiliimuiie :  "' I'pper  parts  light  grayii^h 
brown ;  loral  streak,  ear-coverts,  and  latero-])ectoral  patch,  more  or  less  marked  with  brown.  A 
faint  brown  bar  runs  across  the  breast.     Forehead,  eyebrow,  chin,  throat,  and  under  parts,  while. 


168 


PK.KCOCI.VI-  (JIULLATOKKS—  I.I.MICOL.K 


U'iii^'  )mii'-l)rnwii  ;  lowt-r  nl^i'  of  iniiii,  Ih'iiihI  iiiui'};iiirt  ami  li|i»  In  f^iviitcr  covi'itx,  iiiar^iim  to 
^'('(.'lllllla^il's  lii'oailciiiii^'  iiiwanllx,  liii>al  lialvo  o| Hiitci'  wi'Ih  oI' sixth  and  ii'iiiaiiiiii};  loiiiiarics,  Hist 
<|iiill-s|iart  I'litii'civ,  tlii'otlu-r.'*  more  or  liwri, uliiti-.  r|>|>ci  tail-covi-its  :  ct'iitial  Icallicis  li;,'lit  Idown 
iiiai'}{iiii'i|  uiih  wliitt',  tlir  sidi-  oih-h  |iiii'i-  wliiti-.  Tail  :  liisl  oi'  niilcr  icitrix  wliili',  with  an  oliloni; 
lon^'iliiiliiial  spot  of  |ialt'  lnowii  on  llit'  iniu-i'  Wfii  ;  hccoihI  li>;iil  ln'ouii,  with  wiiitc  slialt  ami  li|> ; 
till'  M'st  iluikt'i'  liiiiwn,  wiili  liiowii  slial'ts  ami  wliiti-  ti|iM,  tliu  whilu  ilvca-UMiii^  on  tlit-  twu  cviitniU, 
Dill  lilack  ;  K'^s  lU'cp  lilafki^li  ({lay  ;  iLiws  lihu'k." 

"  Jii'n>,'lli  ol  will);,  f).4  imhcx  ;  tail.  -1  .'>  ;  hill  in  lionl,  .7.")  ;  tarsi,  l.lM  ;  mitUllL'  tou  (claw,  .17), 
.h:i."  (Swinhok,  I'.  Z.  8.  If*7i>.  p.  I  III.) 


i 


Gk.ms  OCBTHODROBSnS,  KKiriiKNiiAcii. 

OchthmlroiHKH,  ItKiciiKMi.  Av.  Syst.  l.H.i;!,  Iiitniil.  p.  .wiii  (ty|M',  I'lmnidiiitu  U'ilnoniiis,  Oiin). 

CilAit.  Hill  laiv*' itii*l  xtoi  lon^for  than  tlit>  niiihllv  toe,  tin-  tirniinal  half  of  the  ciiliniii  Htroii^^iy 
convex,  anil  hasu  of  the  ^onvs  i  aiii^;  a  ilcriilcil  iin;,'lc  ;  liasal  half  of  the  niuxilla(lt.-pn-.ssi'il  ika'idL'illy 
hflow  till-  Irvcl  of  ihii  It'iniinal  hull.     Tail  shoit.  scmrt'ly  reaching,'  thi^  tips  of  the  priniaiii's. 

Tlu*  ilistiiii'tivf  chunu'tcrs  of  ihix  wcll-niaikitl  );iMini4  i'iinxi!<t  I'hictly  in  the  hn^a  licail  ami  licavy 
hill,  tdiilrastcil  with  tin-  wi-ak  fcrt  ami  heavy  h';,'s.  An  exotic  species,  which  seems  to  he  slii''lly 
conneneiic  with  ".  //'//xi/h/ks,  is  the  Clin  mil  ri  UK  llniffniiji.  W'Atii..,  which  a),'iees  niiniilety  in  all 
the  tielails  of  slructllle,  e.xcept  that  the  le;;s  are  very  ileciileilly  lo|ij,'cr.  There  is  also  colisideraMi' 
tiiiiiilarily  in  the  style  of  colnration.  es|H'cially  in  the  winter  plnnia^^e  ;  hut  in  siiiiiiner  dress,  f>. 
Uiiijlriiiii  has  a  rnfons,  instead  of  lihnk,  jii;.'ular  hand. 

America   possesses  liiit    a   siiij,de   >pecies,  *'.   iriliuiiiiiiK,  the  type  iif  the  ).;enus.     Thin  aitjieals  ill 

the  form  of  two  well-marked  ).'eo;,'rapliical  races,  whose  characters  are  as  follows  :  — 

Co.M.  CiiAii.     Ahove,  lirownish  (.'ray  ;  forehead  and  lower  |iarts  white.     ^  :  Kore-parl  of  the 

crown,  lores,  and  jn^jiilar  collar,  hiack.     9  '    ''■''  '"lack  repl.iceil  hy  hrownish  j.'ray  or  VmUi  hrown- 

i)<li,  paler  on  (he  lores. 

Vur.  Wilsoniua.     .sides  of  the  ix  ciput  and  upper  part  of  nape  slightly  tinned  w  illi  Imlly  ochra- 

ceoiis.    Keiiiale  with  the  hues  nearly  white.     Ilnli.  Coasts  of  .<oiith  Atlantic  (ami  (Jiilf?)  .*>l,ites. 
Var.  rufinuobua.'     Sides  of  <^ccipii|  ard  upper  part  of  iia|M'  deep  rusty.     Female  wiili  lores 

distinctly  hrownish  nfray.     Colors  ^{enerally  darker  in  holh  sexes.     Hub.  West  Indies  (and  other 

tro]iical  coasts?;, 

OchthodromuB  WilsonluB. 

WILSOrS  PLOVBB. 

('hnrmlriiis  U'llmiiiiii^,  Oiih,  .d.  WiU.  |.\.  is-.'.>.  77,  p|.  7:t,  lij..  .I  —  Xrrr.  Man.  11.  IHIU,  21.— 
Ai  1..  Orii.  Ilioj;.  111.  XMU,  1:\;  V.  Is.Ut,  r.77,  pi.  JM  ;  .Syii.ip.  Ihan,  'JJ:1 1  H.  Am.  V.  isl.',  -Jit, 
pi.  ;ill'. 

j-Kijiii/ilis  irilHiiiiiiis,  HoN.vr.  CciiiHp.  List.  \s:\s,  |,').      CorKs,  Olirck  Mst,  'J<!  cd.  \HH-2,  no.  .IS.'i. 

^■Kitiiilills  »'/7.w«i/».«,  (ass.  ill  Hiiiid's  II.  N.  Am.  IHaH,  (lit:!.  —  li.viiin,  lat.  N.  Am.  II.  I8:.i>,  no.  iM.  - 
ColKs,  Key,  Ks7a,  •.'14  :  ("1 k  List,  1«>7:!,  im.  :t!iH. 

tk-hlliiiilriimiin  H'il.viiiiiix,  Itmcii.  Syst.  Av.  lH.'.:t.  wiii.  —  ItiiKiw.  Noiii.  N.  Am.  J{.  1881,  no,  j22. 

1  I'liiiriiiliiiis  cniiiMiiii.iln's,  Svi\,  .\y.  Bias.  ||.  ls-_>."i,  "7,  ]il.  !I4. 

Hah.  Atlantic  seu-coust  of  teiii|M'rale  North  America,  and  of  .'^otith  America  to  Ura/il  ;  hotli 
coasts  of  Middle  America  north  to  Cape  St.  Lucas;  West  Indies;  Northwestern  Peru  (Taczan. 
P.  Z.  S.  lf*77,  :W(>). 

'  Ocn'nioiiito.Mi's  Wii.so.Nirs    ui'kim'chiis. 

U'hiiriiitriiis  rriinKii-ialriH,  Srix,  Av.  Hias.  II.  182.'»,  77,  pi.  94  (cf.  Pki.Z.  Orii.  Bms.  1870,  2fl7), 
A'ljiiililis   irilmiiiiiiH,  var.  niihiiirhiiK,  ItlDiiw.  Am.   Nttl.   VIII.  Kch,   1S74,  In'.i  ('SpHnislitowii, 
.laliiaini). 
Then,'  is  now  sumc  iloiilit  whether  the  ihaniclcrs  <iri);iiially  nMcriht-il  to  this  sapjioscil  nice  nrc  oonstimt, 
III  the  iiluM'iii'c  of  Hiilllcii'iit  niiiterial  to  di-c  !.!.•  the  |riiiiit,  however,  \\v  fur  the  present  keep  it  separate. 


CIIAKADIMFD.K  -  Tllli  PLOVERS  —  OCllTIKtDUoMI'S. 


IGU 


Sp.  Ciiah.  Ailiilt  mull  ;  l-'roiitiil  cii'sccni,  cxtcinliii^  Imck  mi  wu'li  HJile  of  tin-  crown  lo  Iwyotid 
till'  I'Vi',  oii'lt  1)1'  >.'rtiiii'r  wiiij,'-riivi'itn,  slmlts  of  |iiiiiiiiiiu»,  iiml  iiitin-  lowtr  |iiirtx,  |iiin'  wliiU' ;  avn- 
.ciilii'  imli'h  coviriiij,'  I'lUc  inni  cil'tlic  crnwii,  linvs,  ami  wide  Imiitl  luinss  tlu'  iii^'uliiiii,  lilmk  ;  (icci- 
]iiit  iiioit'  or  li'ji.'*  Htii(ii;^|y  siiII'iimmI  Willi  iiihrari'iniM,  <T.|icciully  liitcntlly  ninl  |Misti'iicirly.  r|i|Hi- 
|iiirl^  (cxiflil  iiH  (li'si  I'ilH'il)  iiiiiriiriii  liidwiii^ili  niiiy,  llir  ifnii;;i'i<  Jarkrr.  Ailuli  f, uml,  ;  Siiiiilar 
III  llii'  iiiiilf,  Imt  the  lilai'k  rr|ilai'i'i|  liy  liinwiii-li  ^lay,  tlir  Jiij^iilar  tollar  tiii;^('il  wiili  orlii'Mrciiu^. 
Ihiivnij  ijitumj  :  Crown  aiitl  (Hci|Mil  li^jltl  j.'rayisli  Imfl',  ilisiimlly  Iml  vcrv  irrr^;iilaily  niarlilcil  or 
iiiiittli'il  with  lilai'k  ;  liack  and  ruiii|i  -similar,  l>ul  niort'  ^'rayisli,  tin-  nioltliii;,'  rnaiMT  and  lr>s  diii- 
tincl  ;  arni-win){  li^lit  Imll',  niolili'd  willi  du.-<ky ;  liand-win;{  wholly  iinniaciilali-  while.     Wholu 


IS 


I'liri'lu'iul,  hiivsi,  snjK'rriliarici',  fide  of  head,  liroad  nuchal  collar,  and  entire  lower  jiarls,  white;  an 
lirej^uhir  lint  ilisiinct  poHlocular  streak  of  lihick  running;  into  the  motllinjj  of  the  oci'i|int.  A  lai>,'e 
liaie  siiace  on  each  side  of  neck.  Hill  Mack  ;  eyelids  j,'rayis|i ;  iris  brown;  ie^s  ainl  feet  pale 
;,'niyisli  tiesh-color. 

Total  len^jth,  ahonl  l.'itt  ;  extent,  Ki.iHi ;  win;;.  \.:t{\ ;  cnhneii,  .ho  ;  tai-siis.  |,2."i ;  middle  toe,  .T.'i. 

Till'  ;;eo;;rapliical  variations  of  this  species  are  not  wt-ll  iinderHtood,  on  aiinnnt  of  lack  id' 
>uirn  icnt  material.  .\ii  ndnlt  female  from  Ma/atlan  (wiiilei)  and  iwo  IVoni  < 'ape  Si.  hncax 
( lleceiiiliei)  are  uniformly,  ihoii^^h  sli;;litly.  darker  th.in  eastern  example^  ;  lley  n\>«  have  tliu 
I'l'intal  while  very  narrow,  the  liiowii  of  the  lore>  coiitinnoiis,  extending;  (in  two  N|ifciniens,  and 
;d-o  ill  an  ailnit  male  frimiCape  Si.  Lnca>)  ijiiite  lnoadly  iicioss  the  frontlet,  while  lieiieath  the 
eve  the  lifown  is  very  "  solid  ''  for  a  width  of  .;i()  of  an  inch  or  more.  It  is  possible,  however,  that 
iliise  ililh'i'eiices  may  not  prove  conslant. 


Tlii.s  I'ldvcr.  lirst  rfco^'iii/.t'il  as  a  tlistiiict  spceii-s  in  isl.'i,  ami  iltMlicatrd  In  tiic 
mciiitiry  of  Wil.sun  l»y  .Mr.  Onl.  is  met  witii.  iikhi'  or  less  ciiinnnnilv,  aloiiiL,'  our  wlndc 
Allaiitir  coast  from  Loii;.;  isiainl  to  l-Morida.  it  also  oitmi's  on  liotli  roasts  of  CiMitral 
.Vnicriea,  ami  prolialdy  hrrcils  wlierovei  it  is  foiiml.  I''.xr('|it  that  om  is  rrcordt'd  liy 
Mr.  iiiiidslcy  as  liaviii^'  lii'eii  taki'ii  in  Stiatford,  Comi..  so  far  as  I  know  it  lias 
never  Imtii  traeed  with  ecrtaiiity  to  New  Kn,i,'iaml.  it  is  (|iiiti'  pndiaiih'.  however, 
that  individuals  may  oecasioiiaily  visit  tlic  nortlieni  sliore  of  liOiii;  Island  Sound,  it 
also  occurs  on  Mm  .Aflaidic  coast  of  South  .Vmerica  to  Ura/.il.  Audiilion  states  that 
it  is  idiiml  oil  the  hIioi'ch  of  the  <iulf  (d  Mexico,  in  all  the  Soutlicrii  States,  tliat  it 
lirccds  there,  and  tli«t  it  also  spends  the  winter  in  the  n';,'ioii  hetwccii  Carditia  and 
the  mouths  of  the  .Missi.ssip|ii  Itivcr.  Tliat  it  ai.so  occurs  in  'I'cxas  is  stated  hy 
IhvBser,  wii«>  i'ouml  it  common  aliout  tlic  coast  duritij;^  the  siiininer  season,  lie 
noticed  many  on  (Salvcston  island  durin^r  liis  stay  tlicic  in  May  and  iliine.  and  shot 
scvi'val  spcciiueiis,  Imt  was  tiot  aide  to  tind  tiieir  nests  or  t'KKs.  Dr.  .Merrill  speaks 
<d'  it  as  an  alaindaiit  resident,  and  a.s  broediiiK'  <>ii  tlie  cojwt  of  Soutliwestern  Texas. 

vol..  I.  —  •.'•J 


170 


PR.tlCOClAL  (*RAI-LATOKES    -  LlMICOLi*:. 


Mr.  Salvin  iiu-t  witli  Wilson's  I'luvfi-  mi  tlu'  coast  of  HotKlunis  in  the  latter  part 

of  April.      It  was  tlitMi  lir liii^.  uinl  lu- (liscovi-rcil  two  oi   its  iicsts.     He  iilso  foiiiid 

that  this  spt'cics  was  vcrv  alnimlaut  at  Chiapain.  in  (iiiatt'niala,  whi-ri-  he  met  with  it 
in  Hoi-k.H  ill  tin-  company  ol  .K.  mnil/i'i/mn/i'.  It  ocmirrcd  also  and  remained  to 
l)rccd  anions;  the  havs  «(  l>eli/.e.  It  is  also  recorded  from  the  northwestern  euast  of 
IVni. 

Aceordin^r  to  Lt'otaiid,  this  I'lover  is  a  nii^Matorv  visitant  of  the  Island  of  Trinidad, 
arriving'  there  alMiiit  the  end  of  July,  and  leaving;  in  October.  It  frequents  the  lior- 
ders  of  the  sea,  I'unnin;.;  on  the  sand  in  ipietit  of  the  worms  on  which  it  feeds.  As  it 
takes  to  tlii;ht  it  usually  utters  a  peculiar  cry,  which  is  slightly  rolling,  and  not  un- 
ph'a.sant.  These  iiirds  (M-cur  sometimes  Wy  themselves,  and  sonu'times  mingled  with 
Trliii/ir  and  other  shore-birds;  and  Pr.  Kryant  found  this  an  almndunt  resident 
species  in  the  Kahamas. 

(iiraud  nn-ntioned  this  among  the  Iiirds  of  Long  Ishind,  hut  as  not  common  there. 
When  oli.served  it  was  usually  in  company  with  the  mml/tdfiiinfii,  with  the  general 
characteristics  (d'  wliicli  its  own  very  closely  correspond.  Audulion  states  that  while 
in  Florida,  near  St.  .\ugustine.  in  the  months  of  DeoemlM-r  and  .lantuiry,  he  found 
this  species  much  more  aliundant  than  any  other.  There  were  few  of  the  keys 
having  a  sandy  lieach  or  a  rocky  shore  without  one  or  more  pairs.  The  young  birds 
assembled  in  tie-  fall  and  spent  the  winter  months  a|iart  from  the  old  ones. 

J)r.  ('ones,  who  had  an  excidlent  opportunity  for  watching  this  species  in  North 
Carolina,  has  given  (Am.  Nat.  III.  .'ill))  a  full  and  minute  account  (d'  its  habits 
during  the  summer  months,  lie  regards  it  as  eminently  characteristic  of  the  shores 
of  the  South  .Vtlantic  Stitt's.  It  moves  northward  along  the  coast  in  April,  collecting 
in  small  tloeks  (d'  from  six  to  twenty  or  more,  and  ]tassing  at  once  to  their  chosen 
places,  there  to  explore  the  sea-iieaches  anil  the  uiuiidy  Hats  in  search  cd'  food.  They 
are  gentle  and  unsuspicious.  Their  note  is  described  as  being  half  a  whistle  and 
half  a  chir|».  and  as  very  diffen-nt  from  the  clear  mellow  piping  of  the  other  species. 
After  a  short  interval  b)llowing  their  first  arrival,  they  separate  in  jiairs  aiul  resort 
to  the  sand-hills  near  the  coast  to  l»recd.  When  their  nest  is  ajiproached  they  Hit 
to  and  fro,  near  the  ground,  at  a  little  distance,  in  anxious  groups  of  three  or  four, 
uttering  indescribably  touching  apjicals.  now  alighting,  as  if  in  hopes  their  trea- 
sures may  remain  undisci'vered.  and  then  running  swiftly  along,  too  frightened  for  a 
moment's  rest. 

Wilson's  I'lover  deposits  its  eggs  in  a  ludlow  in  the  sand  about  four  inches  in 
diameter,  but  so  shallow  as  to  be  hardly  noticeable  as  a  depression.  Sometimes  it 
lays  its  eggs  in  a  scanty  tuft  (d'  grass,  but  in  no  instance  has  it  been  noticed  as  using 
any  lining  for  its  nests.  The  numlter  o(  eggs  is  said  to  be  invariably  three;  but  that 
oecasi(uially  it  may  lay  four  is  inferred  from  finding  in  the  oviduct  of  a  female  ju.st 
killed  (uie  egg  ready  for  deposition,  and  three  others  in  a  highly  devtdoped  .state.  It 
begins  to  lay  alMiut  the  middle  (d'  May,  but  differs  as  to  the  time  so  much  that,  early 
in  June,  eggs  tpiitc  fresh,  others  nearly  hattdicd,  and  newly  Hedged  young,  may  all 
be  oi)served.  The  nestlings  are  described  as  being  curious-looking  aiul  very  pretty. 
They  are  able  to  run  as  soon  as  they  are  fairly  dry  from  the  egg,  and  are  ditlicult  to 
Hud,  as  they  scpiat  so  idoscly  to  the  .sand,  which  they  resendde  in  color. 

Their  i-ggs  are  somewhat  like  those  of  the  Least  Tern,  but  are  larger,  and  in  some 
other  respects  different.  Tin;  variations  of  the  eggs  of  the  Tlovers,  both  in  size  and 
shape,  are  considerable,  one  measuring  1.4r»  inches  by  !.(»">,  and  another  only  1.'-- 
inches  by  l.(M);  tiiey  also  differ  very  materially  in  shape  from  each  other.  Their 
ground-eohir  wlien  fresh  is  describeil  as  a  pale  olivo-drab,  inclining  to  a  greenish  hue 


I 

I  ill 


II 


CIIAHADHIID.E  —  TIIK  PLOVKHS  -  I'ODASOCYS. 


171 


ill  some  exiunplt's,  aiitl  to  a  liiowiiisli  in  otlicrs.  Tlu'V  art'  tliiiily  iiiaikt'il  all  ovtT 
with  brown,  ho  dark  as  to  Ik-  almost  IdacU,  these  markings  lieiiif,'  in  irreKulur,  8har|ily 
ijehneil  spots,  small  splashes,  ami  line  dots.  In  some  speeimens  the  marking's  run 
into  tine  lines,  and  in  these  are  the  smallest,  dark«>st,  most  numerous,  and  most 
sharply  (h-tined.  The  markings  are  usually  lar;,'er  and  more  thickly  set  on  the  lar>,'er 
part  of  the  e^'j,'.     Here  and  there  a  tew  pale  obsolete  spots  are  noticed. 

Audidnin,  who  probalily  observed  this  species  in  a  more  northern  loiality.  f,'ivefl 
the  1st  of  .June  as  the  date  of  the  tirst  deposition  of  itse^,'],';  and  this  more  nearly 
corresiMnids  with  my  own  experience.  Visiting  Cape  Charles,  .lune  I,  iH'i'J,  I  met 
with  several  nests  of  this  bird,  in  all  id'  which  the  e;,'f,'s  were  (piite  fresh. 

Audidion  describes  the  tlij,dit  as  rajiid,  elc(,'ant.  and  protracted.  When  tlyinj,'  from 
one  sand-beai'h  or  islaml  to  another,  they  pass  low  over  the  hind  or  water,  and  as  they 
move  give  utterance  to  a  clear  and  soft  note.  After  the  breed ing-sea.son  they  form 
into  flocks  of  twenty  or  thirty.  They  do  not  run  ipiite  so  rapidly  as  the  riping 
Plover,  nor  are  they  so  shy.  They  rarely  mingle  with  any  other  species,  and  show 
a  (h'cided  preference  for  solitary  and  nnfreipiented  jilaces.  Their  food  is  almost  ex- 
clusively of  a  marine  character,  and  consists  of  minute  shell-tish,  worms,  and  small 
insects.  With  this  food  they  mingle  tine  partiides  of  sand.  Jn  the  fall  they  iH-come 
very  phuup,  ami  atford  delicious  eating.  They  are  said  to  feed  by  night  as  widl  as  by 
day,  and  their  i)eculiarly  large  eyes  seem  t<i  adajit  them  for  nocturnal  habits. 

.Mr.  Moore,  who  observed  the  habits  of  this  bird  on  Sarasota  P>ay,  Florida,  states 
that  out  of  tonrteen  nests  all  but  four  had  three  eggs  in  a  set,  and  tln-se  had  two. 
The  time  of  in('td)ation  is  twenty-four  or  twenty -five  days.  The  eggs  were  very  rarely 
found  placed  with  the  small  ends  together.  Occasionally  an  interval  of  one,  two,  or 
three  days  would  pass  after  the  dejtosition  of  an  egg  before  another  was  laiil.  Kggs 
were  first  laid  April  .Sth.  No  nests  weru  found  nearer  to  one  another  than  twenty 
yards.  Une  was  so  uear  the  water  and  so  low  as  to  be  Hoodeil  at  an  unusually  high 
tide. 

Three  eggs  of  this  species  in  my  collection,  taken  at  T'ape  Charles  in  iH'ti  (No. 
ri21),  are  of  an  oblong  oval  shape,  rounded  at  one  end  and  tap(,'ring  at  the  other.  The 
gnmnd  is  a  dee]>  drab,  and  the  markings  are  of  bi.stre  intensitied  to  Idackiie.s.s,  irreg- 
ular in  shape,  some  nmnded,  others  longitudinal,  larger  than  in  ./i\  tiitfot/ti.  and  with 
more  tendency  to  cojvlesce  almiit  the  larger  end.  In  one.  the  markings  are  nearly 
confined  to  the  obtu.se  end.  The  measurements  are  lA't  by  1.04  inches;  1.48  by 
l.O") ;  and  1.40  by  1.05  inches.  The  eggs  are  much  more  oval  in  shape  than  are  those 
of  yE.  me/oda. 


Genus  PODASOCYS,  Coles. 
Podasocys,  ('(irF.s,  Pr.  I'hilnil.  Aiad.  18(lti,  !••!  (tyiic  Chfiradriui monlanun,  Towns.) 

Char.  Bill  iiither  .iiimll  mid  slender  (iimch  an  in  0.ri/''(/i »«),  hut  longer  than  the  middle  toe  ; 
ttti-sus  considend>ly  more  tlinn  twice  as  long  as  the  niidillc  toe.  Tail  short,  even,  scarcely  reaching 
to  the  ends  of  the  folded  wings.     Plumage  e.\ceediiigly  jdaiii. 

The  genus  J'odamciin  is  |>ci'lia]is  more  nearly  related  to  the  Old  World  Kudromim  than  t ,  any 
American  genus,  Imt  may  readily  he  distinguished  by  the  sevend  characters  given  in  the  above 
diagnosis,  and  in  the  table  on  p.  12f).  At  least  oiii-  Old  W'orlil  speci(>s,  t'liuriidriim  nrndus,  GoULD, 
.seems  to  he  strictly  congeneric.  We  have  carefully  compared  specimens,  oiid  can  liiid  no  difference 
whatever  in  the  details  of  structure.  The  C.  asiatiiut,  Pali.as,  is  said  to  he  n  near  relation  of  C, 
vercdu*,  and  may  also  belong  to  this  genus.  These  two  Old  World  species  are  characterized  by  a 
nifouB  pectoral  band  in  the  summer  plumage,  while  the  American  species  (P.  nunitamui)  has  the 


172 


I'll.M'OClAI.   tilt Al,I.An»lli;S—  MMKOL.K. 


Ill 


.jii;{uluia  iiifi'i'ly  tliiuliMl  uitli  UkIii  ^'invi")!  Wruwii  ;  Iml  tiiloriitinii  in  tliJH  ^i'i)ii|)  i*  of  Httlv  vuluo 
r()iii|Mii(il  with  il('viiiti4iiiN  III  Htnu'tnii',  lli>'  K|H'i'i('s  nl'  .Kijinlilin  lu'in^'  a  ium'  in  |iiiiiil. 

JuiilriiiuiiiK,  till-  iy|i<'  III  whirli  i"  Vhnrmliiii*  lU'iniiillnn,  Linn., ■liHi'i'*  Irmii  I'imIiihihijh  in  ln'iii^  of 
iiiiii'li  Kliiiitcr  liiiilil,  till'  I'liiiiii'ii  nliiii'Iri  tliaii  till'  iiiiilillc  Iih-,  llu-  lallci-  lu'ailv  liiilt  a'*  Imi^' uit  llir 
tiirHU.4,  tht' Well  lH-t\V('('ii  till-  iiiiti'i' ami  iiiiililK'  liir  iiiiitli  lar^rr,  llic  tcitiaU  fxlcniling  to  tliu  i-iuls 
■if  the  |>iitiiai'ifH,  etc.     No  Aiai'iiruii  I'Iomt  i*  ivlvial'li'  In  Hiiilriiiiiiiin,  u.-<  piiniiTiy  rcHtiictuil. 

Poda«oc]ra  montanna. 

THI  MOUNTAIN  PLOVXB. 

Ch'tiiiiliiKH  mould iniM,  Town*,  .loiiin.  Ar.  Nut.  Sci.  I'liilail.  VII    IS!)',  11)2.  —  Afii.  Mm.   Iljojj.  IV. 

1n:ih,  Wi,  i-l.  ;t.iii:  .Sym.|i,  l^aii,  •.'•j:i ;  H.  Am.  V.  \>^i-i,  •Jl;i,  pi.  :ilN. 
.■E<jii>lilii  iiiiiiiiii II i(.i,  (■a»>in,  ill  Hiiinl'i  II.  N.  Am.  l».'ii*,  tilKl.       Ii.\ii!i>,  (,'ut,  N.  Am.  B.  185li,  im. 

:i0.l. 
/'.«/.(.««•;/«  mii.itiiiiii'i,  ('iill>,  I'l.  Ar.  Xiit.  Sii.  I'liilail.  INtKI,  HO  ;  Clli-ik  List,  'Jil  nl.  1882,  no.  602.— 

Ki.i.ior,  llliiitr.  Am.  K.  II.  l^ilH,  pi.  :il>.       ICidow.  Nom.  N.  Am.  It.  \>-Hl,  no.  CSJ. 
yKijiiili/is  iisiiiliiiiM,  var.  niiniliiniis,  ('i»fK>,  Ki'V,  1S72,  'Ik'i  \  (lurk  Lint,  I.'*?.'!,  lio.  402. 
Kudruiuitin  miniliiiiHH,  Cot  M,  C'lii'ik   l.i»t,  1,h7;1,  App.  p.  135,  no.  4oj  ;  HinU  N.  \V.  1874,  45(1. 

H,\ii.     WcMi'in  Provimo  of  North  Aiiu'iini ;  aciiiloiitnl  in  Kloritla  ;  im  cxtriiliiiiital  rpconl. 
Sp.  Chah.     Ailiill,  hnnliwi  pliiiniiiji:    Wiilc   finiitiil   iTt-mi'iit,  i-iipcniliary   striiK-,  ami   cntiiv 
lower  |iurtH  while,  purestt  on  the  foreiiead,  nl  a  nnnv  or  Ics.-*  soihij  tint    U-neulli,  the  Jumiluni 


\    ..^^" 


Dreediny  lihimtujf. 

shmled  with  li^hl  j^rayi.sli  lirown,  most  tlistiiict  iateially  where  inseiiKilily  mei^^inj?  itUo  the  rolor 
of  the  upjicr  partn.     V<j\v  part  of  tlie  crown,  ami  strijK-  IVoni  the  rictus  to  the  eye  (acroci*  lores), 


Winter  pliimnge, 

bhick.  Rent  of  upper  part«,  i.  -iforin  li^lit  f>rayish  lirown,  the  rcmit,^  ami  tail  ilitsky  ;  nhnfts  of 
primarioH,  white.  Adull  in  spring :  Similar  to  the  above,  but  ujipcr  parts  ami  JiiKiiluni  tinned  with 
Ji({ht  biiffy  oehraccous.     Adull  md  ymtny  in  winter:  More  strongly  tinged  with  buff,  both  olmvi- 


'I  I " 


CIIAKADRTin.K  —  TIFK   PLnVKRH  —  PODAHOCVS. 


173 


ii 


and  bt'low,  the  Mmk  iiiarkiiiKM  <>i'  thi'  IicimI  wuntiii^.  Ymimj,Jirit ylumiufr ;  All  tliv  frutlicrM  ut' 
till!  ii|i|K'r  iiaiin  iliHtiiirtly  hoiili-riMl  with  li^lil  lniH';  whole  xiilc  nriifinl  iuiiUii'>'k,  iiixl  ciitiic  jii^ii- 
liiiii,  ili'r|i  li;^lit  I  rniiiiy  liiiir  Ihiifiiij  Y'liiiiij  :  Aliiivr  lii'<iwiii>li  liiiir,  iiiiiIiIimI  with  liliii'k,  tliih  Inriii- 
iii^' Ik  ili-tiiii  t  itiiiililiii},' mi  llii>  ri'iiwii  tiiiil  iH'('i|iiil,  wlici'c  ilic  ^^iduiiil-colui'  i->  lii^litui  ami  clrun'r 

llllir.        LoUfI'   iNUix   |>ll|l'    llllll',    illlllllK  llllllC. 

Tiiliil    li'li;{lli,   iiIm.iU    H   iiuhcH  ;    wili^  II.IHI  ;    liiil,   •>.!:>  ;    i  ulliicll,   .Mt>-1KI;   IuIsIIh,    LfiO-l.tKl  ; 

lllillillc    llM',    .70. 

'I'lii'ic  '\*  I'liii-iili'iaiili*  iiiiliviiliiiil  viiiialimi  in  tiu*  cxli'iil  iiinl  <li<liiii'liii'iK  ul  Maik  on  liif  lioiul 
ill  I'lilK  iiilult  liinU,  kdiik-  ^|H'riiiii'iiM  having'  liic  wiinlt'  nciwii  lilaik,  wiiili-  in  ittliriH  tlii^  ciilur  U 
liiiiilnl  til  II  crtwi-titii'  mark  JiiMt  lH-liiiii|  llu!  wliiii'  ul'  tin-  tniTlu-itil  ;  in  minif  ('xaiii|>li-M  tlu'  Mack 
jiii'iil  Nti'i|H.>  i**  Ikiii'Iv  iiiilii'iiti'il. 

Till'  l{«irk,v  Mniiiitiiiii  IMiiviT.  us  Mr.  AihIiiImhi,  not  vci-y  iiaiipily.  lias  ili'sinnatcd 
tliis  s|M'('ii's.  has  an  rxtcinlfd  (lisiriliiitinii,  limii  Aii/nii;i  ami  SuntliwcsliTii  Texas  on 
till' siiiilli,  t<i  Dili-  I'ai'tlirst  ImiiiihI  nil's  mi  tiic  iiurtli.  and  |iri>lialilv  Im'ShuiI,  and  triiiu 
I'lastiTii  Kansas  and  Nrliiaska  tn  tin-  ^nassy  plains  that  liunlrr  tlir  rai-ilir  itst-lf. 
It  is  of  accidrntal  Drrnrrt'iict'  in   Flmida.     Wliih-  in  ii'>,'ard  tn  its   |icciiliar  HiM-citic 

lialiits,  i>s|M'riall\  dnriii;,'  thr   lir Iin^'-srasnii,  ihik'Ii    ri'iiiains  to  hi'  h>arnril,  tin-  last 

ii'W  yt-ars  iiavc  addni  f;iratly  to  onr  knowh'dKr  ol  its  history.  It  is  not  iMitith'd  to 
III'  rc^'ardrd  as  a  iiionntain  hird,  as  it  ronliiii-H  itsidt'  to  IiIkIi  and  dry  h-vtd  |ilains.  and 
is  nt'ViM-  to  Ih-  nii-t  with  nravi-r  to  iiioiintains  than  tlirir  hasr. 

This  hird  was  first  di'sirihrd  Ity  Town.srnd  in  lcS;;7.  and  tlii'  dfsi'ri|)tioii  ol'  its 
liahits,  hrii  Hy  narratt-d  hy  Nnttall,  was  nuott'd  hy  .\iididMin  in  iHIl',  Tin-  lornn'r 
author  ri'j,'arili'd  thi'  spccii's  as  closidy  allii'd  to  Wilson's  I'lovrr.  Ili'  nirt  widi  it. 
only  during  onr  or  two  days,  on  the  rrntral  talih'lands  ul'  the  Uorky  .Mountains,  in 
till'  plains  nrar  tin-  last  ot  tin-  Inaiiihi's  id'  thr  I'Litli':  and  as  it  was  in  tin-  nionth 
id  duly,  he  had  no  doidit  that  thr  hird  was  lir<>i-diii^'  in  thr  Snlialpinr  ri'^dons.  Thi> 
only  individual  ohtainrd  was  sn-n  skulkin;^  and  running'  tliroiadi  thr  artriiiisia  Inishi's 
that  so  ^'i-ni-rally  rlothr  thosi-  arid  and  diy  wastes.  .Xtter  rnnnini,'  soini'  tinii'.  it 
would  ri'iiiain  porl'i'ifly  still,  as  if  ronsiious  of  thr  dillii'ulty  id  distiuKnishinj,'  it  Ifoiii 
till'  gray  soil  on  whii-li  it  Htoud,  and  with  i\w  cidor  of  whiidi  its  own  was  so  nearly 
iilentieal.  .Ml  that  were  seen  were  similar  to  the  si<eiinien  ohtained.  hut  none  eould 
he  indiiied.  on  \\v'\n<i  tlushed.  to  take  win;,',  lie  heard  froni  it  no  note  or  ery  of 
eoHiplaint  of  any  kind,  and  it  apparently  sonj,dit  l»y  silence  to  epiieoul  its  younj,'  or 
its  e^'K's. 

We  are  indehted  to  l>r.  .1.  (i.  Cooper  (••  .\ni.  Nat."  1 1 1,  p.  iS.'i)  for  our  lirst  lull  and 
aci-urute  aeeuunt  of  the  hahits  and  distiiiiution  of  this  speeies.  IM'.  Cooper  mentions 
meeting  with  it  on  his  route  from  Los  Angeles.  Cal..  to  l-'ort  Mohave.  The  hirds 
were  running  in  seattered  tloeks  over  the  driest  trai'ts.  or  wheeling  in  swift  eolumiis 
uniund  the  sportsman,  their  white  under  parts  shining  like  snowtlakos  as  thoy 
turned  while  on  the  wing,  in  tlic  inniin«>r  of  their  more  ai|uati('  eutiHiiiR  of  the  seu- 
sliiiie.  The  same  writer  afterward  speaks  f- Am.  Nat."  III.  ji.  1".W)  of  lindiiig  this 
I'loveron  the  plains  of  the  I'pper  Missouri,  in  the  driest  s|iots  and  among  the  villages 
of  the  prairie-dog.  In  Montana  I >r.  Cooper  found  it  rare  along  the  eastern  base  of 
tile  IJoeky  .Mountains.  There  also  they  were  ii.sually  met  with  about  the  j»rairie-dog 
villages;  hut  they  iipjiareiitly  did  not  eru.sH  the  luuuntiiius  in  us  large  iiuinlH.'i'S  ji»  they 
do  farther  south. 

J)r.  Cooper  also  states  that  tluH  speeies  helongs  jihiiost  exclusively  to  the  va.st 
deserts  and  jilains  of  the  central  jiarts  of  North  America,  only  visiting  the  vicinity 
of  the  sea-ooast  in  the  wet  season.  They  are  found  in  the  extensive  jilains  near  Los 
.Vugcles  after  the  middle  of  October,  hut  are  not  kiujwn  to  he  there  in  the  summer. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


V. 


/. 


{./ 


.*>i 


1.0  :^i^  1^ 

Hi  Ui   |2.2 

ii 
m  iu  11.6 


1.1 


^  ^. 


V 


^.^" 


^ 


174 


PILECOCIAL  riUALLATOUES  —  LIMICOLJ:. 


as 


' 


1  :|;- „ 

V-:' 


They  frequont  the  dry  fp-assy  pastures  exclusively,  and  although  but  a  few  rods  from 
the  sea-beaoh,  never  .visit  it.  They  were  in  large  ttochs  scattered  over  the  plains, 
and  Avere  rather  diftiodt  to  slioot.  except  as  they  chanced  to  fly  near,  being  very 
shy  if  approached  when  on  tlie  ground. 

At  Fort  Mohave  Dr.  Cooper  found  a  few  piiirs  in  March  which  seemed  to  have 
nests  on  the  dry  gravelly  hlntfs.  lie  describes  them  as  being  less  noisy  than  the 
Kildcer,  althongli  their  cries  much  resend)l('  those  of  that  bird.  In  the  autumn, 
when  started  from  the  ground,  tliey  uttered  a  low  whistle,  and  flew  around  in  large 
circles ;  then,  after  being  joined  by  stragglers,  they  re-alighted,  but  not  until  they 
had  flrst  carefidly  examined  the  vicinity. 

Mr.  Dresser  met  with  this  J'lover,  during  the  winter  only,  in  Southwestern  Texas. 
In  Decend)er,  18(!.'{,  as  lie  was  riding  in  the  open  jjrairie  country  near  San  Antonio, 
he  noticed  a  few  individuals ;  these  were  generally  near  the  high-roads.  In  their 
habits  tliey  reminded  iiim  very  much  of  the  King  Plover  of  Europe  {^Egiid'itis  hiutk- 
nl(i)  —  running  verj'  swiftly,  with  the  head  drawn  in  close  to  the  body.  As  the 
winter  advanced  they  l)ecame  more  plentiful,  but  disapi)eared  in  the  early  spring, 
none  showing  themselves  later  than  the  beginning  of  April.  They  fed  on  cattle- 
ticks  and  beetles  of  all  sorts,  and  seemed  to  prefer  the  I'arren  sand-plains  to  the 
grassy  parts  in  the  neighlxnhood  of  water. 

Mr.  C.  E.  Aiken  mentions  meeting  with  this  species  ii;  pairs  on  the  high  table- 
lands of  Colorado.  Mr.  .1.  A.  Allen  found  the  3Iountain  I'lover  present,  though  not 
abundant,  from  Eastern  Kansa.s  westward.  In  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Hays  he  noticed 
it  occurring  Avith  considerable  frequency.  During  the  breeding-season  he  saAV  it  in 
isolated  pairs,  nsuallj'  in  the  driest  situations,  and  characterizes  it  as  silent  and 
unsuspicious.  Later  in  the  sea.son  Mr.  Allen  nu^ntions  meeting  with  it  in  small 
parties  composed  of  one  or  two  broods  of  young  accompanied  by  their  parents  ;  tliese 
were  observed  at  intervals  throughout  the  month  of  July,  This  species  was  also 
often  met  with  in  South  i'ark,  as  well  as  on  the  high  table-lands  which  occur  at 
intervals  thence  to  the  plains. 

Dr.  Coues  noticed  this  si)ecies  on  various  occasions,  and  his  accounts  are  generally 
confirmatory  of  those  previously'  given  by  Dr.  Cooper.  He  first  mentions  meeting 
with  it  in  his  journey  from  Arizona  to  the  Pacific,  and  there  speaks  of  it  as  an  im- 
suspicious  and  familiar  Ijird,  admitting  of  a  very  near  approach  where  it  was  not  too 
often  disturbed,  running  gra<--efully  with  the  head  lowered,  often  sto2)ping  suddenly 
and  drawing  itself  up  to  its  full  height,  and  watching  the  intruder  with  curious 
eye.  Its  voice  is  descril>ed  as  Ijeing  soft  and  low,  and  of  a  very  peculiar  tone.  More 
recently,  he  mentions  its  occurrence  in  Dakota,  along  the  parallel  of  49°  N.,  where  it 
was  breeding  in  considerable  numljers.  It  was  first  seen  July  1,  and  was  traced 
thence  across  the  coimtry  nearly  to  the  Sweetgrass  Hills.  Its  centre  of  abundance 
was  about  Frenchman's  Kiver,  where  a  set  of  three  eggs,  with  many  specimens,  both 
adult  and  young,  were  secured.  At  no  time  did  the  birds  seem  to  him  wary  or  sus- 
picious, and  when  their  nests  or  young  were  threatened  they  would  hardly  retreat 
even  if  themselves  in  danger.  <  >n  such  occasions  they  utter  a  low  chattering  cry  very 
unlike  their  usual  soft  mellow  whistle,  fly  low  over  the  ground  to  a  short  distance,  or 
run  swiftly  for  a  few  paces,  and  then  stand  motionless,  as  described  by  Mr.  Nuttall. 
The  chicks  are  said  to  Ix;  white  lieneath  and  curiously  variegated  in  color  above,  with 
naked  livid  spaces  about  the  neck.  From  the  first  the  young  were  very  difficult  to 
capture  alive.  The  nesting-season  is  protracted,  well-feathered  young  and  fresh  eggs 
occurring  at  the  same  period. 

In  the  desert  regions  of  Xew  Mexico  west  of  the  Rio  Grande,  this  bird  was  also 


yrTT"  r  ■■' 


PARRIDiE  —  THE  JACANAS  —  PARRA. 


175 


found  abundant  late  in  June.  It  was  seen  in  Arizona  at  various  seasons,  but  not  in 
great  numbers.  Its  food  consists  princiitally.  if  not  Avliolly,  of  insects,  grasshoppers 
seeming  to  be  its  main  reliance,  witli  crickets  and  beetles.  In  the  fall,  when  food  is 
plenty,  the  birds  are  excellent  eating. 

AVhen  forced  to  fiy,  this  I'lover  is  said  to  rise  rapidly  with  quick  wing-beats,  and 
then  to  proceed  with  alternate  sailing  and  flapping.  It  generally  flies  low  over  the 
Lfrounil,  and  as  it  alights  takes  a  few  mincing  steps. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  (S.  I.  No.  'JH~)S)  obtained  by  Dr.  Suckley  on  the  North 
Forks  of  the  Platte,  nortliwest  of  Fort  Ivearney,  ihily  15,  1857,  do  not  resend)le  in 
their  general  appearance  the  eggs  of  tlie  si)ecies  of  the  genus  yEijinHfis.  They  are  a 
rounded  oval  in  shape,  one  end  being  but  slightly  more  pointed  tluin  other.  The 
ground-color  is  a  deep  biownish  drab,  nearly  uniformly  marked  witli  rounded  spots 
of  varying  size,  of  deep  bistre ;  these  are  a  little  more  numerous,  and  larger  about 
the  obtuse  end.  The  eggs  measure  1.4U  inches  in  length,  and  1.10  in  breadth.  Sjjeci- 
mens  of  eggs  of  tins  species  in  tlie  Smithsonian  Collection  from  Frencliman's  lUver 
(No.  17016)  have  a  ground-color  of  a  dee[)  reddish  buff,  Avith  spots  of  different  shades 
of  brown  and  black,  cliiefly  tlie  latter.  There  were  three  eggs  found  in  the  nest,  and 
this  seemed  to  be  the  com] dement;  they  were  nearly  fresh.  The  nest  was  a  mere 
depression  on  tlie  bare  prairie,  lined  only  with  a  few  grass-blades.  The  eggs  measured 
respectively  1.50  by  1.15,  1.55  by  1.10,  and  1.60  by  1,05.  Mr.  Stevenson  describes 
their  nests  as  being  mere  depressions  in  the  ground ;  in  one  four  eggs  were  found. 
Mr,  J.  A.  Allen  saw  newly  hatched  young,  and  others  full  grown,  July  'J7  and  28,  in 
South  Park,  Colorado. 


4 


Family  PAPiPJD-^.  —  The  Jacanas. 

Char.  Small-sized  Wading-birds,  combining  the  general  appearance  of  Rails  and 
Plovers,  but  differing  from  both  in  the  remarkable  and  excessive  elongation  of  the 
toes  and  claws,  the  latter  nearly  straight  and  much  compressed,  that  of  the  hallux 
much  longer  than  its  digit,  and  slightly  recurved. 

The  above  brief  diagnosis  is  sufficient  to  distinguish  the  Jacanas  from  all  other 
Wading-birds.  Their  nearest  allies  appear  to  be  the  Plovers,  from  which  they  differ 
chiefly  in  the  character  of  the  feet,  as  pointed  out  above.  The  single  American  genus 
I'dt'm,  Lath.,  is  further  characterized  by  the  presence  of  leaf-like  lobes  vt  the  base 
of  tlie  bill,  and  a  sharp  conical  spur  projecting  from  the  inside  of  the  bend  of  tlie 
wing,  in  the  possession  of  which  features  they  present  a  striking  analogy  to  certain 
Plovers,  as  the  genera  LobivanellHs,  Stkickl.,  and  Hoijlojderus,  Bonap.  The  genus 
Parm,  of  which  there  are  several  species,  all  American,^  is  characterized  as  follows  :  — 

Genus  PARRA,   Linn.t^us. 

FiiUca,  Linn.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  I.  n.lS,  152  (F.  xpinosn  =  I'arra  jaenna,  \..  ed.  1766  2). 

Jaccmii,  Bkiss.  Orn.  V.  1760,  121  (typi',  Parmjacaitu,  Aucr.).     (Iiicluiles  also  Hi/d  alector,  Wagl., 

awd.  Melopodius,  Waot,.) 
Parra,  Linn.  S.  N.  \.  1766,  259  (type,  P.jaaina,  L.). 

1  For  a  synopsis  of  the  species  of  this  genus,  see  Sclater  "  On  tlie  American  Genus  Parra,"  in  Proc. 
Zool.  Soc.  Lond,  1856,  j).  282. 

*  Allowing  si)ecitic  names  given  in  the  10th  edition  of  "Systema  Naturoe,"  against  wliich  tliere  appearj 
to  be  no  valid  olijcction,  we  eiin  see  no  reason  why  the  common  South  American  Jacaiia  sliould  not  be 
called  P.  spinosa,  L.,  instead  of  P.  jacana. 


176 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATOUES  —  LIMICOLiE. 


Char.  Remiges  normal ;  rectrices  much  abbreviated,  very  soft,  entirely  concealed  by  the  tail- 
coverts;  forehead  witli  large  leal-like  lube,  'ree  laterally  and  posteriorly,  atllieriny  centrally  and 
anteriorly  ;  rictus  (irnamented  by  a  smaller  lobe  (rudimentary  in  P.  (jijiiuiosIoiiki). 

The  above  characters  are  chielly  those  which  distinj,niish  the  American  genus  Farm  from  its 
Old  World  allies  IIijdivphuKUiiiits,^  AMitapwIiiiH,'^  i\\u\  lliidndivlnr.^  I  am  unable  to  state  in  just 
what  essential  particulars  the  two  latter  dill'er  I'rom  I'arra,  never  having  seen  specimens  of  any 
species  of  either  form.  The  ftret,  however,  diftei-s  very  widely  in  the  great  deveiojanent  of  lliu 
rectrices,  of  which  the  intermedia'  are  excessively  elongated  ;  in  the  curious  attenuation  of  the  jni- 
maries,  which  are,  moreover,  of  very  unequal  length,  and  in  the  entire  aljsence  of  lobes  about  tlie 
base  of  the  bill.  These  characters  I  have  drawn  from  figures  of  the  single  species,  //.  chirnnjitg, 
Scoi'UM,  not  having  seen  the  bird  itself. 

In  addition  to  the  generic  characters  given  above,  the  following  also  may  be  mentioned  :  — 

Bill  somewhat  Flover-like  in  form,  the  liasal  half  with  the  upper  and  lower  outlines  nearly 
parallel  and  decidedly  approximated,  the  terminal  half  of  the  culiuen  strongly  convex,  the  gonys 
nearly  straight,  antl  decidedly  ascending  terminally  ;  nostrils  small,  horizontal,  elliptical,  situated 
about  half-way  lietween  the  anterior  angle  of  the  eye  and  the  tip  of  the  bill.  Primaries  ten, 
reaching  to  the  tijis  of  the  tertials,  the  three  outer  tpiills  longest  and  nearly  e<jual,  their  inner  webs 
slightly  narrowed  near  the  end.  Tarsus  and  bare  portion  of  the  tibia  covered  by  a  continuous 
frontal  and  posterior  series  (if  transverse  scutelhe,  these  sometimes  fused  into  continuous  sheaths  ; 
middle  toe  (exclusive  of  its  claw)  about  c(pud  to  the  tarsus  (sometimes  a  little  shorter)  ;  outer  toe 
etjual  to  the  middle  toe,  but  its  claw  a  little  shorter ;  inner  toe  a  little  shorter  than  the  outer,  but 
its  claw  considerably  longer  ;  hallux  about  e(iual  to  the  liasal  phalanx  of  tla;  middle  toe,  but  its 
claw  reaching  nearly,  if  not  liuite,  to  the  end  of  the  middle  toe. 


Farra  gymnostoma. 

THE  MEXICAN  JACANA. 


Parra  gymnostoma,  Wagl.  Isis,  1831,  CAT.  —  Sci,.  &  Sai.v.  Xoni.  Nootr.  1873, 142.  —  Meurill,  liall. 
Nutt.  Oni.  Club,  I.  Nov.  ]87t),  88  (Fort  Brown,  Texas)  ;  I'roc.  U.  S.  Nal.  JIus.  I.  1878,  107 
(Fort  Brown).  —  Hinow.  ib.  (synonymy;  descriptions);  Noiu.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  .lOS. — 
CouES,  Cheek  List,  Sd  cd.  1882,  no.  ()72. 

Parra  cordifcra,  Less.  Kov.  Zool.  1842,  l.'if)  (Aoapnlco).  —  Des  Muils,  Icon.  Orn.  pi.  42. 

Hab.   The  whole  of  Central  America,  from  Panama  to  Noi  thern  Mexico ;  lower  Rio  Grande 
Valley  of  Texas,  at  Fort  Brown  (Meuuim.,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  I.  1878,  1G7)  ;  Cuba. 

Sp.  Char.    Adult:  Wing,  4.50-5.40  ;  culmen,  1.15-1.40  ;  tarsus,  1.90-2.35  ;  middle  toe,  1.85- 


m 


2.25.*    Head,  neck,  jugulum,  and  extreme  anterior  portion  of  the  back  uniform  black,  with  a  hunt 
silky  green  gloss  below.     Rest  of  the  plumage  nuiinly  uniform  rich  purplish  chestnut,  with  a 


1  "  Hydroplumanus,  Wagl.  1832"  (type,  //.  chirurgus,  Scopoi.i). 

"  "  Metopodius,  Wagl.  1832"  (type,  Parra  africana,  Lath., /rfc  Gray). 

8  "  Hydralcdor,  Wagi,.  1832"  (type,  Parra  crislala,  Yikill.,  fiilc  Gray). 


*  Extremes  of  thiiteeu  examples. 


■  TT      ': 


PARRIDiE  -  THE  JACANAS  —  PARRA. 


177 


faint  purple  gloss,  brightest  or  most  rufescent  on  tlie  wings,  moiu  pnri)lish  on  the  back,  rump, 
ami  upper  tail-ooverts,  and  of  a  rich  ilark  purplisli-niaroon  sliadu  on  the  Invast  and  sides  ;  anal 
re!,'ion,  tibia',  and  crissuni  duller  and  more  grayi.sh.  Reini;,'es  (except  the  terliuls)  ])ale  yelliiwisb 
p(M-gieen,  bordered  terminally  with  dull  dusky,  this  border  very  narr(j\v,  and  stiictly  terminal  on 
tlie  secondaries,  but  broader,  and  involving  more  or  less  of  both  edges  of  iheiiuills  on  the  jirimaries, 
where  it  increases  in  extent  to  the  outer  (piill,  which  has  the  entire  outer  wei)  bhickisli  ;  alulie  and 
primary  coverts  dull  blackish.  Tail-feathers  uniform  rich  chestnut.  "  Iris  dark  brown  ;  bill,  ahir 
spurs,  and  frontal  leaf,  bright  yellow  ;  upper  base  of  bill  bluish  white,  the  space  between  it  and 
till'  nasal  leaf  bright  carmine  ;  feet  greenish."  * 

YuuiKj:  Frontal  leaf  rudimentary.  Pileum  grayish  brown,  bordered  on  each  side  by  a  wide 
and  conspicuous  superciliary  stripe  of  bufl'y  white,  extending  to  the  occiput  ;  below  this  stripe, 
another  narrower  one  of  black  or  dusky,  i)eginning  at  the  posterior  angle  of  the  eye  and  extending 
along  the  upper  edge  of  the  uiiriculars  to  the  nape,  which  is  also  of  this  color  ;  remainder  of  the 
head,  witli  the  entire  lower  parts,  except  the  sides,  continuous  buffy  white,  more  strongly  tinged 
with  butf  across  the  jugulum.  Upper  parts  in  general  (except  the  remiges)  light  grayish  brown, 
the  feathers  bordered  terminally  with  rusty  butf  in  the  younger  stage,  but  uniform  in  older  indi- 
viduals ;  rump  more  or  less  tinged  with  chestnut.  Sides  and  lining  of  the  wing  dusky  bhick,  but 
in  older  examples  more  or  less  tinged  with  chestnut.  Remiges  as  in  the  adult ;  rectrices  grayish 
brown. 

The  downy  young  is  unknown,  oi'  at  least  I  have  been  unable  to  find  any  description. 

In  the  considerable  series  of  spuciniens  of  this  species  contained  in  the  collection  of  the  National 
JIuseum,  notable  variations  in  size  and  jiropoitions  occur  among  specimens  of  the  same  age  and 
sex,  but  apparently  without  regard  to  locality.  Cuban  specimens  do  not  dift'er  in  the  least,  so  lar 
as  1  can  see,  from  Mexican  and  Central  American  examples. 

The  present  species  of  Jaoaua  was  met  with  by  Dr.  James  C.  Merrill  near  Fort 
Brown,  in  Southeastern  Texas,  early  in  August,  187(3.  He  saw  it  on  two  occa- 
sions, on  the  lirst  of  which  he  had  not  the  means  of  procuring  a  specimen,  and  on  the 
second  was  unable  to  obtain  the  bird  lie  had  shot.  Very  little  is  known  as  to  the 
manners  and  habits  of  this  peculiar  family.  In  its  characteristics  it  seems  to  com- 
bine very  many  of  the  characteristics  of  the  Rails  and  the  Plovers ;  and  it  may  be 
that  its  manner  of  life  also  partakes  of  the  habits  of  the  two  forms  so  distinct  from 
catdi  other.  This  species  is  a  common  bird  of  Mexico,  probably  of  a  small  portion  of 
Xorthern  South  America,  Central  America  to  Panama,  and  Cuba,  and  perhaps  other 
West  India  Islands. 

This  species  was  taken  by  Sumichrast  in  Southwestern  Mexico,  at  Santa  Efigenia 
and  Zonatepec,  in  March  and  April.  A  set  of  four  eggs  of  this  species,  from  Cuba, 
measure  1.22  by  .08;  1.20  by  1.00;  1.24  by  1.00;  1.15  by  .94.  They  are  of  a 
rounded  oval  shape,  have  a  ground  color  of  bright  drab,  and  are  strikingly  marbled 
over  the  entire  surface  with  an  intersecting  net-work  of  black  or  very  dark-brown 
waving  stripes,  blotches,  and  lines.  These  markings  curve  and  wind  in  various  ways, 
always  in  rounded,  never  in  angular,  turns,  and  the  eggs  present  a  very  peculiar,  un- 
mistakable, and  characteristic  appearance. 

'  Smnichrast,  US.,  fide  Lawr.,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  No.  4,  1876,  p.  50. 


vol..  r. 


•23 


11 


!   I 


178 


PILECOCIAL  GHALLATOUES  —  LIMlCULvE. 


Family  SCOLOPACIDyE.— The  Snipe  Family. 


•is  '  >' 


a  I 


The  characters  of  the  family  Scdbpdchhr  havinji;  been  given  in  suflicient  detail 
on  p.  108,  in  the  analysis  of  the  families  of  Limicohe,  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat 
them  here.  The  Sccjlopacida'  are  among  the  most  widely  dispersed  of  l)irds,  a  large 
proportion  of  the  genera  l)eing  nearly  cosmopolitan.  They  ondn'ace  a  very  great 
variety  of  forms,  from  the  diminutive  "Peeps"  (Arlodrouins  and  JCrcuiu'tcs),  smaller 
than  a  Sparrow,  to  the  large  (."urlews,  of  Ihis-like  stature  and  a]>pearance.  The  hill 
may  be  either  straight,  bent  upward,  as  in  the  Avocets  (r.  ij.  Hihosk  and  Tfvvhia), 
or  strongly  decurved,  like  a  sickle ;  narrowed  at  the  end,  or  widely  ex])anded  into 
a  paddle-sha})ed  form  (EHripwrhi/Hckun).  The  legs  may  be  short  and  stout  (as  in 
Arqnafcllc,  ('(didris,  etc.),  or  of  almost  Stilt-like  length,  as  in  Micropahona,  Tvtiinv^, 
etc.  Ijetweeu  these  wide  extremes  of  form,  however,  there  are  genera  possessing 
characters  intermediate  in  almost  every  conceivable  degree  —  .so  much  so  as  to  ren- 
der it  extremely  difficult  to  tabulate  the  characters  of  the  numerous  genera.  The 
following  is  an  attempt  at  a  diagnostic  table  of  the  American  genera,  omitting 
Phcyornis,  Gkav,^  of  Chili,  which  we  have  not  been  able  to  examine. 

American  Genera  of  Scolopacidee. 

A.  Bill  ]oii<,'er  than  tliu  tiirsus  ami  iniddli;  tou,  .straiylit. 

B.  Bill  sLoitur  than  thu   tar.siis  and  middle   toe,  stionj,dy  decurved  at  the  end ;  wing  short, 

rounded. 

C.  Bill  shoilLi  ihan  the  tarsus  and  middle  toe,  stiaif,dit  or  slightly  curved  up  or  down  ;  wing 

lengthened,  jiointed. 

D.  Bill  widely  expanded  laterally  at  the  end. 

E.  Bill  longer  than  the  tarsus  and  middle  toe,  strongly  decurved. 

A.    (Scolopaceai.) 
a.  Tibia  complitelij  feathered. 

1.  Scolopax.     Outer  <[uill  longest,  broad,  like  the  others. 

2.  Pbilobela.     Outer  cjuill  shorter  than  the  si.vth,  the  three  outer  primaries  abruptly  nuich 

narrower  than  the  rest. 
6.  Tibia:  fmrflij  naked. 

3.  Oallinago.     Toes  all  cleft  to  the  base. 

4.  MacrorbamphuB.     A  well-developed  web  between  anterior  toes,  at  base. 

€.- 
a.  Feathers  of  the  forehead  not  roaehing  to  the  nostril ;  anterior  toes  all  webbed  at  the  base. 

5.  Micropalama.     Bill  and  legs  much  elongated,  the  former  much  compressed,  except  at 

end  ;  tarsus  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  ;  size  medium. 

6.  Ereunetes.     Bill  and  legs  moderately  elong.ated,  or  rather  short,  tlie  former  scarcely,  if 

at  all,  compressed  ;  tarsus  much  less  than  twice  tli(!  middle  toe  ;  size  small. 
h.  Feathers  of  the  forehead  not  reaching  to  the  nostril ;  anterior  toes  all  cleft  to  the  base. 
1.'  A  well-developed  hind  toe. 

7.  Tringa.     Tarsus  one  third  its  length  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  toes  stout, 

the  middle  about  half  as  long  as  the  bill  ;  bill  stout,  straight.     Middle  tail-feathers  not 
longer  than  the  rest.    Size  rather  large  (wing  more  than  (i.OO). 

^  Type,  LcptnjJHS  Mitrhrh  i,  Fraser. 

2  Section  "  B  "  iiicliules  only  the  singular  genus  Rhynchcca,  which  ha.s  representatives  in  various  parts 
of  the  Soutliern  Hemisphere,  but  none  in  North  America. 


iSfii 


SCOLOPACID.'E  —  THE   SNIPE  FAMILY. 


179 


D. 

21.  EurynorhynchuB.     Size  small  (auiong  the  smallest  of  the  family)  ;  bill  widely  expanded 

laterally  at.  the  end  ;  otherwise,  much  as  in  Adodromas. 

E. 

22.  Numenius.     Size  lai-ge  to  very  large  (wing  8  inches  or  more)  ;  bill  long  (much  longer 

than  tarsus),  decidedly  decurved  or  arched. 


9. 


10. 


Arquatella.     Tarsus  shorter  tliuii  iIk;  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  toua  slender,  the  middle  two 
thiids  to  three  fourths  as  long  as  the  bill ;  bill  slender,  much  compressed,  straight,  or 
very  slightly  decurved  at  tlie  end  ;  si/.e  medium  (wing  less  than  (!.()()). 
Actodromaa.     Tarsus  ahdul  e(iuul  to  tlu'  bill  ;  IjIII  straight,  moderately  slender  ;  toes 

slender,  tlii^  middle  one  decidedly  .shorter  than  tlie  tarsus  ;  size  medium  to  very  small. 
Pelidna.     Hill  very  long  (nearly  as  hmg  as  the  tarsus  and  middle  toe),  <lecidedly  decurved 
teriuinally  ;  toes  slender,  the  middUt  inu:  deeidedly  shorter  than  the  tarsus. 
1."   No  hind  toe. 
11.   Calidris.     .Size  rather  small  ;  liill  short,  straight,  expanded  at  end. 
c.  Feathers  of  foreheiid  not  leaching  to  nostril ;  a  w.-ii  between  outer  and  middle  toes  at  base 
(between  all  in  Siimphrmid). 
■2.'   (!iipe  not  extending  bi'hinil  the  base  of  the  culmen. 
\-2.   Limosa.     Size  large  (wing  H.OO  or  more)  ;  bill  nnich  longer  than  tarsus,  tapering  toward 
the  end,  where  slightly  but  decidedly  upturned,  the  lateral  groove  e.xtending  nearly  to 
the  til). 
2."   Gapi^  extending  decidedly  behind  the  base  of  the  culmen. 
3.'   Lateral  groove  of  the  maxilla  e.xtending  scarcely  more  than  half  way  to  end  of  bill. 
4.'    Hack  of  tarsus  covered  with  transverse  .scutella-,  as  in  front. 

13.  Totanua.     No  web  between  imier  and  niiildle  toes  ;  middle  toe   not   mon;  than 

half  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  size  medium  to  large  (but  wing  always  less  than  8  inches). 

14.  Rbyacopbilua.     Similar  to  Tolniiiin,  hnt  miildlc  toe  nearly  as  long  as  tarsu.s. 

15.  Symphemia.     A  well-(level()peil  web  between  base  of  inner  and  middle  toes;  a 

lai'gi^  white  p.atch  on  base  of  primaries  ;  size  large  (wing  more  than  8  inches). 
4."    P)ack  of  tarsus  covered  with  small  roundi.sli  scales. 

Hi.   Heteroacelua.     No  web  between  base  of  inner  and  middle  toes  ;  size  medium  (wing 
less  than  8  inches). 
3."    Lateral  groove  of  maxilla  extending  nearly  to  tip  of  bill. 

17.  Machetes.     Size   large  (wing  7  inches  or  more)  ;  tail  ."^hort  (less  than  half  the 

wing),  rounded.     Ailiilt  $    with  the  neck  ruffed,  and  anterior  portion  of  head 
bari'. 

18.  Bartramia.     Size  large  (wing  nearly  7  inches)  ;  tail   lengthened  (more  than  half 

the  wing),  graduated.     Adult  $  witiiout  rufl",  the  anterior  part  of  the  head  nor- 
mally feathered. 

19.  Tringoidea.     Size  small  (wing  less  than  4.5(1)  ;  tail  rather  lengthened  (more  than 

half  th(!  wing),  graduated. 
(/.  Feathers  of  the  forehead  reaching  to  and  partly  enclosing  the  nostril  ;  anterior  toes  all  cleft  at 
the  base. 
20.   Tryngitea.     Size  small  (a  little  larger  than  Tringoides)  ;   bill  small  and  slender  (shorter 
than  the  head,  id^out  equal  to  the  middle  toe),  the  lateral  groove  reaching  nearly  to  the 
tip  ;  gape  reaching  back  of  the  base  of  the  culmen  ;  middle  toe  more  than  half  as  long 
as  the  tarsus ;  inner  webs  of  ipiills  and  under  primary-coverts  beautifully  speckled. 


■i 


4^Mf' 


180 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LBriCOL.E. 


Genus  SCOLOFAZ,  Linnjeus. 

ScolojHu;  Linn.  S.  X.  cd.  10,  1758,  145  ;  cd.  12,  1766,  242  (typo,  S.  rustkola,  Linn.). 
niMticola,  MoKiiii,  Av.  (icii.  1752,  77  (same  type). 

Char.  Body  very  robust  ;  tarsii.-i  loss  tliiiii  half  as  loiif;  as  the  bill,  and  scarcely  longer  than 
tin;  middle  toe  ;  tiliiic  eomiiletcly  leathered  ;  prinmri  s  iioriual,  the  outeriuost  longest,  and  broad, 
like  the  rest. 

The  above  diaf,'nosi.t  is  suHlcient  to  (lisliii<,'uish  this  j;enu8,  which  embraces  the  European  Wood- 
cock (.S'.  niMicHl(i)  and  two  allied  Old  World  species  (jr  races,*  from  the  genus  Philohda,  of  which 
the  American  Woodcock  (/••.  minor)  is  the  sole  representative. 


'i:  ill 
it;:'*!: 


Scolopax  rusticula. 

THE  EVKOPEAN  WOODCOCK. 

Scolopnx  ruMknfa,    Linn.   S.    N.  cd.  10,  1758,  146;  ed.  12,   1706,  243.  — N.wm.  Vdf;.    Dcutsdil. 

VIII.  1836,  301,  pi.  211.  —  Kkvs.  &  Bi.as.  Wirb.  Kur.  1840,  78.  —  S(  hi.ko.  liev.  ciit.  1844, 

85.  —  (litAV,  Ofii.  B.  III.  1849,  584.  — Baiiu),  Am.  Jour.  Arts  &  Sci.  XLl.  1866,  25  (Now- 

foumlland). 
Scolopnx  fUHlicHhi,  WiiART.  Ibis,  1870,  454.  —  Ridgw.  Nom.  N.Am.  B.  1881,  no.  524.  —  CouES, 

Chock  List,  2il  cd.  1SS2,  no.  60ti. 
Scolnpav  vuijni;  Lr.AclI,  Syst.  <.'iit.  1816,  31. 

Scolopax  pinctorum,  Hiir.uM,  Viij,'.  Dcutschl.  1831,  613,  pi.  32,  f.  2. 
Scolnpax  Killvcstrii,  BitKllM,  t.  o.  614. 
Rmiicnla  sylvcslrin,  Maccii.i,.  Man.  II.  1840,  105. 
Rtistkola  vulgaris,  Vii:ii.i..  N.  D.  III.  1816,  348. 
Woo(kock,  Yauu.  Brit.  B.  cd.  2,  III.  1845,  1,  fig.  cd.  3,  III.  1,  fig.  ct  AucT. 

Had.  Palojarctic  Region  ;  occasional  in  Eastern  North  America  (several  records  :  Loutloun  Co., 
Virginia,  Covv:?,,  Forest  <&  Stream,  April  27,  1876,  p.  180;  New  Jersey,  CouES  ;  Newfoundland, 
Baird,  Am.  Jour.  Sci.  &  Arts,  XLL  1866,  25). 


Sp.  Char.  Adidt :  Above  rusty  brown,  everywhere  variegated  by  lighter  transverse  spots  and 
dusky  lines ;  the  middle  of  the  back  (longitudinally)  and  the  scapulars  marked  with  irregular 
large  black  spots  or  blotches  ;  8cai>ular3  much  mixed  with  light  grayish  posteriorly,  and  sides  of 
the  interscapular  region  almost  continuously  light  grayish,  forming  a  pair  of  well-defined  V-shaped 


*  S.  saturata,  Horsfield,  of  Java,  and  S.  Rochuascni,  Sciilerel,  of  Africa  (Greater  Obi). 


SCULOPACID.E  — TIIK  SNIl'K   FAMILY  —  SCOLol'AX, 


181 


mark.s,  on  eiuli  nuh  of  tliu  ru.sty  l)latk-.i|MitttMl  uix'ii.  Um\\\)  lij^'littT  cinimiiioii-nisty,  imrrowly 
buried  with  dusky  ;  upimr  tail-coVLTlH  lnr;,',.ly  tijiiicd  with  li;,'ht  gmy.  'I'liii-lciitiiiTs  l>lm:k,  ncr- 
ratfd  almi^,'  llu-  (nitcr  i'll'^f  with  lUsty,  iiiid  widrly  ti|i|icd  witli  lij,'ht  ^'iiiy.  I'"()niicii<l  iiini  imliiinr 
|iarl  111'  till'  rmwii,  ludwni.sh  ;,'iiiy  ;  pu.-lfiior  [lait  (it  the  truwii  and  «  hulo  (MTJimt,  l>huk,  cio.s.sod 
l.y  lour  traiiMVfi'Ho  iiurrow  liamln  of  lij^'lit  rusty,  or  ocliraccous  — iwo  tlirou;;!!  tiie  lilack,  tliu  other 
two  lininidiii^'  it  anteriorly  ami  posti  linrly.  A  wide  loral  stri|pc  of  Mackish  lirown,  riinnin;,'  from 
tlic  riiliis  to  the  eye.  (  iiin  wliitc  Lower  parts  iu  ^,'i'urral  palf  fuivipus  ),'rayisli  (nearly  wliite 
medially),  marked  with  irre;,'nlar  transverse  l.ars  of  dark  Lrown.  (,)iiills  dusky,  liu'ir  outer  welis 
marked  willi  trian^^ulai' spots  of  lij,dit  cinnamon,  arraiij^ed  so  as  to  form  transveisi;  Lands;  outer 
web  of  exterior  cpiil!  widely  eil^'ed  with  pure  wliiie.  Hill  and  feet  li^jlit  liorn-color,  tlie  former 
blaekish  at  the  end.  Uninui  Vouini:  (leueial  line  delicate  rusty  ocliraceous,  the  upper  surface 
marked  with  larj,'e  blotchdike  areas  of  deep  rusty,  these  Leiii;,'  arran;,'ed  as  follows  ;  an  isolated, 
somewhat  wedi,'e-shaped,  spot  oecupyini,' the  ndddle  of  the  forehead  ;  a  loii;^iludiual  stripe  down 
the  middle  of  the  rump  ;  a  lonyitudinal  patch  coverin;,'  the  occiput  ami  nape,  and  sending'  out  two 
lateral  branches,  the  lirsl  from  the  upper  part  to  the  eye,  the  second  from  the  lower  part  across  the 
neck,  where  continued,  more  or  less  interrupteiUy,  acu'oss  the  juj,'ulum  ;  a  dark  chestnut  (nearly 
black)  stripe  from  the  bill  to  the  eye.  'I'lie  other  blotches  eoveriii;,'  the  back,  part  of  the  wings, 
and  the  aiuU  re^'ion. 

Wing,  nearly  8.tK) ;  cuhnen,  about  ;3.('l)-;3.:i.");  tarsus,  1. 50  ;  middle  toe,  1.30. 

The  Eui'opeait  Woodcock  is  of  occiisioiuil  iiiid  iK^cidciital  occurrpnco  iu  North 
America,  and  its  iii»i)oaraiice  (jiiitc  possibly  is  more  frccjiiciit  than  we  arc;  aware  of. 
It  is  referred  to,  in  one  instance,  in  the  ••  Ihis."  as  having'  lieeii  included  in  the  New- 
ioundlaud  c(dlection  of  mounted  birds  in  tlie  Kxiiositioii  of  ISC)". 

In  Lewis's  "American  Sportsman"  (p.  lilS),  under  tiie  lu'adiii};  "'Woodcock,"  refer- 
ence is  made  in  a  footnote  to  a  specimen  of  a  \Vood(!Ock  sent,  iibout  18()(),  to  Mr.  G, 
1).  Wetlieriil,  wiiich  wei^du'd  fotu'teeii  ounces.  When  received,  however,  it  was  too 
far  gone  to  'le  preserved;  but  it  Wiis,  without  much  (huibt,  ii  bird  of  tliis  species. 
Mr.  George  X.  Lawrence  cites  another  similar  instance,  where  a  I'rieinl  of  his  shot, 
near  Newport,  J{.  L,  a  large  Woodccadc,  which  weighed  fourteen  ounces;  nnfortu- 
natel}'  it  was  not  ])reserved.  The  fact  that  our  Woodcock  rarely  rciiidies  and  never 
exceeds  nine  ounces,  while  the  usual  weight  of  the  European  is  fourteen,  naturally 
suggests  that  in  both  instances  the  specimens  were  examples  of  the  riistlruln. 

We  are  not,  however,  restricted  to  i)robal)ilities  nuMfdy  for  our  evidence  of  the 
actual  occurrence  of  this  species  within  our  limits.  Mr.  Lawrence  has  in  his  collec- 
tion the  skin  of  a  European  Woodcock  purchased  in  the  Washington  Market  of  New 
York,  Dec.  (>,  LS,')!).  It  had  been  brought  there  with  a  lot  of  Quail,  on  board  the  boat 
from  Shrewsl)ury,  N.  J. 

This  species  appears  to  be  widely  distributed  over  Europe  and  the  western  portions 
of  Asia.  It  resorts  in  summer  to  northern  regions  for  purposes  of  reproduction,  and 
in  its  migrations  visits  a  wide  extent  of  territory. 

A  few  breed  in  Great  liritain,  in  various  jiarts  of  the  islands,  but  a  large  proportion 
seen  there  are  migrants  from  more  northern  regions.  They  breed  througluiut  Den- 
mark, Norway,  Sweden,  Lapland,  and  Northern  Russia,  arriving  in  Scandinavia  at 
tlie  latter  end  of  March  or  the  begiiunng  of  April,  when  they  are  found  on  the  coast 
in  considerable  iunul)ers,  but  usually  dei)art  for  the  interior  on  the  prevalence  of 
westerly  winds.  They  are  common  in  Western  Lapland  l)eyond  the  Arctic  Circle, 
and  are  generally  and  widely  dispersed ;  but  are  nowhere  numerous.  The  pine-forests 
are  their  places  of  resort  in  summer.  They  are  not  foiuid  in  Southern  Germany  iu 
the  summer,  and  breed  no  farther  south  than  Silesia,  and  thence  northward. 

This  is  a  celebrated  game-bird  in  Europe,  and  especially  in  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land, where,  in  their  fall  migrations,  the  Woodcock  arrive  in  great  numbers,  and  are 


182 


riLKCUCIAL  GKA1-LAT(U:KS  —  LIMICOL.E. 


I 


1 

11     ^ 


if' i 


(i. 


much  Hoiight  uftt'i'  by  H])()itsiii('ii.  Tlicir  liir>,'t'  si/.i',  thfir  Hno  flavor,  .and  the  interest 
<att('U(linf^  tlicir  |tursuit  cmiiliiiic  to  render  tlicni  attnictivc  olijccts  to  tlic  sportsniiin. 
Tlic  winter  visitors  u  tlie  Hritisli  Islands  iisiially  upjicar  early  in  Octolicr,  and  ro- 
main  there  until  March.  Jt  is  said  that  they  always  arrive  in  the  greatest  muubers 
in  hazy  weather.  They  pcrt'oriu  their  journeys  at  nij^'ht;  and  it  is  supim.sed  that 
those  which  appear  in  the  northern  counties  of  England  have  nuule  their  |)assago 
from  Norway  between  sunset  and  sunrise.  If  the  weather  has  been  calm,  the  birds 
exhibit  no  signs  of  fatigiu-  on  their  arrival,  and  generally  come  in  excellent  condition. 
They  fly  at  a  considerable  altitude,  and  usually  alight  just  at  dawn  of  day.  The  first 
flight  which  arrives  usually  consists  cxchisivcl}'  of  females;  the  subse(|ucnt  and 
latest  one  of  males.  In  evidence  of  tiu'  abundance  of  Woodcock  in  the  eastern  conn- 
tics  of  England.  VarrcU  uu-ntious  that  no  less  than  one  huiulre<l  and  sixty  of  these 
birds  were  shot  on  the  estate  of  Lord  Hastings,  in  Norfolk,  in  three  days;  and 
instances  are  on  record  where  two  hundred  of  them  have  been  killed  in  a  single  day 
by  one  ])erson. 

The  Woo(h'ock  is  of  nocturnal  habits,  and  rei)oses  in  the  daytime,  renuiining  hid  in 
dry  grassy  bottoms,  in  woods,  or  among  brakes,  never  moving  exi'cpt  when  disturbiMl. 
Toward  night  tlu'  bird  goes  by  well-known  tracks  to  its  feeding-ground.  These  trac^ks, 
or  open  glades  in  the  woods,  are  known  as  "cock-shoots"  and  "cock-roads  ;"  and  in 
them  nets  were  formerly  suspended  for  the  capture  of  the  bird.  The  common  earth- 
worm is  the  food  they  most  eagerly  seek;  and  in  confinement  they  have  been  known 
to  consume  them  in  almost  incredible  ([uantities.  Their  mode  of  feeding,  as  observed 
in  an  aviary  in  Spain,  is  thus  described  byDanitd;  "There  was  a  fountain  to  keeji 
the  ground  moist,  and  frt'sh  sod  was  brought  to  them,  the  richest  in  worms  that  could 
be  found.  The  Woodcock  stuck  its  beak  into  the  ground,  but  never  higher  than  the 
nostrils,  drew  the  worms  out  singly,  and,  raising  its  bill  in  the  air,  it  extended  upon 
it  the  Avhole  length  of  the  worm,  and  in  this  way  swallowed  it  smoothly,  without  any 
action  of  the  jaws.  The  whole  was  performed  in  an  instant,  and  the  bird  never  once 
missed  its  aim." 

A  small  proportion  of  these  birds  remain  in  England  through  the  sunvmer,  and  are 
verj'  early  breeders.  Varrell  states  that  the  young  are  usually  hatched  by  the  end 
of  ManOi  or  the  beginning  of  Ajjril.  On  the  2Ud  of  April,  1838,  Mr.  Gould  exhibited 
to  the  Zoological  Society  two  young  Woodcocks  ai)parently  three  weeks  old.  The 
nests  of  this  species,  so  far  as  known,  consist  wholly  of  dead  leaves,  chiefly  of  the 
common  fern,  loosely  laid  together,  and  without  any  lining.  The  young  run  almost 
from  the  shell. 

It  appears  to  be  a  well-attested  fact  that  the  parent  birds  of  this  species,  when 
their  yemng  —  if  not  old  enough  to  take  care  of  themselves  —  are  in  danger,  will  take 
them  in  their  claws  and  carry  them  to  a  place  of  safety.  Yarrell  cites  several  in- 
stances in  which  this  curious  perfornmnce  Avas  witnessed.  White,  in  his  "  Natural 
History  of  Helborne,"  discredits  this  statement ;  but  it  appears  to  be  so  well  attested 
by  so  many  trustworthy  witnesses  that  it  is  unreasonable  to  doubt  its  correctness. 

The  eggs  of  the  Woodcock  are  said  to  be  usually  four  in  number.  Their  ground- 
color is  a  pale  yellowish  white,  blotched  and  spotted  with  ashy  gray  and  two  shades 
of  reddish  yellow-brown ;  these  markings  are  most  numerous  around  the  larger  end. 
The  eggs  measure  1.75  inches  in  length  by  1.33  inches  in  breadth. 


8COLOPACID.K  —  THE  SNU'K    I'A.MILV  —  rillLOilELA. 


183 


Gkms  PHILOHELA,  (iKAv. 

Riisticolii,  (JiiAV,  (iciu'lii  H.  ISlOdicc  Mdiiiiiiisii,  17;')'.'). 
P/ii/iilirlil,  (JitAY,  List  liuliriii,  ISll   (typo,  Sodojinx  iiiiiini;  (iMKI-,), 
Min-niili-ni,  NriT.  Mum.  II.  1S:!I,  l!ij  {uir  (iiiAVlAlKiiisr,  ISO'2). 

Char.  Hody  very  lull,  ami  lioail,  Mil,  aiiil  oycs  very  hum:  Tiliia  nliort,  fcathtTtMl  to  tlio  joint. 
Toes  cli't't  to  liasc.  Wiiij,'M  Hhort,  rdiiiulcil,  tlic  lUivv.  outiT  iniiiiarioH  wry  iiairow  ami  iniu'li  attcim- 
alcil  ;  thu  loiirth  ami  lil'lli  iMjnal  ami  loii^'fst.  Taisi  stout,  slioitcr  tliaii  tlic  iiiiilillu  toe.  Iliml 
ihuv  very  short,  conical,  not  e.\leu(liii,i,'  lieyoiul  tiut  toe.     Tail  of  twelve  leathers. 


P   minor. 

The  present  genus,  embraein^'  a  siuL<le  specie,^,  the  Anierioan  Woodcock,  is  much  like  Scnlopax, 
with  the  European  Wootlcock  as  type,  iu  color  ami  external  appearance.  The  most  strikiiiij;  diU'er- 
ence  is  seen  in  the  winj,'s,  which  are  short,  rounded  ;  tlie  fourth  and  fifth  in'imaries  lonj,'est,  and  the 
outer  three  ahruptly  attenuated  :  wliile  in  Sailnpnx  the  \vinf,'s  are  lonj,',  the  tir.st  primary  lonj,'est, 
and  none  attenuated. 

Fhilohela  minor. 

THE  AHEBICAN  WOODCOCK. 

Scolopax  minor,  Gmei,.  S.  N.  I.  1783,  661.  —  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  VI.  1812,  40,  pi.  18,  lig.  2.  —  Aui). 
Orn.  Biof;.  III.  1835,  474,  pi.  208. 

Itiislio)la{Microj)ti'ru)  Minor,  Xurr.  Man.  II.  1834,  104. 

Phih>hcla  minor,  GiiAY,  Genera  B.  1849.  —  Cassis,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  709.  —  Baikd,  Cot. 
N.  Am.  15.  1859,  no.  522.  —  Coi-r.s,  Kty.  1S72,  251,  fig.  162;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  412;  2d 
oJ.  1882,  no.  605  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  472.  —  liimiw.  Xoin.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  525. 

Microptcra  avicricana,  Avu.  Symtp.  1839,  250;  B.  Am.  VI.  1843,  1."),  pi.  352. 

Hab.  Ea.stern  Province  of  Nortii  America,  north  to  the  British  Provinces  and  west  to  Dakota, 
Nebraska,  and  Kansas  ;  breedinj^  throuj,diout  its  known  rant,'e  ;  no  extra-Iimital  record,  except  the 
Bermudas. 


Downy  young,  ' 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  long,  compressed,  punctulated  and  (in  dried  skins)  corrugated  near  the  end  ; 
upper  mundible  longer  than  the  under,  and  fitted  to  it  at  the  tip ;  wings  moderate,  three  outer 


184 


l'H.K('<  CIAI,   (lUALLATOHKS  — l,IMI((»I„i:. 


i|iiillM  vprv  Tinrrow  ;  tuil  ^<lu)^( ;  Ic^'"  iiniiIiTiitc  ;  i-vf*  iiiHcrtfcl  imiisuully  distutit  from  the  Mil.  Aihtll : 
()cci|int  with  llirci'  ti'iiiisvcrsc  IiuihI-  nt'  Mack,  altiTiinliiij,'  wiili  tliii'c  nuiili  nariowcr  inics  ul'  pule 
yullfjwisli  iiil'mm  ;  npiHT  |>artn  ol'  ImhI y  vuricKuti'il  with  pale  anliy,  riit'oii!<,  or  yellowiith  ri'il  <.f  varioiii 
Hliaiit'4,  and  l)lack  ;  lur^c  Kpuccou  trout  and  throat  rt'ddi^li  a^liy  ;  litu'  IVoiii  the  cyi:  to  tlitt  hill,  ami 


m 


nnotlipr  on  the  ni'ck  liclow  tlip  eye,  ))rnwiii-<h  Mack  ;  entire  under  parts  ]ialo  f,Tnyisli  riii'ous, 
lirij;iilcr  on  the  nides  and  under  wini,'-covert>*.  Quills  ashy  hrowii  ;  tail  leathers  lirownish  Maik, 
tipped  witli  n«hy,  darker  on  the  upper  suiiacu,  paler  and  I'reiiuently  white  on  the  under  ;  Mil  li^dit 
lirown,  jialer  and  yellowish  at  liase  ;  Iv^n  ])ale  reddish. 

Ihiiriiij  ijiitiuii :  (leneral  color  li^^dit  riMldish  Imll'or  isuhellu-color,  unil'orni  on  the  lower  RUiiace. 
Line  IroMi  Mil  to  eye,  a  lar;,'e,  somewhat  elli|itical  patch  coverin;,'  forehead  and  lore  part  of  the 
crown,  a  patch  on  the  oc  ipul  (connected  with  that  on  the  crown  by  a  narrow  isthmus),  and  a 
narrow  mark  ludiiiid  the  eye  with  an  (jt)Iii[ue  one  below  it,  very  dark  chestnut ;  broad  utripe  down 
the  rump,  also  dark  chestnut  ;  stripe  down  the  nape,  ami  various  larj,'e  blotches  on  the*  back,  wings, 
etc.,  rather  li^dit  siuill'-brown. 

Total  len},'th  abmit  II  inches;  wing,  4.80-5.70;  tail,  ■l.io;  bill,  I'.nd  to  nearly  3.00  ;  tarsus, 
1.'2")  ;  middle  toe,  1.H7. 

Tiic  Aiucricaii  Woodpook  —  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  ])opnlar  of  our  panip- 
birtls  — i.s  found  tlirotiKhont  the  eastern  portion  of  the  eontinent,  from  Florida  to  the 
Gulf  of  St.  Lawrenei"  on  the  northea.st,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  >.'ebraska.  It  is. 
however,  rare  Avest  of  the  Mississipiti.  It  is  abundant  at  Hamilton,  and  ])robably 
occurs  tlirouj^hoiit  Canada,  New  Hrimswick,  and  Xova  Scotia.  jMr.  lioardman  in- 
forms ns  that  it  is  very  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Calais,  Avhere  it  breeds  abund- 
antly, and  that  it  has  been  known  to  nest  as  far  north  as  the  river  and  the  banks  of 
the  (ridf  of  St.  Lawrence.  It  breeds  in  these  jdaees  in  April,  even  when  the  ground 
is  still  covered  with  snow.     A  single  specinuMi  has  been  taken  in  I>ermiula. 

On  Long  Island,  according  to  (Jiraiid,  the  Woodcock  arrives  early  in  March,  and 
begins  to  build  its  nest,  about  the  begininng  of  April,  of  withered  leaves  and  dry 
grasses  in  a  very  inartistic  manner.  The  eggs  are  usually  four,  occasionally  five, 
in  number.  It  is,  however,  probable  that  the  AVoodcock,  in  favorable  seasons,  arrives 
and  breeds  somewhat  earlier  on  Long  Island,  as  this  bird  occasionally  occurs  in  Massa- 
chusetts in  February,  and  breeds  in  March.  It  remains  in  sheltered  localities  until 
quite  late  in  the  autumn ;  and,  near  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  in  wet  and  springy  places,  a  few 
have  been  seen  in  the  months  of  Dccend)er  and  January. 

In  its  habits  the  Woodcock  is  nocturnal.  It  never  flies  voluntarily  by  day,  but 
only  when  forced  from  its  retreats,  usually  keeping  in  close  and  sheltered  thickets,  and 
resorting  at  twilight  to  its  favorite  feeding-places.  It  feeds  almost  exclusively  dur- 
ing the  night,  as  its  sight  is  very  imperfect  by  day.  Its  eye  is  remarkably  large  and 
handsome,  but  unfit  to  bear  the  glare  of  the  sun,  its  full  and  almost  amaurotic  appear- 


BCOLOI'ACID.K  — TIIK   SNII'M    FAMILY    -  ril.'.DlIKLA. 


186 


Miict'  plainly  sui,'Kt'Mtinj,'  tin-  crt'iinscular  liuliits  ol  tln'  Kinl.  Diiiiii','  tlu'  KivattT  iiortiim 
111  till'  iluy  till'  W'diiili'iuU  rriiiaiiiH  cloHt'ly  coiUTiili'il  in  iiiiirsiiy  tliicki'ts  or  in  imiU 
gi'iiHs;  in  the  t'urly  iiiniiiin\'  nr  rvi'iiin'j;.  and  also  nn  iiin(iiilii;iit  nij^lits.  it  st'i'ks  its 
rmiil  in  iijicn  plai't's,  lint  ilnriny  tin-  day-tiini'  in  dark  and  di'iisr  covt'its. 

Till'  t'avuriti'  placi's  of  resort  ol'  this  s|i('cit's  are  low  marshy  j^ronnds.  swamiis.  anil 
mi'iulows  with  suit  liottonis.  Diirin.y;  vny  wi't  srasoiis  it  soi'ks  hiji,'lii'i'  land  —  most 
1,'i'nt'ially  corn-rn'lds  —  and  srairhi's  lor  loud  in  tlir  suit  |ilon,L,dit'd  f,'i'iinnil.  wlirrc  its 
jircsi-ni't'  is  indii'atcd  hy  tin-  holes  made  liy  its  liili.  in  sei'sons  of  exeessive  dionjiht 
the  Woodi'oek  lesorts  in  larj,'i'  nnmliers  to  tide-walei'  ereeks  and  the  hanks  id'  fresh- 
water rivers;  lint  so  averse  is  it  to  an  exeess  of  water,  that  after  eontinned  or  very 
hea\y  rains  it  has  been  known  snddeidy  to  disajiiiear  over  widely  extended  tracts  of 
conntry. 

In  Oetnlu  and  Novomber  this  iiird  fcu'sakes  its  usual  feedinj,'-Krounds,  ami  resorts 
to  tall  swampy  woods,  small  streams  (iveri,'rown  with  Imshes,  and  newly  eleared  lands. 
Its  favorite  food  eonsists  of  laiva',  insects,  and.  more  es|ieeially.  worms.  As  the 
aiipvoaeh  of  eold  weather  drives  the  latter  deeper  into  the  t,n'ounil.  the  Woodcock 
resorts  to  woods  and  lirushdands.  where  it  ^jleaiis  a  snlisisteiiee  on  insects  concealed 
under  the  leaves.  That  is  considered  liy  sportsnu'U  as  the  most  favoralile  season  in 
which  to  shoot  this  bird,  as  it  is  then  lar^jer,  fatter,  and  more  free  from  vermin  than 
at  any  other  tinm.  The  best  sportsmen  contend  that  the  Woodcock  shouhl  iu)t  be 
shot  until  the  last  of  Se]iteudier  or  the  first  of  October,  and  re,!j;ard  its  destruction, 
when  of  imperfect  tli.yht,  as  both  barbarous  in  itself,  and  certain  to  render  the  race 
extinct — at  least  over  ]iorti(ins  of  the  country. 

The  food  of  this  sjiecies  consists  chietiy  of  worms,  and  iilso  of  several  kinds  of 
larva",  which  it  tinds  under  leaves  and  the  ilvhrlo  of  swampy  woods  and  open  lio^'s. 
The  extreme  portion  of  its  bill  is  well  supplied  with  lu'rves.  and  is  so  extrenudy  sen- 
sitive to  the  touch,  that  by  it  the  presence  of  worms  in  the  soft  oavth  at  a  deiith  of 
tlnee  iuches  is  rca<lily  detected.  This  is  a  very  voracious  bird,  and  when  kept  in 
coi'.tinement  reipiires  constant  attention  and  a  larj^e  supply  of  food.  It  soon 
discovers  and  draws  out  every  worm  in  the  ground;  and  such  as  are  provided  for  it 
arc  consumed  in  incredible  ipiantitics.  It  can  in  time  be  induced  to  feed  on  bread 
and  milk,  of  which  it  will  al.so  consume  an  enormous  (piantity  in  twenty-four 
hours.  The  voracity  of  tins  species  is  evidently  one  of  the  occasions  of  its  unsocial 
character. 

For  the  table  the  Woodcock  is  highly  (>steenied  by  epicures,  and  always  commands 
a  high  price  in  the  markets  of  (nir  large  cities.  It  is  ]iarticularly  sought  for  during 
the  early  part  of  the  season,  although  birds  taken  at  that  time  are  much  inferior  in 
many  respects  to  those  jirocured  later  in  autumn. 

The  Hight  of  this  species  is  very  peculiar.  When  Hushed  in  its  retreats  it  rises 
to  the  height  of  the  bushes  or  undergrowth,  and  (juickly  drops  behind  them  again  ; 
usually  running  a  short  distance  as  soon  as  it  touches  the  ground.  Very  little  force 
is  required  to  kill  it,  but  as  it  presents  itself  as  a  mark  only  for  a  moment,  no  other 
than  a  practised  sportsman  will  be  successful.  As  it  rises,  the  action  of  its  wings 
causes  a  whistling  sound.  When  found  in  open  m(>adow-hind,  hoAvever,  it  is  com- 
paratively easily  shot,  as  it  always  gives  warning  by  this  whistling  sound  of  its 
wings,  and  seldom  rises  higher  than  a  man's  head,  skimming  over  the  ground,  with 
a  slow  and  steady  flight,  to  a  short  distance,  when  it  settles  again  in  the  grass, 
lint  among  bushes  and  thickets  its  course  is  at  first  indirect  and  unsteady,  and  unlike 
the  flight  of  any  other  game.  Springing  rapidly  from  the  ground,  it  rises  perpen- 
dicularly until  it  clears  the  tops  of  the  trees  or  bushes :  its  flight  then   becomes 

vox..  I.  —  24 


■t;k'^  a 


186 


I'lJ.KCoCIAl,   (JIIAM.ATOKKS  —  I.IMICOLJ';. 


morp  stoady;  but  the  \nn\  is  l)y  tliiil  time  usuiilly  (uit  of  vcacli,  or  only  to  be  hit  by 
s|i()rtsni('n  of  cxpcriciicc  iiiul  coo!  jiKlifinciit. 

'I'hc  ciill-iiolc  of  tiic  Woodcock  is  ii  short  ijiinck  ;  imt  this  is  not  often  inward  execjit 
ill  tiie  s|iriuL;'.  when  dupin;;'  tlie  love-seasou  the  niah^  is  said  to  liave  wlial  may  be  con- 
siih'red  as  its  soni;-.  Towavd  dusk  it  mounts  in  the  air,  utterin,^'  peculiar  wliistlint;' 
notes,  which  are  continued  until  a  late  hour  in  the  eveniu^t;';  and  the  sauu'  are  sonic- 
times  heard  in  the  early  nioruing.  This  peculiarity  is  mentioned  by  .several  writers; 
imt  tlie  son;^'  is  liy  some  s]iokcii  of  as  a  siioccssion  of  cries,  by  otliers  as  a  series  ol' 
wliistiin,!;'  notes.  I,ewis  lueiitions  it  as  occurriii!;'  in  the  morniuL;',  and  only  occasion- 
ally at  nii^iit.  'I'iie  Woodcock  rises  in  tlie  air  by  a  kind  of  spiral  motion  to  a  con- 
siderable heip;ht,  uttering  its  notes  from  time  to  tinu',  until,  having  gained  a  certain 
elevation,  it  circles  aroiuid,  in  a  wild  and  irregular  manner,  at  the  same  time  making 
confused  and  murmuring  sounds.  It  tiieii  descends  as  rapidly  as  it  rose.  AVheii  it 
attempts  to  utter  these  notes  on  the  ground,  it  seems  to  do  .so  with  ditticulty,  throw- 
ing its  liead  toward  the  earth  and  erecting  its  tail.  These  nianauivres  and  this 
song  are  only  noticed  in  sjaing,  and  uiKiuestumably  are  the  love-song  of  the  male 
to  his  mate. 

The  Woodcock  breeds  throughout  the  ^liddle  and  Northern  States  and  the  lii'itish 
Trovinces.  In  tlu>  winter  it  geiii'rally  migrates  to  the  Southern  States;  but  some 
reuuiin  in  the  more  favorable  hicalitios  in  rennsylvania,  Mew  .Fersey,  and  J)elaware, 
and  even  occasionally  as  far  north  as  JMassachusetts.  Their  migrations  northward 
begin  in  F(!bruary  ;  ami  some  of  them  pass  the  summer  in  the  highlands  of  Georgia, 
Ncu'tli  Carolina,  and  Tennessi'e,  where  they  are  resident  tliro\ighout  tlie  year,  as  they 
are  also  in  the  slielt(>red  eetlar-swamps  of  New  dersoy,  where  the  springy  grt)und  is 
never  coni|)letely  i'rozen. 

A  few  A\'oodcock  breed  in  I'ebruary  iiud  Afarch,  but  generally  this  bird  begins  to 
lay  early  in  April.  The  nest  is  idaced  on  th<'  ground  in  a  ivtired  ])art  of  the  woods, 
frc([uently  at  the  foot  of  an  old  stump,  and  is  made  of  a  few  withered  leaves  and  dry 
grasses,  thrown  together  without  arrangement  or  care.  The  number  of  eggs  is  four, 
or  sometimes  five.  The  young  \\'oodcock,  when  a  week  or  ten  days  old,  is  covered 
with  (h)\vn  of  a  brownish  white  cidor.  When  taken  it  utters  a  long,  (di'ar,  but  i'eeblc 
jH'fj),  not  louder  than  the  cry  of  a  mouse.  Its  period  of  incubation  is  three  weeks. 
The  young  liird  wlieii  first  hatched  is  not  capable  of  active  movement,  and  may  be 
very  easily  caught.  Tliis  s])ecies  is  said  to  have  fre([Ut'ntly  two  broods  in  a  season. 
Tlie  female  exhiliits  great  ingenuity  in  her  endeavors  to  conceal  her  ytmng  and  to 
draw  away  intruders,  fluttering  over  the  ground,  dragging  her  body  heavily  along, 
as  if  wounded  and  incapable  of  flight,  and  then  flying  to  a.  short  distance,  repeat- 
ing tiiese  maiKeuvres  until  she  has  enticed  her  pursuers  sufficiently  far,  when  she 
suddenly  takes  wing,  and  returns  to  her  offspring  by  a  circuitous  route. 

During  the  winter  months  Woodcock  are  saiil  to  resort  in  incredible  nund)ors  to 
the  narrow  strip  of  low  land  which  borders  tlie  Mississippi  IMver  lor  a  distance  of 
several  hundred  miles  from  its  mouth.  There  it  is  im])ossil)le  to  hunt  it  in  the  usual 
manner,  and  resort  is  had  to  what  is  called  '•  flrc-huntiug."  The  sportsman,  armed 
with  a  double-barrelled  gun,  and  wearing  a  broad-brimmed  ]ialmctta  hat,  proceeds  on 
a  foggy  night  to  the  marshes  which  are  the  resort  of  the  "Woodcock.  A  stout  negro 
carries  on  his  head  an  ojien  ves,s(d  supplied  with  burning  i)ine-knots.  The  hunter 
follows  the  torch-bearer,  his  eyes  being  jjrotected  from  the  glare  of  the  light  by  the 
hat.  The  birds  are  seen  sitting  about  on  the  ground,  staring  in  da/ed  bewilderment, 
and  are  often  killed  in  great  numbers  in  this  illegitiiuiite  manner. 

The  Woodcock  is  said  by  Lewis  to  be  known  to  hunters  by  various  local  names  in 


SCOLOPACID.K  —  TllH  .SNU'E   FAMILY  —  GALLIXAGO. 


187 


different  parts  of  the  country,  «ucli  as  ••  .Mii(l-Sni[ie,"  ••  IJlind  Sniiu',"  "  IJi^'-hcaded 
Snipe,"  anil  "  Marsli-l'lover."  Its  weight  is  never  nuirc  than  nine  and  a  hall'  ounces, 
usually  not  more  than  seven,  and  very  rarely  as  much  as  i-iglit.  The  i'enuile  is  the 
larger  bird.     The  usual  weight  oi   tlie  iMiropcan  "Woodcock  is  lourteen  ouiu'es. 

T'he  egg  of  the  Woodcock  is  of  a  rounded  oval  shape,  oiu'  end  being  more  tai)ering 
than  the  other;  it  measures  l..")()  inches  in  length  liy  1.11  in  breadth.  The  grouiul  is 
a  light  buffy  eream-color,  marketl  over  the  entire  surface  with  line  dottings  and 
i»lotches  of  sepia-brown,  internunglcd  with  shadings  of  a  neutral  tint  and  brown, 
washed  with  the  buff  of  the  grounil,  causing  these  spots  to  assumo  an  opaque  ashy 
hue. 

Gkxus   GALLINAGO,  LicAcii. 

Oallinago,  "  Lkacii,  Ciital.  liritisli  liinls,  1810,"  (li;.\v  (type  Soilniuix  mrtjnr,  L.). 

CiiAK.  Lower  jxirtioii  nf  tlie  lil)i:i  havu  nf  fuiitlicrs,  siiUcUiUc  bcfiiri!  luid  Ijeliiud,  rcticulati'tl 
liilcruliy  liko  the  tarsi.  Xiiil  of  liiiul  tnu  .slciidi'i',  uxtcudiiig  licyoiid  the  toe.  Jiill  dejiressed  at 
the  tip.  Middle  toe  longer  tliaii  tarsus.  Tail  with  twelve  to  twenty-six  feathers,  l^lmniige  the 
same  in  winter  and  s\niiiner  ;  young  like  tlic  adult  in  colors  and  markings.  The  more  slender 
lioily,  longer  legs,  jiarily  naked  lil>ia,  and  other  features,  cliatinguish  this  geiuis  from  Hculcpux  and 
Philohda,  and  the  cleft  toes  from  Macrorhamphua. 

The  species  of  (Inllinaiji)  are  ([uite  numerous,  about  liftoen  being  recognized,  this  number 
nearly  c(pially  divided  between  America  and  various  jiortions  of  tlie  Old  World.  Of  the  seven 
American  species,  North  America  claims  but  two,  tli(!  connnon  Wilson's  Snipe,  or,  as  it  is  pcrliaps 
more  popularly  known,  the  "  Englisli  Snipe,"  from  its  very  close  resendijance  to  llie  Connnon 
Snii)e  of  Europe,   and  the  latter  .species,    whicJi  has  lieen  taken  in  Greenland.     With  ii  few  e.\- 


G.  Wilsoni. 


ception.s,  the  various  species  resemble  one  another  very  closely  in  colors  and  markings  —  so  much 
»n  in  some  cases,  that  it  is  necessary  to  resort  to  tlie  rectrices  in  order  to  discover  points  of  positive 
dilference. 

The  single  species  pe<'uliar  to  Xorth  America  has  usually  sixteen  rectrices,  of  wiiich  the  outer 
is  not  notably  narrower  than  the  rest  ;  its  nearest  relative,  the  European  Q.  cnkntin,  has  usually 
but  fourteen  tail-feathers,  of  winch  the  outer  pair  are  <linerontly  marked  from  those  of  G.  Wilsoni; 
the  several  South  American  sjiecies  possess  fif)ni  foiuleen  to  eighteen  rectrices,  of  which  the  outer 
pair  are  very  narrow.     The  two  North  .\nierican  species  may  be  distinguislied  as  follows  :  — ■ 

Com.  Char.  Tail  with  a  sub-terminal  band  of  rufous,  succeeded  hy  a  black  bar.  Pileum  black, 
dividetl  longitudinally  by  a  line  of  pale  buff.      Dorsal  feathers  Idack,  broadly  edged  exteriorly 


188 


PH-ECOCIAL  GHALLATOKLS  -  LIMICOLiE. 


[,■  ij 


:M' 


'J- 1 


'■'   '  i' 


with  pule  buff  ;  lining  of  the  wing  ami  sidei'  of  tliu  body  bunuatli,  sharjily  br/ired  with  slate-color 
on  a  \)i\\v  white  ground. 

1.  O.  coelestis.     Tail-ftathei>  ur-ually  14.     Wing,  5.00-5.30;   culnien,  2.80-3.00  ;  tarsus 

1.25-1.-15  ;   middle  t<x-,  1.1. 5-1. -10.     Hah.    I'akearctic  Region,  oceatiipnal  in  Greenland, 
ncciduiilal  in  the  Ik-rniuda*. 

2.  O.  WilBoni.     Tail-feather-  u>ually   10.      Wing,  4.!)0-5.30  ;  cuhnen,  2.50-2.70  ;  tunsus, 

1.20-1.30;  niidiUe  t-ii-,  I.Hi-1.35.     //nh.     Xoilli  America,  South  to  Middle  America  in 
winter. 

Gallinago  Wilsoni. 

THE  AKEBICAK,  OR  WILSON'S,  SNIPE. 

Sco!opa.v  Oiilliiiii'jo,  \Vii,».N,  .Vin.  lUu.  VI.  IMl',  If,  ]i\.  17,  I'.  1  (iiec  Lixx.). 

Scolojxu  inis„„i,  'ri:M.M.  I'l.  <;ol.  v.  \>H,  Ww.  Iwlil.  (in  text).  —  Sw.  &  liicH.  F.  B.  A.  11.  1831, 

401.  — Xirr.  .Man.  II.  1S.34,  ISD.  -  Ai  n.  Oni.   IJiog.  III.  1835,  322  ;  V.  1830,  583,  pi.  243; 

Synop.  l.>*3!t,  24f^,  I!.  Am.  V.  1842,  33it,  pi.  350. 
Oaltiiiiiijii  in/mni,  lii.N.M-.  <  omp.  List,  l!<38,  52.   -  Casmn,  in   niiinl's  B.   X.   Am.   1858,  710.  — 

Baikh,  Cat.  X.  Am.   I!.   l*>.'.:i,  no.  523.  —  Cori>,  Key,  1872,  2(12  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  414  ; 

2d  ed.  1882,  mi.  tjii'»  ;  I5ird»  X.  W.  1*74,   J75. 
Gallimtijo  (fidlimiriii,  var.  Wilnuni,  Ilinow.  Ann.  Lye.  X.  Y.  .\.  1874,  383. 
Gnlliiifi'ji)  ((Kilin   U'i/.vmi,  IiIli'JW.  Xom.  X.  .\m.  li.  1{>81,  no.  52l)((. 
Scohipnx  (liUaitithi,in:u,i>\.  Wil-.  l.\.  1825,  21s. 
Scoloprix  T>i-Hmiii;,iili,  .sw.  i  l!i.  n.   I".  B.  A.   II.  1831.  4oO.  —  XriT.  Man.  II.  1834,  190. —AvD. 

Orn.  Biog.  V.  1830,  310;  .'<ynop.  1830,  240;  15.  Am.  VI.  184:!,  0. 
Scolopa.!-  Douijla/iii,  Hw.  &  Ri<  ii.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  400.  —  Xrrr.  Man.  II.  1834,  101. 
f  Scolopax  Ici'riin'.n,    Sw.  &  Ukh.  t.  c.  50].  —  XriT.  t.  c  017. 

Had.  The  whole  of  North  and  Miildle  Ann  ilea,  breeding  from  X'orthern  United  States  north- 
ward, migrating  south  in  winter  a.--  far  u<  New  Granada  ;  throughout  the  West  Indies  ;  Bermuda  ; 
accidental  in  England. 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  long,  eom]fres-<-d.  flatt<'ned  and  slightly  expande<l  toward  the  tip,  punctulated 
in  its  terminal  half ;  wings  rather  long  ;  legs  moderate  ;  tail  short.     Entire  ujijier  parts  brownish 


black  ;  every  feather  spfrtted  and  widely  edged  with  light  rufous,  yellowish  brown,  or  ashy  white  ; 
back  and  rump  transversely  Ijarre<l  and  spotted  with  the  same  ;  a  line  from  the  ba.se  of  the  liill 
over  the  top  of  the  head,  l  lirojit  and  neck  belbie,  dull  reddish  ashy;  wing-feather  marked  witli 
dull  brownish  black  ;  other  under  parts  white,  with  transverse  bars  of  brownisl;  black  on  the  sides, 
axillary  feathers,  under  wing-eoverts,  and  under  tail-coverts;  quills  brownish  black;  outer  edge 
of  first  primary  white  ;  tail  glo.sfv  brownish  black,  widely  tipped  with  briglit  rufous,  paler  at  the 
tip,  and  with  a  sub-terminal  namnv  Imnrl  of  black  ;  outer  feathers  of  tail  paler,  frequently  nearly 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  -  GALLINAGO, 


189 


white,  and  barred  with  black  throughout  their  length.  Bill  brown  (gieenis<h  gray  in  lil'ej,  paler  at 
base  ami  darker  toward  the  entl  ;  logs  dark  brown  (liglit  greenish  gray  in  life). 

Total  length,  about  U).')0  to  11.50  inches  ;  e.\tent,  Ki.uO  to  17..")() ;  wing,  5.00  to  5.60;  tail, 
•2.-2'>  ;  bill,  2.50  to  2.(j(» ;  tarsus,  1.25. 

In  a  very  large  series  of  siieciniens  from  all  jiarts  of  the  continent  north  of  Panama,  no  varia- 
tions are  noticeable  other  than  what  ajqiear  of  a  jiurely  individual  character,  and  these  are  seldom 
very  pronounced. 

Hiirdly  second  cvcii  to  the  famed  Woodcock  u.s  a  ganie-bivil,  the  eonnuou  Ameri- 
can Snipe  has  u  nuicli  more  extended  range  than  that  species.  It  is  fomul  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  l'a<'itic,  in  the  winter  extending  its  migrations  to  Jfexico  and 
Central  and  Northern  Soutii  America,  and  in  the  summer  breeding  as  far  north  as 
Whale  Cove,  on  Hudson's  I>ay,  on  the  east,  and  Sitka,  Kadiak.  Fort  Yukon,  and 
Fort  Anderson  on  the  north  and  west.  It  l)reeds  from  latitude  42^  northward; 
and  a  few  are  occasionally  known  to  nest  south  of  that  line,  and  even  in  Maryland. 

Major  Wedderburn  states  that  this  bird  is  more  or  less  common  in  Bermuda 
during  the  autumnal  migration,  coming  in  ()etober,  and  a  few  remaining  until  the 
month  of  January.  In  October,  ISl'J,  an  immensi'  number  ai)peared,  and  remained 
a  few  days.  Some  are  killed  from  year  to  j'car  in  the  nu)nl«hs  of  JIar(di,  April,  and 
-May,  in  their  vernal  migrations.  Mr.  Ilurdis  states  that  it  was  occasionally  met 
with  as  early  as  the  13th  of  Sei>tenibcr.  Mr.  Leyland  fouiul  it  conmuui  in  winter 
near  Omoa.  Mr.  G.  (J.  Taylor  observed  it  near  Comayagua.  and  has  no  doubt  that  it 
is  very  common  there  in  the  rainy  season  ;  and  Mr.  Salvin  nu't  with  it  in  Guate- 
mala. Professor  Xewton  mentions  its  occurrence  in  St.  Croix  in  the  fall,  but  not 
in  numbers.  It  is  included  by  Leotaud  among  the  connnon  birds  of  the  Island  of 
Trinidad,  where  by  nuiny  it  is  regarded  as  a  resident  sjiecies.  The  last-named  author 
speaks  of  it  as  having  the  .sanu'  apiK'arance,  the  sanus  cry,  and  the  sanu-  habits  as  the 
common  Snipe  of  Euroju".  Its  flesh  is  deservedly  lndd  in  high  esteem.  It  prefers 
low,  moist,  and  partially  inundated  meadows,  where  it  is  ipiite  comnum.  Ilearne, 
in  his  '•.Journey  to  the  Xorthcrn  Ocean"  (p.  4U5),  nu'ntions  this  Sni])e  as  visiting 
Hudson's  r>ay  in  considerable  nuudjers,  but  as  only  very  rarely  seen  north  of  "Whale 
Cove.  Bischotf  obtained  specimens  at  Sitka  and  Kadiak,  and  Ball  found  it  rare  on 
the  Yukon. 

Mr.  Kennicott  saw  it  breeding  at  Fort  Yukon,  May  L'O.  He  noticed  the  male  on 
two  occasions  perched  on  the  top  of  a  snuill  S])riu^o  near  its  nest,  and  when  startled 
it  Hew  to  other  trees,  instead  of  alighting  on  the  ground.  It  uttered  at  slight  inter- 
vals a  series  of  notes  a  little  in  the  style  of  the  small  Virginia  Kail,  but  on  a  higher 
key,  like  l;tik-h-ak-kiik,  and  not  so  rapidly  as  the  Kail.  The  nest  was  on  a  snuill,  nearly 
naked  tussock,  surrounded,  by  water,  on  the  edge  of  a  narrow  marsh,  in  the  woods, 
thickly  intersjjersed  with  largt'  willows.  Gn  the  land,  Avithin  a  few  yards  of  the 
nest,  was  a  large  thick  growth  of  sjjruce.  The  nest  was  a  simple  depression,  rather 
deeper  than  that  of  Totunus  Jlaciprs,  lined  with  a  little  dry  grass,  and  containing 
three  eggs  ;  a  fourth  was  taken  from  the  ovaries  of  the  female. 

Captain  Bendire  mentions  the  Sni]te  as  present  and  breeding  in  Southeastern 
<  )rcgon,  but  as  not  being  common  there.  He  met  with  one  on  the  loth  of  February, 
and  also  noticed  a  pair  in  June,  187(>,  which  were  undoubtedly  nesting  in  the  marsh 
from  which  he  started  them.  Mr.  Aiken  speaks  of  it  as  common  in  Colorado  during 
the  migrations,  a  few  remaining  during  the  winter.  In  Xortheastern  Illinois,  near 
Lake  Michigan,  jNIr.  Xclson  found  it  a  not  very  rare  summer  resident,  arriving  about 
the  1st  of  April,  nearly  all  having  passed  on  by  the  1st  of  May.  He  has  found 
several  pairs  evidently  breeding  in  the  marshes  near  Waukegan. 


iii 


I;      '• 


•:        1 


r:l 


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I):    * 


ii:l: 


Si  I 

If;  t 

;1 


m 


190 


PlLEaK'lAL   (iUALLATdUKS  —  LlMlCoLJ). 


Mr.  l^atty  writes  lis  tliut,  wliilc  tlic  Siiipt*  returns  to  Loug  Island  from  the  north 
in  Si'iitcmbtT,  it  is  most  niimt'ious  in  Octoher,  iind  tliat  it  sometimes  remains  until 
very  late  in  the  season.  He  killed  seven  on  the  I'^ith  ol'  Oetoliei',  1.S7L*,  the  gionnd 
beinf,'  frozen  hard  at  tlie  time,  and  having'  been  ,so  for  several  days.  The  birds  were 
in  hif,'h  yrass,  in  an  elevated  pait  of  the  meadows.  He  also  states  that  a  few  nm.st 
breed  in  (Jonneetieiit  and  Massaehiisetts,  as  he  has  .seen  the  yoiinj,'  when  only  a  few 
days  oh  1,  early  in  June,  near  Sprin.i^tield  and  New  lla\en.  ^Mr.  Hoanhnan  also  in- 
forms us  that  he  has  found  tiie  Snipe  near  St.  Steplu'ii's  on  the  14th  of  Xovember, 
when  the  thermometer  stood  at  14"  above  zero. 

Mr.  .J.  A.  Allen  found  liiis  species  exeeedin,i,dy  abundant  in  September  in  the  Valley 
of  (ireat  Salt  Lake:  and  Mr.  Uidgway  speaks  ul  it  as  a  eomiaon  spring  and  autumnal 
bird  over  all  tlie  wet,  {,'rassy  jiortions  of  the  interior,  both  in  river  valleys  and  in 
mountain  parks.  Aecordin.y,-  to  Dr.  Coojier,  it  is  abundant  in  the  middle  and  northern 
parts  of  California  during  winter;  but  few  go  to  the  southern  p;irt  of  the  Statt',  on 
account  of  its  greater  dryness.  He  met  with  it  along  the  ilojave  and  Colorado 
rivers  as  late  as  April,  and  thinks  that  tliis  bird  leaves  the  lower  country  about  the 
1st  of  !May.  lie  saw  it  about  liaki'  Tahoe  in  September,  and  was  informed  that  it 
breeds  there.  1  le  also  saw  this  species  at  Cama,  on  I'rairie  Creek,  on  the  eastern 
border  of  the  Columbia  Plains,  about  the  end  of  September ;  and  .Mr.  It.  Browne  also 
iueludes  this  species  in  his  list  of  the  birds  found  on  Vancouver  Island. 

According  to  Giraud,  this  species  is  known  on  Long  Island  as  the  Knglish  Snipe. 
It  arrives  on  that  island  early  in  March,  and  after  si)ending  a  short  time  in  the 
marshy  groves  in  recruiting,  it  passes  on  to  the  north  to  breed.  It  returns  in  Se]i- 
tember  with  its  young,  and  during  the  autumn  gets  into  excellent  condition,  and  is 
highly  ])rized  as  game.  It  is  usually  found  on  low,  Avct  meadows  and  boggy  grounds. 
When  Hushed  it  moves  off  in  an  irregular  manner;  but  having  goiie  a  short  dis- 
tance, it.s  Hight  becomes  more  steady.  This  is  a  somewhat  difficult  bird  to  shoot. 
It  remains  in  the  autumn  until  the  ground  becomes  frozen,  when  it  passes  on  to  the 
south.  In  its  migrations  it  Hies  high,  and  at  intervals  it  is  said  to  utter  a  peculiar 
cry,  which  is  described  as  bleating. 

A  writer  in  " Doughty 's  Cabinet"  (Vol.  I.  [>.  87)  states  that  near  Philadelphia  the 
Snipe  season  commences  in  March  and  continues  until  the  middle  of  April.  The 
birds  are  poor  on  their  first  arrival,  but  soon  become  fat  on  the  rich  feeding-grounds 
in  that  vicinity,  in  all  the  low  lands  that  border  the  Delaware  and  the  Schuylkill 
rivers.  To  shoot  Snipe  dexterously  is  a  difficult  art  to  accpiire,  ;iud  demands  both 
cool  judgment  and  some  deliberation.  The  sudden  and  silent  manner  in  which  this 
bird  rises  from  the  ground,  and  the  zigzag  character  of  its  Hight,  seem  to  make  cal- 
culation almost  impossible ;  and  an  inexperienced  sportsman  is  apt  to  hw  too  soon. 
In  rising,  the  Snipe  usually  attains  the  height  of  about  six  feet,  and  then  darts 
off  in  this  uncertain  manner,  uttering  a  peculiar  cry  ;  after  continuing  in  this  way 
about  twenty  yards,  it  follows  a  straight  course,  ascending  until  it  reaches  a  certain 
height,  when  it  gradually  descends,  when  near  the  earth  dro})piug  sudilenly  into  the 
grass. 

The  true  way  to  hunt  the  Snipe  is  said  to  be  with  the  Avind,  as  they  lie  closer 
to  the  sportsman,  and  will  immediately  after  rising  head  the  wind,  and  present  a 
convenient  cross-shot.  It  is  also  recommended  that  the  shot  be  reserved  until  the 
irregularity  of  the  bird's  Hight  is  over,  this  rarely  continuing  for  more  than  twenty 
yards.  At  times  the  Snijie  is  shy,  and  difficult  to  ai)proach,  si)ringing  up  beyond  the 
reach  of  shot;  and  at  other  times  it  is  so  unsuspicious  as  not  to  Hy  until  almost 
trodden  upon.     The  reasons  for  this  great  difference  are  not  satisfactorily  explained. 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  GALLINAGO. 


191 


Hy  some  it  is  suyj^'csti'd  that  tho  tanieness  of  the  birds  miiy  be  acobunted  for  by  snp- 
j)()sin}^  that  tliuir  fatigued  and  liuiigry  condition  renders  them  tenacious  of  their  good 
I'ccdini^-grouiid,  and  reluctant  to  leave  it. 

The  Snipe  is  occasionally  found  in  swaiupy  thickets,  but  more  geiun'ally  in  open 
meadows  with  a  soft  bottom.  Jt  leaves  the  .Middle  States  by  the  end  of  April,  and 
reaches  its  breeding-place  early  in  .May,  where  it  renudns  until  October.  In  the  fall 
it  is  nuu'h  tatter  and  more  tender  than  in  the  spring.  Although  thus  concentrating 
ill  rich  feeding-grounds,  ytit  the  Sniiu'  is  by  nature  a  .solitary  bird,  and  in  its  nu)vc- 
mcnts  to  and  from  its  breeding-phico  it  always  proceeds  singly.  It  spends  its  win- 
ter in  the  Southern  States,  as  well  as  in  regions  farther  south,  and  congregat(>s  in 
tiie  Carolina  rice-lields  in  immense  nunil)ers,  and  is  much  more  contiding  and  tanu' 
than  at  the  North.  It  conunenees  its  northern  migrations  in  Feiiruary,  reaching 
Delaware  in  .March,  and  liecoming  abundant  in  Pennsylvania  in  A]tril.  Its  stay  in  any 
pla<'e  during  its  s|)ring  migrations  varies  both  in  date  and  length,  being  controlled 
liy  tlu!  season  and  the  abundance  of  its  food.  This  consists  largely  of  worms,  larva>, 
small  insects,  and  the  tender  roots  of  acpuitio  plants.  In  conlinenu'nt  this  bird  will 
feed  greedily  ujjou  corn-meal  and  worms,  and  can  soon  be  accustomed  to  a  diet  of 
bread  and  nulk. 

Lewis  (••' Anu'rican  Sportsman,"  p.  184)  describes  some  very  singular  niano:,-uvres 
of  the  Snipe  which  he  witiu'ssed  in  the  spring.  At  early  dawn  ho  saw  a  jiair  nunint 
high  in  the  air,  beating  their  wings  and  sailing  arcmnd  in  rajiid  circles,  until  they 
jiad  gained  an  elevation  of  a  humlred  yards  or  nu)re ;  then,  ap])roaching  closely  to 
each  other,  they  whirled  arouiul.  Happing  their  wings  with  gi'eat  rapidity,  and  sud- 
denly drojjped  in  mid-air,  giving  utterance  at  the  sanu'  tinu'  to  a  low  twittering,  or 
rather  a  rolling  sound,  said  to  be  produced  1  y  the  action  of  their  wings  upon  the  air 
in  their  rapid  descent.  Toward  the  close  of  April  all  these  birds  that  are  mated 
move  northward  to  their  brei'ding-i)laces  ;  but  a  lew  remain  in  the  low  marshy  ])laces 
of  Pennsylvania  all  sununer.  and  even  rear  their  Ijro.ils.  in  May.  1.S4(),  as  Mr.  Lewis 
was  crossing  an  estate  in  ^Maryland,  he  started  up  one  of  this  species  from  the  nudst 
(if  an  oat-tield ;  and  being  attracted  by  its  singular  nVina'uvres,  made  search  for  its 
nest,  whicli  M-as  found  to  contain  four  eggs.  It  was  placed  on  a  rising  piece  of 
ground  not  far  from  a  marshy  nu'adow. 

The  Snipe  leaves  its  more  northern  breeding-i)laces  late  in  Sejitendier  with  its 
young,  stoi)])ing  at  favorable  localities  on  the  way.  It  remains  several  weeks  in 
Pennsylvania  and  Delaware,  and  becomes  very  fat  during  its  stay.  In  their  migra- 
tions these  birds  nu)ve  with  great  rai)idity,  and  s])read  themselves  over  a  wide  extent 
of  country  in  a  very  short  s])ace  of  time.  They  are  voracious  feeders,  and  obliged 
to  shift  their  ground  with  great  frecpiency.  From  situations  where  there  is  a  plenti- 
ful sup[)ly  of  food,  it  is  hardly  possilde  to  drive  them  entirely  away.  The  Snipe  is 
said  to  be  better  eating  in  the  autumn  than  in  the  spring. 

On  Hudson's  I>ay  —  according  to  Ileiirne  —  the  Sni])e  does  not  arrive  until  the 
ii'c  of  tiie  rivers  is  broken  uj),  and  it  retires  to  the  south  early  in  the  fall.  Diu'ing 
its  stay  it  always  frecpu'nts  the  nmrshes  lU'ar  the  sea-coast,  as  well  as  the  shores  of 
the  great  rivers.  In  its  manner  and  flight  it  seemed  to  him  exactly  to  resemble  the 
European  vSnij)e ;  but  its  Hesh  la^  considered  to  b(>  by  no  means  so  delicate. 

Captain  lUakiston  noted  the  arrival  of  the  Snipe  in  the  lunghborhood  of  Fort 
Carlton  as  never  earlier  than  jMiiy.  whihi  the  last  weri>  seen  in  the  autumn  on  the 
bower  Saskatchewan  on  the  1st  of  October.  At  the  lied  Kiver  settlement  he  found 
it  on  the  UOth  of  Ajiril,  where  it  arrives  even  earlier.  He  noticed  that  it  performed 
the  same  aerial  evolutions  as  the  European  bird,  this  usually  occurring  about  sun- 


192 


PU.KCOCIAL  GRALLATUKES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


set,  but  at  times  continuiiij;  an  hour  and  a  liall'  latrr.  Tlu'  noise  made  on  these  occa- 
sions lie  c()m|iai'('s  tu  rapidly  vi'pt'ated  switdies  of  a  cane  in  the  air;  and  this  wus 
repeated  every  liall'-nnnate.  with  in'casional  him^cr  intervals.  The  sound  histed  ahoiit 
three  seconds,  and  was  made  as  the  liird  (U'scended  riii)idly  in  a  vertical  direction, 
lieinj;'  caused  apimrently  liy  the  ([uill-feathers  of  tlie  wiuLjs.  This  sometimes  took 
place  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  hut  only  durinji;  the  love-season. 

According?  to  Dresser,  the  Sniiie  is  very  common  aluait  San  Antcmio,  Texas,  duriu;; 
the  winter,  and  was  last  noticed  on  the  2(>th  of  A[iril,  none  haviny  lieen  seen  durinj^' 
the  previous  week;  accovdini;  to  Mv.  .Moore,  it  passes  the  winter  in  Florichi. 

Attention  has  been  called  by  different  writers  to  the  occasional  jx'rchinj^-  of  tho 
Snipe  on  trees,  as  if  souu'thini,'  lUiu  .ual ;  lait  it  is  by  no  means  an  nnconnaon  occur- 
rence durin,t;;  the  breedinij;-season,  and  the  bird  is  said  to  do  this  ciueHy  or  wholly 
when  its  nest  or  youn.t,'  are  distui'bcil. 

The  nest  of  the  Snipe  is  always  on  tlu^  i;r()und,  iind  is  constructed  in  the  niost 
simple  maniu'r,  it  beinj^  nothinij;  mu.^'  than  a  ladlow  made  in  the  grass  or  moss,  and 
lined  with  a  little  dry  i,n'ass  or  a  tVfW  feathers.  The  usual  nundu'r  of  the  eggs  is  four, 
and  the  young  run  about  as  soon  as  they  are  luitched.  At  hrst  tiiey  feed  on  hirva-, 
snudl  insects,  and  snails ;  but  at  the  end  of  a  few  weeks  their  bills  have  suflu'icutly 
hardened  to  enable  them  to  jienetrate  into  the  moist  ground  and  obtain  tlie  worms 
they  prefer. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  found  the  Sin[)e  breeding  near  Fort  Aiuh'rson,  dune  \(>.  The  lu'st 
was  on  the  ground,  and  was  composed  of  a  few  decayed  leaves  placed  in  a  small 
hole  made  in  the  earth.  Another  nest  was  obtained  in  the  same  neighborhood,  June 
L'!),  near  a  snudl  lake,  and  was  a  men'  hole  in  the  ground,  lined  with  a  suudl  (juau- 
tity  of  hay  and  a  few  decayed  leaves.  I  have  an  egg  ni'  this  species  taken  from 
a  nest  on  the  Delaware,  near  I'liilndelphia,  iind  others  Irom  Niiigara  Falls,  Xorthcru 
Xew  York,  Lake  Koskonoug.  A\'isconsiu,  I'ictou,  Nova  Scotia,  and  Dakota  Territory. 

T'ho  eggs  of  this  sjiccics  are  always  f'oivr  in  nund)cr,  and  of  a  pyriform  shape,  with 
one  end  l)roadly  obtuse  and  the  other  ra])idly  tapering.  The  ground-color  is  usually 
of  a  light  olivaceous  brown ;  in  sonu'  it  is  of  a  light  grayish  drab,  aiul  occasionally  a 
rufous  drab.  The  s])ots  are  uniforudy  of  a  bright  scpiii.  snudl  and  scattered  at  the 
smaller  a])ex,  but  larger,  and  often  continent,  about  the  other  eiul.  The  eggs  nu'asure 
l.nit  iuchcs  in  leugth  and  LIS  in  breadth,  and  are  less  variable  in  size  than  those  of 
most  of  the  Wading-birds. 


;•■  «■ 


Gallinago  ccelestis. 

THE    EUROFEAN    SNIPE. 

Scolopaie  gallinago,  Link.  S.  X.  cd.  10,  ITHS,  147  ;  cil.  10,  17(J(i,  244.  —  Xacm.  Vog.  Deutsclil.  VII. 

1836,  310,  111.  209.  —  ScilMic.  liev.  Ciit.  80.  —  jrAcfai.L.  Man.  IL  103. 
Ascdhqmj:  gallitwrjo,  Kkv.s.  &  Bl.As.  Wiib.  Kur.  77. 
ScoIujmj:  coelestis,  FliKNZEl.,   licsdi.  Viig.  Eicr  (leg.  Wittuiili.  18iil,  TiS  (cf.  Stejxeger,  Proc.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  5,  1882,  p.  3.".). 
GalUniKjo  malm,   Lkacu.  Syst.  (.'at.  1816,  31.  — Stepii.  Gen.  Zool.  XIL  54.  —  Or.AV,  Oon.  B.  III. 

583  ;  Cat.  liiit.  T5.  1863,  173.  —  R I  now.  Xom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  526.  — CouKs,  Clieuk  List, 

2d  ed.  1882,  no.  607. 
Ocdlinngi)  scohijMixiiins,  Bonai'.  Conip.  List,  1838,  52. 
Tehnalins  sc/ilenlriumilis,  stftgnnfilin,  and  fwrceniis,  BiiEHM,  Vug.  Deutsclil. 
1  Scolopa.r  Drhnuol/I,  JIatth.  in  Zoologist,  1852,  3720. 
Cmamon  Snipe,  Yauu.  Brit.  B.  cd.  2,  III.  25,  fig.  ;  ed.  3,  III.  31,  fig.  ;  et  AucT. 

Hab.     Patearetic  Region  ;  fiequeut  iu  Greenland  (cf.  Reinhardt,  "Ibis,"  1861,  p.  11),  and 
accidental  iu  the  Benuudus. 


SCOLOPACID.E  -  THE  SNIPE   TAMILV  —  GALLINAGO. 


l'J3 


Sr.  Chau.  Exceeiliiigly  Hiiuiliir  to  G.  IJ'ihoni,  tliu  iliHuruni't'.  in  coloriitidii  sciirct'ly  iluiiimUL-. 
Tail-t't'iitliurs  usimlly  14  iiisleml  of  10,  the  outer  pair  witli  tin:  Imsul  halt  nl  llio  inncT  web  dusky, 
lliu  terminal  half  pale  civaniy-iufous,  tipped  with  white,  and  eiossed  hy  two  liars  of  Maekish  ; 
llie  outer  web  wliiti>h,  with  about  four  dusky  liais.  Liniiiy  of  the  winj^'  mostly  white.  Win;.; 
avcragiuj^  shorter  (").(K)-5.3()),  and  bill  longer  (culmeii  :J.8ti-3.iHi),  than  in  '/.  It'iUniii ;  tarsi  and 
lues  also  longer  (tarsus,  1.25-1.4.')  ;  middle  toe,  l.l.')-1.4(i;. 

Hy  colors  alc^ne  it  is  hardly  possible  to  distinguish  this  species  with  cerlaintv  from  (I.  Wihoni; 
the  ditl'eruuee  in  proportions,  however,  appears  (piite  constant,  L'.  cukslis  ha\iiig  the  bill  decidedly 
Linger,  as  are  also  the  tarsi  and  toes,  while  the  wings  are  shorter. 

The  differeiMc  in  the  number  of  tail-feathers  appears  to  be  by  no  means  constant  (cf.  Hartixu, 
"lIand-boi>k  Brit.  Birds,"  1872,  pp.  143,  144,  footnote). 


This  species,  the  Common  Snipe  of  Europe,  occurs  not  unfrcquently  in  Greenland, 
and  occasionally  in  Bermuda.  It  has  not  been,  so  far  as  known,  detected  in  Jsorth 
Amerieu,  though  its  accidental  (((•curreuco  may  lie  looked  for  as  (piite  prohidile. 
Its  rare  appearance  in  IW'rmuda,  thotigli  unchiiUeiiged,  can  only  he  regarded  as 
an  accident.  One  was  said  to  have  bt'cn  taken  by  Major  Wedderburn,  iJce.  21. 
1847,  and  a  second  on  the  L'Dth  of  the  same  month.  In  Greeidand,  on  the  other 
luiud,  it  was  so  common  that  Keiidiardt  has  no  doubt  that  it  bri'cds  there.  This, 
however,  is  simi)ly  conjectural — no  eggs  of  this  species  having  been  obtained  in  that 
country. 

This  species  has  a  pretty  general  distribution  over  Europe,  appearing  in  the  south- 
ern portions  during  the  wintry  months,  aiul  going  to  the  more  northern  countries 
during  the  season  of  reproduction. 

In  the  British  Islands  it  is  found  more  or  less  abundant  throughout  the  year.  A 
limited  number  contiime  during  the  summer,  and  breed  in  all  parts,  from  the  southern 
counties  of  England  to  the  mountains  of  Scotland,  being  more  luimerous  in  the 
northern  districts.  In  the  fall  the  numbers  are  greatly  increased  by  migrants 
coming  from  more  northern   breeding-plaei's. 

It  is  a  common  species  throughout  Scandinavia,  where  it  is  migratory,  only  appear- 
ing in  March,  and  leaving  soon  after  the  close  of  the  breeding-season.  Mr.  Lloyd,  in 
his  "Field-Sports  of  the  North  of  Europe,"  states  that  he  found  it  very  numerous  in 
the  marshes  in  the  viciiuty  of  Gotlieid)itrg.  Liniueus,  in  his  '•  Tour  in  Lajdaiul,"  states 
that  on  the  lith  of  May.  when  near  Geflc,  he  heard  the  note  of  the  Snipe  in  the 
marshes  continually.  It  breeds  in  extensive  morasses  and  swamps  in  the  numntain- 
ous  districts  of  Xorway  and  Sweden,  as  well  as  in  the  smaller  bogs  of  the  cultivated 
districts.  From  the  northern  parts  of  Scaiulinavia  it  migrates  south  in  the  middle 
of  August ;  but  in  the  south  of  Sweden  it  lingers  until  October. 

In  the  summer  this  bird  exteiuls  its  migrations  to  the  Faroe  Islands,  Iceland,  and 
Greenland,  and  is  also  found  at  the  same  season  in  all  the  northern  portions  of  Eussia 
and  Siberia,  breeding  as  far  to  the  south  as  France,  Germany,  Holland,  Hungary,  and 
lUyria. 

In  the  winter  it  extends  its  migrations  to  Spain,  Italy.  Sicily,  and  IMalta.  This 
bird  is  said  to  be  abundant  in  the  marshes  about  Smyrna,  and  to  be  also  found  in 
Low^er  Egypt.  It  is  mentioned  by  Messrs.  Blakiston  ami  Pryer  ('■  Ibis,"  1878,  p.  222) 
as  common  throughout  Japan.  The  birds  referred  to  by  ]Mr.  Swinhoe  as  G.  Wilson i 
(••  ibis,"  1875,  p.  454)  were  ])robably  of  this  species,  in  their  autumiud  plumage.  They 
had  been  received  from  Hakodadi. 

In  England,  the  native  Snipes  are  reinforced  by  the  great  flights  that  take  place 
from  Xorway  and  other  northern  parts  of  Europe,  arriving  in  the  greatest  numbers 
in  the  beginning  of  November.     They  do  not  remain  long  in  any  one  situation,  but 
VOL.  1.  —  25 


f 


IS    I" 


li 


I 


1U4 


PH.ECOt'IAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOLvE. 


move  from  jtlaoo  to  place;  so  that  it  is  (luito  common  for  the  spdrtsman  to  tind  them 
abundant  one  diiy,  and  that  the  sam.-  ])laee  is  entirely  (h'serted  tiie  next. 

Tiieir  summer  or  nuptial  idiimaj,'!'  is  iiuton  alidut  the  last  of  Marcli  or  the  first  of 
Ajiril,  and  the  mali'  hcj,'ins  his  calls  of  invitation  to  his  mate.  Tli;se  are  always 
uttered  when  the  i)ird  is  on  the  will},',  and  are  said  l>y  \'arrell  to  consist  of  pipiii}?  or 
(dickiufj;  notes,  often  ri'iie.'ited,  and  accompanied  at  intervals  b}'  a  hiimiiiiny;  or  l)leat- 
inj,'  noise.  Tliis  latter  sound  is  supiiosed  to  lie  produced  by  a  peculiar  action  of  the 
winy;s,  and  is  said  to  be  not  unlike  the  cry  of  a  j,'oat,  for  which  reason  this  bird  is 
known  in  Fr.inee  by  the  nann^jf  r/^t'/v' roA'/^)'.  Whenever  this  sound  is  heard,  the 
bird  is  observed  ab.a.;,  >  to  deseeiul  with  j^reat  vtdocity  and  with  a  tremulous  motion 
of  the  wings.  At  this  season  it  is  also  said  to  soar  to  an  immense  height,  renuiining 
long  upon  the  wing,  its  notes  being  frcfiueiitly  heard  when  the  bird  itstdf  is  out  of 
sight.  These  flights  are  performed  at  intervals  throughout  the  day,  but  are  more 
common  toward  the  evening,  and  are  continued  as  long  as  the  fenuile  is  engaged  in 
incubation.  Sir  Humphry  Davy  .states  that  the  old  birds  are  greatly  attached  to 
their  offspring,  and  that  if  any  one  apiiroaches  the  nest,  they  nuike  a  loud  and  drum- 
ming noise  over  the  head  of  the  iiitru(h'r.  as  if  to  divert  his  attention. 

The  feeding-ground  of  this  Snipe  is  in  the  vicinity  of  springs  and  in  freshwater 
meadows.  It  feeds  by  thrusting  its  bill  into  the  thin  mud  or  soft  earth  up  to  the 
base,  and  drawing  it  back  with  great  (piickness.  Varrell  states  that  the  end  of  the 
bill  of  a  Snijie,  when  the  bird  is  living,  is  smooth,  soft,  and  pulpy,  indicating  great 
sensibility.  When  dry  it  becomes  dimpled  like  the  end  of  a  thind)le.  If  the  upjier 
mandible  be  macerated  and  the  cuticle  taken  off.  the  bone  laid  bare  will  be  found 
presenting  on  its  external  surface  numerous  elongated  hexagonal  cells,  which  furnisli 
space  for  the  expansion,  and  at  the  same  time  protection  for  minute  jiortions  of  nerves 
sujjplied  to  them  from  the  fifth  pair.  In  consecpiencc^  of  this  provision,  the  end  of 
the  bill  becomes  a  delicate  organ  of  touch,  enabling  the  bird  to  perceive  the  pres- 
ence of  its  food,  even  when  this  lies  so  deep  in  the  grmmd  as  to  b(>  entirely  out  of 
sight.  The  food  of  this  Snipe  consists  of  Avorms,  insects,  small  shells  with  their 
inhabitants,  etc.  3Iiimte  seeds  are  sometimes  found  in  its  stomach ;  but  these  are 
supposed  to  be  swallowed  accidentally,  ami  when  adhering  to  the  glutinous  surface 
of  its  usu.al  food.  A  Snipe  kept  in  continement  by  Mr.  Blyth  would  eat  nothing 
but  earth-W(n'ms. 

The  nests  of  this  Snipe  are  placed  on  the  ground,  and  are  very  inartificial.  They 
are  usually  among  the  long  grass,  by  the  side  of  small  ponds,  or  amidst  the  long 
heather  which  grows  upon  the  sides  of  the  hills.  Mr.  Ilewitson  nu^t  with  several  of 
its  nests  on  the  Shetland  Islands,  in  the  dry  heath  on  the  side  of  a  steep  hill,  at 
an  elevation  of  a  thousand  feet  above  the  marshy  plain.  The  nest  is  always  very 
slight,  consisting  only  of  a  few  bits  of  dry  grass  or  herbage  collected  in  a  depression 
on  the  ground,  and  sometimes  upon  or  under  the  side  of  a  tuft  of  grass  or  bunch  of 
rushes. 

The  eggs  are  said  to  be  four  in  number  —  occasionally  less  — having  a  ])ale  yellow- 
ish-white ground,  and  being  marked  with  elongated  blotches  of  several  shades  of 
reddish  and  yellowish  brown ;  these  markings  are  chiefly  about  the  more  obtuse  end. 
The  eggs  are  pyriform  in  shape,  and  quite  pointed  at  one  end.  They  measure  l.oO 
inches  in  length  by  1.08  in  breadth. 

The  young  birds  are  carefully  tended,  and  grow  with  great  rapidity ;  and  before 
they  can  fly  are  larger  than  their  parents. 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPK   FAMILY  —  MACROPwIIAMPUrs, 


195 


Oknum  MACRORHAMPHUS,   Lkacii. 

Maerm'hamphus,  "Leach,  Cut.  liiit.  liinl.s,  iMti,"  (iuAV  (type,  Scohpax  gri»ea,  Om.). 

Chab.  (kiii'i  il  iiiiiMiiiMiu'c  oF  (lalHiKiiin.  Tiii>i  loii^jcr  tlinn  iiiiiltUn  toe  ;  a  uliort  web  lu'fweon 
tin  M\  of  (niter  anil  miililic  toe.  I'luinaHi;  vciv  iliUciciit  in  wiiilcr  and  Himinicr  ;  youiij,'  (liU'civnt 
from  ilk'  a<1ult. 

'riu'  nicniLiMiic  ill  tlio  Im  of  (lie  Iocs  will  ill  unci  .li.4linj,'iiisli  this*  ^L>nm  from  Oalluuigo, 
tlioiiyh  thui'L'  aiv  ntluT  cliaiactuw  iiivulvtil. 


Af,  yrinfiis. 

But  a  sinfi;li'  spucios  of  this  },'eiius  is  known  ;  tlii.s  iiiliiilnts  the;  whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
ill  the  northern  re),'ion:<,  and  occurrinj,'  more  or  less  freiineutly  iu  Europe. 

The  single  species  of  this  genus,  w-ith  its  two  well-marked  geogra])hical  races,  is  characterized 
as  follows  :  — 

1.   M.  griseus.    About  the  size  of  (lallinaiji)  U'ilxoni,  or  larger.    Bill  long,  compres.sed,  flattened 
and  expanded  toward  the  end,  where  (in  dried  specimens)  jmnctulated  and  corrugated.     Shaft  of 
lirst  primal y  strong,  pure  white.     Axillais,  tail-coverts,  and  lower  part  of  rump,  white,  barred,  or 
transversely  spotted,  with  shite-color ;  upper  i)art  of  rump  while,  usually  immaculiite.     Tail  slaty 
or  dusky,  barred  with  white  (or,  in  summer  adult,  with  pale  cinnaniou  on  the  middle  feathers). 
Atlidt  in  summer:  Head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  light  cinnamon  (tlu'  abdomen  sometimes  whitish), 
the  foreiieck  and  sides  of  l)reast  speckled,  the  siiles  and  crissum  barred  (U' s[)eckled  with  dusky. 
Upper  parts  mixed  black,  light  cinnamon,  and  white,  the  former  prevailing.     Adult  in  wiiiter : 
lielly  and  anal  region  white,  usually  unspotted  ;  rest  of  the  jdumage  nearly  uniform  ash-gray, 
somewhat  intermixed  with  white  on  the  breast  and  sides  ;  wing-coverts  bordered  with  whitish  ;  a 
whitish  su])erciliarv  .stripe.     Youwj,  first  plumutji' :  Back,  s(a]iulars,  and  tertials,  variegated  black 
and  light  clay-color,  the  latter  chiefly  on  the  edges  of  the  feathers;  lower  parts  dirty  white,  soiled 
with  dull  buif  or  pale  clay  color,  especially  across  the  breast ;  jugulum  and  sides  usually  indis- 
tinctly speckled  with  dusky.     Total  length,  about  10.00  to  1^.50  inches  ,  extent,  17.50  to  H).iT)  ; 
wing,  u.aiMUM)  (r).:;})  ;  culmcn,  2.0(1-3.00;  tar.sus,  l.:^.")-!.;')  (l.M)  ;  middle  toe,  .90-1.10  (1.00). 
a.   griseus.     Wing,  o. 25-5.90   (5.05);   culinen,   2.00-2.55   (2.30);   tar.su.s,    1.20-1.55    (1.35); 
middle  toe,  .90-1.05  (.95).i    Adult  in  summer:  Abdomen  whitish;  breast  and  sides  speckled 
with  dusky.    Hab.  Atlantic  coast  of  Xt>rth  America. 
/3.   scolopaceus.     Wing,  5.40-6.00  (5.74);  ciilmen,  2.10-,3.00  (2.72);  tarsus,  1.35-1.75  (1.58); 
middle   toe,  ,95-1.15  (1.01)."^    Adult  in  summer:  Abdomen  uniform  cinnamon,  without 
markings  ;  breast  speckled  (usually  scantily),  and  sides  barred  with  dusky.    Hab,  Mississippi 
Valley  and  Western  Province  of  North  America,  from  Mexico  to  Alaska. 

1  Extremes  and  average  of  eigliteen  fully  adult  specimens. 

2  Extremes  and  average  of  forty  fully  adult  specimens. 


1% 


i'K.KCoCIAI,  (IHAI-I-ATURES—  LIMICuL.'E. 


!i    > 


Macrorhamphus  griseus. 

.(.    OrUeuB     THE  QBAY  BRIPE;    OBAT-BACK;    DOWITCHEB. 

Sroln/Mij-  ijrisi-ti,  (iMKi..  f*.  N.  I.  178M,  (158  (lnwiul  on  the  Broini  Snipe  of  PKNN.VNr  aiul  Latham). 
Macroi-hiimiihun;/rinrii.H,  l,i;.\i  ii.  I'at.  Iliit.  Muh.  1810,  !J1.  — Cahsin  in  lliiiiil's  II.  N.  Am.  18oK,  712. 

—  lUiiii.,  Cat.  N.  Am.  II.  l.^.V.",  no.  .I-JI.  —  CofK.s,  Key,  IS7"J,  •.'')3  ;  (lurk  l,iM,  187;),  no.  Ji:,; 

2il  cil.  ISH-J,  no.  tio!" ;  IlihU  N.  W.  l.>«7t,  47ti.  -    Kiixiw.  Noni.  N.  Am.  H.  1S8I,  no.  .'■.•J7. 
Scn/npiif  iifivihiinin  ii.Hi.i,  (I.mii..  S.  X.  1.  17HM,  li.'i.S  (liasnl  on  tiic  li(tl-lirtiinti:d  Si.hx'  of  I'KSSANr  am! 

Latham).    -  Wii>.  Am.  Oin.  Vil.  18i;i,  Jj,  pi.  58,  tig.  1.  --.Sw.  .'i  IIk  h.  !•.  Ii.  A.  II.  1831, 

308. —  Ain.  nrn.   llio;.'.   IV.   1838,  288,  1>1.  31)1) ;  Synoji.  183!t,  24li  ;   Ii.    'in.   VI.   1843,  10, 

pi.  nr.i. 

Si'dfiii'ii.!'  (Miicmi-liinniiliiis)  jri/fn,  Honai'.  Synop.  1828,  330.  —  Ni'TT.  Man.  II.  1831,  l8l. 
ticii/o/iii.i'  Piiiikiillii,  NiLsN.  Orn.  Sufc.  11.  lutf. 

J\)lit iiiis /(ri-uijiiiiii'iillin,  Vii;ii,i..  Imk'.   Mt'tli.   III.   1823,  lomi  (Imscd  on  tlio  llal-brmstal  Snipe  of 
Pr.NXAXT  anil  Latham). 

Hah.   Atliiiitic  coast  of  XortJi  Ainciii'ii  (hifcdln;,'  in  the  region  nlmut  IliidsonV  ]ky  ?). 

Sp.  Ciiau.  Aliout  the  si/.i'  of  (inUindijo  ll'ihinii.  Sliiil't  of  lirst  primary  Hlronj;,  pure  wiiite  ; 
ttxillars,  tail-eovorts,  ami  lowi'r  jiart  of  rump  wiiite,  Larred,  or  transversely  spotted,  witli  slate- 
C(dnr  ;  upper  part  of  rump  wiiite,  usually  inimaiulatc  ;  tail  slato-colored  or  dusky,  liarred  uitli 
wiiite  (or,  in  snniiner  adult,  witli  pal(^  (iiinainim  on  middle  fiMtliers),  Aihdt  in  .<ummcr:  Head, 
neck,  and  more  or  less  of  lower  parts,  li^dit  cinnamon,  tliu  abdomen  whitish,  l)rea.it  and  sides 
speckled  with  dusky,  tlie  head  and  neck  streaked  with  the  same  ;  upper  parts  mi.xed  lilack,  lij,'lit 
cinnamon,  and  white,  the  first  prevailing.     Winter  plumaye:  Belly  and  anal  refjion  white,  usually 


M.  gnaevs,  summer  plitmnr/e. 

unmarked  ;  rest  of  plumage  nearly  uniform  ash-gray,  somewhat  mixed  with  white  on  breast  and 
sides  ;  a  whitish  superciliary  stripe,  and  wing-coverts  bordered  with  white.  Young:  Back,  scapu- 
lars, and  tertials,  varied  with  black  and  light  clay-brown,  the  latter  chiefly  on  edges  of  the  feathers ; 
lower  parts  dull  whitish,  soiled  with  dull  buff  or  clay-color,  especially  acro.ss  breast,  the  jugulum 
and  sides  usually  indistinctly  speckled  with  dusky.  "  Bill  dark  olive  ;  iris  reddish  hazel ;  feet 
light  yellowish  olive  ;  claws  black"  (Auduiion). 

Wing,  rj.^S-S.DO  (5.C.5)  ;  culmen,  2.00-2.55  (2.30)  ;  tarsus,  1.20-1.55  (1.35)  ;  middle  toe,  .90- 
1.05  (.9.5). 

h.   ScolopaceuB.     THE  RED-BELLIED  SNIPE;  OBEATEB  LONO-BEAK. 

Limnsa  .icolnprurn,  Say,  Long's  Expo(l.  II.  1823,  170. 

Macrorhnmphin  ncolopaccus,  LAWit.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  V.  1852,  4,  pi.  1  (Long  Island).  —  Cass,  in 

Baird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  712.  —  Baiud,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  525. 
Maerorhnmphiis  griscm,  var.  scolopnccus,  Coites,  Cheek  List,  1873,  no.  415(i. 
Scolopax  longironlris,  Bv.u.,  Ann.  Lye.  X.  Y.  V.  1852,  3. 
Maerorhumphus  griseus  (part),  CouES,  Key,  1872,  253  ;  B.  N.  W.  1874,  476. 


5:S 


SCOLOPACID.K  — TIIR  SN'll'K    I'AMII-V  -  MAClHtUIIAMl'lIUS, 


197 


IIaii.  XdI'IIi  Aiiniiiii  ill  i^i'IicimI,  Init  iliiclly  tin'  wi'^lcrii  iMiriimi^  ipIiIic  (•(intiiii.'iit  ;  ca-'t  to  tlii' 
Mi!<Mi)<>*ip))i  Viillcy,  north  to  Alitsku,  and  noiitli  to  South  Anua'ica  ami  tin'  Went  IiuUoh.  OcciiNioiuil 
aliinj,'  the  Atlantic  ina'*!  of  tln'  rnitcd  Stnti'M. 

C'tiAit,     AUult  in  mintiur :  Siniilai'  lo  M,  (jrUeun,  lint  alMlonii'n  \»i\ii  vinnuniun,  liku  rust  of 


iV.  (jrisfiin  uroliipaceiis,  sidiimfr  pliimajc. 

lower  partx,  and  without  marking'",  tin!  Iireoxt  suiintily  Hpucklcd  and  thu  sidi/«  liarrcd  with  dusky. 
If'inter  plurtuigc  antl  ijoniig:  DiMtinf^uishalilu  from  tho  corresponding  stiigea  of  M.  tjrigi'im  only  (i) 
hy  lari,'i'r  ni/.o. 

Winti,  r).4(M).0U  (5,71)  ;  cuhuon,  2.1()-3.()()  (:i.72)  ;  tarsu.s,  1.35-1. To  (l.os)  ;  middle  toe,  .95- 
1.15  (1.01). 

The  Ked-brciisted  Siiiix!  apiioiirs  to  be,  coinnioii,  at  (lift'creiit  sfasoiis  of  the  year,  in 
ni'ui'ly  all  parts  of  North  America,  from  tlic  I'acitic  to  tht^  Atlautii^  shores.  During 
the  winter  it  is  i'ouml  in  our  (iulf  States,  in  Mexico,  in  Central  and  South  America, 
and  the  West  Indies.  It  breeds,  in  favorable  localities,  from  hit.  44^  N.  to  the  Arc- 
tic Ocean.     Occasional  s[)ecimens  have  been  taken  in  Mernuida. 

Mr.  Salvin  mentions  the  cai»tnri'  of  a  single  specimen  of  this  bird  at  San  (leronimo, 
(ruatemala;  and  afterward  speaks  of  finding  it  common  on  the  I 'acilie  coast  of  that 
region,  where  it  frequented  the  sand-banks.  Fie  used  always  to  see  it  feeding  on  the 
open  flats,  where  there  was  no  cover  whatever,  its  habits  strongly  contrasting  in  tins 
respect  with  those  of  the  common  Snipe.  This  bird  and  the  Srolnpitx  riistirola  of 
Europe  seemed  to  him  to  rei)resent  two  extremes  as  regards  choice  of  feeding-grounds, 
the  true  Snipe  oecujjying  an  intermediate  place  in  their  preference  for  grass  and 
seeds.  It  is  found  along  the  whole  I'acitic  coast;  and  tlnmgh  it  has  not  been  noticed 
in  the  more  southern  portions  of  California,  it  has  been  taken  in  (Jhili.  and,  on  the 
eastern  side,  in  Brazil.  Mr.  Dall  met  with  it  at  Vastolik  and  at  the  mouth  of  the 
^'ukon,  where,  however,  it  was  not  common.  Mr.  M.  Hrowne  mentions  it  in  his  list 
of  the  birds  of  Vancouver  Island.  Dr.  Cooper,  whih>  he  had  not  met  with  it  in 
Southern  California,  found  it  (iommon  in  the  middle  of  that  State  froni  September  to 
April,  frequenting  the  borders  of  marshes,  ponds,  and  sand-bars  in  large  flocks,  but 
not  so  common  near  the  sea-coast.  He  also  found  it  in  the  interior  among  the  Cor- 
dilleras. Great  numbers  are  brought  to  the  San  Francisco  market,  where  they  are 
regarded  as  am,ong  the  best  of  the  smaller  game-birds. 

This  Snii)e  is  given  by  Leotaud  as  a  regular  visitant  in  the  Island  of  Trinidad, 
coming  from  Jidy  to  October.  It  is  usually  in  flocks,  and  unmixed  with  other 
Waders,  but  is  occasionally  acconii)anied  by  the  Yellowshanks.  It  is  spoken  of  as 
keeping  principally  about  the  borders  of  the  sea,  and  also  as  being  frequently  found 
in  the  marshy  grounds  not  distant  from  the  shore.  Its  flight  is  not  very  rapid,  and 
in  taking  to  wing  it  does  not  make  any  very  decided  turnings.  Its  habits,  he  remarks, 
are  very  similar  to  those  of  Micropalama  himantoptis. 


TTTT 


I\ 


I 


Hi 


i   » 


i 

ii 


f' 


il 


108 


PIJ.Ki'MCIAI,   (iKAI,l,ATnI(KS       I,[MII01,.K. 


ThJH  HpooicH  Ih  t'oiiud  in  Hiiitahl**  pluci's  tlu'dUKlinut  tlit*  intrrior  of  the  ciititiiuMit, 
both  ill  the  s|iriM}{  and  tall  ini^^rations.  It  is  niori' or  Irss  roniiuon  at  Lake  Knsku- 
iion^,  Wiscdiisiii,  wiicif,  almut  Auj;.  \'k  l.S7;t,  it  wax  tnMiul  in  iinnsiiallv  lar^'c  nun>- 
bci-H  liy  Mr.  Kiiniliin.  It  in  inclmli'il  liy  .Mr.  II.  \V.  I'aiki'i  in  liis  li.st  (•!  tin-  liirds 
(H'cui'rin^'  nt-ar  (irimit'll,  la.  Mr.  •!.  \.  WU'ii  Innml  it  i|iiili'  cuiuiuiin  in  (jrt-iit  Salt 
Laki'  Valley  al'ti-r  tlic  iTttli  of  Si'iitfinlifi'. 

l{i('lianl.stni  Mpraks  id'  it  as  a  s|)crii'.s  udl  kimun  tlirnii;;liiiut,  the  Fur  Ciiimtry. 
having  an  cxti-nsivc  lirt't'dinn-ranni'  from  tlic  linnU  is  ol  Lake  Siipi'vior  to  tlio  Arctic 
Hca.  Individuals  killed  on  tlic  Saskatciicwan  |ilaiiis  had  their  crop.s  tilled  with 
l«'e('hp.s  and  lia,u;nieiits  ul  ('uleoiiteia.  IJcinliardt  imdnde.s  it  aniiiii;,r  the  birds  ol 
(ii'eeiilaiid,  a  siii^h'  siieeinieii  having  been  taken  at  Fiskernae.s  in  I.H.'il, 

Mr.  Dresser  noted  the  arrival  (d'  this  Sni|>e  from  the  north  at  a  hiKooii  near  Mata- 
nioras,  as  early  as  .liiiie  '_".».  lS(i;i.  rroiu  that  time  onward  it  continued  to  arrive. 
Nome  lui^ratin,^'  i'arthcr  south,  iiul  a  consideralilc  numlicr  remaining'  in  the  iici>;idior- 
hood.  He  obtained  them  in  both  the  red  and  the  ^ray  iilnma^'e.  and  they  were  very 
numerous  Ixith  in  duly  and  .Vii^'ust.  They  moved  in  Hocks  id'  t'rom  ten  to  thirty,  and 
seemed  to  be  more  nearly  related  to  the  Sandiii|ier  than  to  the  Sni|ie  in  their  habits. 
He  Mivariably  toiind  them  on  the  siiores  ot  the  lajj;oons.  and  ol'teii  in  eonipany  with 
the  Saiidi>ii)ers,  espeeially  the  Stilt  Siiiidpipers  ;  but  never  in  the  same  localities  with 
Wilson's  Snipe. 

\Ve  are  inl'ormcd  by  .Mr.  l5oardman  tli;it  this  species  probably  breeds  in  the  iieij,di- 
borhood  of  Calais,  where  it  is  occasionally  seen  t!irouj,dioiit  the  sumnier.  In  the 
winter  he  has  b)Und  it  very  numerous  in  Khuida.  where  it  goes  in  largf  Hocks,  and 
where  he  once  killed  thirty  at  a  sin;;le  shot. 

According  to  Mr.  .Moore's  observations,  .some  of  these  birds  are  found  in  Florida 
nisi),  throughout  the  summer,  though  none  of  these  breed  there.  Scattered  individ- 
uals of  this  sjjccies  were  seen  by  him  on  the  Sarasota  I5ay  during  every  month  of  the 
year;  but  those  that  an-  thus  resident  do  not  assume  the  summer  plumage.  Others 
were  noticed  there,  both  when  leaving  in  the  spring  and  arriving  in  autumn,  ten  of 
tlie  hitter  being  seen  as  early  as  duly  It*  in  very  tine  summer  pbiniage.  Those  that 
remain  throughout  the  year  do  not  appear  at  all  like  these  in  beauty  of  coloring. 
only  exhil)iting  ou  the  wing-coverts  and  ujiper  ])arts,  here  and  there,  a  slight  touch  of 
rut'ous. 

This  bird  has,  in  a  number  of  instances,  been  taken  in  Kuro])e,  esjjecially  in  (iroat 
Britain,  where  six  or  more  specimens  liave  been  singly  secured.  One  captured  in 
Sweden  Avas  described  and  figured  by  Nilssoii  as  a  new  species.  On  I.oiig  Ishvnd 
Giraud  states  tliat  tliis  Snipe  is  known  to  the  hunters  by  the  idil  i)rovincial  name  of 
Dowitcher.  It  reaidies  the  shores  of  that  island  about  the  close  of  April,  and  there 
resorts  to  the  nnid-Hats  and  slioals.  At  high-tide  it  retires  to  the  boggy  meadows, 
where  it  probes  the  soft  groiind  for  worms.  The  stay  of  this  bird  in  the  spring  is 
short ;  but  about  the  middle  of  July  it  returns  with  its  young,  and  remains  until  the 
end  of  Sei»tember.  It  has  a  very  peculiar  whistling  note,  and  one  that  is  easily  imi- 
tated by  hunters,  so  as  to  deceive  and  attract  the  bird,  which  is  noted  for  its  unsus- 
picious character.  This  Snipe  is  fond  of  resorting  to  the  freshwater  ponds  which 
stand  on  the  low  parts  of  the  nu-adows  during  the  wet  season,  and  such  situations 
are  favorable  for  its  capture.  Concealed  in  the  rank  grass  which  grows  on  the  salt 
meadows,  the  hunter,  when  he  hears  the  notes  of  a  passing  flock,  utters  a  shrill 
whistle  in  imitation  of  their  peculiar  cry,  this  being  pretty  sure  to  attract  the 
birds.  Flying  close  together  and  hovering  over  the  flock  of  decoys,  they  are  easily 
shot ;  and  it  not  unfrequently  happens  that  those  which  escape  the  first  fire  return 


8COLOPACID>:  -  TF[K  SVM'K   FAMILY  -  MACHOHIIAMPIirs. 


199 


1111(1  iiliKl't  iiiiuiii;'  tli«'  (h'iul  hoilifs  of  their  romimiiiDiiM,  mily  tn  Mliiiit'  tlit'ii-  f'ati'.  In 
ili'V  st'iiHoiiM  tlif  ,s"iitti'ri'(l  HiH'k.s  Ifcil  aloii,'  tln'  iiiiicldy  Hats,  wiulinj,'  in  tlic  slii»al- 
u liter.  altliiiuKli  selilnin  tn  any  .!,'i'eat  ilejitii.  Kven  in  tliese  exposed  situations  l)iit 
little  aildi'ess  is  rei|iiired  to  appiiMrii  tlie  liird  witliin  shooting'  distance. 

This  Snipe  is  capalile  nt  a  rapid  and  protracted  IliKld.  wliieli  at  tinicH  is  p(>rfurnii'il 
at  a  j,'reat  elevation.  l>Mrin.i,'  tlie  ilry  season,  wiicii  in  search  of  feedinf,'-;.'i'o(inds.  it 
tlies  hij,'li,iind  will  not  he  easily  ilecoyed.  It  is  very  aimndant  at  \\^<^  llarhor,  N.  .1., 
wlii're  it  is  known  as  the  Itrown  Sidpe,  aiul  also  as  the  (^nail  Snijie.  from  its  peculiar 
(^uail-like  whistle. 

In  the  .\tlatitie  .States,  aecordini,'  to  Lewis  (•'American  Sportsman,"  ji.  'JIH.  tins 
.•^nipe  seems  to  conline  itself  to  the  salt-marshes,  and  there  eonj,'rei;ates  in  ininiense 
tliicks.  That  author  f,'ives  the  time  of  its  arrival  in  New  .Ter.sey  uh  tiie  first  week  in 
May,  and  that  of  its  return  as  the  miildle  of  duly,  when  it  remains  until  the  coni- 
lueiiceineiit  of  cold  weather.  These  liirds  Hy  in  lar^'c  thtcks,  collect  in  thick  nu\sscs 
upon  tlie  points  to  feed,  ami  will  suffer  a  hoat  to  approach  near  enou^,di  to  ^dve  them 
a  raking,'  tire.  They  are  less  wary  than  most  (d  the  shorc-hirds,  and  wlieii  feedint,'  in 
I  onipany  with  other  species  are  always  the  last  to  take  the  alarm. 

hy  ditfereiit  explorers  this  species  has  lieeii  found  hreediiif,' at  various  points  in 
the  Arctic  Uegion  ;  as.  for  instance,  i-'ort  N'ukon,  lV\n  Island,  Kort  Uae,  I'astolik,  etc. 
.Mr.  10.  Adams  met  with  it  near  .Miid'aelaski.  Alaska  ("  Ihis,"  IST^S),  where  it  arrived 
(111  the  L'Otli  of  .May,  and  soon  spread  over  the  marshes,  siii;,'ly  or  in  pairs  ;  hut  the 
fii'cater  numhcr  of  them  freipieiited  the  salt-marsh,  where  they  fed  ahout  the  mud  in 
(■(Hiipauy  with  flocks  of  AihulrdiiKis  inlniiflf/n  and  /'r/ii/nn  umi-n'rinin,  tlie  only  birds 
with  whi(di  they  were  seen  to  associate. 

Mr.  .Macl''arlane  found  Ihis  species  hreediuj,'  in  the  vVrctie  IJegioii,  in  the  vicinity 
(if  iMiit  Anderson.  The  nests  were  taken  lietween  the  I'lst  <d'  .Inne  and  the  1st  of 
July,  the  usual  uumlier  (d'  e.Lt^s  in  a  nest  appearing,'  to  he  four.  The  nests  were 
placed  on  the  marshy  honh  rs  cd'  small  lakes,  and  were  compo.sed  of  a  few  decayed 
leaves  ]daced  in  a  depression  in  the  mossy  i^round.  In  one  instance  the  female  was 
sittini,'  on  the  nest,  and  when  ajiiu'oached,  a.scenth'd  in  the  air,  iitteriuj,'  shrill  and 
IdiiLj-coiitiinied  notes  of  alarm  and  annoyance.  She  was  then,  after  a  few  niiiiute.s, 
seen  to  descend  in  a.  iicrpeiidiciilar  manner  to  her  nest. 

The  e,i^.i,'s  of  this  species  arc  (d'  a  decidedly  i»yriform  shape,  and  vary  considerably 
in  size  —  naimdy.  from  l.oo  to  1.7.")  inches  in  leuf,'tl  ,  and  from  l.(».S  to  I.l'O  in  breadth. 
Ill  .some  exainiiles  the  j,'roun(l  is  drab,  with  blended  shadinj,'s  of  rufous  and  oliva- 
ceous;  in  others,  the  {{round  is  a  fawn-colored  drab,  more  slightly  olivaceous.  The 
markings  are  uniformly  .sepia  in  color,  somewhat  intensified  about  the  larger  end, 
and  of  less  size  and  more  scatti'red  at  the  smaller  t>nd. 

It  is  not  |)ossible  to  give  an  exact  account  of  the  distinctive  habits  of  the  form 
called  ^' srofopiiri'iis"  if  it  really  possesses  any  that  are  peculiar  to  it  or  distinguish- 
able from  those  of  the  i)recediiig.  N'or  can  it  lie  stated  with  certainty  how  far,  if 
at  all,  its  distribution  differs  from  that  of  the  more  common  Ked-breasted  Snipe. 
In  the  dress  of  the  srolojuireits  this  form  has  been  met  with  both  on  the  Atlantic  and 
on  the  racitic  coast.  It  is  found  in  the  interior;  and,  in  the  winter,  has  also 
been  met  with  in  Central  America.  Wiirdemann  secured  examples  in  Florida,  and 
Professor  Kumlien  has  imicnre  1  birds  of  this  form  both  in  the  spring  and  in  the  fall, 
near  Lake  Koskonong.  Lieutenant  Warren  obtained  a  single  individual  on  the  Mis- 
souri River,  near  Omaha,  Nebraska.  It  has  been  fonnd  very  common  among  the 
lagoons  on  the  Pacific  coast,  near  San  Pedro,  in  California  ("  Ibis,"  180(5,  j).  27).  It  was 
described  as  not  apparently  ever  going  down  to  the  salt-flats,  its  habits  being  given 


200 


PRiEUOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LLM1C0LA\ 


I  fii. 


as  somewhat  similar  to  those  of  Micropulama  himantopus,  and  therefore  int'erentially 
dilt'ert'nt  from  those  of  M.  i/n'sn/a. 

yiv.  Uall  mentions  the  J/,  svolopacvus  as  common  abont  the  month  of  the  IMvcr 
Yukon,  where  the  M.  grlseus  is  si)oken  of  as  Ijeiiii;  very  rare  up  that  river.  At; 
Nuhito  this  same  form  iii  mentioned  by  Jlr.  IJannister  as  being  ([uite  eomnioii, 
tliongh  not  extremely  abundant;  he  found  the  nest  of  this  .Snipe  on  the  od  of  tJuue, 
and  on  the  (ith  secured  the  parent  with  the  eggs.  The  nest  was  a  simjde  hollow 
in  the  ground  in  a  grassy  hiuiunoek,  in  the  centre  of  a  marshy  spot,  with  scarcely 
any  lining  whatever;  there  was  nothing  in  the  shape  of  a  nest  substantial  enough  to 
bo  removed.  The  eggs  were  four  in  nundjer.  and  Mr.  ISannister  describes  them  as  of 
a  brownish  color,  mottled  with  a  still  deeper  tint.  The  female  when  startled  from 
t'  "  nest  shuffled  off  witli  ,  .i-at  rapidity  among  the  grassy  hummocks,  presenting  a 
ve  y  difficult  mark  to  hit.     Only  one  parent  l)ird  was  seen. 

Dr.  Cooper  states  that  on  the  extensive  level  plains  south  of  Los  Angeles  he  found 
this  species  quite  abundant  during  the  middle  of  ( >ctober,  18G5.  He  also  observed  that 
bunches  of  them,  inimixed  with  any  other  s])i'cies,  were  sold  in  the  town  under  tlie 
name  of  "Jack  Snipe; ''  while  the  species  connuonly  known  by  this  name,  Artutfromos 
macvlata,  has  not,  to  his  knowledge,  been  met  with  south  of  San  Francis(!0.  The 
present  species  was  found  iTe([uenting  the  brackish  lagoons  and  river-banks  exclu- 
sively, never  appearing  about  the  salt-miirshes,  which  are  the  favorite  places  of  resort 
of  the  more  northern  and  eastern  form,  the  M.  ijrlseus.  The  birds  kept  in  small 
flocks,  and  alighted  so  close  together,  that  several  coulil  be  killed  at  a  single  shot. 
They  usually  fed  in  water  as  deep  as  their  long  legs  and  bill  would  allow  them  to 
wade  in,  probing  the  bottom. 

Mr.  George  X.  Lawrence,  in  his  paper  first  describing  this  form,  read  Jan.  7,  184!), 
mentions  that  this  bird  is  found  abundantly  on  the  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  in 
winter,  that  its  principal  migration  is  up  tlu^  Mississip[)i  Valley  and  farther  west, 
but  that  it  is  rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  It  is  given  by  the  same  writer  ("  IJirds  of 
Southern  Mexico")  as  having  been  taken  at  San  Mateo,  Tehuantepec,  in  August  and 
February.  Mr.  liawrence,  in  his  Notes  on  Cuban  lUrds  (iNIay  L'l,  1800)  also  refers  to 
a  specimen  sent  to  him  by  Dr.  Gundlach  from  C\d)a.  lie  regards  its  rarity  on  our 
coast,  where  the  gt'iseus  is  so  very  common,  as  furnishing  further  evidence  of  its 
distinctness  as  a  species.  It  makes  its  appearance  (]uite  early  in  the  si)ring,  and  is 
found  in  the  New  York  market  in  April,  fully  three  weeks  before  any  of  the  more 
common  varieties  are  to  be  seen.  And  in  this  connection  1  may  state  that  I  have 
received  a  fine  specinuMi  of  a  female  shot  on  ('ai)e  Cod,  Mass.,  as  late  as  November 
3,  or  long  after  all  of  the  other  variety  had  gone. 

Dr.  Kennerly,  in  his  Notes  on  the  lUrds  observed  along  the  Mexican  Boundary, 
speaks  of  this  species  as  very  rare,  and  as  having  been  only  observed  occasionally  in 
the  valley  of  the  Conalitos  Eiver,  and  once  in  the  Valley  of  tlie  Veletado.  A  pair 
were  seen  together,  and  both  secured  ;  but  no  others  were  obtained. 

Eggs  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection,  marked  as  having  been  obtxaned  by  Mr.  Ban- 
nister on  the  Island  of  St.  Michael's,  May  23,  18G6,  are  larger  than  any  eggs  of  the 
griseus  we  have  ever  seen,  measuring  1.80  inches  in  length,  by  l.lo  inches  in  breadth. 
They  have  a  ground  of  a  well-pronounced  rufous  di'ab,  blotched  with  much  darker 
markings  of  a  deep  shade  of  sepia  brown. 


■^_  KW*'      '\ 


SCOLOPACIDiE  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  MICRO? ALAMA.  201 


Genus  MICROPALAMA,  J^aiud. 

Uemipalama,    Hdnai'.    Syiiop.    1828,   310  (type,   Tringu  liimantojius,  Bonap.  ;  nee  Bonap.  Obs. 

Wilson,  182;'),  no.  212,  wliifh  includes  only  Trimju  semipalnucta,  WiLs. ). 
Micropalmiw,  Baiuu,  Hinls  X.  Am.  1858,  720  (typu,  Triiujahmantopus,  Bonap.). 

Char.  Form  sleiidor,  the  lei,'a  very  Ion;;,  the  bill  loii^'  uiul  much  compressed,  the  anterior  toes 
uU  webbed  iit  the  biise.  Tarsus  nearly  twice  iw  long  us  the  midiUe  toe,  which  is  a  little  shorter 
than  the  bare  portion  of  the  tibite,  this  scutellate  Ijefore  and  behind,  like  the  tarsus.  Bill  slender, 
strai^'ht,  about  ecpial  to  the  tarsus,  greatly  compressed,  e.xcept  at  the  end,  which  is  decidedly  ex- 
panded laterally.  Tail  nearly  even,  but  the  central  and  exterior  feathers  usually  perceptibly 
longer  than  the  rest.     Wings  long  and  pointed. 

The  present  genus,  with  a  basal  meniT)rane  to  all  the  anterior  toes,  as  in  Ereunetes,  has  this  a 
little  more  deeply  emarginate  ;  the  bill  and  legs  much  longer  ;  the  former  more  curved.  The  bare 
portion  of  tibia  is  covered  before  and  behind  by  transveiwe  scutello!,  like  the  tarsus.  The  tail 
is  nearly  even,  with  a  double  emargination.  The  middle  toe  is  not  two  thirds  the  length  of  the 
tarsus,  but  about  e(|ual  to  the  bare  portion  of  the  tibia.  The  bill  is  much  pitted  at  the  end  in  the 
dry  skin. 

In  many  respects  this  species  approaches  the  Snipes,  and  its  true  place  is  probably  very  near 
Mucrorhapiphiis.  The  legs,  however,  are  much  longer,  and  equal  to  the  bill,  instead  of  being 
much  shorter. 

Micropalama  himantopus. 

THE  STILT  SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  hinuintopus,  Bonap.  Ann.  Lye.  N,  Y.  It.  1820,  157.  —  Sw.  &  Rich.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  380. 

—  Alio.  Oni.  l$iog.  IV.  1838,  332,  pi.  334  ;  Synop.  1830.  235  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1842,  271,  pi.  334. 
Trimja  (Hcmpnlamn)  /ilinantopus,  Bonap.  Spcoe.  Comp.  1827,  01.  —  Nvtt.  Man.  II.  1834,  138. 
Micropalama  himantopus,  Cass,  in  Build's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  720.  —  Bairo,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no. 

530.  —  CouKs,  Key,  1872,  253  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  410  ;  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  Oil  ;  Birds  N.  W. 

1874,  480.  —  KimiW.  Nom.  X.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  528. 
Hemipalamn  muUislrifjala,  OiiAV,  f!en.  15.  III.  1849,  578,  pi.  156. 
Tringa  Doiujlasii,  Sw.  &  liicii.  I".  B.  A.  IT.  1831,  370,  jil.  CO. 
Tringa  (^Uemipalama)  Douglasii,  Nurr.  Man.  II.  1834,  141. 
Tringa  (Ilemipalanw)  Auduhoni,  Nurr.  t.  c.  141. 

Hab.  Eastern  Province  of  North  Americui,  Middle  America,  and  greater  part  of  South 
America  ;  breeding  north  of  the  United  States,  and  visiting  the  southern  localities  in  winter  ; 
15ernuidas ;  West  Indies,  in  genertJ ;  Brazil  ;  Peru.  Not  recorded  from  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult,  mmmer  pluvuige  :  Above,  variegated  with  black,  whitish  gray,  and  pale  buff, 
the  first  prevailing  on  the  'jack  and  scapulars ;  wings  rather  dark  gray,  the  feathers  edged  with 


paler  ;  primaries  dusky  slate  ;  rump  grayish,  the  feathers  with  darker  centres  ;  upper  tail-coverts 
white,  the  longer  ones  barred,  the  anterior  cues  longitudinally  marked  with  dusky.     Middle  tail- 
voi.  I.  —  26 


i 


rl 


il'i 


I!  i 


ii'i 


in 


III  !' 


202 


PRiECCX'IAL  (;RALLAT0HES  —  LIMICOL.*;. 


feathers  lij,'bt  yray,  the  othetn  vuriwl  loii<,'itU(liimlly  with  white  ami  pale  gray.  Pileuiu  dusky, 
streaked  witli  wiiiti.-<h  ;  a  i|ark-l»r"*wii  loral  stripe,  liom  base  of  iiiaxilhi  to  tlie  eyi's  ;  uuriciilars  and 
patch  on  eacli  side  the  occiput,  li;;ht  rimiaiuoii-nifous.  Lower  parts  dirty  white,  the  throat  and 
juj,'uliuu  streaked,  other  jKmiuiis  transversely  barred  with  dusky.  Liuinj,'  of  the  win^',  and  uxiilars, 
white,  the  latter  sli^ditly  uiarkeil  with  ;,'ray.  Adult  in  winter:  Above,  uniform  ash-yriiy,  the  ujiper 
tail-coverts,  tail,  anil  wings,  only,  as  in  the  sunnuer  plunia!,'e.  Superciliary  stripe  and  lower  pails 
wliite,  the  Juj,'uliiin,  side:>  of  the  neck,  and  crissuni,  streaked  witli  f,'ray.  Young:  liack  and  scap- 
ulars blackish,  all  the  feathers  widely  iMiideitd  with  buffy  wliite,  the  middle  of  the  baik  tin!,'('d 
with  rusty  ;  winf(-co verts  U^nleivil  witii  pale  buff  and  white  ;  ui)per  tail-coverts  nearly  inmiaculutc 
white.  Pileuni  siieaktf<l  with  ilusky,  jiale  bufl",  and  ii;rayish  ;  nape  nearly  uniform  ash-yray. 
Lower  parts  soiled  wliite,  the  bivast  and  sides  more  or  less  stronf,dy  suffused  with  l)Utf,  the  ju^'ii- 
luni,  sides  of  the  neck,  and  flank-,  indistinctly  streaked  with  grayish.  "Bill  black  ;  iiis  brown  ; 
feet  dull  yellowi.sh  gri-x-n,  claws  l»Iiu-k  "  (AuuuBox). 

Wing,  about  .").<)( »-5.i'»:  culmeii,  1-5(1-1. 7")  ;  tarsus,  1.50-1.75  ;  middle  loe,  .SO-.S."), 

The  Stilt  Siin(l|)ip«T,  oim-i'  regarded  as  a  very  rare  species,  lias  witliin  a  few  years 
been  foiiiul  to  1j«'  far  from  uncommMU  in  different  paits  of  the  country.  It  has  not 
been  met  with,  thai  I  am  aware,  on  any  portioii  of  the  Pacific  coast  north  of  Central 
America;  a  siiif,'h'  iiiilividual  only  was  observed  by  Mr.  Salvin  in  Guatenuila.  This 
was  taken  in  the  interior,  near  Dueiias.  from  amonjj  a  flock  of  Actodroinus  macuhitu, 
in  April.  According  to  Major  Wedderburn.  it  occasionally  occurs  in  Bernnida ;  and 
Mr.  X.  i\.  Moore  mentions  pr<x'urin},'  four  siiecimens  of  this  species  on  one  of  the 
Bahamas  as  early  as  Anjfiist  '>.  It  visits  in  winter  the  West  Indies  and  a  hirge  2)art 
of  South  America  to  Brazil  and  I 'era. 

In  New  Enf,danil  —  where  it  has  not  been  recognized  as  occurring  at  all  till  within 
a  few  years  —  it  is  (»f  irregular  ajijiearance  in  the  summer  and  fall,  but  is  not  known 
to  occur  in  its  spring  migratiuns.  It  has  been  seen  along  the  coast  of  Massachusetts, 
New  Hampshire,  and  Maine,  west  of  Portland ; '  but  not  in  the  interior.  A  single 
specimen  has  Ijeen  taken  on  Nantucket,  and  one  rejjorted  from  Cape  Cod.  It  is  only 
oc(;asionally  met  with,  usually  singly,  or  in  pairs,  and  generally  in  company  with 
Totiunis  Jfiii'ijifx-  It  is  an  <M'casional  straggler  rather  than  a  regular  migrant,  and 
only  very  rarely  known  to  api>ear  in  flocks,  or  even  in  family  groups,  but  usually  has 
the  air  of  having  wandered  oft'  in  company  with  non-kindred  species.  They  evidently 
move  in  a  due  south  ecurse.  leaving  our  shores  at  lUizzard's  Bay  over  the  o])en  sea, 
and  some  of  them  reaching  the  West  India  Islands  early  in  August.  Two  instances 
are  recorded  of  the  captur*-  of  this  bird  in  Massachusetts  as  early  as  July  24 ;  others 
were  taken  as  late  a.s  !S«-i)teniljer  21). 

Mr.  Lawrence  records  the  rdttaining  of  a  single  specimen  at  San  Mateo,  Mexico,  in 
February,  1869.  Profe.s.sor  Snow  mentions  it  as  a  rare  migrant  in  Kansas,  his  only 
record  of  its  occurrence  there  Ijeing  three  specimens  taken  near  Lawrence  in  Septem- 
ber, 1874,  by  Mr.  William  Osburn.  Dr.  Merrill  records  it  as  occurring  in  the  Bio 
Grande  region,  on  ih:t.  L'i,  1877.  Mr.  J.  Dwight,  Jr.,  mentions  meeting  with  it  on  the 
Jersey  coast  at  Squani  Beach.  Out  of  ten  examples  all  were  single  birds  exce])t  three, 
showing  the  straggling  character  of  its  movements.  Mr.  N.  T.  Lawrence  speaks  of 
this  species  as  l)eing  not  uncommon  on  the  south  side  of  Long  Island,  where  it  was 
seen  in  parties  of  from  three  to  five.  Two  in  adult  breeding-plumage  were  taken  in 
July ;  all  the  others,  in  the  fall  plumage,  in  September.  Mr.  Geoige  N.  Lawrence 
informs  us  that  on  one  wca-sion,  at  Rockaway,  there  was  a  large  flight  of  this  sjiccies 
and  of  Totanus  flaciiteg,  the  latter  lieing  the  more  abundant.  Six  Stilt  Sandpipers 
were  killed  at  a  single  shot;  he  never  saw  so  many  together  at  any  other  time. 

1  Mr.  M.  ChamberLiiii  ha*  rwently  recorded  its  capture  in  New  Brunswick.  —  J.  A.  A. 


SCOLOPACID.K  — TIIK  SNIPE  FAMILY—  MICROPALAMA. 


203 


The  Stilt  Siiii(l])i|HM'  occiir.s  iis  a  niif,M'!Uit  in  tlic  iiitcvior,  eHiH'ciully  in  the  spring. 
I'rofessor  Kunilicn  has  procured  it  in  Soutlii'rn  AViscoiisin,  and  tiic  Natural  History 
Society  of  IJustou  have  received  from  him  several  tine  specimens  in  the  breeding- 
l)lumaf,'e.  Professor  l\  II.  Snow,  of  Lawrence,  Kansas,  informs  us  that  some  six  or 
eight  specimens  were  taken  in  that  neighl)orhoo(l  in  Septcmher,  1.S74. 

Kichardson  refers  to  this  species  as  the  Doughis  Sandpiper,  and  mentions  that  it 
is  not  uncommon  in  the  Fur  ('ountry  up  to,  and  ])rol)al)ly  beyond,  the  (iOth  parallel. 
It  frcfiuents  the  interior  in  the  breeding-season,  and  resorts  to  the  flat  shores  of  IIiul- 
SDu's  Hay  in  the  autumn,  previous  to  taking  its  departure  south.  It  was  found  by  Mi: 
MacFarlane  bre»Hling  on  the  Arctic  coast.  This  species  is  said  by  Leotaud  to  be  a 
u'.'ver-failing  visitant  of  Trinidad,  where  it  arrives  early  in  August,  and,  like  nearly 
all  the  other  migratory  Waders,  leaves  in  October.  It  keeps  apart  from  other 
species,  or  only  associattis  with  the  Totnniis  ffan'ipes,  which  it  is  said  to  resemble  in 
its  habits  and  movements.  It  is  als(j  given,  in  the  list  ])ublished  by  Mr.  Lawrence, 
as  one  of  the  birds  observed  by  Mr.  A.  A.  .lulien,  on  the  Island  of  Sombrero,  West 
Indies. 

According  to  (lirand,  tliis  species,  known  on  Long  Island  as  the  Long-legged  Saud- 
jiijier,  is  not  common  there.  In  all  his  excursions  he  only  obtained  two  individuals, 
both  of  which  i»rovcd  to  be  nudes.  These  were  shot  in  a  large  meadow  lying  on  tlie_ 
South  Bay,  and  known  as  Cedar  Island.  The  flrst  he  procured  in  the  latter  part  of 
August,  1840;  the  other  in  the  early  part  of  Septend)er  in  the  following  year.  In 
both  instances  the  birds  were  in  company  with  a  single  Pectoral  Sandpiper.  The 
first  he  shot  before  it  alighted,  and  h;ul  no  oi>portunity  to  observe  its  habits.  The 
second  alighted  among  his  decoys  while  he  was  lying  at  a  salt-pond  in  the  meadow. 
It  walked  about  with  an  erect  and  graceful  gait,  occasionally  stooping  to  probe  the 
soft  mud  for  worms  and  minute  shellHsh,  i)articles  of  which,  on  dissection,  he  found 
in  its  stomach.  After  spending  a  few  minutes  within  reach  of  his  gun,  it  became  sud- 
licnly  alarmed,  uttered  a  shrill  note,  and  took  wing ;  as  it  passed  from  him  he  brought 
it  down.  An  experienceil  Hay-num.  who  was  on  the  meadow  at  the  time,  informed 
Mr.  Giraud  that,  in  the  course  of  many  years"  shooting,  he  had  met  with  only  a  few 
stragglers,  and  had  always  looked  upon  them  as  hybrids.  Although  somewhat 
resembling  in  j)lumage  the  Red-breasted  Snipe,  the  two  are  so  unlike  in  size,  that 
Mr.  Giraud  regiirds  it  as  hardly  possible  that  they  ('ould  ever  be  mistaken  for  each 
other.  As  he  several  times  found  these  birds  in  the  New  York  market  —  from  six  to 
eight  on  a  string  —  it  is  very  evident  that  wandering  flocks  occasionally  visit  the 
hIku'cs  of  Long  Island. 

Mr.  Dresser  states  that  shortly  after  his  arrival  at  Matamoras,  while  out  shooting 
at  the  lagoon,  he  procured  a  specimen  of  this  Sandpiper,  which  was  then  quite  new 
to  liim.  During  his  st<ay  at  Matamoras  he  shot  several  more  Stilt  Sandpipers,  meeting 
with  them  far  oftener  as  the  different  kinds  of  birds  of  this  family  began  to  arrive 
from  the  uortli,  and  generally  fluding  them  in  company  with  the  Macrorhamphus 
ijr'iseus.  When  out  hunting  Snipe,  on  the  2()th  of  November,  1863,  near  San  Antonio, 
lie  shot  another  of  these  birds. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  that  on  the  4th  of  A]iril,  1847,  on  the  Island  of  Barataria,  forty 
miles  from  the  southwest  pass  of  tlie  Jlississippi,  he  saw  a  flock  of  about  thirty 
Long-legged  Sandpijiers  alight,  within  ten  stejjs  of  him,  near  the  water.  They  soon 
scattered,  following  the  margin  of  the  advancing  and  retiring  waves  in  search  of  food, 
which  they  procured  by  probing  the  wet  sand  in  the  manner  of  the  Curlews.  They 
inserted  the  full  length  of  their  bills  in  the  sand,  holding  it  there  for  some  little  time, 
as  if  engaged  in  sucking  up  what  they  had  found.     In  this  way  they  contir'-^d  feed- 


I  '■    & 


i  I. 


ii 


K,  \'f 


204 


PR.ECOCIAL  GllALLATORES  —  LI^flCOL.E. 


ing  along  an  extended  line  (it  the  shore  for  thirty  yards,  alternately  and  simultane- 
ously advancing  and  retreating  with  tlie  niovt'nient  of  the  water.  In  about  three 
(quarters  of  an  hour  they  removed  a  few  yanls  beyond  the  highest  wash  of  tlie  waves, 
huddled  close  together,  and  lu'gau  to  pluiue  themselves.  Suddenly  they  ceased  their 
occupation,  stood  still,  and  several  of  them  uttered  a  sharp  firrrf-tu-cct,  somewhat 
like  the  notes  of  the  Solitary  Sandj)i|ier.  Soon  after  this  st'ven  other  birds  of  the 
same  species  alighted  near  those  he  was  watching,  and  began  to  feed.  Fearing  that 
the  first  flock  might  join  them,  and  he  might  lose  the  opportuinty  of  procuring  speci- 
mens, he  lired  into  the  flock  and  killed  eleven.  lie  afterward  saw  them  on  almost 
every  island  and  bay  on  his  way  to  Texas,  and  also  jirocured  some  on  Cialveston 
Island.  He  describes  its  flight  as  being  rajiid  and  regular.  This  Sandpiper  moves 
in  compact  flocks,  and  often  when  about  to  alight,  or  after  being  disturbed,  inclines 
the  body  to  either  side,  showing  alti-rnately  the  upper  and  thi'  lower  parts.  On  foot 
it  moves  more  like  a  Curlew  than  a  Triiuja,  and  is  nun'c  sc(hite  in  its  motions  than 
the  true  Sandpiper.  At  times,  on  being  apitroachcd,  it  will  s(puit  on  tlu!  ground  after 
the  manner  of  the  Escpiinuiux  Curlew.  Its  flesh  is  said  to  be  extrcnudy  delicate.  In 
the  stomachs  of  those  he  killed  he  found  small  worms,  miiuite  shellfish,  and  vegetable 
substances,  among  which  were  hard  seeds  of  sonu'  unknown  plant.  He  found  great 
differences  in  the  color  of  the  plumage  of  those  he  killed.  He  adds  that  its  jiassagc 
through  the  United  States  is  very  rapid,  both  in  spring  and  in  autnnni.  A  few  of 
these  birds  are  said  to  spend  the  winter  in  Lower  Louisiana,  but  nearly  ixll  pass  on 
southward  beyond  Texas. 

Mr.  Moore  twice  met  with  this  species  in  Florida  —  once  Aug.  4,  and  tagain  Sept. 
17,  1869.  Part  were  in  an  oozy  jiool  near  the  I>ay  of  Sarasota;  the  rest  were  in  a 
fresh  pond.  He  had  an  opportunity  t)f  witnessing  its  manner  of  feeding  from  a  hid- 
ing-jdace  near  the  j)ond.  It  was  feeding  in  water  that  nearly  covered  its  tarsi.  It 
slowly  stepped  ahmg,  carrying  its  bill  innnersed  nearly  up  to  the  base,  and  sweeping 
it  slowly  from  side  to  side,  nmch  in  the  manner  of  the  Koseate  Sjioonbills,  which 
were  at  the  same  moment  feeding  nearby.  He  noticed  no  action  like  that  of  swal- 
lowing at  any  time,  its  motions  being  contiuut)Us.  This  accounts  for  the  black  mud 
found  in  the  stomachs  of  several  kinds  of  Sandjiipers :  it  is  taken  in  by  suction,  and 
with  it  probably  vari(nis  kinds  of  animalcuhe. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  found  this  species  breeding  at  Rendezvous  Lake,  in  the  Arctic 
Region,  June  27.  In  situation  and  composition  they  are  said  to  be  similar  to  others 
previously  met  with.  The  nest  contained  four  eggs,  the  female  liaving  been  shot  on 
leaving  it.  The  contents  of  the  eggs  were  very  slightly  develojx'd.  This  bird  was 
everywhere  very  rare,  except  on  the  Arctic  coast  at  Franklin  I5ay,  where  it  was  found 
tolerably  abundant.  At  Island  Point,  .Tidy  H,  he  obtained  two  young  birds  in  the 
down,  with  the  female  parent.  Both  parents  disi)layed  mu(di  courage  and  ingeinuty 
in  defence  of  their  young,  two  of  which  were  thus  enabled  to  escape.  He  afterwards, 
in  the  same  neighborhood,  procured  other  young  in  the  down,  with  both  parents. 
Another  nest,  obtained  at  Langston  Harbor  in  July,  1805,  contained  four  eggs  (]inte 
fresh.  The  nest  was  a  mere  deju-essiim  in  the  ground,  lined  with  a  few  withered 
leaves  and  grasses.  Examples  of  this  species  were  also  procured  at  Fort  Resolution 
by  Mr.  Kennicott,  at  Fort  Simpson  by  Mr.  R.  R.  Ross,  and  at  Big  Island  by  ISh. 
J.  Reid. 

A  set  of  eggs  (S.  I.  No.  9389)  obtained  on  the  Arctic  coast  by  Mr.  MacFarlane, 
June  22, 1863,  was  in  a  nest  composed  of  decayed  leaves  and  placed  in  a  hollow  partly 
concealed  by  tufts  of  grass.  The  eggs  are  three  in  number,  of  an  oblong  pyriform 
shape,  and  have  a  ground-color  of  a  light  and  bright  drab  or  grayish  white,  with  large 


mumw 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  EREUNETES, 


205 


nmnded  and  sciittcrcd  iimrkiugs  of  histri';  tlioso  markings  are  larger  and  more 
numerous  at  the  ol)tuse  end.  The  eggs  range  from  1.47  to  1.50  inehes  in  length,  and 
have  a  breadth  of  one  inch.  Anotlu-r  set  (No.  11.'331),  obtained  in  18(50,  have  spots 
that  are  larger  and  more  couHueiit  about  tlu'  greater  end,  and  are  nu)re  rounded  in 
.shai)e.  varying  betweeji  1.4r>  and  1.4()  inclu'S  in  length,  and  iu  breadth  between  1.05 
and  1.10  inches. 

Gents  EREUNETES,   Illkjkk. 

Ercunctcs,  Ii.i.kikk,  riodromus,  1811,  HS'l  (lyiic,  J-J.  pclrijictitiis,  Ii.mc;.,  =  Triurjn  pusilla,  LiXN.) 
JJiiiiijui/niiKi,  lloNAI'.  ()1)S,  Wils.  182"),  no.  212  (•saiiio  type). 
Jlderojmla,  Xutt.  Mini.  II.  lS;il,  135  (nre  L.vii!i:il,i.i;,  1S04). 

Char.  Size  snuill ;  anterior  toes  wel)))C(l  at  tlie  biise  ;  a  well-developed  hind  toe.  Bill  about 
as  long  as  or  a  Utile  lunger  tliau  tlie  head,  straiglit,  somewhat  ex[)an(Ied  at  the  end,  about  as  long 
as  the  tarsus  ;  niiildle  toe  more  than  hall' as  long  as  tlie  tarsus  ;  bare  portion  of  tibia  nearly  C(pial 
to  tlie  niitblle  toe. 

The  bill  of  J'Jreunctm  hi  ipiite  stout  and  considerably  ex[ian(led,  by  which  it  is  readily  distin- 
1,'iiished  from  Actodrnmun  minutilla  independently  of  the  semipalmated  feet.  The  tarsus  and  mid- 
dle toe  are  about  ci[ual  ;  the  tibia  denuded  antei'ioily  for  about  two  thirds  the  length  of  tarsus. 
Tile  basal  membrane  of  toes  is  more  scolloped  out  interiorly  than  exteriorly  ;  the  notch  externally 
not  (piite  as  deep  as  to  the  fir.st  joint,  although  the  membrane  cxtend.s  beyond  the  second.  There 
is  a  tcMuleney  to  hexagonal  subdivision  in  the  bare  portion  of  tiliia  anteriorly.  The  tail  is  doubly 
eniarginate. 

But  one  species  is  known,  the  common  Semipalmated  Sandpiper  or  "  Peep." 


Ereunetes  pusillus. 

THE  SEHIPALKATED  SANDPIFEB. 

a.  pusillus. 

Tringa  imsillri,  Linn.  S.  X.  I.  1766,  252. 

Ercunctcs  }uisilliis,i\i<!i.  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  .Sci.  Philad.  XIII.  1860,  19.5.  — -  Couks,  Key,  1872,   254; 

Check  List,  1873,  no.  417;  2d  ed.  1880,  no.  612;  Birds  X.  W.  1874,  481  (part).  —  Ridgw. 

Xom.  X.  Am.  H.  1881,  no.  541. 
Ercunctcs  pclrifcattis,  Ii.i.m.  Prndr.  1811,  262  (Bahin).  —  Cass,  in  Baird'.s  B.  X.  Am.  1858,  724 

(part).  —  Baikd,  Cut.  N.  Am.  B.  185i>,  no.  535. 
Triwja  xcmipalmata,  WiLs.  Am.  Oin.  VII.  1813,  131,  pi.  63,  fig.  3.  —  Sw.  &  I.'icH.  F.  B.  A.  II. 

1831,  381.  —AUD.  Orn.  Biog.  V.  183S>,  HI,  pL  408  ;  Synop.  1839,  236  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1842,  277, 

pi.  336. 
Trinija  (Hctcropoila)  scmipalmnld,  XuTT.  Man.  II.  1834,  136. 
Tringa  brcvimstris,  Srix,  Av.  Bras.  II.  1825,  76,  pi.  93. 
Tringa  nrissoni,  I.l'.ss.  Man.   II.  1828,  277. 
Ilctcrnpoda  Mauri,  Bonap.  Comp.  List,  1838,  49. 
Hcmipalania  minor,  Lemb.  Av.  Cuba,  1850,  97. 

h.  occidentalis. 

Ercunctcs  occidcntnlis,  Lawr.  Pr.  Philad.  Acad.  1804,  107. 
Ercunctcs  pusil! an,  var.  occidentalis,  Coues,  Chock  List,  1873,  no.  417  «. 

Ercunctcs  pusillus  occidentalis,  RiDOW.  Xom.  X.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  541  a,  — CouES,  Check  List,  2d 
ed.  1882,  no.  613. 

Ercuiutcs  pusillus,       >   ^^^^  (citations  of  western  localities). 
Ercunctcs  pctrifcatus,  ) 

Had.   The  whole  of  North  and  Middle,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  South,  America  ;  through- 
out the  West  Indies ;  Bermuda ;  south  to  New  Granada  and  Brazil ;  breeding  chiefly,  if  not 


b« 


I! 


206 


PU.KCUCIAL  GUALLAT(JUES  —  LLMICOL.E. 


rl    I 


exclusively,  north  of  the  Uiiitud  States.  The  race  occidcntalis  is  chietly  restricted  to  the  Western 
I'roviiii'o  of  Xuith  Anieriiii  ;  the  tyitkid  fiwiUus  entirely  contined  to  the  Eastern  I'rovinee. 

Si'.  CiiAii,  Total  h'nj,'th,  iihout  5.7")  to  (i-OO  ;  e.vteiit,  Il.Od  to  12.()(»  ;  win^',  3  otM.tM);  cnhneii, 
.H8-1.1")  ;  tiiisns,  .80-.!)')  ;  middle  toe,  .55-.65.'  Bill  l)luck,  heconiinj,'  greenish  olive  on  Imsal  part 
oi'tiie  iiiandilije  ;  ills  dark  hrown ;  let,'s  an<l  feet  {greenish  (dive.  Runi[)  .slate-color;  upper  tail- 
eoverts  and  middle  tail-feathers  lUisky,  otiier  rectriees  cinereous  ;  wiiij,'-coverts  and  tertials  hrown- 
isli  gray  with  dusky  shaft-.streaks,  the  j,'reater  coverts  tipped  with  white.  Superciliary  stripe  and 
lower  parts  white,  the  f'ornu'r  finely  streaked  with  grayish  dusky.  Upjier  jiarts  (except  as 
described)  varjegated  brown,  l)lack  and  rusty  in  siiminer  adults  and  young,  plain  ashy  with  dusky 
shaft-streaks  in  winter  plumage.  . 

Siimvur  whtlt  (iiid  ijoiinj:  Above  lirownish,  varied  with  black,  rusty,  and  white  (the  latter  on 
the  tenninal  l)(>rdors  of  tiie  feathers  —  sometimes  almo.st  wanting)  ;  beneath  white,  the  jugulum 
streaked  or  spotted  witli  dusky  in  the  adult,  shaded  with  grayish  buff  in  young.  Winter 'plmmije : 
Above,  uniform  ashy,  Unely  streaked  with  dusky  ;  lielow,  pure  white. 

".  pusillus. 

Adult  breeding -plumofie :  Upper  surface  light  grayish  brown,  the  sides  of  the  pileum  and  edges 
of  some  of  the  scapulars  and  interscapulars  tinged  with  pale  bufly  cinnamon,  but  this  sometimes 
almost  wholly  absent ;  pileum  heavily  streaked,  and  dorsal  region  heavily  sjiotted,  with  black,  tlie 
latter  color  occupyi:>g  the  central  portion  of  each  feather.  A  streaked  white  superciliary  stripe, 
and  dusky  loral  space,  the  latter  usually  very  distinctly  defined  along  its  upper  edge,  the  lower 
part  broken  into  streaks,  which  extend  backward  over  the  cheeks  ;  auriculars  streaked  grayish 


llli^'l 


E.  pusillus. 

brown.  Lower  parts  pure  white,  the  jugulum  and  breast  tinged  with  ashy  and  streaked  witli 
dusky.  Winter  jjlumnye :  Above  Itrownish  gray  or  cinereous,  relieved  by  dusky  shaft-streaks ; 
superciliary  stripe  and  lower  parts  ])ure  white,  the  jugulum  faintlv  streaked.  Young  :  Similar  to 
the  summer  adult,  but  jugulum  tinged  with  pale  grayish  buff,  and  without  well-defined  streaks  or 
spots,  the  scapulars  and  interscapulars  bordered  terminally  with  white,  and  the  brown  usually  less 
rusty.  Downy  young:  Forehead  dingy  white,  divided  by  a  mesial  line  of  black;  crown  light 
chestnut,  marbled  posteriorly  with  black  and  white  ;  occiput  mottled  whitish.  A  distinct  loral 
line  of  Idack,  forking  just  before  the  eye,  the  upper  branch  running  toward  the  anterior  corner  of 
the  eye,  the  other  inclining  downward.  Throat  fulvous-whito  ;  other  lower  parts  whitish,  nearly 
pure  on  the  alxlomen.  Upper  parts  pale  fulvous-brown  laterally,  black  centrally,  the  whole  surface 
thickly  bespangled  with  fine  downy  tufts,  terminating  the  down-filainents. 

Wing,  .3..5()-4.0()  (.-J.TS)  ;  culmen,  .08-.92  (.77)  ;  tarsus,  .80-.95  (.86)  ;  middle  toe,  .55-.fi5 
(.61).    [Eighteen  summer  adults  measured.] 

b.  occidentalis. 

Adnlt  hreeding-plwmage :  Upper  surface  bright  rusty  cinnamon,  the  feathers  spotted  centrally 
with  black,  the  cinnamon  sometimes  nearly  uniform  along  the  sides  of  the  crown  ;  a  white  super- 
ciliary stripe  streaked  with  dusky  grayish,  this  bordered  below  by  a  stripe  of  light  rufous  or  rusty 

1  Forty-two  aduU  specimens  measured  ;  the  average  of  this  series  is  as  follows  :  wings,  3.75  ;  culmen, 
.87  ;  tarsus,  .88  ;  middle  toe,  .60. 


'mmmm 


SCOLOPACIDiE  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  EREUNETES. 


207 


(111  the  side  of  the  head,  from  the  bill  across  the  lores,  uiid  beneath  the  eyen  over  the  auriculars  ; 
it'maiudur  of  tliu  head  white,  streaked,  except  on  the  throat  (uliere  also  sometimes  finely  Hecked) 
with  grayish  dusky.  Lower  juirts  pure  white,  the  jugulum  and  Itreast  thickly  marked  with  broad 
^'tl^•aks  of  dusky,  these  broadest  and  of  tiiuiij,'ular  form  on  llic  sides  of  tlic  lueast ;  sides  marked 
with  sagittate  dusky  spots.     Adult,  winter  plumuje :  Not  distinj,'uishable  from  typical  pusilluk  in 


E.  piisllltts  occkleiitalis. 

the  same  stage,  except  by  greater  average  length  of  bill  and  tarsus.  Young:  similar  to  young  of 
E.  jiusillus,  but  with  rusty  ochraceous  prevailing  on  the  dorsal  region  and  pileum.  Downy  youwj : 
Similar  to  the  same  stage  of  i?.  jntsillus,  but  the  rusty  areas  of  the  upper  parts  more  extended  and 
more  castaneous. 

Wing,  3.(J0-3.9(»  (3.74);  culnien,  .85-1.15  (.95)  ;  tarsus,  .85-.95  (.89);  middle  toe,  .55-.C5 
(.60).    [Eighteen  summer  adults  measured.] 

The  range  of  individual  variation,  as  regards  proportions,  is  probably  greater  in  this  species 
than  in  any  other  liniicoline  bird  of  its  size.  The  length  of  the  bill,  in  forty-two  adult  examples 
measured,  varies  from  .68  of  an  inch  to  1.15  inches,  and  the  wing  IVom  3.50  to  4.0<),  the  other 
/iiwisurements  varying  in  proportion.  The  variations  are  of  exactly  the  .same  character  as  in 
MiicrorhcDiiphiis  grisnun,  the  sculujjitceus  type  of  the  latter  corresponding  to  the  occidentalis  form  of 
Ercunetes,  both  being  distinguished  by  a  gi'eater  average  length  of  bill  and  tarsus,  and  an  excess 
of  the  ferruginous  coloring. 


The  common  Semipalmatecl  Sandpiper  i,s  found  nearly  or  quite  tlu'oughout  North 
America.  Accepting  the  form  which  occurs  on  the  Vacatic  coast  —  called  by  some 
writers  the  occidentalis  —  as  identical  with  this,  we  have  for  the  species  a  very  gen- 
eral distribution.  It  breeds  in  the  extreme  northern  portions  of  the  Fur  Country ; 
is  abundant,  both  in  the  spring  and  fall  migrations,  along  the  sea-coasts,  and  also  tlie 
banks  of  rivers  and  inland  lakes.  In  the  winter  it  is  found  in  the  extreme  South- 
western States,  in  Mexico,  Central  America,  the  Bahamas,  and  some  of  the  West  India 
Islands,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  South  America. 

Mr.  Salvin  mentions  that  a  single  bird  of  this  species  was  shot  near  Duenas  in 
the  month  of  April,  in  a  flock  of  Actodromas  mamduta,  and  that  afterward  he  again 
found  this  species  very  common  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  Guatemala.  According  to 
Wt'dderburn,  it  occurs  in  Iiornuida  during  its  fall  migrations;  and  from  the  1st  of 
August  to  the  beginning  of  Novend)er  small  flocks  are  to  be  seen  on  most  of  the 
sandy  bays  along  the  coast.  Professor  Newton  mentions  this  species  as  occurring  in 
autumn  in  St.  Croix,  frequenting  t\\e  i)astures  in  flocks  of  from  ten  to  twenty.  Its 
first  arrival  was  observed  by  3Ir.  E.  Newton.  Leotaud  also  si)eaks  of  ib  as  occurring 
on  the  Island  of  Trinidad,  arriving  tiu're  in  July,  and  leaving  in  October.  It  is 
always  seen  in  flocks,  and  tliase  are  sometimes  very  numerous,  not  only  frequenting 
the  marshy  edges  of  the  sea,  but  quite  as  commoidy  the  low  damp  meadoAvs.  Some 
are  said  to  remain  in  Trinidad  all  the  year  round,  and  these  may  be  found  on  the 
swamp    edges  of  pools  from  October  until  July.    At  this  season  of  the  year  the 


208 


PRiECOCIAL  GUALLATOUES—  LIMICOL^E. 


heavy  rains  and  the  overHowing  of  tlio  pools  compel  tlin  binlH  to  seek  the  borders 
of  the  sea,  where  at  other  times  it  is  not  nsual  to  find  tiicm.  This  speeies  is  given  by 
Dr.  (iiindhieh  as  oeeurring  in  Cuba,  but  only  as  a  visitant. 

In  Massaeluisetts  tliis  sjieeies  ajipears,  on  its  way  nortli,  about  the  last  of  May, 
and  makes  but  a  very  short  stay,  returnini,'  in  August,  later  than  the  ArfodninidH 
iii'iiiiitillii,  all  having  left  l)y  tiie  middh'  of  Septendier.  They  are  in  greatly  reducecl 
numbers  as  eomjiared  with  former  years,  when  all  the  l)eaehes  and  mud-Hats  apjieared 
alive  with  the  numerous  tloeks  of  "  Peeps,"  as  they  are  called  —  a  name  also  given 
ti)  the  A.  mbmtUIn  and  ./.  /inii(i/i<irf!!. 

Mr.  Dresser  met  with  none  of  this  speeies  near  San  Antonio,  but  found  it  not 
uncommon  near  Matannmis,  though  not  so  conunon  as  the  mluiittlld.  A.ulubori,  how- 
ever, mentions  it  as  found  in  Texas  in  great  numbers  in  A])ril,  and  as  moving  north- 
ward with  celerity,  both  along  the  sea-shore  and  the  larger  streams. 

Audubon  states  that  he  found  it  dispersed  in  pairs  tliroughout  Labrador,  and 
having  nests  there  in  .fune,  though  he  was  not  able  to  find  any,  the  birds  s(piatting 
on  the  moss  as  if  they  had  a  nest,  and  thus  efl'ectually  misleading  his  ])arty.  lie 
also  states  that  he  often  saw  this  spe(;ies  in  considerable  nund)ers  along  the  shores  of 
the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  during  autumn.  At  this  season  they  fed  on  fresh-water 
insects,  worms,  and  small  coleojjtera,  became  very  fat,  and  afforded  exe(dlent  eating; 
this,  he  adds,  is  rtindy  the  case  when  they  are  found  along  the  sea-shore.  Their 
Hight  is  swift  and  wtdl  sustained;  and  when  alarmed,  or  just  before  alighting,  their 
evolutions  are  very  graceful. 

Mr.  lioardman  informs  ns  that  this  spctcies  is  very  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of 
Calais,  but  d(X's  not  breed  there.  It  nsually  arrives  early  in  August,  or,  in  some 
years,  alxnit  the  last  of  duly.  In  its  season  it  occurs  in  nearly  every  part  of  Mortli 
America,  congregating  in  large  Hocks  on  the  beaches,  sand-bars,  and  low  lands  along 
the  sea-<'oast.  as  well  as  on  the  shores  of  the  interitn-  lakes  nnd  streams.  When  feed- 
ing, these  birds  scatter  about  in  small  parties;  and  when  surprised,  collect  together, 
with  a  rapid  and  peculiar  movement,  in  such  (dose  bodies  that  sonu'times  twenty 
or  thirty  may  bt^  killed  at  a  single  shot.  When  pursutul,  they  move  otf  in  a  mass, 
uttering  a  pecndiar  chirping  nijte  as  they  go,  by  imitating  which  they  may  be  readily 
decoyed.  On  dissection,  their  stomachs  are  found  filled  with  minute  fragments  of 
animal  and  vegetable  origin. 

Individuals  and  small  parties  of  this  species  are  occasionally  met  with  earl}'  in 
the  summer  in  parts  of  the  country  where  they  are  not  known  to  breed.  JVfr.  Allen 
found  a  number  at  Ipswicdi  in  June,  18G8.  They  were  all  in  innnatnre  jdumage, 
being  evidently  mere  straggh-rs,  and  not  breeding.  Afr.  Ilenshaw  nu-ntions  seeing 
a  small  flock  on  the  sea-shore  near  Santa  Harbara  in  July.  These  were  all  found 
to  be  barren  birds. 

According  to  the  observations  of  Mr.  Moore,  this  species  may  be  found  during 
the  entire  simimtn-  in  Florida,  in  small  groups  of  not  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty. 
They  all  retain  their  winter  colors,  or  at  best  exhil)it  but  slight  touches  of  brown  or 
rufous.  It  is'  not  easy  to  account  for  tliis  continuance  of  a  winter  garb  throughout 
the  summer  in  such  birds  as  would  assume  a  different  dress  were  they  to  resort  to 
their  northern  habitat  to  breed.  It  may  be  caused  by  old  age,  by  barrenness,  or 
by  disease.  It  can  hardly  be  becaust)  they  are  unmated,  as  birds  in  that  condition 
assume  the  spring  plumage  before  they  migrate.  It  would  be  interesting  to  ascer- 
tain if  it  is  inability  to  propagate  which  thus  arrests  the  develo[)ment  of  the  vernal 
plumage.  There  were  no  indications  that  any  of  these  resident  individuals  ever 
breed  in  Florida. 


IP 


?7iffP" 


SCOLOPAriD.I-:  —  THK  SNII'K   FAMILY  —  ERRfNKTKS. 


200 


Ciiptiiin  nciuliro  mentiona  this  Hpccics  as  iibiiiidant,  (hiriiij,'  (lifir  iiiiKiatioiiH,  in 
Soutiu'iisti'rn  Ori'goii.  A  IVw  liii^^crcd  tiin)ii,i,'ii  the  iiioiitli  of  May,  but  did  not 
I'cinain  to  i  rt'cd.  Mr.  ('.  Hart  MciTiaiii  i'<%'ards  this  spcrics  as  an  occasional  sum- 
mer ivsiiU'nl  in  Connecticut,  and  in  one  instance  it  has  iiecn  iinown  to  breed  within 
llie  limits  of  that  Statu.  Its  nest,  with  ej,'gs — one  of  which  is  in  my  cabinet  —  was 
found  .Fuly  L'O,  1H77,  at  Uradfoid,  ity  .Mr.  Walter  U.  Nichols.  The  bird  was  not 
taken,  but  the  ej,'^,'  is  not  distinguishaiile  from  other  eggs  ^A'  this  species. 

The  Western  form,  occurring  on  the  I'acilie  coast,  docs  not  essentially  vary, 
in  hal)its  and  peculiarities  of  nesting,  from  the  other.  Dr.  Cooper  states  that  it  is 
i|iiite  common  along  the  entire  Tacitic  coast,  scarcely  leaving  thnt  region,  even  in 
midsummer,  l)Ut  fre(pienting  the  shores  of  muddy  bays  in  large  Hocks,  fet'ding  on  tho 
worms,  Crustacea,  and  insects  left  along  the  edge  of  the  water  anil  on  the  flats  at  low 
tide.  Dr.  Cooper  has  obtained  it  in  May  and  in  August  as  far  south  as  San  I'edro, 
so  that  possiiily  it  may  breed  witldn  the  State  of  (-'alifornia.  It  is  biunil  also  toward 
the  north  in  duly,  visiting  the  iidand  fresh-water  marshes  near  the  Kocky  Mountains. 
Tins  species  associates  with  otiier  small  Sandpipers,  and  has  hai)its,  notes,  ai  I 
llight  similar  to  tho.se  of  the  Kastcrn  bird,  from  which  it  cannot  be  distinguished. 
'I'his  is  said  to  l)e  a  rather  noisy  liird,  uttering,  when  startled,  a  widstling  cry  that 
sniuids  like  to-irhrrt.  It  is  much  hunted  for  the  San  l"'ranci.S(ro  market.  This  was 
jpcrhaps  the  species  which  Mr.  Salvin  found  .so  common  on  thcs  racitio  coa.st  of 
(iuatemala. 

Tills  bird  is  mentioned  by  .Mr.  Dall  as  being  very  common  at  Sitka  and  Kadiak, 
where  I>ischoff  obtained  many  specimens.  It  is  also  abundant  at  N'ulato,  and  along 
the  sea-shore,  an<l  on  the  Yukon  River.  Mr.  liannister  also  mentions  it  as  iieing 
very  common  throughout  the  spring  and  summer,  and  as  nesting  all  over  the  Island 
of  St.  Michael's.  All  the  nests  he  observed  were  mere  hollows  in  the  ground,  with 
nothing  more  than  a  few  blades  of  grass  for  lining,  aiul  wore  generally  placed  in 
sonu'  dry  tuft  of  grass,  at  some  distance  from  the  water.  Tlu;  bird,  when  startled 
from  the  nest,  would  generally  Hy  a  little  distance  and  then  alight,  showing  but 
slight  timidity.  In  the  month  of  May,  when  in  pursuit  of  Ducks  and  (Jeesc  near  St. 
Michael's,  Mr.  Bannister  saw  these  little  birds  all  around  him,  within  a  distance  of  a 
few  feet,  apparently  unmindful  of  his  presence,  even  when  he  was  shooting  at  Ducks 
and  (Jeese  as  tlmy  flew  overhead. 

Kii^hardson  refers  to  a  nuinuscri[)t  left  by  Hutehins,  written  about  1770,  in  which 
he  gives  an  accurate  descrii)tion  of  this  species,  stating  also  that  it  arrives  on  Severn 
River  alunit  the  miihlle  of  May  in  large  Hocks,  building  early  in  June  a  nest  of  with- 
ered grass,  and  laying  four  or  ttve  black-and-white  spotted  eggs.  Toward  autumn 
it  has  a  chirruping  note;  in  September  it  retires  soiith. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  found  this  species  breeding  very  abundantly  on  the  Arctic  coast 
and  on  the  islands  in  the  bays  and  along  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  Some  were 
also  foinul  nesting  in  tlie  Harren  (.J rounds  west  of  Franklin  l>ay.  The  nests  were  in 
most  instances  nu're  dejn'cssions  in  the  ground,  lined  with  a  few  grasses  and  leaves, 
dry  and  partially  decayed,  and  w^'re  almost  always  near  small  j)ools  of  salt  or  brack- 
ish water,  or  inland,  near  the  edge  of  small  jwnds.  Sometimes  the  female  would 
glide  from  her  nest,  and,  i)retending  to  be  disabled,  would  seek  to  entice  away  the 
intruder.  If  suddenly  startled,  she  woidd  f'recpunitly  utter  disturbed  cries.  The 
eggs  were  usually  four  in  number,  and  were  found  from  the  ^20th  of  Jun((  to  the 
loth  of  July.  At  times  the  nests  were  hiddtni  in  tufts  of  grass,  but  not  always. 
When  driven  from  her  nest,  the  female,  if  unmolested,  would  almost  imnu'diately 
return.  In  reference  to  one  nest,  procured  June  30  on  the  coast  of  Franklin  Bay, 
VOL.  I.  —  27 


n 


I  : 


;  J 


i:: 


210 


?Ri*:COCIAL  (IKALLATdUKS  -  I.IMICOLJ-:. 


Mr.  MaeFarlane  writes:  "The  nt'st  from  wliicli  thfso  t'^^gs  wore  taken  was  situated 
iM'twccn  two  small  lirackish  lakes  near  tin-  sea-short'.  One  of  our  i)arty  saw  the 
female  get  off;  ami  when  the  iiest  was  approacheil  by  liim  she  littered  a  shrill  note 
of  alarm.  After  searching  about  for  a  few  minutes,  ho  faih'd  to  tind  the  eggs;  and 
he  then  determined  to  hide  himself,  and  from  his  concealment  ascertain  whert^  the 
female  would  alight  on  her  return.  In  a  short  time  she  was  seen  to  return,  accom- 
panied by  three  comi»anions,  all  of  whom  looked  and  moved  alxiut;  but  not  discover- 
ing anything,  seemed  to  hold  a  brief  consultation,  after  which  they  separated,  tlir 
female  to  her  nest.  Another  search  failed  to  discover  the  eggs;  and  the  female  again 
retui'ned  with  the  same  birds,  who  appeared  to  be  in  a  state  of  great  excitenuMit. 
judging  from  the  chattering  they  kept  up.  After  a  while  they  again  .separated;  when 
the  nest  was  found,  and  the  parent  secured.  The  report  of  the  gun  brought  the 
others  once  nuire  to  the  spot;  but  they  beat  a  hasty  retreat.  The  nest  was  a  mere 
depression  in  the  midst  of  some  hay.  and  lined  with  the  same  and  a  few  withered 
leaves." 

The  eggs  of  this  s]»eeies  exhibit  great  variations  in  their  appearance,  in  eonstt- 
(pienee  of  the  ditt'erinees  in  the  size,  the  manner  of  distribution,  and  the  nund)er  of 
the  s2)ots.  The  ground  is  a  light  drab,  and  the  markings  are  of  a  pure  bright  sejjia. 
In  one  set  (S.  I.  No.  llL'7-)  of  four  eggs,  the  nest  —  a  mere  depression  in  the  gnmnd. 
on  the  border  of  a  small  lake  in  the  midst  of  nuirshy  ground  —  was  lined  with  with- 
ered grasses.  In  this  set  the  markings  are  large,  iironounced,  and  distinct,  sparsely 
distributed  around  the  smaller  end,  and  nu>re  nunu'rous  and  occasionally  confluent 
about  the  obtuse  end.  They  are  ])yriform  in  shape,  and  the  suuiUer  end  is  very 
sharply  defined.  They  average  l.L'i")  inches  in  length,  by  ..S()  in  breadth.  Aiuither  set 
(No.  11271)  of  four  eggs  in  a  nest  fo\iiid  placed  between  two  small  lakes,  and  lined 
with  witlau'ed  grasses  and  leaves,  was  obtained  in  the  Barren  ({rounds,  near  Fort 
Aiulerson.  Tn  these  eggs  the  sjiots  are  much  finer.  nu)re  numerous  about  the  smaller 
end,  and  there  very  tine,  a  little  larger  and  inmv  confluent  about  the  larger  extrendty. 
and  nearly  concealing  the  grayish  white  or  light  drab-colored  ground.  These  meas- 
ure l.lo  iiu'hes  by  .80.  Four  eggs  (Xo.  11273)  foiiiul  on  an  island  in  Franklin  Bay, 
July  4,  have  nuvrkings  still  more  nunute  and  numerous,  universally  ditt'used,  and 
more  or  less  confluent  over  the  entire  egg,  concealing  the  ground,  and  having  ajjpar- 
ently  very  little  resemblance  to  Xo.  11272.  Four  eggs  (Xo.  17041)  were  found  by 
Mr.  L.  M.  Turner,  May  28,  1874.  at  St.  Michael's.  Their  ground-color  is  a  light 
grayish  buff,  thickly  spotted  with  reddish  sepia  and  darker  sepia,  chiefly  on  the 
larger  end.  Their  measurements  are  as  follows:  1.2(»  by  .80  inches;  1.25  by  .85; 
1.25  by  .90 ;  1.25  by  .85. 

Genus  TRINGA,   Linn^us. 

Tririga,  Linn.  S.  N.  ed.  10, 1758,  148  ;  t;(l.  12,  1766,  247  (type  T.  canutus,  Linn.). 

Char.  Body  robust ;  bill  and  legs  short,  the  fonncr  straigiit,  widened  terminally,  and  scarcely 
longer  than  the  head  ;  tarsus  about  e([ual  to  the  liill,  or  a  little  shorter  ;  middle  toe  about  two 
thirds  the  tarsus.     Wings  long  and  pointed,  reaching  beyond  the  end  of  the  tail. 

The  above  characters  separate  at  once  this  genus  from  Arquatdla,  the  one  most  nearly  related, 
but  which  1ms  the  bill  much  more  compressed,  slightly  but  decidedly  dijcurved  towai-d  the  end, 
and  much  longer  than  the  tarsus  ;  the  latter  scarcely,  if  any,  longer  than  the  middle  toe  ;  the 
wings  shorter,  etc.  The  single  species  T.  canutus  is  the  largest  of  American  Sandpipers,  and  among 
the  largest  known  species  of  this  group  ;  only  one,  the  Arqutttella  crassirostris  (Temm.  &  Schleg.) 
of  Eastern  Asia  exceeding  it  in  size. 


ill 


I    iffii 


^mw 


SCOLOPACID.E-TIIK  f^.N'Il'K   l"AMII-Y  -  THINOA.  211 


Tringa  canutus. 

THE  KNOT  lANDPIPEIl. 

Tringit  canuliu,  Linn.  S.  N.  nl.  lo,  17:.8,  Hi);  d  IJ,  17tl«,  261.  — Cahh.  in  Biiinl'K  U.  N.  Am. 

IS-OS,  71.').  —  U.viitn,  lilt.  N.  Am.  l\.  IH.V.i,  hd.  Oiitl.  — CofKs,  Kry,  1872,  S-'jO  ;  (.'luck  l.iM,  l«7:t, 

no.  120  ;  I'll.  2,  1^82,  no.  ti2ti ;  Ilii.U  N.  W.  Is7»,  JliO.  —  IliDuw.  .N'om.  N.  Am.  II.  1881,  620. 
fW/ij/d  ciiinvo,  niiiJN.N.  Oiii.  Bor.  17tl»,  53.  —  (ijiKl,.  H.  N.  1. 1788,  (173.  —  Wilno.v,  Am.  Kin.  VII. 

18i;i,  mi,  pi.  :,7,  li«.  2.  —  Sw.  &  lli<  ii.  v.  n.  a.  II.  ISHl,  ;I8;.  —  Nnr.  .Man.  II.  1834,  125. 
TniKjii  hhiiutioi,  (iMi:i„  .H.  N.  I.  178H,  082.  — Auu.  Oni.  Uiog.  IV.  1838,  130,  |il.  315  j  Synoi.,  1830. 

2:12  ;  H.  .\m.  V.  1812,  25»,  j.!.  1128. 
Triiiija  Hirviii,  (i.Mi.i,.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  081. 
Tringa  grmn,  (iMKI,.  I.  c. 
?  Triiigu  iiun/ni/h,  (i.\iKi,.  t.  i'.  070. 
?  Tiiiiga  firriKjittiii,  Iliti'NN.  Orii.  Ilnr.  1704,  63. 
Tringit  rnfn,  Wir.so.v,  Am.  Oni.  VU.  1813,  43,  pi.  57,  fig.  6. 
Tringa  calidri.i,  l,is\.  8.  N.  I.  1700,  253. 
"  Tringa.  u/opiinsin,  Ml'i.l.KU." 
"  Tringa  lornalina,  I.iciir." 

Hah.  Cliu'ljy  nortliuni  iiortion  (it'tli«  novlliiTu  lifniisiilicic,  Imt  (iciu^ioniilly  visitiu},'  the  soiith- 
iiii  lieini.spherc  during'  winlcr  luiyriilinns  ;  chiully  litlunil,  Ijiit  occmiiii^,'  also  on  the  liiigur  inland 
waters.     Urazil ;  Australia  ;  Nuw  Zcnlaml. 

Sp.  C'hah.  Lari,'L'8t  of  Airifriciin  San(l[)ipiMs  (Tringir).  Bill  wtrai(,'ht,  rather  longer  than  the 
head,  widened  terminally,  sliglitly  compressed  ha-sally  ;  tartniH  about  eiiuul  to  the  bill,  or  a  little 


1' 


Summer  plumage. 

longer  ;  middle  toe  about  two  thirds  the  tarsus  ;  toes  flattened  beneath,  with  a  rather  wide  lateral 
margin  ;  lower  third  of  the  tibia  bare,  but  the  tips  of  the  feathers  reaching  to  the  joint.  Wings 
long  and  pointed,  extending  beyond  the  tail,  which  is  short,  and  slightly  graduated.     Adult  in 


Winter  plumage. 

summer:  Above,  mixed  black,  light  gray,  and  pale  nisty,  these  colors  varying  in  relative  extent 
with  the  individual,  but  the  grayish  usually  prevailing  ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  white,  with 


art  Im 


iMt.Krfri.vr,  orallatouks  -  LiMTroT,.K. 


narrow  Ihu'm  anil  HpntM  nt'  liliicki")!.  Iii>wi>r  ixtrt**,  uml  u  ilittiiicl  Hii|i<'ri'iliiiry  utripc,  uiiilnMii 
viiiiii'i'iiiH-riit'iiii-<,  or  jiiiiki-'li  riiiiiniiioii,  jiiiIit  on  the  niiiMli'  of  the  ulMlonicn  ;  I'riw.snin,  Hank", 
axillai!*,  unil  lining'  of  tin'  win^'  wliilc,  iitnally  xsitli  ooN  anil  liar^  of  iln^ky.  I'riinarii"*  iliiNky, 
with  white  HimftH;  tail-fcatlnrx  |ilain  ^raviHh,  i-iI^imI  with  whiti^li,  an<l  NonutiincN  with  u  xiil). 
eilj^in^  of  iliixky.  Yuiiini:  Aliovc,  li^^ht  a^h-Kray,  ilarkcr  on  the  hark,  carli  Irathrr  honli'ml  with 
whitiHJi  anil  inarkcil  with  a  Mnl)-nl','in^,'  of  ihnky  ;  n|>|H'r  tail-rovirts  wiiitf,  inarkril  willi  iln»ky 
cnwcnti*.  liowcr  partM  wiiiti^h  {nearly  lairc  whitt^  on  the  alxlonien),  the  in'ik  ami  lirea-<l  inarkeil 
with  Htrcaku  ami  llerk*  of  iln-ky,  the  hiile-i  with  ilini  eiVM'entie  ami  irre;;nlar  H|iiitH  of  the  Haine. 
All  imliitlni't  wiiili->h  su|ieri'iiiary  hti'i|>e,     "  Itill  atiil  feet  lilaek  ;  irix  ilark  lia/.el "  (Ai'DI'IIon). 

Total  len^;lh,  alioul  10  inriies  ;  win;.',  fl.'iU  ;  tail,  J. .'id;  hill,  fmin  ^'aiie,  \.W  ;  tarsus,  \,-lT>. 

Ailiilt  N|iei'inn'n.s  vary  inili\  iilnally  in  the  relative  extent  of  the  lilack,  K<'<'yi  "»<'  reililish  eolur.s 
on  tho  ii|i|ier  partrt ;  ({ray  iiHUally  |ire(loininateH  in  the  Hprinjf,  the  hlaek  in  iniilHiiiuiner.  Some- 
tiinex  (as  in  No  |(»H.">,  9,<'aiM'  May,  New  Jersey)  tiieie  is  no  rnloiiH  whatt'ViT  on  thi'  npiier 
surface.     The  rinnainon  ciilor  of  the  lower  parts  also  \aries  in  intensity. 

Two  European  fxainples  in  summer  ])lunia({e  ilill'er  frmn  any  Aineriian  ones  wu  have  seen,  in 
the  (,'reat  cxiess  of  lilaik  on  the  liack,  where  tliiil  rolor  nearly  uniformly  prevails.  An  immatuie 
»|)ei'inn'n  from  Norway,  however  (No.  TitilMM!,  V'aranger  Fioril),  is  iiol  tlill'eront  from  Aniericaii 
skins  in  rorresponilin}{  pluina^^e. 

Tho  Knot  JH  a  rosmopolitan  spccios,  t'oimd  tlirouglinut  the  iiortlicrii  licmisphort' 
and  appavi'iitly  iiioio  yt'iit'iall.v  (listriljiitcd  over  tlie  ca.sterii  coiitiiieiit  than  in  the 
Xi'W  Worhl.  It  (Iocs  not  appear  to  Inive  been  (h'teeted  on  the  raeilic  coast.  It 
visits  South  America  to  r>ra/.il,  ami  is  also  credited  to  Australia  and  New  Zcaliind. 

Mr.  ('.  A.  Wri^^ht  (••  Ibis,"  1804)  mentions  thi!  oeciiiTence  of  this  spoeies  at  Malta, 
as  attested  by  a  specimen  in  the  University  Museum,  and  also  on  the  .authority  of 
Kchonibvi.  It  is  also  given  by  Mr.  11.  .Saunders  (••  Ibis,''  llSTl)  as  occurring  in  .Sotitiiern 
Spain,  both  in  autumn  and  in  sjjring.  He  has  obtained  it  there  in  the  rufous-plum- 
age in  .May.  Mf.  .1.  II.  (Jurnoy  ("  Ibis,"  I.SfW)  .states  that  tlu!  most  southerly  examples 
of  this  species  which  h.ave  come  umh-r  his  notice  were  two  th.at  were  obtained  in 
Wi'.lvisch  r>ay,  Africa,  Oct.  L'O  and  Nov.  4,  ISOO.  The  first  of  these  8i)ccimens 
retained  some  remains  of  the  breeding-pliim.age,  the  seeond  mine. 

Yarrell  speiiks  of  this  species  as  by  no  me;ins  tincommon  in  (.Jreat  Uritain  from 
autumn,  through  winter  to  sjiring,  and  says  that  it  remains  sometimes  as  late  as 
the  beginning  of  May,  .and  assumes  its  breeding-plumage  before  leaving  for  tho  more 
northern  regi(ms  in  which  it  breeds.  Although  (me  had  been  shot  in  Saiida  as  Lite 
as  the  1.5th  of  .June,  there  is  no  rec(U'd  of  its  having  been  known  to  breed  in  the 
British  Islands,  .and  its  eggs  remained,  up  to  IHoO,  unknown  to  IJritish  collectors. 
Mr.  Thomi)son  states  that  it  is  a  regular  autumnal  visitant  of  Ireland.  At  that  sea- 
son it  is  also  found  in  flocks  on  the  shores  of  most  of  the  southern  and  eastern  coun- 
ties of  England,  the  greater  portion  being  young  birds  of  the  year.  Mr.  .J.  11.  (Jurney, 
in  a  communication  to  the  "  Zoloogist,"  in  lSo3,  states  that  specimens  in  tho  lui^jtial 
dress  frecjuently  occur  on  the  Norfolk  coast  of  England  in  the  sjiring,  .and  that  in 
May  they  were  for  a  few  days  unusually  inimerous ;  also  that  on  the  l.'ith  of  that 
month  a  single  hunter  of  Yarmouth  procured  seventy-thr.-e,  nearly  all  in  full  sum- 
mer dress. 

Mr.  G.  D.  Rowley  ("Ibis,"  1864)  records  the  capture  of  six  birds  of  this  species 
at  Brighton,  England,  in  a  net,  at  a  single  pull ;  this  was  on  the  lOtli  of  September. 
They  were  presumed  to  be  all  of  one  family,  and  it  was  supposed  that  they  were 
taken  on  the  day  of  th(>ir  arrival  from  their  breeding-grounds. 

Nilsson  states  that  this  species  inhabits  the  Arctic  jwrtions  of  Sweden  and  Norw.ay, 
but  makes  no  mention  of  its  eggs.  Mr.  Dunn  did  not  meet  with  this  bird  in  spring 
and  autumn,  except  on  the  coast  of  Scona  and  in  the  southern  part  of  Scandinavia. 


-»— f» 


•OOLOPAciIi.K 


TIIK    SMI'K    lAMII.V       TltrNGA. 


213 


i{(<  vt'iitiirrN  the  i)|iiiiiiiii  licit  it  (nciirs  in  Finlaiiil  aii<l  in  tlic  iiiirtlii'iistcni  |iiirts,  iih 

it  woins  to  nmk«'  its  HrHt  apiit'iiiiin n  the  ciiHlt'i'ii  ciMist  of  Sciiniliniiviii.     Wlicrl. 

wri^'lit  HtnU'H  tliiit  it  wiiH  only  sfcii  liy  liii.i  in  tlu'  Nimtii  of  Scamlinuviii  timing  tiM> 

lii'riiiils  lit'  its  niiK'ratiniiM,  ami  lir  roiilil  learn  nuthin^,'  in  ii'l't'ii'iH't'  to  its  in' lin^j.     IIi' 

iTCfivcd  its  I'K^s  Ironi  (iiffnland,  and  dcscrlics  tlicni  as  less  in  si/.f  than  lluist'td' 
iiii//!niiij»  mi'iliii,  and  uh  rcmMnldiiiK  tlicni  in  tlu'ir  markings,  aUlionKli  imt  f^o  dark. 

Tills  s| ifs  is  ^,dvi'n  liy  Iicinlianlt  as  iiin;  id'  llii'  liirds  id'  Orci'iiland  ;  and  ('a|itain 

Saliiuf,  in  Ins  .Mi'inoir  (in  tlir  Uirds  (it  tliat  coinitry,  states  tliat  cxamiiles  were  killed 
at  Ilaro'H  Island  in  dnne.  It  is  kndwn  also  to  visit  I('(dun(l ;  and  that  it  ^meN  to  niueli 
lii'^dier  ndrthirn  latitudes  is  attested  iiy  the  records  of  most  of  the  Aretie  e.\|ie(liti(ins. 
Dr.  Middendcrll'  includes  it  in  his  list  of  the  liirds  of  Silieria,  and  anion;;  those  that 
penetrate  to  the  farthest  north.  I'rolessor  Newton,  in  his  "  Notes  on  the  Itirds  of  Ice- 
land," mentions  its  arrival  thcrit  late  in  May  ;  and  the  opiidon  of  Talier,  to  whi(di  he 
refers,  that  it  i>ree(|s  in  the  nplands  (d'  that  island,  seems  to  him  very  prolialily  widl 
founded.  i$iit  .Mr.  Towler,  whose  attention  was  [lartieularly  ealle(l  to  this  liird,  eoidd 
not  discover  it,  and  does  not  Ixdieve  that  it  is  present  on  the  island  (hiring  tin;  hreed- 
in,i,'-sea8on.  On  the  southwest  part  of  the  island  it  is  known  to  be  a  liird  of  passage. 
At  tho  end  of  .May  Professor  Newton  encountered  a  larp'  Hock,  whi(di  remained  aliout 
a  week,  when  nearly  all  of  them  hdt;  he  thinks  it   (|uite  possihle,  however,  that 

a  few  remain  liehind  and  lir 1.     I  have  in  my  ealiinet  an  ('kk  Kiven  me  by  (Nation 

Tristram  as  of  this  s|ieeies,  and  taken  on  islands  north  of  Iceland.  It  (dosely  rescm- 
hics  the  e;,';,'s  descriiied  by  Wheidwri^ht,  but  has  a  suspicious  rescndilance  to  the  CKh's 
of  (liiUiiiiiijn  iiiiil'tii.  In  his  "  Notes  on  the  Hirds  of  (ireenland,"  published  in  iHTo, 
I'rofcHsor  Newton  seems  to  have  (dian),'ed  his  views  in  regard  to  this  bird's  breeding  in 
lc(dand,  expressing;  tin?  opinion  that  all  pass  on  farther  north.  Me  speaks  of  it  as 
rare  in  Southern  (ireenland,  but  as  often  met  with  in  the  north,  as  not  breeding;  liidow 
latitu(h'  (W  X.,  remarking  that  it  is  tlumyht  to  nest  in  tho  bays  of  CJrepidand.  Pro- 
fessor Newton  adds,  that  after  the  breed in;,'-season  this  bird  resorts  to  the  outer 
islands,  and  that  it  was  reported  as  having'  been  found  breeding;  on  Melville  I'enin- 
sida  and  in  f,'reat  almmhinee  on  the  I'arry  Islands.  The  large  flocks  of  tlicso  birds 
that,  in  autumn  and  again  in  spring,  throng  the  western  coa.sts  of  Europe  and  the 
eastern  shores  of  America,  nmke  it  more  than  probable  that  in  its  (duef  breeding- 
ipiartors,  wherever  thest!  may  be,  it  must  be  very  numerous.  It  has  not  been  met 
with  on  the  east  coast  of  (ireenland,  nor  in  Spitzbergen.  It  is  presumed  to  breed  in 
countries  west  and  north  of  (ireenland. 

Mr.  Nelson  states  that  the  Knot  is  another  of  the  maritime  species  which  regularly 
visits  its  breeding-grounds  by  way  of  the  Great  Lakes.  It  is  a  regular  migrant,  pass- 
ing north  in  ^lay,  and  returning  to  tlie  shores  of  Lake  Michigan  early  in  September, 
where  it  remains  until  October. 

Mr.  L.  Kundien  mentions  that  a  small  flock  of  these  birds  alighted  on  the  schoon- 
er's deck  in  November,  after  the  harbor  had  been  frozen  over.  He  saw  none  in  the 
spring  or  summer,  but  was  told  that  it  is  quite  common  in  North  Greenland,  but 
tliat  it  does  not  nest  south  of  latitude  70°  N.  There  are  no  accounts  of  its  eggs  which 
can  be  accepted  as  authentic. 

.Mr.  Henry  \V.  Feihh'U,  of  the  Arctic  Exiiedition  of  187r)-1876,  though  not  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  obtain  the  eggs  of  this  species  during  his  stay  in  the  I'cdar  Kcgions,  found 
it  breeding  in  some  numbers  .along  the  sliores  of  Smith's  Sound  and  the  north  coast  of 
(irinnell  Land.  It  is  common  throughout  the  Parry  Islands  during  summer,  as 
Sabine  found  it  in  1820  nesting  in  great  nund)ers  on  Midville  Island.  It  was  pro- 
cured by  Dr.  Anderson,  of  the  "  Enterprise,"  at  Cambridge  Hay  (lat.  69°  10'  N.),  in  July, 


I 


H 


;?l 


214 


PR.lTOCIAI,   (iltAI.LATOllES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


lS5.'i.  On  the  L'Stli  of  .Inly.  1M7.">.  Dr.  Copijingi-r  riiiiu'  acrcss  a  party  of  six  birds, 
si'vonil  mill's  inland  from  F(nt  Fonlkc  Tlicy  wcrt'  ffcdin.n-  near  a  rill,  and  Avoro  very 
wild;  Imt  hi'  si'cured  a  male  in  the  fnll  lirci'din^'-iiliimat,'!'.  An^Mist  iT).  lH~i>,  Mr. 
I"'eildi'n  observod  si'vcral  of  tlu'sc  birds  near  tin'  water's  I'dp'  in  Discovery  Hay  (lat. 
HV  44'  N.).  The  rills  and  marshes  wort'  frozen,  and  the  birds  were  feeding' alonj?  the 
shore  on  small  ernstaceans;  in  pnrsnit  of  their  prey  tiu'y  ran  breast  hi,y:h  into  tlu^ 
water.  They  had  h>st  their  lireedin,i,f-plnniai;('.  On  -lane  ."».  1S7().  while  camped  near 
Knot  Harbor.  (Jrinnell  Land  (lat.  Ml!°  ;>;{'  >,'.),  he  noted  the  tirst  arrival  of  this  species. 
A  tloek  of  fonrteen  or  more  were  circling;'  over  a  hillside,  ali.uhtini,'  on  bare  patches, 
and  feeding'  eaj:;erly  on  the  buds  of  the  .s7m// ''",'/".  Snlisecpiently  he  nu't  with  it  in 
considerable  nnnd»ers.  but  always  wild  and  dithenit  of  approach.  Their  cry  was  wihl, 
and  like  that  of  the  Curlew.  Inuuediately  after  their  arrival  they  befj;an  to  mate,  at 
this  season  soarin.u;  liijih  in  the  air  like  the  Common  Snijie.  When  descendiiifi;  from  a 
height  they  beat  their  wint;s  liehind  the  back  witli  a  rapiil  motion,  prodncinj,'  a  loud 
whirring  noise.  On  the  odth  of  .Inly,  iSTli,  three  of  the  .seamen,  walking  by  the  bor- 
der of  a  small  lake,  came  upon  an  old  bird  accompanied  by  three  nestlings.  The  old 
bird  })roved  to  be  a  male.  Its  stomach  and  those  of  the  yimng  ones  were  tilled  witli 
insects.  ])r.  Coii])inger  informed  Mr.  I'eilden  that  the  bird  was  not  luicommon  at 
Thank-(iod  Harboi.  and  in  the  first  week  in  An  jn.st  the  latter  .saw  family  ])arties  at 
Shift-Kudder  I'.ay  (lat.  Si"  oL''  X.)  in  the  grty  autumn  ])lumage.  It  also  bred  in  the 
vicinity  of  Discovery  I>ay  ;  but  no  eggs  were  found  there,  although  the  young  were 
obtained  in  all  stages  of  plumage. 

On  the  Anu'ricau  coast  this  bird  occurs,  in  its  migrations,  in  nu)st  of  the  Atlantic 
States,  and  in  the  winter  in  the  West  Indies,  and  jiroljably  on  the  (iulf  coast  of  Mex- 
ico. It  breeds  in  the  high  Arctic  Regions,  in  the  northeastern  portions.  Sir  Edward 
Parry,  in  his  tirst  voyage,  found  it  breeding  in  great  abundance  on  the  North  Georgian 
Islands;  and  on  his  second  voyage  a  single  sjiecinien  —  a  young  male  of  the  season  — 
was  shot  on  the  17th  of  August  in  the  Duke  of  York's  May.  Sir  .lohn  Kichardson 
also  mentions  that  this  species  w;vs  observed  breeding  on  Mtdville  Peninsula  by  Ca]i- 
tain  Lyon.y.  w'>o  stated  that  this  l)ird  lays  four  eggs  on  a  tuft  of  withered  grass, 
without  being  fit  the  pains  of  forming  any  nest.  In  the  '•  I'auna  I'loreali-Anu'ricana" 
the  sanu'  writer  adds  that  this  bird  breeds  in  Hudson's  i>ay,  and  down  to  the  tifty- 
lifth  ])arallel.  He  describes  the  eggs  as  having  a  light  yellowish  ground,  marked  at 
the  larger  end  with  spots  of  gr;iy  and  reddish,  which  form,  in  a.  greater  or  less 
degree,  a  zone;  but  the  smaller  end  is  nearly  uns])otted. 

Specimens  of  this  Wader  were  procured  at  Nuhvto.  in  ^lay.  by  Mr.  Pease,  at  Sitka 
by  Mr.  Bischoff,  and  at  St.  Michael's  by  ^Ir.  Hannister.  and  also  at  LTnalaklik  by  Mr. 
Potter. 

Mr.  Roardman  informs  us  that  it  occurs  in  small  Hocks  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Calais,  M' .,  but  is  never  very  abundant  there,  being  seen  only  in  the  spring  and 
fall  migrations,  and  none  remaining  to  breed.  It  is  known  there  as  the  Kobin  Snipe, 
In  Massachusetts  this  bird  is  regarded  by  sonu»  hunters  as  h;iving  become  less  abun- 
dant than  it  was  formerly  known  to  1k'.  Mr.  A\'illiam  Brewster  has  met  with  it  in 
the  spring  in  small  flocks  of  five  or  six  ;  this  was  late  in  ^lay.  and  it  was  then  rather 
abundant.  It  comes  regularly  in  the  fall  about  the  middle  of  August,  and  thence  to 
the  1st  of  Sejitember. 

Mr.  Frank  H.  Tileston,  however,  informs  me  that  these  birds  arrive  in  Parnstable 
County,  Mass.,  in  their  ndgrations  northward,  with  great  jtunctuality,  about  the  L'Oth 
of  May.  They  still  come  in  large  flocks  every  year,  but  rarely  stay  more  than  a  day 
or  two,  passing  immediately  northward.     At  Eastham,  May  20.  187.'>.  he  noted  their 


'■yTTJlfST" 


SCULOPACID.E-TIIE   SN'IPK    FAMILY  —  TRINOA. 


215 


tirst  arrival  that  season,  in  large  miiiilM-rs ;  by  tlu'  21.M  all  had  passed  on.  A  line 
siieeimen  [)rocured  at  that  time  is  now  in  the  CoUeetion  of  the  I'xistun  Natural  History 
Soeiety.     The  hirds  when  in  fair  {'ondition  are  regarded  as  good  eating. 

The  Knot  is  said  to  teed  inineipally  on  aiinatii'  insects  and  the  soft  animals  in- 
lialiiting  small  Itivalve  shells.  It  is  also  said  to  he  al)le  to  swim  with  great  ease. 
Wilson,  who  has  oltserved  thicks  of  these  liirds  on  tiu'  sandy  shores  (d'  New  Jer- 
sey, states  that  their  favorite  and  alnu)st  exclnsive  food  seenu'd  to  lie  small,  thin, 
(ival  bivalve  shelltisli  of  a  |iearly-white  color,  which  lie  at  a  short  distance  iielow 
!lie  surfaei',  and  in  some  places  at  low-water  occnr  in  heaps.  These  are  swallowed 
whole,  and,  when  loosened  by  the  motion  of  the  wavi's,  are  collected  by  this  bird  with 
great  ease  and  dexterity.  While  doing  this  the  bird  follows  the  Howing  and  the  re- 
cession of  the  waves  with  great  nindileness,  and  Wil.son  adds  that  it  is  highly  amusing 
to  observe  with  what  adroitness  it  eludes  the  tunddihg  surf  while  seendng  wholly 
intent  on  collecting  its  food.  Audubon  has  .seen  this  sjiecics  probe  the  wet  .sand  on 
the  borders  of  oozy  salt-ma I'shes,  thrusting  in  its  bill  with  the  same  (h'xterity 
shown  by  other  s[)tH!ies.  Its  flight  is  swift,  elevated,  and  well  sustained.  The  aerial 
evolutions  of  these  birds,  on  their  first  arrival  in  fall,  are  said  to  be  very  beautiful, 
antl  they  follow  each  other  in  their  course  with  incredible  celerity. 

Dr.  IJachman  informed  Mr.  Audubon  that  the  Knot  is  (pnte  abundant  in  South 
Carolina  in  both  of  its  nngrations,  liut  that  it  is  not  known  there  in  its  breeding- 
plumage.  It  is  there  called  the  ••  May-bird,"  and  in  the  michlle  districts  the  '"(iray- 
back.''  Audubon  found  it  in  winter  in  East  Florida;  and  while  in  the  J]ay  of 
(ialveston,  'I'exas,  in  thi^  spring  of  IS.'iT.  he  ol)served  groujis  of  Ivnuts  arriving  there 
in  Api'il,  and  proceeding  eastward. 

On  liong  Island,  according  to  (.Jiraud,  it  is  familiarly  known  to  the  luinters  both 
as  the  "  Jxobin-SnijK' "  and  the  ••  Ikcd-breasted."  In  the  (Jreat  South  Hay  of  that 
island,  where  thert^  are  innuensu  salt-marshes  separated  by  creeks  and  channi'ls.  these 
liinls  abound  during  tlieir  spring  migrations.  They  fre(]nent  the  shoal  ponds,  which 
furnish  the  small  shelltisli  on  which  they  chiclly  subsist.  There  they  are  easily 
hunted  by  sportsmen  lying  in  wait  near  their  favorite  haunts,  and  imitating  their 
|icculiar  notes  so  as  to  bring  them  within  gunshot.  At  this  |)eriod  of  their  migra- 
tion these  birds  assemble  in  flocks  and  pass  northward  to  their  lirceding-jjlaces, 
n'tuniing  with  their  young  about  the  middle  of  .Vugust,  and  then  having  a  very  dif- 
b'rciit  plumage  from  that  of  spring.  They  move  southward  hite  in  Se|)tember.  In 
its  then  ashy-gray  uiijicr  pbiniage  it  is  the  White  Ivobin-Sniiie  of  the  liOng  Island 
hunters.  In  the  fall  it  fre(iueiits  the  inner  beaches,  and  is  sometimi's  observed  along 
the  surf,  collecting  the  minute  marine  animals  east  on  the  shore  by  the  waves.  It  is 
said  to  be  more  timid  in  the  fall  than  in  the  spring,  frecpiently  passing  within  hear- 
ing of  the  fowler's  whistle  without  apiu'oaching  his  decoy.  This  statement  of  Giraud, 
ill  reference  to  its  wariness  in  the  fall,  is  in  reniarkalile  contrast  with  its  almost 
stupid  tameness  at  the  sann-  season,  on  its  first  arrival  in  autumn,  us  noted  by  Yar- 
rcll.  Sir  William  .lardine  also  mentions  that  he  (nice  met,  in  the  month  of  September, 
on  the  east  sich'  of  Holy  Island,  with  a  large  flock  which  was  so  tanm  as  to  suffer  him 
to  kill  as  many  as  he  wanted  with  stones  from  the  beach.  Mr.  Moore  states  that 
this  species  occurs  in  Florida  during  the  winter,  and  that  .some  remain  there  during 
the  season. 

This  s])ecies.  according  to  Leotaud,  visits  Trinidad,  where,  like  all  the  other  migra- 
tory Waders  whi(!h  visit  that  island,  it  arrives  in  August  and  leaves  in  October.  It 
is  almost  always  alone,  or  very  rarely  in  Hocks  of  three  or  tour,  and  frefpients  the 
borders  of  the  sea.     As  soon  as  it  alights  it  immediately  begins  running  with  re- 


T^r 


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'li    i;' 


216 


PR.ECOCIAL   OnALLATOUES—  LIMICOL.E. 


niarkiible  rapidity.  WlifU  it  stops  it  croufhes  for  a  moiiu'Ut;  aiul  this  luovemi'iit 
occasions  its  Iwal  uaiiu- oi  ••Cioucliing-chickcii."  Tlu'  miuibcr  visiting  Trinidad  is 
not  large. 

Till'  Knot  is  regarded  as  an  exculli-nt  bird  for  the  table,  and  its  good  (pialitics 
have  long  lieen  known;  the  name  —  as  is  said  by  Pennant  —  having  been  derived 
from  King  Canute,  or  Knut.  l>y  whoiii  its  excellence  was  particularly  appreciated. 


Gems  ARQUATELLA,  I^aikd. 

ArqiuiUlhn,  D.viai*,  15.  X.  Am.  Isuti,  717  ^typu  Tringa  marilima,  BituxN.). 

Chau.  Fonii  Vfcrj-  coniinact  or  roljust,  the  legs  especially.  Tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  toe 
with  claw,  the  latter  two  iliinl-  to  ihn-e  fdurtlis  as  long  as  the  Mil,  which  is  slender,  much  com- 
pressed, straight,  or  ver>-  !>li;.'litly  decurved  at  the  end.     Size  nieiliuni  (wing  less  than  (i  inches). 

By  the  characters  given  aUjve,  this  sjiecies  may  be  very  readily  distinguished  from  Trhiija,  the 
nearest  ally.  The  si>».i;ies  "f  Ari/iKitilla  aie  subject  to  seasonal  changes  of  jilumage  which  have 
been  very  iH!q)lexing  to  ondtholo^^ists,  the  summer  and  winter  dress  of  the  .same  birtl  being  totally 
unlike,  while  that  of  the  youii^  is  different  still. 

Three  s|iecies  of  thi^  genu,-  lielon;.'  to  North  .Vnierica.  Auotlier  species,  the  Tringa  crassirostiLi, 
Temm.  &  ScHLEG.,  of  .):i{>an  and  o(iu-r  parts  of  Eastern  Asia,  may  belong  to  this  genus,  but  we 
have  seen  no  specimen.*. 

The  three  si>ecic-s  Wloiiging  to  our  fauna  may  be  distinguished  as  follows  :  — 

Com.  Char.  Summer  ifof*:  Iia<k  and  scapulars  variegated  black,  rusty-ochraceous,  or  bull', 
and  buffy  white,  the  fir-t  in  the  fona  of  sliarply  deliiied  siiots  occupying  the  central  porti(;n  of 
each  feather,  the  ni-ity  or  bulf  foriiiing  a  wide  external  border,  the  whitish  tla;  tips  of  the  feathers, 
the  latter  colcjr  sometimi.-'  *can;ely  present  or  altogether  wanting.  l{ump  and  upper  tail-coverts 
nearly  uniform  dusky  ;  Hiiig»  dusky,  the  coverts  bordeicd  with  whitish,  the  j^reater  coverts  tippcil 
with  the  .same,  and  the  iinier  M-conilaries  chiilly  white.  Lower  parts  chielly  white,  the  breast 
variegated  with  ilusky,  llii»  Mimetimes  fonuing  more  or  less  of  an  irre^^-ular  patch.  ll'inkr 
iduvuuje :  .\bove  nearly  uidf<>iiii  plinnljeous,  the  feathers  of  the  back  and  scapulare  darker  cen- 
trally, and  showing  faint  piirplidi  i-ellections  in  certain  lights.  Jugulum  chiefly  light  plumbeous 
or  grayish,  the  feathers  with  whitish  Ixuilers. 

1.  A.  maritima.  Bm-.diinj  ilasji:  Pileum  streaked  with  yellowish  gray,  or  grayish  white; 
scapidars  and  interscapulars  irrtgularly  spotted  and  indented  with  dull  but!',  or  whitish,  and  Ixir- 
dered  terminally  with  white  ;  foreiieck  and  jugulum  distinctly  streaked  with  dusky,  the  biea>t 
dull  grayish,  every wliert  *>|»otte«l  with  darker,  irinter  dress:  Back  and  scapuLu's  eooty  black 
strongly  glossed  with  puqdish,  the  feathers  bordered  terminally  with  dark  phunljeous  gray;  Jugu- 
lum uniform  mouse-gr.iy,  or  l»M>wiii>h  plumbeous.  YuitiKjfJirat  iiltimiifju :  Scapulars,  interscapidars, 
nnd  wing-covert.s  l<onlen,->l  nith  jale  grayish  buff,  with  little  or  none  of  ru.sty.  Chick:  Above 
hair-brown,  lighter  and  gniyer  on  the  nape,  the  brown  irregularly  marbh'd  with  black,  the  wiiij,'s, 
back,  and  rump  thick!)-  l)c~i<aM;;led  with  white  downy  ilecks  ;  head  grayish  white,  tinged  willi 
fulvous,  variously  iuarke<l  with  black,  the  lores  having  two  distinct  longitudinal,  nearly  parallel 
streaks;  lower  jKirt.s  grayi.-li  white,  without  fulvous  tinge.  Average  measurements  of  13  adults: 
Wing,  5.00 ;  culmcn,  1.2<» ;  tarsus,  .!><> ;  middle  toe,  .90.  Hah.  Northeastern  North  America, 
Europe,  etc. 

2.  A.  CoaesL  Breediwj  <)rt*s :  Pileum  streaked  with  deep  rusty  ;  scapulars  nnd  interscajjulars 
broadly  bordered  with  bright  femiginous  ;  i'oreneck  and  jugulum  irregidarly  clouded  with  dull 
pale  buffer  .soiled  white  and  sooty  jilumlteou.s,  the  breast  more  coarsely  clouded,  with  more  or  les.s 
of  a  black  patch  on  each  ."ide.  Winter  dress:  Similar  to  A.  maritima,  but  with  the  jdumbeous 
borders  to  dors-il  feathetn  hniader  and  lighter,  or  more  bluish,  in  tint  ;  jugulum  streaketl  or  other- 
wise varied  with  white.  Young,  firit  plumwje :  Scapulars  and  interscapulai's  consi>icHously  bonlercd 
with  bright  nrsty,  ochrati-<iU.«,  and  whitish  ;  wing-coverts  broadly  bordered  with  buffy  white  oi- 
pale  buff;  hmsmt  and  sides  Imffy  white,  distinctly  streaked  with  dusky.     Chiik:  Above  bright 


m 


SCOLOPACID.K  —  TIIK  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  ARQFATELLA. 


217 


rusty  fulvous,  inegulmly  inuiblud  with  black,  tliu  oiiiaiueutal  velvety  flocks  or  papilla)  coarser  uiul 
Ifss  pure  wliite  than  in  A.  iiutritima  ;  lioad  li^'ht  fulvous,  with  markings  as  in  A.  nmritima  ;  lower 
parts  lUslinctly  fulvous  laterally.  Acifinji;  nudisHMihiits  of  14  itdu/t.i :  Win;,',  4.80  ;  culnien,  1.13  ; 
liusus,  .1)5  ;  middle  toe,  .Wi.     Ilith.     Aleutian  Islands  and  conti^'uous  coast  of  Alaska. 

3.  A.  ptilocnemiB.  llnaliiKj-ilnxii:  I'ileuni  broadly  streaked  with  ocliraceous-lnilf ;  scapulars 
and  interscapulars  broadly  bordered  with  briyhl  ocliraceons-rufous  ;  foreneck  and  junuluni  pure 
white,  sjiarsely  streaked  with  bruwnish  yray  ;  breast  white,  streaked  anteriorly,  and  cloudiul  pos- 
teriorly, with  dusky,  lh(!  latter  forniin^'  nmre  or  less  of  a  patch  on  each  side.  U'intir  (ln:in;  In 
),'eiieral  character  similar  to  the  correspondin;;  staj,'e  of  ^1.  maritima  and  A.  Cumiti,  but  very  much 
]ialer,  the  whole  dorsal  aspect  bein;{  linl'l  cinereous,  the  scapulars  and  interscapulars  with  small, 
nearly  concealed,  central  spots,  the  winj,'-coverts  very  broadly  ed^'ed  with  pure  white ;  ju^jidum 
with  white  largely  predominating.  Youiiy,  Jirst  jiliitiuKjc  :  Similar  to  A.  t'oid.st,  but  colors  throiij^h- 
out  much  paler,  the  lij,dit  boixlew  to  the  feathers  of  the  dorsal  surface  broader,  the  dark  centres 
correspondingly  decreased.  Chick:  Sinnlar  to  that  (jf  .1.  Coiifiii,  but  i)aler,  the  dark  streaks  on  the 
lores  not  reaching  to  the  eye.  Acriiije  ttMinunmcnls  nf  IS  adults:  Wing,  S.lti ;  culmen,  1.33; 
taraus,  .98  ;  middle  toe,  .9().     Hub.     I'rybilof  Islaiuls,  Alaska. 


it 


II 


Arquatella  maritima. 

THE   PUBFLE   8ANDPIFEB. 

Tringa  marilima,  Br.UNN.  Oni.  Bor.  17G4,  .'54.  —  (1mi;i,.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  678.  — Sw.  &  Kicn.  F.  15.  A. 

II.  1831,  382.  —  Nirr.  -Man.  II.  1834,  llf).  —  Am.  Orn.  liiof;.  111.  1835,  558,  jil.  284  ;  .Synop. 

1839,  233;  B.  Am.  V.  1812,  201,  pi.  330.  — (  assi.v,  in  jiaird's  15.  N.  Am.  1858,  717.  —  Baiuo, 

Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  185U,  no.  528.  —  Coin;s,  Key,  1872,  255  ;  t'licck  List,  1873,  no.  423  ;  Birds  N.  W. 

1874,  488. 
Annmldla  mitritima,  Ridow.   Bull.  Nntt.  Oni.  t'lub,  V.  July,  1880,  162;  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881, 

no.  530.  —  CouEs,  Check  List,  2d  v<\.  1882,  no.  620. 
?  Tringa  striitta,  LiNX.  S.  N.  I.  1760,  218. 

Tringa  nmlala,  Burxx.  Orn.  Bor.  1764,  55.  —  (iMKL.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  678. 
Tringa  nigricans,  Slosr.  Limi.  Tr.  IV.  1796,  40. 
Tringa  canadensis,  L.vni.  Ind.  Orn.  Sup)il.  ISol,  Ixv. 
?  Tringa  lincolnirnsis,  L.vni.  Ind.  Oni.  II.  1790,  734. 
Tringa  arquaklla.  Fall.  Zong.  l{o»so-As.  II.  1831,  190. 
Tringa  litlorulis,  BllKIIM,  Viig.  Deuts.ld.  1831,  652. 

Hab.  Northeastern  portions  of  Xorth  America,  breeding  in  the  high  north,  and  migrating 
southward  in  winttu'  to  the  Middle  States,  the  Great  Lakes,  and  the  shores  of  the  larger  streams 
in  the  Mississippi  Valley.    HermudiLs  ]    Also,  the  northern  portions  of  the  Paltcarctic  Region. 


WMer  plumage. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult,  breeding-plumage :  Above,  dusky  slate,  the  scapulars  and  intei-scapH'ars 
nearly  black,  and  faintly  glossed,  the  e<lge  of  each  feather  notched  or  indented  with  ochrace  ms 
or  dull  buff,  the  terminal  jxtrtion  bonlered  with  dull  wlute  or  pale  butf  ;  rump,  upper  tail-coverts, 
and  middle  tail-feathers  glos.sy  rlnsky  black,  the  feathers  of  the  rump  sometimes  faintly  bordcreil 
with  grayish  ;  remaining  rectriees  uniform  grayish,  with  white  shafts,  the  shade  of  gray  becoming 

VOL.  I.  — 28 


218 


PRiECOCIAL  GRALLAVORKS  —  LIMICOL^. 


;  J 


k 


gradually  lighter  to  the  exterior  feather.  Lesser  and  middle  wiiin-coverts  bordered  terniiimlly  with 
grayish  white  or  jmle  anh  ;  greater  covert;s  ti])])ed  with  ])ure  white,  forming  a  distinct  har  across 
the  wing  ;  secondaries  narrowly  tipjiud  with  while  and  liiintly  edged  with  light  ashy,  the  threi'  or 
four  feathers  adjoining  the  teitials  mostly  white  ;  pri)uaries  with  white  shafts,  the  inner  ([uills 
edged,  especially  toward  the  liase,  with  white.  Pilciuu  dusky,  streaked  with  pale  grayish  linll' 
(these  streaks  sometimes  nearly  olisok'te)  ;  a  conspicuous  su|)erciliary  slrijie  of  grayisii  white, 
streaked  with  dusky  ;  a  broad  grayish-<lusky  streaked  stripe  across  the  lores,  from  the  bill  to 
and  beneath  the  eye,  and  contimu'd  rather  indistinctly  over  the  auriculars  ;  cheeks,  lower  part  of 
throat,  and  foreneck  grayish  white,  streaked  with  grayish  dusky;  chin,  and  sometimes  upper  )iart 
of  throat,  unstreaked  white;  juguluni  similarly  but  more  broadly  streaked  ;  breast  grayisii  white 
or  pale  ashy,  irregularly  spotted  with  dusky,  these  spots  occupying  cliielly  the  central  portion  of 
each  feather  ;  remaining  lower  parts  white,  the  sides  irregularly  streaked  and  sj)otted  with  gray- 
ish ;  crissum  narrowly  stieakeil  with  dusky  ;  axillars  and  lining  of  the  wing  pure  white,  the  latter 
bordered  externally  with  grayish.  "  Bill  brown,  yellow  at  base  ;  tarsi  and  toes  dusky  yellow;  iris 
brown."  (Kumijex,  MS.)  [liilland  legs  dusky  in  dried  skins. i]  Winter  dress:  Above,  uniform 
smoky  plumbeous,  the  scapulars,  interscapulars,  rump-feathers,  and  ui)per  tail-coverts,  darker  cen- 
trally, where  glossed  with  jnirple  ;  wings  and  tail  as  in  the  sunnner  plumage.  Head  and  neck 
rmiforni  smoky  plumbeous,  darker  immediately  before  the  eye,  and,  to  a  less  extent,  on  the  crown  ; 
the  chin  and  upj)er  jiart  of  throat,  lower  eyelid,  and  sujmdoral  space,  white; ;  jugulum  and  breast 
light  smoky  pluml)eous,  scpuunated  with  white  ;  remaining  lower  i>arts  white,  the  sides  broadly 
streaked  with  light  brownish  gray  ;  crissum  with  narrow  mesial  streaks  of  dusky.  Youmj,  first 
pbtnutije :  Above,  (piite  similar  to  the  breeding  adult,  but  the  dorsal  feathers  Licking  the  lateral 
ochraceous  indentations,  and  the  light  borders  to  the  feathers  lather  more  regular,  and  more 
creamy  in  tint,  the  light  bordei-s  to  the  wing-coverts  also  broader,  and  pale  grayish  butf  instead  of 
white  or  ))ale  ashy  ;  najie  and  cheeks  uniform  smoky  pUunbeous ;  lower  parts  much  as  in  the 
summer  adult.  Iknnuj  ijoiukj  :  Above,  hair-brown,  lighter  and  more  grayish  on  the  nape  ;  the 
brown  irregularly  marbled  with  black ;  the  wings,  back,  and  rum))  thickly  bespangled  with  whitish 
downy  ilecks  on  the  ti])s  of  the  down-tufts.  Head  pale  fulvous,  variously  marked  with  black,  the 
crown  deep  hair-brown,  variegated  with  black,     lieiieath,  entirely  grayish-white. 

Total  length,  about  !)  inches  ;  wing,  4.80-5.40  (o.OC)  ;  culnien,  l.l()-1.4r)  (l.-2())  ;  tarsus,  .90- 
1.00  (.9!))  ;  middle  toe,  .83-.95  (.90).    [Extreme  and  average  dimensions  of  13  adults.] 

The  Purple  Sandpiper  Ixdongs  to  both  continents,  and  is  a  bird  of  somewhat 
irregular  distribution.  It  i.--'  found  in  high  Arctie  regions,  botli  in  America  and  on 
the  eastern  continent,  and  yet  has  been  met  with  in  the  summer,  and  apparently 
breeding,  on  the  Azores.  Its  occivrenee,  however,  except  in  high  northern  regions, 
is  com]iarativeIy  rare.  In  Xortli  America  it  appears  to  be  very  rare  near  New 
York,  and  entirely  unknown  on  the  Atlantic  coast  south  of  there.  I  am  informed 
by  Mr.  Batty,  that  although  quite  uncommon  on  Long  Island,  occasional  stragglers 
are  found  tlu're  late  in  Avinter  or  early  in  spring.  A  single  specimen  Avas  procured 
on  Cape  Cod,  Mass.,  in  full  plumage,  by  Mr.  William  A.  Jeffries,  as  early  as  Sept. 
6, 1877.  Though  rare  in  the  interior,  its  presence  on  our  Great  Lakes  is  not  Avholly 
unknoAvn.  A  line  adult  male  Avas  obtained  near  Chicago,  on  the  lake  shore,  Noa% 
7,  1871.  It  Avas  in  company  Avith  Sanderlings.  Tliis  bird  Avas  not  taken  by  the 
British  Arctic  Expedition  of  187<'>-1870 ;  but,  according  to  Dr.  Bessels,  s])ecimens 
Avere  procured  at  I'olaris  Bay  by  Captain  Hall's  party. 

It  is  not  given  by  Dr.  Cooper  as  found  on  the  Pacific  coast.  Farther  north  than 
California,  hoAA'ever,  it  has  been  met  Avith.  It  AA'as  taken  on  the  Island  of  St.  Michael's 
by  Mr.  Bannister,  Avho  states  that,  in  October,  1865,  he  obtained  a  number  of  speci- 
mens of  this  species  at  the  Kedoubt,  Avhere  it  then  appeared  to  be  quite  common.    In 


•  Audubon  says  ;  "  Hill  Jeep  orange,  toward  the  end  dusky  ;  edges  of  eyelids  gray  ;  iris  orange  ;  feet 
light  orange,  claws  dusky." 


II 


"""mw 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  ARQUATELLA. 


219 


the  succeeding  year  lie  had  not  observed  any  up  to  the  1st  of  October,  wlien  he  left 
the  country.  Mr.  Dull  procured  a  .singh?  bird  of  thia  specie,s  a  mile  or  tw(j  below 
N'ldato,  on  the  Yukon,  and  another  at  Tastolik,  but  did  not  find  the  nest  or  eggs. 
Ik'  also  itroeured  a  specinien  on  St.  CJeorge's  Island,  in  Jiehring's  Sea,  M'here  it  was 
conunou  on  the  dry  uplands  and  on  the  hills.  liisehoff  found  this  species  plentiful 
at  Sitka,  and  also  at  Plover  ]>ay,  on  the  Asiatics  side  of  Behring's  Straits.  Mr,  Dall 
I'onnd  it  a  resident  of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  where  it  was  abundant  ah)ng  the  shore 
throughout  the  year,  in  all  tlif  islands  from  Unalashka  to  the  Shuniagins.  Its  nest 
and  eggs  he  was  n<jt  able  to  discover. 

This  bird  visits  the  Faroe  Islands,  Iceland,  (Jreenland,  Si)itzbergen,  and  Xova 
Zembla.  Von  iJaer,  in  his  description  of  the  animal  life  of  the  last-named  place, 
mentions  the  Purple  Sandpiper  as  one  of  the  eight  species  of  birds  found  there.  ]Mr. 
Cr.  (rillett  ("  Il)is,"'  1870)  also  mentions  finding  this  species  on  Nova  Zemlila,  Avliere  it 
was  very  common  both  in  ^Matthew's  Strait  and  on  the  eastern  coast.  One  came  on 
hoard  during  a  storm,  and  was  caught  in  the  hand.  AVhen  released,  it  did  not  ofl'er 
to  fly  away,  but  remained  on  board  two  days.  Herr  von  Ileuglin  also  mentions  (''Ibis," 
bS72)  that  he  found  this  species  ver}-  common,  and  generally  in  pairs,  in  this  same 
region.  In  the  autumn  it  occurred  in  smaller  or  larger  flocks,  and  often  mingled  with 
tlie  PelidiKt  rhivhtft  and  the  Trhir/a  mlihutu.  On  the  8th  of  August  he  found  nest- 
liugs  still  very  small,  and  covered  with  down.  The  Messrs.  Evans  and  Sturge  found 
the  Purple  Sand[)iper  very  abundant  at  Coal  Bay  in  Si)itzbergen,  and  secured  four 
of  its  nests.  These  were  on  the  surface  of  the  high  field,  and  they  are  said  to 
have  been  beautiful  little  structures,  built  deej)  in  the  ground,  and  lined  with  stalks 
of  grass  and  leaves  of  the  dwarf  birch  {lictuhi  nana).  They  each  contained  four 
eggs  of  an  olive-gretui,  handsomely  mottled  with  a  purplish-brown,  chiefly  at  the 
larger  end.  The  writers  state  that  they  watched  with  much  interest  this  elegant 
little  bird  as  it  waded  into  small  pools  of  snow-water,  or  ran  along  the  shingle,  every 
now  and  then  raising  its  wings  ovt-r  its  back  and  exhil)iting  the  delicate  tint  of  the 
luuler  side,  at  the  same  time  uttering  its  loud  shrill  whistle.  Professor  Alfred  New- 
ton also  met  with  this  species  on  Spitzbergen,  where  he  found  it  abundant  along  the 
coast  as  far  north  as  Brandywine  Bay.  Dr.  ^^lalmgren  informed  Professor  Newton 
that  on  a  former  voyage  he  liad  observed  a  flock  of  this  bird  on  the  shores  of  Kobbe 
l>ay  as  early  as  ^lay  28.  He  afterward  saw  it  in  the  interior  of  Stor  Fiord,  and  on 
Bear  Island.  According  to  I'rofessor  Newton,  it  is  common  everywhere  in  Iceland 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  coast,  and  is  occasionally  to  be  seen  inland,  where  it  also 
breeds.  According  to  Faber,  it  is  a  resident  of  Iceland  throughout  the  year,  and  is 
said  to  hatch  its  eggs  about  the  middle  of  June.  It  is  given  by  Dr.  Middendorff  as 
one  of  the  birds  of  Siberia,  and  is  included  in  the  list  of  those  that  go  to  the  Far 
North. 

They  are  also  mentioned  by  Dr.  Eeinhardt  as  occurring  in  Greenland,  and  appear 
to  have  been  observed  on  all  the  voyages  of  Sir  Edward  Parry.  On  the  first  of  these 
tliey  were  seen  abundant  in  Davis's  Straits  and  Baffin's  Bay ;  during  the  second  they 
were  noticed  on  the  rocks,  at  low-water  mark,  on  Winter  Island,  in  June ;  on  the 
third  they  were  observed  at  Port  Bo^ven,  and  on  the  fourtli  were  found  abundant 
along  the  shores  of  Hecla  Cove,  Sir  James  C.  Boss  adding  tliat  they  Avere  seen  in 
considerable  numbers  near  Fury  Point.  Ilichardson  states  that  this  species  breeds 
abundantly  on  Melville  Peninsida  and  on  the  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay.  He  describes 
its  eggs  as  pyriform,  IG.uO  lines  long,  and  an  inch  across  in  its  greatest  breadth. 
The  ground-color  is  said  to  be  of  a  yellowish  gray,  interspersed  with  small  irregular 
spots  of  pale  hair-brown,  crowded  at  the  obtuse  end,  and  rare  at  the  other. 


220 


PR.ECOCIAL  GKALLATOHES  —  LIMICOLyE. 


il 


- 

I 


Mr.  Godiuah  nu't  with  this  spi-cics  on  th(^  Azores.  A  small  tlock  was  usually  to 
bo  socn  in  company  with  some  Turnstones  about  the  roeks  near  Santa  Cruz,  in  Klores. 
Ho  was  told  that  in  sun)UU'r  they  were  l're(]ueutly  noti(a'(l  upon  tiio  rough  [)asture- 
land,  and  high  up  in  the  juountains.  It  was  the  common  opinion  that  thoy  go  there 
only  to  food.  ^[r.  Godman  had  no  doubt  that  they  also  breed  there,  as  he  procured 
in  Juno  a  male  in  full  summer  or  breeding  i»lumage ;  but  his  o])inions  uuist  bo 
regarded  as  problematical. 

In  (Jroat  ISritain,  according  to  Yarrell,  the;  I'urple  Sandpiper,  though  well  known, 
is  not  very  numerous.  It  is  i'oinid  on  various  i)arts  yf  tiie  coast,  preCerring  the 
rocky  portions,  where  it  is  seen  from  Sejitember,  thioughout  the  winter,  until  April 
or  May.  That  some  which  leave  do  not  go  far,  and  that  a  few  remain  and  breed,  is 
regarded  as  certain.  Some  are  absent  a  very  short  time,  young  ones  returning  with 
them ;  and  on  one  occasion,  on  the  Fame  Islands,  Mr.  Selby  met  with  a  family  of  this 
species,  the  young  of  which  were  scarcely  able  to  fly.  It  is  commonly  only  a  winter 
visitant,  and  may  1)0  seen  busily  turning  over  the  stones,  or  searching  among  the 
seaweed  for  the  smaller  shrimjis  and  sand-liopjiers.  It  also  feeds  on  small  crabs, 
marine  insects,  and  the  soft  IkhUos  of  the  smaller  shelltish.  Mr.  Dunn  states  that 
it  is  very  numerous  in  Shetland  and  the  Orkneys  in  the  early  spring,  collecting  there 
in  large  flocks.  It  may  be  foun;l  on  the  rocks  at  I'bb-tide,  watching  each  retiring 
wave,  running  down  as  the  water  falls  luick,  picking  small  shelltish  off  the  stones, 
and  displaying  great  activity  in  escaping  from  the  advancing  sea.  None  remain 
there  to  breed. 

It  is  said  by  Wheelwright  to  breed  only  in  tlie  far  north,  and  never  to  be  seen  in 
Scandinavia  except  in  the  autumn,  or  occasionally  in  tlu'  winter.  Sommerfeldt  states 
that  it  is  very  common  dni'ing  the  summer  on  the  north  coast  of  West  Finland.  Mr, 
AVheelwright  had  received  specimens  from  Iceland  and  Greenland,  but  never  from 
Lapland.  The  ^Messrs.  Godman  found  it  on  the  isUunls  near  liodiie,  in  Norway, 
throughout  the  summer.  The  first  speeiuu-n  was  obtained  May  4.  It  is  occasional 
in  Switzerland  and  in  Italy;  and  ^Ir.  H.  Saunders  found  it  abundant  during  the 
winter  in  Southern  Spain. 

Mr.  lioardman  iid'orms  me  that  it  is  (juite  (tonimon  near  Galais,  Me.,  in  the  winter, 
where  it  is  known  as  the  "  Winter  Snipe."  It  is  also  very  abundant  about  the  rocky 
shores  of  Grand  jNIenan.  It  is  very  irregular  in  its  ap])earance  on  the  eastern  coast 
of  Massachusetts,  where  in  some  winters  it  appears  in  great  numbers,  and  then  again 
is  rarely  seen  for  several  years.  j\lr.  Giraiul  never  nu^t  with  this  species,  and  regarded 
it  as  an  exceedingly  rare  bird  on  the  shores  of  Long  Island  ;  occasionally,  however, 
specimens  are  seen  in  the  New  York  nuirket  which  have  been  taken  on  the  eastern 
end  of  that  island. 

Mr.  Kumlien  mentions  this  Wader  as  the  flrst  to  arrive  at  Cumberland,  and  the 
last  to  leave  in  autumn,  coming  by  the  1st  of  June,  the  earliest  moment  at  whicli 
thoy  could  have  found  any  rocks  l)are  at  low-tide.  Their  arrival  took  place  during 
a  severe  snow-storm,  and  the  birds  huddled  together  under  the  ledges  like  a  flock  of 
Quails  in  wintei*.  Thoy  remained  until  November,  as  late  as  they  could  And  any 
exposed  shore,  and  were  very  connnon.  Sonui  are  said  to  remain  in  the  flords  of 
South  Greenland  all  winter. 

They  are  devoid  of  fear,  and  can  almost  be  caught  with  the  hand.  They  nest  on 
the  borders  of  fresh-water  lakes,  and  at  this  time  nearly  desert  the  sea-shore.  When 
in  large  flocks  they  keep  up  a  lively  and  very  pleasant  twJtter.  During  the  breeding- 
season  the  males  have  a  peculiar  cry,  somewhat  resembling  that  of  Bartram's  Tattler, 
but  lower,  and  not  so  prolonged.    When  the  male  utters  this  note  it  assumes  a  digni- 


SCOLOPACID.E  -  THE  SNIPK  FAMILY  —  ARQUATELLA. 


221 


fiofl  stmt,  raises  its  wings  over  its  l)ack,  and  then  slowly  folds  thorn.  The  bird  is 
crepuscular  in  its  habits,  wliicli  in  sonic  rcspocts  appear  to  be  different  from  those  of 
iiKist  of  its  family.  It  is  found  almost  exclusively  on  rocky  shores  of  the  sea,  and 
sliuiis  sandy  beaches.  It  is  seldom  known  to  occur  far  inland.  It  is  a  very  unsus- 
picious bird,  and  wlien  intent  on  its  food  seems  to  ha  almost  entirely  regardless 
of  the  near  presence  of  man.  Its  flight  is  rapid,  and  can  be  long  sustained  in  its 
iingrations.  This  bird  is  known  to  lauiters  as  tlu;  "Hock  Snipe."  An  egg  of  this 
siit>cies  from  Greenland  has  a  ground  of  a  drab  color  tinged  with  olivaceous.  Tlie 
e,i,'g  is  pyriform  in  shape,  but  is  more  oval  than  that  of  Arf/iiate/fa  ptUomemis,  which 
ill  some  respects  it  closely  resembles.  The  egg  is  marked  with  blotches  of  s(>pia- 
brown,  and  these  are  more  or  less  diffused  over  the  entire  surface.  Tlie  eggs  in 
my  cabinet  —  one  from  Greenland,  and  others  from  different  localities  —  average  1.4G 
inches  in  length,  by  l.lO  in  tlieir  greatest  breadth.  In  some  the  olivaceous  tinge  of 
the  ground  is  much  deeper  than  in  others.  The  s|)ots  vary  in  their  number,  size, 
and  distribution,  in  some  the  smaller  end  being  nearly  unspotted. 


Arquatella  Couesi. 

THE  ALEUTIAN  SANDPirEB. 

?  Tringa  ai-qnalrlla,  (part)  Pali..  Zooj;.  ]!o.sso-As.  II.  1821,  100  (spec,  ox  Ins  Cuiilinn). 

Tnii<rt  mnritimn,"  Buunn."  Dam,  &  IJaxn.  Tr.  Chicago  Acad.  1. 18G9,  291  (.St.  ilichnel's,  Alaska).  — 

Fix.scii,  Al>h.  Nat.  III.  1872,  6r>  (Alaska). 
Ti-iiKjii  (Pilidiui)  (nncrianin,  Dai. I..  I'r.  t'al.  Acad.  .Sci.  Feb.  1873  (Aleutians). 
At-qiMlrUn  Cditcsi,  HiDcw.  Bull.  Xutt.  Oiii.  Club,  V.  July,  1880,  l(iO  (Aleutian  Islands)  ;  Nora.  N. 

Am.  B.  1881,  no.  531.  —  Coue-s  Check  List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  621. 

Sp.  Char.  Similar  to  A.  mnrifhiia,  I'ni'XX.,  but  uvoraging  ,'*liglitly  sniallcr,  and  the  plumage 
appreciably  ilifTcrent  at  all  agc.'t  and  sea.sons.  Adult  hreediiuj-dresx;  Above,  fuliginous-slate,  the 
leathers  of  the  pileuni  broadly  edged,  those  of  the  doi-sal  region  (including  the  sciMiulai's)  widely 
bordered,  with  rusty  ochraceous  or  bright  ciniiamon  (a  few  of  the  scupulars  and  interscapuhirs 
tipped  with  white  in  some  sjieciinens),  the  central  area  ol  each  feather  nearly  black,  or  imich  darker 
tliaii  the  wings  and  rinnp  ;  les.ser  wing-coverts  slightly,  and  middle  coverts  broadly,  bordered 
tcniiinally  with  white  ;  greater  coverts  widely  tipped  with  white,  forming  a  conspicuous  bar  across 
the  wing  ;  three  or  four  of  the  inner  secondaries  chiefly  wiiite,  the  otliers,  also  the  inner  primaries, 
iiariuwly  skirted  and  tipped  with  white.  Rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  and  middle  tail-feathers, 
uiiit'orm  fuliginous-dusky,  the  remaining  rectrices  paler,  or  dull  cinereous.  A  conspicuous  whitish 
superciliary  stripe,  extending  b.ack  to  the  nape,  and  confluent  with  the  dull  whitisii  of  the  uiiiler 
siile  of  the  head,  thus  posteriorly  bounding  a  large  sooty-brown  auricular  area  ;  anterior  portion  of 
the  lores,  with  the  forehead,  dull  smoky  grayish  ;  neck,  juguluni,  and  breast,  dirty  whitish  (some- 
times soiled  witli  dingy  buff),  and  clouded  or  spotted  with  dull  slate,  sooty  plumbeous,  or  diLsky 
black,  this  sometimes  forming  a  large  patch  on  each  side  of  the  breast  ;  remaining  lower  parts  pure 
wliite,  the  sides  with  chain-like  eries  of  brownish  f-laty  spots  mixed  with  streaks,  the  crissum 
streaked  with  dusky  ;  lining  of  .be  wing  pure  white,  the  border  brownish  gray  Bill,  legs,  and 
feet  brownish  black  in  the  dried  skin  ;  iris  brown.  In  fresh  specimens,  "  feet,  legs,  and  l)ase  of  liill 
diuk  greenish  yellow;  terniiiual  two  thirds  of  bill  black,  or  very  dark  brown"  (Nklson,  MS.). 
Il'intiir  plumafie :  Above,  soft  smoky  plumbeous,  the  scapulars  and  interscapulars  glossy  purplish 
dusky  centrally,  the  plumbeous  bonlers  to  the  feathers  causing  a  S(iuamate  appearance  ;  head  and 
neck  unifovm  plumbeous,  except  the  throat  an<l  a  supraloral  patch,  which  are  streaked  whitish  ; 
juj,'uluin  squamate<l  with  white,  the  breast  similarly  but  more  broadly  marked.  Wings,  etc.,  as  in 
summer.  Yoiiwj,  first  plmruKje:  Scapulars  and  interscapulars  Idack,  broadly  bordered  with  bright 
rusty  and  bulTy  white,  the  latter  chiefly  on  the  longer  and  outer  scapulars  and  posterior  part  of  the 
back  ;  wing-coverts  broadly  bordered  with  buffy  white  ;  pileuin  streaked  black  and  ochraceous  ; 
jugulum  and  breast  pale  l)uff,  or  buffy  white,  streaked  with  dusky.     Dovmy  young :  Above,  bright 


iiii 


■ 


'        ii-'l 


V* 


222 


PFl.KroCIAIi  (ilULLATORES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


rusty  lulvmis,  irri'j,'uliirly  iiiottlid  witli  bliuk,  the  back,  wiiif,'i<,  iiiid  ramp  ornninpiitcd  l)y  ycUnwish- 
wlillc  downy  decks  or  i)ii|iilln'  ;  lii'iid  al)')ve  dec^p  I'lilviius  lirowii,  with  ii  h)iij,'itudiiial  strijii'  (if 
vi'lvety  l)huk  liniii  Ihi'  rurclii'iid  (n  ihi'  (Mi'i|  "1  ..lu'ii'  coiiMiioiit  willi  a  cross  luiiid  of  the  same,  tliu 
Inrt's  with  two  nearly  iiaralld  loii^iitudiiial  streaks  of  Mack  ;  there  are  also  i)ther,  rallitir  iiidcliiiitc, 
bhick  markiii^js,  cliicfly  on  tiic  siipcniliiiry  md  ociipital  rcjjioiis.  Lowui  juut.s  white,  becotuiiij,' 
distinctly  fulvous  laterally. 

Win;,',  4.r)()-5.1-)  (t.HO)  inches;  culnie-,,  .!)8-l.:i.")  (1.1:0  ;  tarsus,  .88-l.(X)  (.!).'))•  middle  toe, 
.7H-.!»()  (.8(!).     (K.xtrcmc;  and  avernj,'e  nuasurcnients  of  14  adults.) 

Had.  Aleutian  Islundti  and  coat  of  Alaska,  north  to  St.  Michael's;  west  to  Commander 
Islands. 

TIio  prospiit  ,s])pci('.s  i.s  clo.soly  allit'd  to  AniiutteUa  maritime,  Bifl'xN.,  and  can 
with  (litticulty  lu'  distiiij^'uislii'd  in  its  wintor  i<lumag<'.  A  ehisc  comparison,  however, 
shows  that  in  this  livery  A.  CokchI  has  decidedly  less  of  the  purjde  gloss  to  the  (h)rsal 
region,  where  the  plumbeous  borders  to  the  featiiers  are  both  broader  and  jjaler;  tiu' 
t'oreneek  is  also  invariably  scpiamated  or  streaked  with  white^  and  not  uniforndy 
mouse-gray,  as  in  vinrittiixi.  It  is  still  more  nearly  related  to  A.  j'tilonwinis,  Coii;s, 
of  the  I'rybilof  Islan<ls,  but  averages  much  smaller,  and  is  always  very  much  darker- 
colored  in  every  stage  of  plumage.  The  three  are  not  only  strictly  congeneric,  but 
are  very  probal)ly  the  descendants  of  one  original  stock ;  but,  since  no  intermediate 
specimens  have  been  observed  in  a  large  series  of  each  kind,  they  may  l)e  considered 
as  having  passed  the  "  varietal  stage,"  so  that  we  may  treat  them  as  distinct  species. 
Both  Mr.  Hurting  and  Dr.  Goues  were  wrong  in  referring  A.  pfilonicDiin  to  the  sauu' 
group  as  l'f/!(lii(i  (i/fiina,  which  bears  oidy  a  superficial  resemblance  in  coloration,  the 
details  of  form  being  quite  different. 

While  I  have  been  unable  to  Hud  any  name  which  can  be  applied  to  this  species, 
it  ap))ears  that  Pallas  refers  to  it  in  his  description  of  2'rbiga  ar<iuiiteU<i,  in  "  Zoiig, 
Rosso-Asiat."  II.  p.  19l>,  since  \w  says  that  specimens  of  his  species  from  the  Kurile 
Islands  are  marked  with  ru.sty  yellow,  as  in  the  bird  under  consideration  :  "Corpus 
supra  plumis  fuscis,  margine  pallidis  {in  CurUira  ore  fvi'nigineo-hdois)  .  .  .  pectorc 
cinerescens  (m  vurUlcn  v(tr.  Itifi'sreus)."  All  Alaskan  references  to  Tringa  maritima 
of  course  apply  to  the  present  species. 

Arquatella  ptilocnemis. 

THE  FBTBILOF  SANDFIFEB. 

Tringa  crassirnstri.i,  "Temm.  &Sciii.eo."  Dall,  Am.  Nat.  VIII.  1873,  635  (St.  Paul's  I.  Alaska).  — 
CoUES,  in  Elliott's  Alaska,  1873  (not  paged)  ;  cd.  1875,  18?  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  426  bis. 

Triiign,  plilnenciiiis,  Coues,  in  Elliott's  Alaska,  1873  (not  paged) ;  ed.  1875,  182,  footnote  ;  Birds  N. 
W.  1874,  491. 

ArqiMtella  plilociirinis,  RindW.  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  V.  .July,  1880,  163;  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1882, 
no.  532.  — CoiTEs,  Check  List,  2d  cd.  1882,  no.  622. 

Tringa  gradUs,  Hap^tino,  P.  Z.  S.  Apr.  1874,  242  (Prybilof  Islands). 

Black-breasted  Sandpiper,  CouEs,  1.  c. 

Hab.     Prybilof  Islands,  Alaska. 

Sp.  Char.  Similar  to  A.  maritima,  but  larger,  and  much  ligliter  colored.  Adult,  brccding- 
plwnmge :  Back  and  scainilai-s  light  clay-color,  or  ochracoous,  the  centre  of  each  feather  black,  the 
tips  of  many  of  them  narrowly  whitish ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  dark  slate,  the  feathers  in- 
distinctly tipped  with  plumbeous-gray.  Vfings  plumbeous-gray,  the  coverts  bordered  with  grayish 
white,  the  greater  coverts  widely  tipped  with  pure  white  ;  several  (three  or  four)  of  the  inner 
secondaries  (not  tertials)  wholly  pure  white ;  primaries  slate  color,  with  white  shafts,  the  inner 
ones  distinctly  edged  vrith  white  toward  the  base.      Pileum  light  fulvous,  widely  streaked  with 


«^' 


SCOLOPAC'ID.E  —  TIIL  SNIPK   FA^rII,Y  —  AUQI'ATKLLA. 


223 


lilackisli  ;  nuiMs  li^ht  fulvoiiH,  mixed  with  piilf  ^jntyisli,  iiuirowly  ami  iiuliHtiiictly  Htreiiked.  An 
indistinct  lorul  Htrijii;  (tliis  HoiiiutiniuH  olisoletc),  and  aiii'iculiii's,  palu  j,'riiyinli  lulvoiw,  fiiioly  and 
imlistiiK'tly  stivakt-d  ;  wal  of  tiiu  head,  iiu  liidiii;,'  a  siipciriliary  sliipc,  and  fUtire  lower  jMirts, 
wliite,  the  juj,'iiluiii  Usually  (in  lii],'lic;st  iiluina^'c)  wusIumI  with  (icliruceoiis,  and  (always?)  streaked 
witii  dusky  ;  liruast  blutclied  witli  dusky,  the  blotches  usually  coalesced  into  an  inet,'ular  laijjn 
]iiitch,  i-.()Uietinies  coverin;,'  the  whole  lueast  ;  flanks  and  under  tail-coverts  marked  sparsely  with 
very  narrow  shali-streaks  of  dusky.  Inner  border  of  tiie  win;,'  spotted  with  li},'ht  },'rayish,  and 
Milder  primary  coverts  very  pale  ash-i,'ray.  Ailitll,  irliitir plitiitmjf :  Winj,'s,  rump,  tail-coverts,  tail, 
,iiid  jiosterior  lower  parts  as  in  the  summer  pliima),'e.  Reuminiuj,'  upper  parts  continuous  li^dit  ashy 
plunilieous  (many  shades  lif,'hter  than  in  .1.  inuiitimit),  the  leathers  of  the  hack  and  the  scapuliiw 
darker  centrally,  and  with  a  very  faint  purplish  j,doss  in  certain  lij,'hts,  Head  li;,'ht  f,'rayish,  darker 
and  almost  uidjrokeu  on  the  iiileum,  lij,diter  ami  streaked  with  white  elsewhere,  the  throat  white, 
and  but  sparsely  streaked.     Ju^'ulum  and  breast  white,  irre^'ularly  marked  with  ]iale  ash-i,'ray. 

Yinuiij,  jivst  plumtujc  :  Above,  very  similar  to  the  summerdress  of  the  adult,  but  the  win;,'-coverts 
widely  bordered  with  pah;  buff;  head  and  neck  also  very  similarly  colored.  Juyulum  pale  buff, 
distinctly  marked  with  short  streaks  and  su^^ittate  murks  of  dusky  gray.  Downy  Yoiinij:  Above, 
lirij,'ht  tawny  fulvous,  irre^'ujarly  marbled  with  black,  the  back  and  rump  bespauHhvd  with  downy, 
dot-likcMlei'ks  of  yellowish  wliit(!  ;  the  nape  nearly  uniform  li;,'ht  fulvous  f,'rayish  ;  forehead  pide 
biilf,  with  a  vi'ry  narrow  medial  streak  of  black,  reaching,'  nearly  to  the  bill,  and  e.\teudinj,'  pos- 
teriorly into  the  fulvous  of  the  crown  and  occiput,  which  is  irre;,'ulaily  marbh-d,  loiiyitudiually, 
with  black  ;  a  narrow  black  loral  streak  reachin;,'  about  half  way  to  the  eye,  with  a  still  narrower 
riitid  streak. 

Total  lenyth,  about  9.50  inches  ;  winj,',  .').(Ht-5.4()  ;  culnien,  1.15-1.4,')  ;  tarsus,  .9.5-1.00  ;  middle 
toe,  .S5-.9S. 

Althoii^'h,  at  first  sij,'ht,  this  Sandpiper  seems  very  distinct  from  ,1.  maritima  and  A.  Coiiesi, 
especially  the  latter,  the  apparent  dilferences  become  j,'really  reduced  iiiion  the  careful  e.\amination 
of  a  lar^'e  series  of  sj)ecimens.  The  dimen.sions,  while  averaj,'inj,'  considerably  greater  (e.\cept  as 
ret;inils  the  feet),  ai'e  yt  found  to  inosculate  with  those  of  that  s|)ecies,  while  the  dilference  in 
plumage,  as  compiled  with  .1,  Coucsi,  proves  to  be  solely  one  of  intensity  of  cidors—  the  liyhter 
lints  prevailing  hi  ptilociicmis,  the  darker  ones  in  Coin:<i.  The  exact  correspondence  of  pattern  of 
cciloratioii  between  the  two  extends  to  every  stage  of  jdumage,  even  including  the  downy  chick. 
We  therefore,  all  things  considered,  hiok  upon  the  present  liird  as  being  merely  a  local  insular  race 
of  a  species  of  which  A.  Couesi  represents  the  resident  form  of  the  coast  of  Alaska  and  the  Aleutian 
t'liain,  and  from  which  .1.  vuintima  is  perhaps  not  .specifically  distinct. 


For  what  little  we  know  of  the  habits  of  this  newly  discovered  species  we  are 
indebted  to  Mr.  Henry  AV.  Elliott,  who  found  a  few  breeding  on  the  I'rybilof  Islands. 
Ill  liis  brief  aecouiit  of  its  nniiiuer  of  life  he  states  that  it  was  tlie  only  Wader  that 
ill'  found  breeding  on  these  islands,  with  the  marked  exeeption,  now  and  then,  of 
a  stray  pair  of  Lobt'pcs  hj/pcrbovcus.  It  is  said  to  make  its  ajipearance  early  in 
.May,  and  to  repair  to  the  dry  uiilaiuls  aiul  mossy  luimniocks,  wheri'  it  breeds.  Its 
nest  is  simply  a  cavity  in  a  bunch  of  nuws,  in  which  the  hird  deposits  its  four  darkly 
lildtched  pyriform  eggs,  hatidiing  them  out  within  twenty  diiys. 

The  young  come  from  the  .shell  clothed  in  a  thick  yellowish  down,  with  dark-brown 
markings  on  the  head  and  back,  but  taking  on  the  plumage  of  their  parents,  and 
being  able  to  fly  as  early  as  the  lOth  of  August;  ami  at  that  season  old  and  y(mng 
tiock  together  for  the  iirst  time,  and  conliiu'  themselves  to  the  sand-beaches  and  surf- 
margins  about  the  islands  for  a  few  wi'cks,  when  they  take  flight,  leaving  the  islands 
from  about  the  1st  to  the  oth  of  September,  aiul  disappearing  until  the  opening  of 
the  new  season. 

Mr.  Elliott  describes  this  bird  as  a  most  devoted  and  fearless  parent,  and  states 
that  he  has  known  it  to  flutter  in  feigned  distress  around  by  the  hour,  uttering  a  low 
piping  note  when  its  nest  was  too  nearly  approached.     It  also  makes  a  sound  exactly 


224 


l'Il.K("()('IAI,  (iUALI.ATOllKS  —  LIMICOL.K. 


liko  our  trt'c-frogs ;  and  iM't'oro  Mr.  Elliott  liatl  traccl  tlio  noiso  to  thin  source,  he 
liad  scarehcil  sovurul  weeks,  uuavailinyly,  tor  tliese  reptiles,  misled  by  the  tail  ol 
this  bird. 

The  eggs  have  the  following  measurements:  1.00  by  l.lO;  I.flU  l)y  1.10;  1.50  liv 
1.11,  and  1.55  by  l.OD  iuehes.  They  are  decidedly  pyrilorm  in  shape,  one  end  bein^' 
much  more  obtuse  than  the  other,  tiic  acute  ends  retreating  in  a  very  jtntnounci'il 
nuiuner.  The  ground-ctihir  in  all  the  spei'imens  is  ol'  a  juire  and  clear  dral),  ami  i;. 
very  boldly  marked  with  large  blotches  ol'  sejiia  brown,  intermingled  with  other 
markings  which  are  sutt'used  with  a  w;ish  of  a  purplish  ash.  In  some  instances  tiic 
sejiia  markings  are  dilute,  and  in  others  they  are  intensilied  almost  to  l)lackncss. 
The  eggs  wi-re  taken  J  une  lU,  1)S7.j,  and  weri'  then  (juite  liesh. 


Genus   ACTODROMAS,  Kaui>. 

Admlrowan,  Kai'I',  Hk.  Kiit.  Kur.  Tliierw.  18'.2'.i,  ;!7  (tyiw,  TriHija  miauttt,  I.r.isi,.). 

llcUntfiijijiit,  Couivs,  I'r.  I'liihul.  Acail.  1801,  lUO  (type,  Trimja  Uun'ipartii,  Sciilku.  =  T.  fuscicollis, 

Viiai.i..). 
Lcimiiiiilcn,  Kaui',  t.  c.  (typi',  Tringn  Tiiiiiuuicl,!,  Lkisi,. ). 
DdopyijiK,  CoCEs,  Pr.  I'liihid.  Aciul.  1801,  llto  (=  Iklcrupijijia). 

Chau.  Size  incdiuni  to  very  sumll  (snmlk'st  of  the  family)  ;  form  graceful,  legs  and  bill  sslcii- 
der,  tlie  latter  straight,  and  little,  if  any,  longer  tlian  tlie  tai'sus.  Tarsus  decidedly  longer  tliuii  tlic 
middle  toe  with  its  claws  ;  toes  slender,  completely  cleft.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  their  ends 
when  closed  reaching  beyond  the  tip  of  the  tail. 


\  li 


■^'V 


5    I 


A,  maculata. 

Although  the  species  of  this  genus  vary  greatly  in  size,  they  all  agree  very  closely  in  the  details 
of  structure.  Besides  the  American  species  include<l  in  the  following  synoptical  table,  there  are 
several  Old  World  Actodromi,  uuiong  which  may  be  nameil  Triwja  minitta,  Lkisl.,  and  T.  albescuus, 
Temm.,  both  nearly  allied  to,  though  fpiiti'  distinct  from,  our  A  minutilla.  The  American  species 
may  be  distinguished  as  follows  :  — 

A«    Size  large  (wings  more  than  5.50). 

1.  A.  Cooperi.  Tail  even,  the  middle  feathers  scarcely  narrowed  at  the  end,  and  not  pro- 
jecting notably  W-yond  the  rest.  L(>wer  parts  white,  the  jugulum,  breast,  and  sides  longi- 
tudinally flecked  with  dusky.  Above  (in  adult),  brownish  gray,  the  feathers  marked 
centrally  with  black,  producing  conspicuous  »])ots  on  the  back  and  scapulars,  streaks 
elsewhere.  U]jper  tail-coverts  white,  with  irregular  sagittate  marks  of  dusky.  AVing, 
6.80  ;  cuhnen,  1.25  ;  tarsus,  1.20;  middle  toe,  .80.     Hub.  Long  Island. 


SrOLOl'ACin.E  —  TIIK  SNIPK   FAMILY  —  ACTODROMAS. 


220 


B.    Si/n  niciliinii  (wiii^  Ich^  tlian  r>.5()  uihI  iiioic  tliiiii    Kki). 

2.  A.  fuaolooUls.     'I'liil  iis  in  .l.t'iiDpni,  l)iit  miclillc  liatlii'i't  Nli^'litly  nairowt'r  itt  cixl  iiml 

inure  iii'DJi'clin^'.  ('nlurs  of  mliilt  us  in  .1.  I'lmjuri,  luit  niuri'  lini^cil  \vi(ii  li^'iit  rnl'iUH 
on  I  TDWU,  liiu'ii,  iihil  sni[inlMrs.  Ycioiij ;  lltu'k  uikI  Hciiiiuliirn  niixcil  liliicii  unil  rnsty,  tlie 
fi'Ullicrs  ccinsiiicnipii^ly  liuriliTnl  ti'iiniii.iUy  willi  while  ;  npiier  tail-i<pverl-t  white,  in 
niarkiMl  oonlraMt  witii  the  dnsky  iuni|i ;  lnvast  li;,'iii  j;iayiMh-hrown,  ■'tivakeil  with  ihisky, 
Win^',  ahont  4. IX) ;  cnlnien,  .!)(>-I.(Ki  ;  laisn.^  .Do-l.dO  ;  inithllo  too,  .70-.7.V  /Jab.  Kast- 
ei'ii  N'oi'lh  Ainei'il'it  ;  Sunlh  Anieiii'a  in  nii^'iatinie^, 

3.  A.  Bairdi.    Tail  as  in  ,I.//'.<iiV»//m.  l'|pi)er  tail-cnverts  liiixky,  only  tin;  httcral  oni'H  wliitlHli. 

Adiill  III  iiniimer:  IJiiek  ami  Muiaihir.i  lihick,  irregularly  varit'^'utcil  (Kjiotted  and  edfjod) 
withdull  laiir.  .luLjnhini  white,  streaked  with  dusky.  AilitU  in  irinhr:  Aliove,  nearly 
uniform  ;;rayish  lunwn,  tin;,'ed  with  eiay-colur  ;  jut,'uluin  and  sides  deeply  snfl'nsed  with 
clay-c(rlor  or  dirty  Imll',  the  former  very  indistinctly  streaked.  Ymititf  :  Aliove,  lij,dit 
bully  linwn,  streaked  with  dusky,  the  feathers  of  the  back  and  the  scapulars  Mackish, 
Cfuisiiiciiously  l)orderi'd  ti  iiuiiially  with  dull  while  ;  win;,'-coverts  dark  ;,'rayisli,  also  Imr- 
dered  terminally  with  wliili'  or  li;;lit  hull'.  •Iu;^>ulum  snifused  with  liulfand  indistinctly 
streaked.  Winj,'s,  alM)nt -I.".")-.').!!!!  ;  cnlnien,  ahont  .!)(• ;  tarsus,  .!)(•  ;  middle  toe,  .70.  //uh. 
We.Hteru  America,  fioni  the  Arctic  Ue^jions  to  l*ataj,'onia;  -ilraKuler  in  Kastern  North 
America. 

4.  A.  maoulata.     Miildle  tail-feathers  wed^^e-shaped  at  the  end  and  projectin;{  a  (quarter  of 

un  inch  or  .  lore  l)e>ond  the  rest.  Ujiper  tail-coverts  dusky,  like  the  rninp,  the  outer 
feathers  whitish,  marked  with  dusky,  .rni^nlnm  and  hreast  lij^ht  day-color,  streaked 
with  dusky.  A  dull :  Ahove,  without  whitt!  inarkinj,'s.  Ynniiij:  Scapulars  hordereil  ternii- 
nnlly  with  whit(!.  Wii%  ahout  .'i.iHt ;  culnien,  1.10;  tar.sns,  l.oo-l.lO;  nddille  toe,  .!K). 
Hith.  America  in  ;,'eneral,  hreedin;,'  in  the  Arctic  llej^ions. 
6.  A.  acumiuata.  Similar  to  .1.  maculdtn,  hut  with  the  middle  tnil-featherH  Htill  mirrower 
and  more  jiointed,  the  hill  smaller,  thoJuLiidum  and  hreast  fcnrcely  streaked  ;  lower  tail- 
covert.s  marked  with  shaft-streaks  of  <lnsky  (entiiely  absent  in  mitrulata)  ;  jiilenm  deep 
rusty,  in  strong'  contrast,  Ailiilf  :  I'pper  parts  brownish  ^;ray,  the  feathers  marked 
centrally  with  blackish  ;  ju^'ulum  and  iireasi  pale  j^rayish  bull',  very  spars(dy  streaked  ; 
pilouni  cinmunoii-hiown,  streakecl  with  blackish.  Ynunij  :  Above,  rusty  fulvous,  the 
feathers  of  tln^  bai^k  and  the  scapulars  blai:k  centrally,  the  lar;,'er  feathers  edj,'ed  termi- 
nally with  white  ;  pilenm  brij,dit  rusty  ruf(Uis,  in  very  shar]t  contrast  with  a  whitish 
superciliary  strijie,  and  streaked  with  black  ;  throat  immaculate  white  ;  Jut;ulum  an<l 
bren.st  dcej)  rusty  ochraetfous,  the  former  narrowly  streaked  anteriorly.  Winj;,  about 
5.(K)  ;  culmen,  scarcely  1.00  ;  tarsus,  l.:JO  ;  middle  toe,  .85.  Hub.  Australia,  etc.  ;  abun- 
dant in  autumn  on  coast  of  Alaska. 
Ct    Size  very  small  (winj,'  less  than  4.00). 

6.  A.  minutilla.  Middle  tail-feathers  slij,ditly  projecting,  narrow  and  somewhat  pointed  at 
end  in  summer,  broader  and  rounded  in  winter  pluma>^e.  Upper  tail-coverts  black- 
ish, the  lateral  ones  white,  marked  with  du.sky.  Adult  in  summer:  Back  and  scapu- 
lars black,  the  feathers  bor(lere(l  and  irre;,'ularly  barred  with  rusty  ochraceous  ;  tertials 
bordered  with  the  same.  Juf,'ulum  ilull  white,  streaked  with  dusky.  Adult  in  muter: 
Above,  uniform  browni.sh  t^ray,  the  feathers  with  indi.stinct  dusky  nie.eial  streaks,  most 
distinct  on  the  back.  .luj,'ulum  pale  jjrayish,  indistinctly  .streaked.  Youmj:  .Similar  to 
the  adult  in  summer,  but  the  scapulars  and  exterior  feathers  of  the  back  bordered  termi- 
nally on  outer  webs  with  white,  aiul  lackinr;  the  concealed  ochraceous  bars.  Ju};uluni 
very  indistinctly  streaked,  as  in  the  winter  plumage.  Ilab.  North  America,  migrating 
into  South  America  in  winter. 


VOL.  I.  —  29 


I 


•;»; 


20 


IMMX'tHlAI,   (IKAI.I.ATOltKS        l,lMI(Ol,.K. 


Actodromas  CooperL 

COOFEB'S  SANDPIPEB. 

Triitgit  (',>«t»ri,  nArnn,  IMnU  X.  Am.  If.^H,  "Ml ;  >>l.  IstKi,  |il.  bl),  tij{.  I.  — C'iileu,  Clifck  Lint,  187a. 

IK).  IJ'J  ;  llinln  N.  W.  1H71,  I'.il. 
Trimjii  (AclmlriiiiKii)  I'lm/Hi-i,  C'liiiK'*,  Ki'>,  l'<7!i,  '.'.15. 

Aclmlnmum  {//ilirnpi/yiii)  CiHi/xri,  ii>Vi:»,  I'r.  Ac.  Nut.  Sri.  I'liil;hi.  IHtll.  i»(C2. 
Aclotlrumaa  CoKixri,  Uiimw.  Nmii,  N.  Am.  H.  IMHl.  no.  .111.').      Cm  i>,  <  lui  k  l.isi,  iM  nl.  iHS'-'.iio.  ills. 

IIaii.    Liii;^'  IhIiiiiiI  ;  unly  nnc  N|ii'('iiiii'ii  known. 

Si'.  CiiAK.  Xciirly 111  liirj,'!'  a-t  Trimin  iiuntluA,  Imt  u  lyi>it'iil  Ailixlrniniin  in  loi'iii  ami  ((ilnriilion. 
Atliill,  Hiimuur  plii mniji' :  Aliim.-l  c.xailly  like  A.J'nniir(iUiii,  Imt  with  u  Ii'mk  aninunt  of  ii'dilifh  tiiij,'i' 
Ik  the  uiipiT  iiai't-<,  ami  liit'  ii|i|M'r  laii-i'(ivcrli  iniiri'  ilistinrtly  iiiurkcii  willi  diixky.  Almvc,  limwii- 
isii  1,'ray,  llii'  Icatiu'r*  inarknl  (ciilriiily  willi  lilark,  ihikIui  in;,'  ratiicr  liir;,'c,  invj,'nlaily  ruinate  h|iiiis 
on  tliu  buck  ami  Hca|inlai><,  ami  liiii|,'itmlimil  siivakn  t'Ncwlii'iv,  the  laltcr  InuailcHt  mi  tlic  cruwii, 
wlicre  tlii^  o|uuiiil-nil(ir  imlinos  to  ^iiayiMJi  Imll';  a  lew  nl'  the  HcaiPuluiH  hli;;liily  liii;;c(l  witli  li;;ij| 
iiisty  (iclirut'ci)UH  ;  iiiinii  |,'iayisli  tliHky,  llu'  t'catlu'is  IpuiiIitimI  with  ^,'rayi^<li  wliiti-,  ami  inaikfil  willi 
lilackUh  bhart-Htri'ako  ;  ^^\>[n:i•  lail-(  tpviris  white,  witli  iiivj^ulur  winittatt^  maikinK'<  of  tlunky.   Wiii),'- 


1  ' 
i  i; 

1-1 

V  ■ 

s: 


coverts  hrowni.sli  fjray,  the  sinalh-r  witli  diiikiT  rentres  ami  lihukisi,  .-hafts,  the  ^renter  ilistin<'tlv 
tipped  with  white  ;  reniij,'e.s  dusky,  the  inner  piiinarii'.s  edj,'ed  toward  bases,  the  secoiidanes  towanl 
aiul  around  ends,  with  white  ;  shafts  of  tiiu  jiiiniaries  white,  liecoininj,'  brown  basally  and  termi 
iially.  Tail  li^ht  brownish  -^ray,  the  middle  fealiiers  darker  terminally,  the  others  indistinctly 
elided  with  whitish,  liower  i)arts  white,  the  sides  of  the  head  and  neck  and  the  jnj,'uluni  tingiil 
with  light  rusty  bull',  and  thickly  streaked  with  dusky  ;  breast,  sides,  and  Hanks  marked  with 
coarser,  irrej,'ular,  mostly  loiij,'itudinal  specks  of  dusky,  becominj,'  saj,'ittate  in  form  on  the  Hanks; 
lower  tail-coverts  with  narrow  streaks  of  dusky.  Lininj,'  of  the  wiiii,'  white,  s])otted  e.Kterioiiy  and 
anteriorly  with  dusky  ;  under  primary  coverts  pale  ^ray,  ed;,'ed  and  tii)iied  with  white. 

Total  len;,'th,  about  9.5(1  inches  ;  wiiij,',  .').8(> ;  eulnien,  1.2.5  ;  tarsus,  1.20  ;  iniihllo  toe,  .8(1. 

The  relationships  of  this  bird,  the  type  specimen  of  which  still  remains  nniiiue,  are  umiuestion- 
ably  with  Actoilromas  fiiscicollis,  from  which  it  could  hardly  be  distinf,'uished,  were  it  not  for  its 
much  greater  size.  The  plumage  is  entirely  the  same,  e.vcept  that  there  is  le.ss  of  n  reddish  tinge 
above,  and  the  upper  tail-coverts  nre  more  distinctly  relieved  by  V-.shapcd  markings  of  dusky.  It 
is  totally  distinct  from  7'.  canutus,  with  which  it  scarci-ly  needs  comparison  at  all,  the  very  dilferent 
proportions,  aside  from  the  differences  in  coloration,  distinguishing  it  at  once. 

The  history  of  the  niiinners,  liabits,  and  distribution  of  this  rare  species  continiios 
to  remain  unknown,  and  its  existence  as  a  veritable  species  to  rest  on  the  eviih^ice  of 
a  single  specimen.  The  type,  which  has  thus  far  remained  uniipie,  was  taken  on 
the  24th  of  May,  1833,  on  liaynor  South,  Long  Island,  by  William  Cooper,  and  named 
by  I'rofessor  Baird  in  honor  of  its  discoverer.  We  know  nothing  as  to  any  indi- 
vidual peculiarities  exhibited  at  the  time  of  its  capture,  but  we  may  venture  the 
suggestion  that  its  habits  probably  do  not  essentially  differ  from  those  of  the  Bouor 
parte  Sandpiper. 


SCOLOI'ACID.K      TIIK  SNIIM-;   KAMII.V -ACToDlloMAH. 


227 


ActodromsB  fiiscieollls. 

BONAPABTI'B  IAN  DPI  PER. 

7      /It  fii^ciritlth,  ViKii.i..  N'lmv.  hilt.  .\.\.\IV.  IHlli,  |i!l  (IuimiI  mi  Chni'l  iln  ftrnlitrrjo  }tardo,  Al.\\\.\, 

.\|iiinl.  III.  \M\:<,  Wi'l,  I'liniKimy).      r..ii>,  HinlH  N.  \V.  In7(,  \>il. 
Tfiiiijii  Schiir.ii,  U..NAI'.  .Syiio]..  l.sjs,  •J41» ;  Am.  Oni.  IV.  1SU3,  ♦ll>,  pi.  2»,  I'lK.  '2.  -  Ni'TT.  Mftii. 

il.   1«:U,  Mit.       .Sw.  &  Itidi.   K.  H.  A.  II.  ISill,  :)84.  —  Aii>.  Orn.  Ilhi^.  ill.  Isa.J,  C'.'O.  |il. 

278  ;  ."^yimi..  IMlll*,  SM  ;  H.  Am.  V.  1812,  •J7.'>,  pi.  :W.'». 
ri/».7'(  lti,iiii,Hii'lri,  .S.  iii.r.ii.  II.'V.  ('lit.  Oii.  Vmv.  ink,  «it.       Cass,  in  Mniid's  It.  N,  Aim.  IH.IS,  722 

(imrt).    -U.viiii),  t'lit.   N.  Am.  H.  IH.I'.i.  im.  .MU.  —  CmiiN,  Key,  1872,  25.1;  (lurk  List,  187!l, 

no.  421. 
AdiiihitmiiH  noiiii]xirti-i,  CniKs,  Clicik  List,  2cl  imI.  18S2,  im.  tllT. 
'J'liiiijii  iiltln mil  11.1,  Hl,.\s.   List  H,  Lllf.   iMi-J,   11'  (liw  ViKII.I..), 
Triiii/ii  ilcrmilin,  Lniii'.  Xi.iiiiiirl.  IH.'il,  !i-.'  (liiii'  IMsi.s.hkii). 
ActiKlrumas jHHCii-oll is,  Uiikiw.  Nom.  N.  Am.  II.  1SS2,  no,  S.'W. 

IIah.  KiiHttTii  Priivitici!  of  North  AiiitTicn,  lirwdiiii^  in  \\w  lii^-li  north  ;  in  winttr,  the  wholu 
(>r  Miilillt!  Aini'rica,  South   Aniurica,  iiml   tlu;  WcMt    IiidicH ;    Falklmul    Islunils  ;   orciiHional  in 

lUlllllH'. 

.Si>.  Char.  Adult  in  Hummrr:  ALovf,  lij^lit  Lrownisii  ^,'riiy,  niiirli  tiiit,'i'(l,  iiaiticuhiriy  on  the 
I'i'nwii,  liuuk,  niiil  iniiur  HcupulaiN,  witli  li^'lit  nisty  Imll'  or  ochnKu-ouH,  all  tliu  fi'atht-rM  Lhu'k  ccn- 
Irnlly,  tln'sc  niaikiiij,'^  lar^'i'st  ami  somcwiiai  V-slia]M'il,  or  siij,'itiiiti",  on  tlic  seaimlars,  stivak-likc 
clsi'wlii'ii',  tile  strraki  lifoaiicst  on  the  cidwn  ami  Irick  ;  iiim|i  tliisky  lilackiMli,  the  iVatlii'is  Imr- 
(liVfcl  with  li^iht  ^^v^^y ;  n\>\»'v  tail-i  ovitIs  |pimi'  wliili',  in  niarkcil  coiitriiHt,  Hniiic  of  tiiu  I'l-atiicrH 
liaviii;,'  irri'Ljular  sai^'ittali',  lllo^•liy  iMimcalcil,  spots  nl'  liiisky.  Tail  Lrownish  ^,'ray.  tin'  niidillc 
ri'ullu'i's  iilacki-*h,  ami  ail  sli;,'litly  ciI^imI  with  whitish.     \Vin(,'-iovurts  ami  tortial.s  brownish  gray, 


«V  V» 


lit,'hter  on  edges  nnd  dusky  centrally,  the  slinfta  nearly  black.  Superciliary  stripe  iirul  entire  lower 
parts  pure  white;  auriculars  li^jht  l)utr,  iiidistiuctly  streaked  ;  sides  of  head  and  lu'ck,  foreneck, 
.jii,i,'Mluni,  and  upi)er  jmrt  of  breast,  streaked  or  ilashed  with  dusky;  sides  and  Hanks  with  larj,'er 
irre;,'ular  marking's  of  the  same.  Adult  in  winter  :  Wiii^js,  rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  and  tail  as  in 
summer  pluuu.j,'e  ;  rest  of  ii](per  jiarts  continuous  browuish  j,'ray,  relieved  iiy  rather  indistinct 
mesial  streaks  of  black  ;  streaks  on  juj^uluni,  etc.,  less  sharply  detined  than  in  the  suininer  plu- 
m;i;,'e.  Young,  Jirst  plnnuirii' :  Hack  aiul  scapulars  black,  the  feathers  liordered  terminally  with  pure 
white,  and  laterally  with  ferruj,'iiuius,  those  of  the  middle  of  the  back  also  tipped  with  this  color  ; 
feathers  of  the  luleuiu  and  rump,  as  well  as  the  tertials,  also  bordered  with  rusty  ;  win<,'-covert8 
bordered  with  pale  grayish  bufl'.  Otherwise  as  in  the  winter  plumage,  but  breast,  juguluni,  etc., 
sufl'used  with  ])ale  fulvous. 

Total  length,  about  7  inches;  wing,  4.90;  ciilmeii,  .0()-l.(M)  ;  tarsus,  ,05-l.(X) ;  middle  toe, 
.7()-.75. 

Specimens  from  South  Americit  are  exactly  like  northern  ones,  among  which  there  is  the  usual 
anioimt  of  individual  variation.  In  niidsuinmer  the  black  of  the  back  and  scapulars  increases  in 
relative  extent,  ]>artly  by  the  wearing  away  of  the  rusty  borders  to  the  feathers,  until,  in  some 
examples,  the  dorsal  asjiect  is  chiefly  black. 


t! 


228 


Pll.ECOCIAL  GHALLATOKES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


I    a   I 


The  history  of  tlu'  luibits  aiul  iiianner  of  life  of  the  Bonaparte  Sandpiper  is  still 
Init  inipt'rfc'ctly  known,  and  tlic  entire  ranj,'e  of  its  distribntion  is,  without  donhi. 
very  far  from  liav'Mg  been  fully  ascertained.  On  tlie  Atlantie  eoast  and,  to  a  eertain 
extent,  in  tiie  interior,  it  is  a  migratory  visitant,  botii  in  the  sjiring  and  in  the  i'lill. 
During  the  season  of  reproduetion  it  visits  liigh  Arctic  regions,  is  known  to  breed  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  Arctic  coast,  and  is  given  by  Heinhardt  as  one  of  the  birds  of 
(Jreenland.  It  is  stated  by  llolbiiU  to  breed  near  .Juliauehaab,  where  small  Hocks 
of  old  and  young  were  observed  by  him  in  August.  A  very  young  bird  was  obtained 
at  Nenortalik  in  If^.'Jo,  another  in  1840.  and  three  others  in  l!S41. 

It  is  also  said  to  occur  and  to  Itreed  in  the  extreme  southern  ])ortions  of  Sontli 
America,  and  to  visit  tiie  Falkland  Islands.  During  its  autumnal  nngrations  it  is 
found  in  Bermuda,  where  Major  Wedderburn  nu't  with  it  in  the  fall,  and  where  it 
was  in  company  with  A.  iiKiriihitn. 

In  .Massachusetts  it  also  occurs,  but  is  not  a  very  common  bird.  ftfr.  "William  ]>rews- 
ter  informs  me  that  in  this  State,  according  to  his  observations,  it  is  not  abundant, 
although  its  visits  are  constant,  uniform,  and  regular.  It  i)asses  north  in  May,  and 
reap])ears  in  its  southern  migr.ition  as  early  as  tiie  L'Oth  of  -hily.  It  has  a  very 
peculiar  note,  unlike  tliat  of  any  other  Sandpiper,  which  is  not  in  any  sense  a  whist- 
ling, but  is  a  low  lisiiing  stmnd,  and  almost  the  only  cry  of  a  shore-bird  which  is 
neither  mellow  nor  whistling.  When  disturbed,  it  moves  (piickly  off,  repeating  tiiis 
rather  low  note,  which,  however,  is  always  distinctly  audible  above  that  of  the  small 
Truujir  with  which  it  associates. 

According  to  ('ai)tain  C  ('.  Abbott,  this  little  Sandpiper  makes  its  appearance  in 
the  summer  on  the  Falkland  Islands,  and  is  known  tt)  breed  on  J'^ast  Falkland,  lie 
met  with  the  y(niiig  birds.  l)ut  was  not  al)le  to  find  their  nests.  Mr.  H.  Durnford 
also,  in  his  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Central  Patagonia,  speaks  of  this  s])ecies  as  resident. 
lie  found  it  very  common  in  the  valleys  of  both  the  Sengtd  and  the  Sengelen,  and 
always  in  flocks. 

This  species,  once  confounded  with  distinct  European  species,  was  supposed  to 
have  a  more  cosmopolitan  distribution  than  it  is  now  credited  with.  At  present  it 
is  thought  to  be  coiiKiied  to  the  .Vmerican  continent,  occurring  along  the  entire 
Atlantic  sea-coast,  and  to  be  met  with  more  sparingly  on  the  banks  of  interior  rivers 
and  lakes. 

On  Long  Island,  according  to  (Jirand.  it  is  not  a  very  plentiful  species,  having 
never  been  observed  by  him  in  large  Hocks,  although  during  his  excursions  he  fre- 
quently met  with  small  parties  distributed  along  the  margins  of  creeks  and  pools, 
feeding  in  company  with  tiie  Semi])almated  Sandi)iper,  from  which  it  can  always  lie 
distinguished  by  its  superior  size.  It  is  described  as  being  more  watchful  than  that 
species,  seeming  to  be  more  alarmed  at  the  report  of  a  gun,  and  usually  flying  to  a 
greater  distance.  It  seldom  revisits  the  place  from  which  it  has  been  driven,  althougli 
its  less  timid  companion  always  returns  immediately  to  its  feeding-grounds,  seemingly 
as  unconcerned  as  Ixsfore  its  flight.  jMr.  Criraud  also  states  that  he  has  met  with  this 
species  along  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  River  near  Toughkeepsie,  and  on  the  margins 
of  ponds  in  the  interior  counties  of  Xew  V'ork. 

Itichardson  states  that  he  found  this  species  not  unfrequent  on  the  shores  of  the 
small  lakes  which  skirt  the  Saskatchewan  I'lains.  Air.  Audubon  met  with  it  at  differ- 
ent times  in  Kentucky,  and  along  the  Atlantic  shores  from  Florida  to  Maine.  In  the 
United  States  he  observed  it  only  in  the  latter  part  of  autumn  and  in  the  winter. 
He  procured  examides  in  Labrador  at  the  beginning  of  August,  which  were  all  young 
birds  about  to  take  their  departure.     He  secured  also  specimeua  at  St.  Augustiiu'. 


i  Si 


ml 


SCOLOPACID.-E  ~  THE  SNIPE  FAiflLY  —  ACTODIIOMAS. 


229 


It 


ill  Florida,  on  the  2(1  of  December,  lie  has  always  foiiiul  this  species  less  shy  than 
iinv  other  of  the  same  genus;  in  this  respect  his  observations  not  according  with 
tliose  of  Giraud. 

Tiie  author  of  the  "  Key  to  Nortli  Auu-rican  Itirds  "  met  with  birds  of  this  species 
in  Labrador,  for  tlie  first  tiuu",  .hily  .'}().  On  the  1st  of  September,  when  lie  left  that 
rcijion,  it  was  his  belief  that  they  wen-  still  as  numerous  as  ever.  They  were  found 
in  i,'n'at  abundanc^e  on  the  rocky  shores  t)f  that  region,  where  covered  with  seaweeds 
and  interspersed  with  muddy  Hats  and  shallow  pools,  in  which  these  l)irds  wade  cpiite 
up  to  cheir  breasts,  and  also  in  situations  where  he  never  found  any  other  kind  of 
Sam'piper  —  on  large  masses  of  rock  slofjing  down  abruptly  to  the  water,  green  and 
slippery  from  the  continued  dashing  of  the  spray.  The  bird  seemed  to  be  very  fond 
of  these  localities. 

Of  all  the  Sandpipers,  this  is  spoken  of  as  the  most  gentle  and  unsuspecting,  and 
as  being  utterly  regardless  of  the  near  iii»proach  of  man,  not  even  intermitting  its 
ui'cupation  of  scare)  '.ng  for  food,  though  the  observer  may  be  standing  within  a  few 
tci't  of  it.  When  startled,  it  Hies  oft'  in  a  very  compact  flock,  uttering  a  low,  soft 
turef,  very  different  from  that  of  any  other  Sandi>iper.  If  a  part  of  a  flock  be  killed, 
the  hunter  may  make  ecpr.il  hiivijc  with  his  second  barrel,  as,  after  a  few  cirdings, 
those  left  fly  past  or  aliglit  again  on  the  same  spot.  This  bird  flies  rapidly,  in  a  rather 
unsteady  manner,  alternately  showing  the  under  and  the  upper  i)arts,  and  may 
always  be  recognized,  when  on  the  wing,  by  the  eonsjticuously  white  ujjper  tail- 
coverts.  It  was  found  associating  with  the  Semiitalnuited  Sandpipers  and  the  King 
1 'lovers.     Those  procured  were  not  cons])icuously  fat. 

Mr.  N.  ]{.  Moore  informs  us  that  he  met  with  this  s])ecies  in  Fhn-ida  during  the 
winter  months,  but  that  the  greater  j)ortion  seemed  to  move  farther  south.  The 
same  ge:  tleman  in  IiSTO  again  observed  this  si)ecies  on  Fortune  Island,  one  of  the 
liahamas,  where  he  ])rocured  an  examine  as  early  as  the  oth  of  Augvist. 

Mr.  Xelson  found  this  bird  a  r.ither  common  migrant  on  the  shores  of  Lake 
.Micliig.in,  in  Illinois.  He  met  with  it  as  late  as  tlh- Dth  of  .lune.  Dr.  Hoy  writes 
of  it  as  a  bird  formerly  abundant  near  Uacine  during  its  migration.s,  but  as  now  (juite 
rare;  and  Mr.  R.  V.  (Jlarke  is  (piott.'d  as  having  taken  this  species  late  in  autumn 
upon  the  lake  shore  near  Chicago.  Dr.  James  ('.  Mt'rrill  mentions  it  as  common  in 
Southeastern  Texas  during  the  winter. 

Mr.  L.  Kumlien  states  that  this  species  breeds  in  Kinguah  and  Kinguite  fiords, 
anil  in  other  suitable  localities  on  both  shoriss  of  Cumberland  Sound.  Considerable 
nund)ers  'vere  observed  along  the  beach  near  Xuboyant,  on  the  west  shore,  in  July, 
wliere  they  were  in  all  probability  breeding. 

ilr.  MacFarlane  was  so  fortunate  as  to  meet  with  several  nests,  with  the  eggs,  of 
tills  species  on  m-  near  the  Arctic  coast.  One  of  those,  takej*  .fuly  3  on  the  shore  of 
till' Ar(!tic  Sea,  contained  four  eggs  with  very  large  embr,  os.  Another,  found  on 
till'  following  day,  contained  three  eggs.  A  third,  found  June  2d  on  the  IJarren 
(Jround.^,  was  -.:  mere  dejjressiou  in  the  ground,  lined  with  a  few  decayed  leaves,  con- 
taining four  eggs  with  very  large  end)ryos.  A  fourth,  obtained  on  the  banks  of  a 
small  river,  was  comj)osed  of  a  few  decayed  leaves,  and  held  four  eggs. 

Eggs  of  this  species  found  on  the  Barren  Grounds,  near  the  Arctic  coast,  by  Mr. 
MacFarlane  (S.  I.  Xo.  11329),  are  pyriform  in  shai)e,  and  have  a  ground-color  of  a 
lufous  drab  mark(Hl  with  bold  i)atches  of  dark  sepia  brown,  intersjjei'sed  with  spots 
in  which  this  shade  is  deejiened  almost  into  blackness,  and  which  aie  collected  in 
continent  grouiiings  aroiuid  t\n'.  larger  end.  These  eggs  measure  1.35  inches  in  length 
by  Ai')  in  breadth. 


!    "■: 


230  PR.ErOCTAL  GUALLATOUES  —  LLMICOL J). 


Actodromas  BairdL 

BAIBD'S  SAKDFIPEB. 

(?)  Tringn  melannlm,  VlEItl-  Xouv.  Diet.  XXXIV.  181i»,  402  (bused  on  ChorUlo  lomo  negro,  AZAlu). 
Triuija  liimninirta,  ".Siiliu;."  Tans,  in  itaiid's  li.  X.  Am.  18J8,  7-'2  (luirt  ;  nee  .Sciileo.), 
T.imja  nXHCuhttii,  S<  IILK/;.  Mus.  I'.-I5.  Scolopaccs,  18(i4,  aH  (l>iut). 
Aclinlromdn  Uninlii,  CorEs  I'r.  A<'.  Nat,  Sci.  riiilud.  18(51,  I'.H  ;  <'iicek  List,  2(1  ed.  1882,  no,  615. 

—  KiDfjw.  Noin.  X.  Am.  15.  Ibsl,  no.  u'il. 
Ti'itif/ft  Italnlii,  .S  i_  I*.  Z.  S.  1S67,  332  (fiiili).  —  Coueh,  Key,  1872,  255;  Check  List,  1873,  no. 

41!> ;  Bird.H  N.  \\.  1*74,  4»4. 

Hab.  America  in  <.'<?neral,  but  cliieliy  tlic  inti^ior  of  tlio  imrfhern,  and  the  western  portion  nf 
tlie  southern,  continent,  tanyfinj.' from  tlie  Antic  const  to  Chili  and  IJueno.s  Ayre.s  ;  rare  in  the  Eust- 
eni  Province,  anil  not  jx-t  ret-onlwl  from  the  Pacilic  coast  of  the  United  States  ;  accidental  in  South 
Africa  ? 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  in  mmmtr:  Alnjve,  varie^'ated  with  black  and  grayish  buff,  the  former  pre- 
vailin;;,  in  the  form  of  irTt-.nilar.  s<»me\vliat  diamond-shaped  ."ipots  on  the  back  and  scapulars,  the 
buff  occupyinf,'  most  of  Uk-  Uinler  «f  the  feathers,  and  sending,'  indentations  toward  the  shaft  ;  else- 
where, the  Idack  fomi.'t  «lij>tiiict  stn'a1-«,  widest  on  the  crown  and  anterior  part  of  the  back  ;  rump 
and  upper  tail-covtrl.' <ltt'ky-brownisli  black,  feathers  bordered  with  dull  clay-color,  the  e.xterim- 
ones  of  the  latter  cliii-flv  whit«-,  with  irre|,'ular  U-shaped  markings  of  dusky.  Tail  light  brownish 
gray,  the  middle  fL-ather  nearly  black,  all  narrowly  edged  with  whitish.  Wing-coverts  and  ter- 
tials  grayish  brown,  with  lighter  eilges  and  darker  centres  ;  reniiges  dull  slate.  Lower  parts  white, 
the  sides  of  the  head  ami  iit«-k-  the  jugulum,  and  anterior  portion  of  the  sides,  streaked  with  dusky. 
Adult  in  winkr :  AUnx-,  continuoui*  grayish  clay-color,  the  feathers  with  darker  mesial  streaks; 
rump  and  midille  u]>|N.-r  tail-coverts  dusky,  the  feathers  bordered  terminally  with  dull  clay-color  ; 
lateral  uppi-r  tail-covt.-rt-*  brownish  white.  Beneath,  brownish  white,  the  jugulum,  breast,  sides 
(anteriorly),  and  side*  of  the  neck,  deeply  sulfused  with  day-color  or  dull  huff.     Yoawj,  first  ■phi- 


mage:  Above,  grayi.<h  rlay-<rolor.  the  sc^tpulars  and  interscapulars  blackish  centrally,  and  conspicu- 
ously bordered  with  wbiti-h  tenninally  ;  the  feathers  of  the  crown  and  nape  .streake<l  with  dusky. 
Wing-coverts,  ramp,  cti%,  uiucli  as  in  the  winter  ]»lumage  ;  sides  of  the  head  and  neck,  the  jugulum, 
and  breast,  i>ale  clay-color,  nitlier  indistinctly  streaked  with  dusky.     Other  lower  j)arts  white. 

Total  length,  al>oul  7.«"0  to  7.5«t  inches;  e.xtent,  about  L5.()()  ;  wing,  about  4.75  ;  culmen,  usually 
less  than  l.(M>  inch;  larynx,  nearly  l.tKI;  middle  toe,  about  .70.  Bill  black;  iris  dark  blown; 
legs  and  feet  slate  black. 

Baird's  Sandpifier  has  hifn  so  rorpiitly  rcPOfi;nize(l  as  a  spoeips  wholly  rtistiiirt 
from  tlie  IJonajiarte  Hanil|(i)K'r.  that  inucli  remains  to  be  learned  in  regard  to  its 
distribution  and  other  sfM-i-iH*-  iK'etdiarities.  Its  early  history  has  been  more  or  less 
blended  with  that  of  other  sjM'cies  to  which  it  has  certain  proximate  resemblances. 
It  is  probable  that  when  suftieient  ('xjtlorations  shall  have  been  made  to  develop  a 
knowledge  of  it.s  migrations  and  habits,  it  will  be  found  to  have  a  much  wider 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE   SXIl'K   KA^riLY  —  ACTODROMAS. 


231 


distribution  than  was  at  first  supposed;  indeed  it  is  already  known  to  be  j^enerally 
distributed  throughout  the  interior  of  North  Anu'riea  and  to  the  western  portions  of 
South  Anu'rica,  and  it  has  quite  recently  l)een  ascertained  to  be  of  occasional  occur- 
rence on  the  Atlantic  coast.  .Mr.  II.  W.  llensliaw  procured  a  single  specimen,  Aug. 
1'",  1870,  on  one  of  the  islands  in  IJoston  Harbor;  and  since  then  Mr.  jMaynard  has 
obtained  some  of  this  species  near  Ipswicli,  Mas.s.,  and  examples  have  been  taken  on 
the  same  coast  by  others. 

In  his  "  Notes  on  the  liirds  of  Colorado,"  Mr.  .1.  A.  Allen  mentions  meeting  with 
tliis  species  in  that  State,  not  far  from  Colorado  City;  and  Dr.  Woodhouse  speak.-  of 
set'iug  birds  of  this  species  at  different  tiuu's  in  various  i)arts  of  the  Indian  Territory, 
as  well  as  in  New  Mexico,  calling  them  Tnii'j<(  Sfhlnx!!.  'I'lie  sjKicimens  jirocured 
liy  Dr.  Woodliouse  near  the  I'ueldo  of  Zuni  are  in  the  National  Aluseuni,  and  are  now 
known  to  belong  to  this  species,  thus  extending  its  range  to  the  region  Avest  of  the 
IJocky  IMountains. 

It  has  also  been  a.scertained  that  three  examples,  referred  to  by  Mr.  Cassin  as 
Trliii/a  lionajxirtei,  really  l>elonged  to  tliis  species.  These  wer(!  from  Onudia,  Fort 
Kearney,  ami  the  Yellowstone  JJegion ;  and  it  is  now  known  tluit  (huing  the  fall 
migration  in  the  nu)nth  of  August  this  sjjecies  is  one  of  the  nu)st  abundant  Sandpi- 
pers in  Dakota,  Ichdio,  and  Montana.  It  occurs  in  small  Hocks  ah)ng  the  rivers  and 
small  lakes,  and  also  in  all  otlier  suitable  places  anu)ng  the  liocky  3I(mntains.  It  is 
not  only  found  among  the  small  saliiu-  ])ools  of  the  prairies,  generally  near  water- 
courses, but  also  at  tinu-s  at  a  distance  from  any  permanent  stream.  It  is  described 
;is  a  very  quiet  and  gentle  species,  and  one  that  may  be  app>roached  and  secured  with 
ease. 

]\Ir.  Ilenshaw,  in  his  Report  on  tlie  IJirds  of  Ttab  and  Colorado,  states  that  during 
its  sjjring  and  fall  migrations,  IJaird's  Sandpiper  occurs  over  most  of  the  interior  of 
North  America.  Througlumt  Colorado,  New  ^lexico,  and  Arizona  he  found  it  (piite 
evenly  distributed,  making  its  appearance  from  the  nortli  about  the  latter  part  of 
August,,  and  becoming  toleraltly  common  in  Se[)tember.  He  never  met  with  it  in 
large  Hocks,  not  more  than  five  or  six  being  generally  found  together,  the  number 
i)eiiig  often  sw(dled  by  the  addition  of  a  few  of  other  species  oi  AVaders.  These  birds 
are  so  unsuspicious  that  he  has  often  walked  uj)  to  within  a  dozen  feet  of  a  little  flock, 
as  they  scattered  about  with  liasty  steps  in  search  of  food.  They  are  not  so  )»artial  to 
the  vicinity  of  water  as  most  of  the  other  members  of  the  Wading  family,  although  in 
general  sharing  their  habits.  He  not  unfrequently  met  with  them  about  the  stock 
corrabs,  and  even  in  yards  (dose  to  the  houses. 

In  the  sunnner  of  1872,  late  in  August,  Mr.  Tri])i)e  saw  large  flocks  of  this  species 
near  the  summit  of  Mount  Evans  in  Colorado,  at  an  elevation  of  nearly  fourteen 
thoiisand  feet  above  the  sea ;  they  were  fV-eding  on  grasshojjpers. 

Mr.  Kidgway  has  also  met  with  this  8])eeies  in  Nevada,  where  he  found  it  rather 
eonnnon  during  the  period  of  its  migrations,  associating  with  various  other  Sandpi- 
pers, particularly  with  Artodromus  niiiiKfilln  and  I'Jirinirtrs  /Htnlllitn.  It  hits  also  been 
noticed  on  the  I'acific  coa.st,  a.s  ^Ir.  Dall  states  that  one  specimen  was  obtained 
l»y  Bischoff  at  Sitka,  and  several  at  Kadiak;  and  it  is  not  rare  on  the  Yukon.  A 
single  specimen  was  procured  on  Amak  Island,  north  of  the  peninsula  of  Alaska,  by 
Captain  Everett  Smith. 

Mr.  J.  Edmund  Ilarting,  in  the  "  Ibis  "  (1870,  ]).  151),  states  that  a  single  specimen 
of  this  species  was  taken  at  Walvisch  Hay,  Africa,  Oct.  L'4, 18G3.  The  finding  of  this 
species  in  Southwestern  Africa  a])pears  to  be  not  a  little  remarkiible,  as  it  has  thus 
far  not  been  recognized  as  occurring  in  Europe.     The  specimen  from  Walvisch  Bay 


■  J«P^WWIW»I»  l>>  »■■  '^w»v. 


232 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATOllES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


wiis  I'omul  ill  the  collpotion  inadc  thore  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Anderson,  and  carefully 
idontilied. 

Mr.  Nelson  regarded  tiiis  species  as,  in  his  experience,  a  rather  \ineonunon  migrant 
in  Northeastern  Illinois,  diirinj;  the  middle  of  May,  and  .again  in  the  last  of  August 
and  the  first  of  Septenilier.  It  was  generally  found  in  small  parties  or  singly,  in 
company  with  otiier  species  of  Sandpipers ;  hut  it  was  occasionally  seen  in  large 
flocks.  The  same  writer,  in  his  Notes  on  tiu'  IJirds  observed  by  him  on  the  Jhnnboldt 
River,  near  Elko,  Nevada,  states  that  several  flocks  of  ]?iiird's  Sandpij)er  were  noticed 
on  the  small  sandbars  along  the  river,  and  that  a  single  exanii)le  was  obtained. 

Dr.  tJames  ('.  Merrill  nu'utions  tiiat  two  specimens,  both  fenudes,  were  taken  by 
him  on  the  Lower  Rio  CJraude,  Marcii  .'50,  l.S7(i,  on  a  sandbar  in  the  river. 

This  species  was  found  breeding  on  the  Barren  (Jrounds,  .June  24,  by  Mr.  Mac- 
F.arl.ane.  The  nest  h.ad  been  made  on  the  ground  in  a  swampy  district,  between  two 
sm.all  Lakes,  and  was  composed  of  a  few  decayed  leaves  laid  loosely  in  a  small  hole 
or  depression,  shaded  by  a  tuft  of  grass.  The  fem.ale  bird  glided  from  the  nest  on 
being  a])proached,  passing  closely  to  him,  and  then  fluttered  along,  drooping  her 
wings  .as  if  woiuuled,  endeavoring  thus  to  lead  him  away  from  the  nest.  This  was  ;i 
r.are  bird  in  that  quarter.  The  eggs  of  this  species  .are  usually  four  in  number. 
One  set  (S.  I.  No.  14()Sr>)  exhibit  the  following  measvu'ements :  1.40  by  .U9,  1..'}")  by 
1.02,  1.32  by  .98,  .and  l.;U  by  .08.  Their  ground-c(dor  is,  a  light  dr.ab,  generally  and 
very  uniformly  sprinkled  with  dottings,  spots,  aiul  a  few  Larger  confluent  blotches  of 
a  bright  sepia  brown.  These  are  occasionallj"  larger,  and  a  little  more  numerous  .at 
the  obtuse  end,  but  gener.ally  ai'c  distributed  with  very  little  difference  over  the 
whole  surface  of  the  egg. 

Actodromas  maculata. 

THE   FECTOBAL   SANDPIPER. 

TringamatuMa,  Vir.ii.i,.   Nouv.   Diet.   X.XXIV.    1819,   46.'>.  —  (.'ass.  in  Bnird's  B.  N.  Am.  l.S.'iS, 

720.  —  Baiui),  Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  18.ii),  no.  .''.31.  —  Couivs,  Key,  1872,  255  ;  Chock  List,  187.3,  no. 

420;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  486. 
Actodromas  maculata,  CoiEs,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.   Philad.  1861,  197,  230;  Cheek  List,  2d  cd.  1882, 

no.  616.  —  RiDGW.  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  534. 
Pclidna  pedoralis,  Boxap.  Comp.  List,  1838,  50. 
Tringa  pectoralis,  Say,  Long'.s  Exp.  I.  1823,  171.  —  Nutt.  Man.  IL  1834,  111.  —  Aun.  Orn.   Biog. 

IIL  1835,  601  ;  V.  1839,  .'582,  j.l.  294  ;  .'^ynop.  1839,  232  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1842,  259,  pi.  329. 
Tringa  dominiccnsis,  Deol.  Orn.  Eur.  IL  1849,  232. 


n 


\  vu? 


HAn.  The  whole  of  North,  nud  the  greater  part  of  South,  America,  ranging  south  in  winter 
to  Southern  Brazil  and  Chili  ;  West  Indies  in  general ;  Bernmd.^  ;  frequent  in  Europe  ;  North 
China  ?  (Swinh.  "  Ibis,"  18fi3,  97).     Breeds  in  Arctic  regions. 

Sp.  Char.    Adult  in  summer:  Above,  light  clay-color,  the  crown,  back,  scapulars,  and  tertials 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIFL;   FAMILY  —  ACTODKOMAS. 


233 


wushccl  with  lijjht  rufous  ur  rusty  ochracetius  ;  tlie  twitliers  black  ceiitrully,  proiluciuj,'  uonHpicuous 
streaks,  which  widen  into  spots  on  the  suapului's  and  back;  rump  and  middle  upper  tail-eoverta 
brownish  black  ;  lateral  upper  tail-coverts  white,  with  dusky  shalt-streaks.  Middle  tail-i'eathera 
dusky,  edj,'<Ml  with  lighter  ;  other  rectrices  pale  iirownish  j,'ray,  l)orderi'd  with  white.  Wiiif,'-covcrta 
liu'ht  1,'rayish  brown,  with  paler  lionlers  avd  darker  centres  ;  a  lit,dit  superciliary  Htri|ie,  and  a 
darker  loral  one.  Cheeks,  sides  of  the  neck,  whole  juguluni,  and  breast,  pale  day-color  or  li^jlit 
u'Viiyish  1;  ■•!',  streaked  with  dusky  ;  sides  sparsely  stri'ukeil.  Heiiiainin;^'  lower  parts  ininiaiiilate 
uliite.  "  IJasal  half  of  bill  dull  j^reenish  yellow"  (Nici.sox,  MS.).  Adult  in  u-iiilir:  Sindlar  to 
.-.uininer  pluiuaj^e,  but  the  rusty  tint  al)ovc  almost  or  wholly  absent,  anil  the  black  markini,'s  les.4 
sharply  delined.  Yomuj,  Jird  plutiuujc  :  Quite  similar  to  the  summer  adult,  but  the  scapulars  and 
outer  interscapulars  conspicuously  tipped  externally  with  white,  the  breast,  etc.,  more  distinctly 
bull',  and  rather  more  narrowly  streaked. 

Total  length,  about  !).(X)  inches;  wing,  about  5.(H) ;  culmen,  1.10;  tarsus,  l.(»()-l.l();  middle 
toe,  .!»(). 

Tlic  history  of  this  bird  is  very  iinport'cctly  known.  Duviiif,'  its  seasons  of 
migration  it  is  i\\\\t(>  iilmiKhuit,  both  on  tlu'  soa-coast  and  in  tlic  intt'rior,  about  the 
honlers  of  ponds  and  the  shores  of  lakes  and  rivers.  As  to  its  distribution  during 
the  breeding-season,  we  liavi-  no  jiositive  information.  Solitary  individuals  have  been 
ol)served  by  Mr.  Kumlien  about  i^ake  Koskoiunig  during  tlie  summer,  and  at  first  he 
supposed  they  were  breeding ;  but  as  no  nests  were  found,  it  is  supposed  that  these 
individuals  wt're  only  uiunated  birds.  This  speeies  has  also  been  observed  in  the 
viciinty  of  Boston  late  in  .Inly,  in  eonipaiiy  with  the;  nilniitilln  ;  but  it  is  impossible 
to  dcteriuine  whether  tiu!  birds  thus  seen  were  immature,  or  sueh  as  had  thus  early 
completed  the  (hities  of  incubation.  It  is  eonii)aratively  ran;  on  the  Pacific^  coast.  A 
single  specimen  was  collected  at  Sitka  by  Jiischoff,  and  Dall  speaks  of  it  as  iu)t  uncom- 
nioii  at  I'lover  Hay,  Siberia  ;  but  it  was  iu)t  noticed  by  him  on  the  Aleutian  Islands. 
Dr.  Cooper  has  met  with  iioiu'  on  the  California  coast,  but  states  that  they  have  been 
taken  at  I'uget  Sound;  ami  as  they  visit  South  America,  he  thinks  that  they  must 
oecusioiially  i)e  found  on  the  southern  coast  of  (lalifornia:  but  this  is  purely  eonjec- 
tural.  It  was  taken  at  Fort  Simi)Son  by  Mr.  15.  H.  Koss,  at  Fort  Anderson  by  Mi". 
MacFarlane,  and  at  Fort  Hesolutiou  by  'S\y.  Kennicott. 

In  the  winter  this  bird  visits  the  West  Indies,  Central  Anu'rica,  where  it  is  very 
abundant,  as  well  as  various  portions  of  South  America.  Mr.  Salvin  states  that 
aliout  the  beginning  of  April,  and  toward  tiie  end  of  the  dry  season,  a  great  portion 
of  the  stream  is  diverted  from  the  River  (xuacalate  aiul  thrown  on  the  open  pasture- 
bind  lu'ar  Dueiias,  in  Guatcmahi.  During  this  period  large  numbers  of  Srolo/mcldce 
frequent  the  iiuiudati'd  region ;  of  these  the  present  si)ecies  of  Wader  is  by  far  the 
most  abundant.  At  this  season,  as  it  thus  takes  its  food  from  fresh  water,  it  is  excel- 
lent eating.  .Mr.  Edward  Newton  ,,i<eaks  of  having  occasioiudly  met  with  this  bird, 
alter  Septend)er  14,  at  St.  Ci'oix,  where  he  oittained  several  examples.  He  did  not 
at  any  time  set>  more  than  two  of  "  "m  together.  Leotaud  gives  this  species  as  one 
of  the  migratory  visitants  of  Trinidad,  whither  it  goes  in  August,  remaining  into 
(•(•tober.  It  is  always  found  in  Hocks,  and  frequents  the  low  meadows  rather  than 
the  sea-shore.  It  is  often  seen  to  crouch  on  tlu;  ground,  and  is  known  on  the  island 
as  tins  "  crouching  shore-bird."  Not  unfrequently,  it  is  seen  accompanying  a  number 
of  the  raimtns,  the  latter  seeming  to  act  as  its  guides. 

Mr.  N.  B.  ^loore  procured  several  examples  of  this  species  in  the  Bahamas  as 
early  as  August  5.  In  South  Americ;i  its  occurrence  has  been  noted  even  as  far 
south  as  Patagonia.  Mr.  H.  Durnford  ("Ibis,"  1877)  found  it  abundant  in  the  Chupat 
Galley,  where  he  saw  large  Hocks  of  this  bird  about  the  salt  lagoon  to  the  north  of 
the  village,  and  also  on  the  sandy  fiats  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.     In  their  movement 

VOL.  I.  —  30 


i 


234 


PR^COCIAL  ORALLATORES  —  LIMICOL.'K. 


and  lialtits  they  closely  reseinhk'd  the  European  Dunlin,  Hying  in  a  body,  suddenly 
wheeling  round,  disiilayinj.'-  alti'rnati'ly  their  lij,'lit  undt'r-i)arts  and  dark  backs,  and 
usually  raisint,'  their  wings  over  their  l)acks  before  alighting,  whicli  they  all  do  at  tiie 
same  moment. 

Mr.  lioardman  informs  me  that  this  speeics  i.-.  ,uito  common,  both  in  the  .spring  and 
in  the  tall,  near  Calais,  where  it  is  seen  in  eomi)any  with  the  Common  Snii)e,  and  where 
it  feeds  exclusively  on  the  fre.sh-water  nuirshes  and  in  the  uplands.  It  is  distin- 
gui.shed  from  the  Common  Snipe  by  the  name  of  the  Jack  Snipe.  In  Massachusetts 
this  is  one  of  the  earliest  of  the  migratory  Waders,  ai>j)earing  about  the  middle  ol 
July.  It  is  also  one  of  the  last  to  leave,  as  its  migrations  continue  longer  than  those 
of  any  other  bird,  or  unt'l  the  middle  or  the  end  of  October.  If  it  appears  at  all  in 
its  s])ring  migrations,  it  passes  north  rapidly,  or  goes  through  in  the  night,  and  its 
passage  has  not  been  noted.  Major  Wedderburn  speaks  of  it  as  nujre  numerous 
in  Hermuda  than  Ilonaparte's  Sandj)i|)er.  U  was  not  noticed  prior  to  Sept.  L'O,  1.SI7, 
on  which  day  two  of  them  were  taken.  Alter  this  the  birds  becanu' common  in  nil 
the  swampy  ponds  and  bays.  On  tin-  'Jth  of  October,  1841),  they  a])peared  all  at  once 
in  thousands,  particularly  at  St.  tleorge,  after  a  heavy  gale  of  wind.  The  parade- 
ground  at  that  place  was  swarming  with  them,  and  one  of  the  otlicers  killed  between 
four  and  five  hundred  before  breakfast.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  stragglers,  all 
were  gone  by  the  following  day. 

According  to  Mr.  Moore,  this  bird  occurs  in  Florida,  but  only  in  the  early  winter. 

Mr.  Dresser  noted  the  aj)pearance  of  the  Pectoral  Sandi)iper  near  Matamoras  in 
July,  I8(t;5.  It  was  not  frequi-nting  the  salt-water  lagoons,  but  was  oftener  found  on 
the  banks  of  the  liio  (Jrande,  or  near  small  pools  after  a  rain.  In  April,  l.S(J4,  lie 
observed  several  snuUl  flocks  of  four  or  five  about  the  water-holes  near  San  Antonio, 
and  in  May  he  shot  three  at  Howard's  Kanch  on  the  Medina  River, 

In  sonu'  sea.sons,  according  to  (iiraud,  this  sjjecies  is  (juite  plentiful  on  the  shores 
of  Long  Island.  It  appears  generally  to  have  been  overlooked  by  the  hunters.  In 
the  sju'ing  it  is  not  seen  there  in  large  miml)er.s,  but  it  apparently  hastens  on  to  its 
breeding-places  with  but  little  pause.  Returning  to  Long  Island  in  August,  it  aj)- 
pears  in  increased  nundiers  on  the  necks  of  land  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  tide- 
water, and  is  also  found  among  the  islands  in  the  bay.  Although  large  niuubers  are 
sometimes  seen  occupying  the  same  feeding-grounds,  it  does  not  seem  to  be  a  social 
bird,  but  each  one  appears  to  be  intent  only  on  pntviding  for  its  own  comfort,  and  to 
be  tntirely  regardless  of  its  companions.  In  feeding,  the  Hock  scatters  over  the  bine 
places  which  occur  on  the  moist  ground  frequented  by  them,  and  when  thus  employeil. 
they  renuiin  silent.  They  are  by  no  means  wary,  and  regard  the  ai»proach  of  the 
hunter  with  indifl'erence.  On  oiu'  occasion,  when  Mr.  (iiraud  fell  in  with  a  large 
flock,  he  walked  up  to  within  a  close  shooting  distance  of  the  nearest  one,  appearing 
to  be  entirely  unnoticed.  Although  there  were  upward  of  fifty  in  view,  yet  they 
were  so  widely  di.stributi  (I  tliat  it  was  impossible  to  get  two  of  them  in  range ;  nor 
eould  he  effect  this  during  a  hunt,  in  the  course  of  which  he  obtained  twenty-one 
birds  at  as  many  different  shots.  At  the  report  of  the  gun  the  survivors  flew  on  ;i 
short  distance,  and  resunu'd  their  previous  occupation.  During  this  repeated  iirim; 
lie  did  not  observe  a  single  individual  |)ass  beyond  the  limits  of  the  nuiadow,  whicli 
was  oidy  a  few  acres  in  extent.  As  this  bird  flies  up  when  suri)rised,  it  presents 
a  fair  mark,  and  if  allowed  to  proceed,  flies  steadily  at  a  short  distance  above 
the  grouiul.  It  feeds  on  various  kinds  of  minute  insects,  and  also  on  the  smidl 
she^.  'sh  which  lie  near  the  surface,  but  at  times  may  be  seen  boring  with  its  bill  u< 
a  greater  depth.     On  dissection,  particles  of  plants  have  been  found  iu  its  stomach. 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNII'K   FAMILY  —  ACTODI{0^rAS. 


236 


Its  note  is  a  low  whist k',  which  is  not  often  ropeatcd,  except  when  tlic  bird  apprc- 
licntls  danger.  This  is  known  as  the  "Meadow  Snipe"  on  Long  Ishmd,  and  is  also 
(•;ilh'd  the  "  Sliort-nct'k."  It  is  (piitc  coninion  at  Egg  IIari)or.  X.  J.,  in  the  autumn, 
and  sonietitues  remains  tliere  until  Noveniljor;  toward  the  latter  part  of  the  season 
it  is  in  excellent  condition,  (hi  the  sea-coast  of  .New  Jersey  it  is  known  as  the 
•■  Kat-hird."  it  is  found  in  its  migrations  in  the  interior  of  I'ennsylvania,  and  is  there 
also  known  as  the  "Jack  Snipe."  Stragglers  also  occur  on  Long  Islaiul  in  the  month 
(li  Jidy;  but  there  is  no  rea.son  to  suppose  that  any  breed  there.  In  the  a\itumn  its 
llish  becomes  very  juicy  and  finely  flavored,  and  when  procured  late  in  the  .season  it 
is  said  to  be  superior  to  that  of  any  of  our  shore-birds,  and  fully  equal  to  any  upland 
game. 

This  species  has  been  taken  several  times  in  Great  ISritain,  wlu-re  they  occur  as 
stragglers  only;  they  were  shot  in  the  months  of  May,  Septend)er,  and  October, 
According  to  Prince  Charles  IJonaparte,  the  Pectoral  Sandpiper  is  found  in  lirazil 
and  at  Montevideo, 

Xuttall  states  that  in  his  day  many  lurds  of  this  species  were  killed  on  the  shores 
of  Cohas.sct  and  other  parts  of  Massachusetts  l>ay,  where  they  arrived  in  flocks  about 
the  end  of  August,  and  remained  into  Scpteud)er.  While  there  they  fed  on  small 
coleoptera,  larva-,  and  the  common  green  f/lva  Inflssimu,  as  well  as  on  several  species 
of  sea-weed.  When  startled,  they  uttered  a  low  plaintive  whistle.  Like  the  Snipe, 
it  seems  foiul  of  damj)  meadows  and  marshes. 

IJeiidiardt  includes  this  bird  among  those  of  Greenland  on  the  authority  of  a 
s|iecimeu  taken  in  1S.")1,  and  two  in  IS.")'.),  at  Nenortalik.  Mr.  B.  Ross  reports  this 
species  c()mnu)n  on  the  Mackenzii^  IJiver. 

It  is  not  known  to  l)reed  so  far  to  the  south  as  Labrador,  Init  makes  its  first  ap- 
]icaranco  there  al)out  tlu^  middle  of  August,  in  the  course  of  its  migrations  southward. 
Wherever  founil,  the  "Grass  Snipe,"  as  it  is  called  in  Massachusetts,  is  seldom  seen 
on  open  sandy  l)eaches,  preferring  low,  wet  inland  meadows.  When  found  near  the 
shore  it  fre(pients  the  uunhly  Hats  left  bare  i)y  the  re(!eding  tide  and  the  higher  salt- 
marshes.  It  has  more  of  the  habits  of  the  Common  Snipe  than  of  the  Tv'iiifjiv.  As 
it  starts  up  suddenly  fnun  the  ground  in  alarm,  its  zigzag  flight  is  very  Snipe-like, 
and  it  is  then  ([uite  as  ditticult  to  shoot  as  is  that  bird. 

Nothing  whatever  is  known  about  its  breeding,  either  as  to  locality  or  manner. 
It  has  been  thought  that  this  nuiy  take  place  somewhere  along  the  forty-ninth  paral- 
lel ;  this  is  but  a  conjecture,  not  amounting  to  a  probability. 

Actodromas  acuminata. 

THE  SHABP  TAILED  8ANDPIFEB. 

Totanus  acuminatus,  HonsF.  Linn.  Trans.  ,\'IIL  1821,  192. 

Trinrjancumimttn,  ^wisw.  P.  Z.  S.  lSii3,  :!1.^.  ;  Ibis,  18tW,  412.  -  Sciii.Eo.  Mns.  P.-P.  Tringm,  38. 

Limnocinclit.1  acumiiialitu,  Gr.AV,  Ilnml-I.  IIL  l.s71,  40. 

Actodromas  aciimiiicUa,  liiniiw.  Proc.  V.  H.  X.it.  Mus.  1881,  199,  222;  Noin.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no. 

533.  — focEs,  fhpck  List,  2(1  eil.  1882,  no.  619. 
Tritujaaustralis,  Jaud.  Illnstr.  Orn.  11.  pi.  91. 
Schmiklna  austral  is,  fi(iri.i),  Hinls  .\ustf.  VL  jil.  30. 
Tringa  ^•iifeswiis,  Vox  MinuENi).  .Siliir.  IJoisc,  221  (ncc  Vieii.i,.). 

Had.  Eastern  Asia,  migrating  south  to  Australia,  and  iiortheastwanl  to  coast  of  Alaska  (St. 
Micliael's ;  E.  W.  Xef-sox). 

Sp.  Char.  Adult:  Above,  brownish  gi'ay,  the  feathers  black  centrally  ;  pileum  cinnamon,  in 
marked  contrast,  and  broadly  streaked  with  black  ;  rump  and  middle  upper  tail-coverts  brownish 


236 


PR.KCOCIAL  GRALLATOHKS  —  LIMK'OL.fl. 


black  ;  lateral  upper  tnil-covertx  wliilu,  uticiikL-d  with  dusky.  Midillf  tiul-lpatlicrs  dusky,  ed^ed 
with  whiti.ih  ;  other  reetrices  deep  browuifih  mny,  distinctly  hoider.'d  wiiii  widte.  A  whitish 
superciliary  stripe,  sharply  delining  the  ciiiiiaiuon  oi'  liie  crown  ;  ju^'uhiui  very  palu  brownish  j^ray 
sparsely  streaketl  laterally  and  anteriorly  only  ;  reniainin;^' lower  parts  white,  the  sides  witii  sparse 
V-shaped  niarkinj,'s,  and  the  lower  tail-coverls  with  streaks  of  dusky  j,'rayish.  YouiKj.Jirst  plum- 
age:  Above,  cliietiy  brij,dit  rusty  ociiraceous,  liie  leathers  black  centrally,  the  outer  scapulars  ami 
interscapulars  edj,'ed  terminally  with  whiti'  ;  whole  pileum  brii,'ht  t'errUj,'inous,  broadly  streaked 
with  bhick,  bounded  sharply  on  each  side  liy  a  white,  tin  dy  streaked  superciliary  stripe;  rump 
and  middle  u|)per  tail-coverts  brownish  black,  the  feathers  bordered  terniinally  with  lusty  ;  outir 
upper  tail-coverls  white,  with  medial  streaks  of  black  ;  i  nddle  tail-feathers  black,  ed;,'ed  laterally 
with  rufous;  other  rectrices  dusky,  bordeied  with  rusty  whitish.  Cheeks  whitish,  tinely  streaked 
with  dusky  ;  jujiuluni,  breast,  and  sides,  anteriorly,  deep  rusty  bud',  linely  streaked  anteriorly  aiul 
laterally  with  dusky  ;  remaiinu},'  lower  parts,  includin<,'  the  throat,  white,  the  lower  tail-coverts 
streaked  with  dusky.  "Iris  hazel  ;  bill  black  at  ti|i,  changing'  to  (liii^y  ;,'reenish  yellow  on 
bo-sal  third  of  lower  mandible  and  base  of  upper ;  feet  and  tarsi  dull  greenish  yellow"  (Xklsox, 
MS.).i 

Wing,  4.90-."). oO  ;  culnien,  .Do-l.tMt ;  tarsus,  1.10-1. :25  ;  naddle  toe,  .88-.!)5. 

This  species  resembles  very  closely  the  common  A,  mitculata,  but  diH'ers  constantly  in  several 
respects.  As  to  jiroportions,  the  bill  is  decidedly  shorter  and  more  slender,  and  the  tarsus  slij,dUly 
lon^'er,  while  the  win".;  is  about  the  sanu?  lenj^th.  The  nuddle  tail-feathers  ore  narrower  and  more 
acuminate.  The  colors  are  nearly  the  same,  but  the  rectrices  are  darker,  the  breast  olmost  or  quite 
unspotted  centrally  and  posteriorly,  and  the  crown  decidedly  rufous. 

A  specimen  from  New  South  Wales,  which  apjiears  to  be  this  species  (\o.  15313,  U.  S.  Expl. 
E.\p.),  but  labelled  ''  Triwja  aurita  (f),  Lath.,"  dill'ers  notably  from  an  adult  from  Australia,  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  J.  E.  Ilartin^',  in  the  following;  particulars  :  The  jxjsterior  and  lateral  parts  of 
the  l)rea.st  have  coarse,  irre;,'ular  markin;,'s  of  tiark  brown,  many  of  these  markinj,'s  bein^'  Y-shaped, 
others  irrcgukrly  sai,'ittate  or  even  transver.se  ;  the.se  markiuj^'s  are  continued,  but  increased  in  size 
aloii^'  the  sides  to  the  crissum,  and  even  the  abdomen  has  a  few  small  markings;  the  crown  is  not 
conspicuously  rusty,  neither  is  this  color  there  bounded  sharply  by  the  light  superciliary  .stripe. 
Whether  this  specimen  rejiresents  the  same  species,  we  are  not  quite  prepared  to  say,  not  having 
sufficient  material  at  band. 

Actodromas   minutilla. 

THE  LEAST  SANDPIFEB. 


Trinrja,  minutilla,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet.  XXXIV.  181l»,  452.  —  CoUF.s,  Key,  1872,  254  ;  Check  List, 

1873,  no.  418  ;  Birds  X.  W.  1874,  482. 
Actodromas  miiiHtil/(i,  Yiosw.  Comiii.  Rend.  1856.  —  RiDOW.  Nom.  N.  Am.   B.  1881,  no.  538.— 

CoUES,  Check  List,  2 J  ed.  1882,  no.  614. 
Tringapusilla,  AVii.s.  Am.  Orn.  V.  1813,  32,  pi.  37,  f.  4  (ncc  LiN.v.).  —  Sw.  &  Ririi.  F.  B.  ,\.  II. 

1831,  386.  —  AtTD.  Orn.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  180,  pi.  320  ;  Synop.  1839,  237  ;  B.Am.  V.  1842,  280, 

pi.  337. 
Tringa  Wilsonii,  Nrrr.  Man.  11.  1834,  121. —Cash,  in  Baird's  B.   X.  Am.  1858,  721.  —  Baiuu, 

Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  532. 
Trinr/a  nana,  LlCHT.  Xoniend.  1854,  92. 
"  Triiiga  gcoi-gica,  LiruT."  (Gray). 

Hab.  The  whole  of  America,  but  breeding  (so  far  as  known)  only  north  of  the  United  States  ; 
accidental  in  Europe. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult,  gummer  pluriutge :  Back  and  scapulars  black,  the  feathers  bordered  and 
somewhat  barred  (not  continuously,  and  mostly  beneath  the  surface)  with  rusty  ochraceous,  the 
tips  of  some  of  the  feathers  often  whitish  ;  rump  and  middle  upper  tail-coverts  browidsh  black  ; 
lateral  upper  tail-coverts   white,  with  wedge-shaped   markings  of  grayish  ;  middle   tail-feathers 

1  SwiNHOE  ("Ibis,"  1863,  p.  412)  says:  "Apical  half  of  bill  purplish  black,  basal  half  olive.-brown, 
with  tinge  of  flesh-color  ;  legs  yellowish  olive,  with  black  claws." 


ifiij 


SCOLOPAriD.E  —  TflE  SXIPE   FAMILY  -  AUTODROMAS. 


231 


(liifky,  with  pnler  edgeH  ;  other  rectricps  li>,'ht  browiii.Hh  K'"yi  with  white  Hhiifts.  Crown  light 
^(rin'i^h  I'ulvous  or  ochraceous,  heavily  streaked  with  liiai'k  ;  wiiij,'-coverts  brownish  uray,  with 
darker  centres  and  paler  eilyes,  the  Mhafts  lihakish  ;  tertials  eii),'ecl  with  ochraceous  ;  juininries 
iliisky.  A  liuht  Muperciliary  stripe,  and  a  darker  one  on  siile  oi'  liie  head  ;  neek  and  juguluni  very 
I'ale  i,'rayisli  liilvous  or  fulvans-ashy  streaked  with  dn-ky  ;  sides  and  erissnm  narrowly  streaked  ; 
iillier  lower  parts  immaculate  white.  Ailiill  in  iviutir:  Ahove,  rather  dark  brownish  >,'rny,  the 
IValliers  with  indistiiutly  darker  eeutres  ;  rump,  ete.,  as  in  summer  plumage.  Superciliary  stripe 
mid  lower  parts  white,  the  jngulum  light  ashy,  indistinctly  streaked.  Yimiiij,  Jlrnt  plumnfjc  :  Very 
similar  to  the  summer  plumage  of  the  adult,  but  many  of  the  scapulars  and  interscapulars  tipped 
with  white,  these  feathers  without  any  bars  ;  wing-coverts  bordered  with  ochraceous.  Juguluiu 
sull'used  with  pale  fulvous,  and  obsoletely  streaked.* 

Total  length,  about  5.50  to  G.6(>  inches;  e.xtent,  11.00  to  12.50;  wing,  about  3.5U  to  nearly 
l.uo  ;  eulmen,  about  .75  to  .92  ;  tarsus,  .75  ;  ndddle  toe,  .(iO.  Bill  tluU  black  ;  iris  dark  brown; 
iigs  and  toes  dusky. 


This  abundant  and  extensively  diffused  species  resenildes  very  closely,  both  in  its  small  size 
and  in  its  colore,  at  all  seasons,  the  ecpially  foniinon  and  widely  distributed  Semipalmated  Sand- 
]iiper,  Ereumtcs  pusiUus.  It  may  be  immediately  distinguisiied,  however,  by  the  completely  cleft 
toes,  the  other  species  having  all  the  anterior  toes  webbed  at  the  base. 

This  coniiuoii  and  familiar  Saiidpiitcr  has  an  almost  iinivoisal  distrilmtiun  through- 
out North  Amt'ri(ui,  and  in  tlio  winter  wanders  in  greater  or  less  nund)er.s  into  Mex- 
ico, Central  America,  and  over  a  large  portion  of  South  America.  It  breeds  as  far 
south  as  Sable  Island,  and  also  in  Newfonndland,  in  Labrador,  in  Alaska,  and  in  the 
higher  Arctic  regions  generally.  A  limited  nnnd)er  winter  in  the  Gnlf  States ;  but 
iu  all  the  rest  of  North  America  this  bird  appears  only  in  its  migrations,  passing 
slowly  north  in  the  spring,  pausing  on  its  way  at  every  suitable  feeding-place,  and 
liiially  passing  out  of  the  United  States  about  the  last  of  Jlay.  Within  four  or  five 
weeks  of  tlie  final  departure  of  the  last  stragglers  of  the  movement  northward,  the 
advance  of  the  returning  host  begins  to  reappear,  moving  southward.  It  can  hardly 
be  that  those  which  thus  early  show  themselves  in  Xew  England  —  some  of  them 
early  in  July  —  and  even  in  regions  much  farther  south,  can  have  attended  to  the 
duties  of  incubation.  Their  reappearance  thus  early  can  only  be  satisfactorily  ex- 
pla'ued  by  the  supposition  that  both  the  southern  and  the  northern  movements  are 
attended  by  a  certain,  but  probably  not  a  very  large,  proportion  of  unmated,  imma- 
ture, or  barren  Inrds.  These  accompany  their  kindred  in  their  journey  north  in  the 
spring,  linger  behind  in  the  rich  feeding-places  on  their  way,  and  being  undetained 

'  Some  young  specimens,  apparently  of  the  some  age  and  almost  certainly  the  same  species,  in  the 
collection  differ  very  strikingly  from  the  above  description  in  the  less  amount  or  total  absence  of  rufous 
above,  the  feathera  having  merely  narrow  ochraceous  borders,  and  scarcely  any  white  on  the  ends  of  the 
feathers;  the  wliole  plumage  being  thus  very  much  duller. 


iii 


I 


' 


288 


IMl.KC'Ol'I.VL  (H!AI,LAToUE8  —  LIMlCoL.K. 


by  any  (loiiu'stic  can's  or  ivspoiisiltilitit's,  hcj^in  their  southprn  Hinht  somo  time  bet'oir 
tlic  otiitTS,  will)  laiiMt:  wait  i'or  tiif  maturity  of  tlicir  iirnod.s.  Kc  tlit'.sf  coiijiM'turcH  as 
tiicy  may,  we  tiiid.  all  over  tin-  couiitiy.  in  the  interior,  on  Imtli  coasts,  even  at  places 
suriirisin^,'ly  tar  I'roni  any  of  their  known  l)rce(lin;,'-i)laees.  tiiat  tiiis  bird  is  sure 
to  reappear  in  small  numbers  in  July — this  early  reappearance  renuiiniiif,'  as  yet 
unexplained. 

Mr.  li  .Vdams  (••  ibi.s,"  1H7.S),  in  his  Notes  on  IJirds  observed  by  him  on  the  Sea- 
coast  of  Alaskii,  nientiims  nieetinj,'  with  this  species  at  Norton  Sound  as  early  as  the 
14th  of  April,  while!  the  snow  still  covered  the  j^reater  part  of  the  j^round ;  they  were 
not,  however,  seen  in  <^Yv:\l  nnndters  until  the  niiddh-  of  the  following;  month.  They 
confined  themselves  almost  solely  to  the  salt-marsh  and  the  nniddy  banks  of  the 
river,  where  it  was  reached  by  the  tide  ;  at  such  points  they  were  always  to  be  found, 
in  Hocks  of  from  tifty  to  a  hnndreil,  accompanied  by  a  fewDuidins  and  IJrown  Snipes. 
Mr.  Adams  often  sat  on  a  lo;,'  while  they  v, ere  feedinj;  all  around  within  ii  foot  of 
him ;  but  on  his  making  the  slij,'htest  movement,  they  were  gone  in  an  instant,  witii 
a  whisk  and  a  twitter.  Their  nests  were  placed  on  the  higher  ground  surrounding 
the  marsh ;  the  eggs  are  described  as  spotted  with  shades  of  olive-green,  principally 
about  the  large  end,  and  upon  a  i)ale  brownish  ground. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  here  and  there,  in  favorable  situations,  pairs  of  these 
birds  stoj)  to  breed  in  excei)tionally  smithern  latitudes.  Mr.  Nelson  states  that  on 
the  oth  of  .lune,  lH7n,  he  found  one  of  them  building  its  nest  near  the  Calunu't 
liiver,  in  Northeastern  Illinois;  and  several  of  this  species  were  observed  by  Mr. 
Kic,e  near  Waukegan  on  the  1st  of  July,  they  having,  as  he  telt  assured,  nested  in 
th.at  vicinity.  We  are  not  aware,  however,  that  the  eggs  or  young  (d'  this  bird  have 
ever  been  actually  taken  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Dall  obtained  a  s])ecimen  of  this  bird  at  Xidato,  May  14,  where  it  is  not  com- 
mon. It  was  more  plentiful  at  the  month  of  the  Yukon,  where  its  eggs  were  procured. 
lie  met  with  it  also  at  I'opoff  rslund,  (Uie  of  the  Aleutians,  June  20,  187U,  where  it 
was  rather  abundant.     Mr.  IMstdioft"  also  obtained  it  at  Sitka. 

It  is  given  by  Mr.  \l.  IJrowiu'  as  one  of  the  common  birds  of  Vanccmver  Island. 
In  California,  according  to  Dr.  Cooper,  it  is  nearly  resident,  being  ai)sent  from  the 
coast  only  during  a  part  of  June  and  July  ;  it  is  frequently  seen  about  inland  ponds 
and  marshes  in  the  interior.  It  occurs  in  inuuense  flocks,  during  the  winter,  on  tlu' 
shores  of  the  Pacific  in  Southern  (.!aliforuia  ;  and  on  the  same  coast,  much  farther 
south,  about  the  month  of  the  Nagualate  Hiver,  in  (fuatemala,  Mr.  Salvin  found  it 
occurring  in  considerable  mimbers  in  the  month  of  !March. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  met  with  an  occasional  specimen  of  this  s]iecies  in  the  Valley  of 
Salt  Lake,  in  Utah,  in  the  month  of  Se])tend)er;  and  ^Ir.  Ividgway  also  mentions 
finding  it  in  Utah  and  Colorado  dining  its  migrations. 

On  the  Atlantic  coast  it  is,  if  anything,  even  more  common  and  abundant.  Along 
the  si  ores  of  Hudson's  IJay  and  Davis  Straits,  throughout  Labrador,  and  on  the 
isl.andL  larther  south,  it  is  a  summer  resident  from  June  to  the  close  of  its  short 
season.  It  is  abundant,  both  in  the  spring  and  in  the  fall,  along  the  entire  Atlantic 
coast,  a  certain  proportion  remaining  all  the  winter,  or  from  October  to  April,  on  the 
coast  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  and  all  the  Gulf  States,  to  Mexico,  and 
thence  to  South  America.  It  is  .also  abundant  in  the  West  India  Islands,  occurring 
in  Cuba,  Jamaica,  as  well  as  in  various  other  islands,  from  Scjitember  to  the  follow- 
ing May.  It  visits  the  Bermudas  in  its  southern  migrations,  arriv  ing  there  from  the 
last  of  July  to  the  first  part  of  November,  and  being  present,  at  times,  in  flocks  of 
many  hundreds. 


M 


SCOLOPACID.E  — THR  SXIPK   FAMILY  —  ArTODROMAS. 


239 


Afi'(inliii),'  to  tilt'  ohst'i'vations  of  Mr.  Aloorc,  lliis  sitccics  is  seen  in  Floridii 
tliioiighoiit  tlio  year,  always  in  its  winter  livery,  witli  no  indications  that  it  ever  breeds 
iheie.     It  is  found  in  eonipiiiiy  witli  tiie  /:'rriiiii'fi;i  piixl/Ziis. 

I'rofessor  Newton  met  witli  it  in  St.  Croix  in  the  iintmiin,  where  it  was  observed 
t(i  fre([uent  the  pastures  as  well  as  tlu' sea-shore ;  but  rarely  were  more  than  two 
seen  to^t'ther.  Mr.  K.  Newton  notes  its  first  apiiearance,  Au.ifust  l!>.  Acciordin^  to 
(lusse,  it  does  not  l)ecome  numeions  in  .lamaiea  before  the  end  of  the  year,  and  is 
ihi'ii  found  in  the  morasses  in  flocks  of  about  a  do/en,  runninj,'  swiftly  over  tht^  wet 
soil  like  other  Sandjjipers.  In  the  stomachs  of  these  birds  were  found  fra>,'ments  of 
shells  and  comminuted  animal  matter.  Mr.  .Marsh,  however,  claims  that  this  bird 
is  resident  in  -lamaiea  throuj^diout  the  year,  and  that  it  brueils  on  the  Salinas  and  on 
the  sandy  beaidies.  This,  however,  is  (piestioned  by  Mr.  Salvin,  and  we  think  on 
;,'(iod  (,'rounds.  The  e^'t,'s  described  i)y  Mr.  Marsh  do  not  re.senjblo  those  of  this 
species,  either  in  ^ground-color  or  maikinj;s  ;  and  tin;  eliaraeter  of  the  nestiuf^,  a,s 
indicated  by  him,  is  not  that  of  this  Sandpiper. 

Mr.  Salvia,  as  (pioted  by  ^Ir.  Dresser,  states  that  he  possesses  a  specimen  of  this 
bird  from  Costa,  liica.  and  that  an  example  was  found  near  Tanama  by  MacLeannan. 
.Ml.  \V.  S.  Woitd  a.scertained  it  to  be  very  common  at  Cartaj^'ena  in  Nuvendjer,  l.S,"»7, 
and  Dr.  Ilalicl  procured  two  specinuMis  (m  one  of  the  (iahqia^'os  Island.s.  Mr.  Wal- 
lace met  with  this  bird  at  the  month  of  the  .\mazon,  and  Natterer  secured  two  si)eei- 
nicus  in  Iha/il,  one  in  .Viu-il  at  Cuyalia.  and  the  other  at  Matto  (Jrosso  in  Se|)tend)er. 
in  the  dei»artuu'nt  oi  Vera  Cruz  it  has  been  taken  in  the  interior,  near  Orizaba,  and 
also  near  the  (!ity  of  Mexico.  In  Guatemala,  besides  meetin;,'  Avith  it  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  Mr.  Salvin  found  it  to  be  a  rej,'ular  winter  visitant,  arriving,'  in  autumn  and 
dcjiartinj,'  in  sj)rinj^.  In  the  winter  it  is  found  only  on  the  sliore.  and  its  visits  to 
iulaud  lakes  appear  to  be  limited  to  its  passaj,'es.  In  \ovendier,  ISOI,  Mv.  Salvin 
found  it  in  the  gras.sy  swamps  whiidi  surround  the  small  Lake  of  Duenas,  in  the 
lii,^hlauds  of  (Juatemala,  nearly  ilve  thousand  feet  above  the  sea. 

It  is  mentioned  by  ficotand  as  occurring  in  Trinidad  in  the  months  of  August, 
September,  and  Uetober,  at  times  in  Hocks  by  themselves,  but  more  fre([uently 
mingled  with  flocks  of  the  /'Jiriinetes  punU/its.  In  the  French  West  India  Islands  it 
is  known  as  the  I'i'fit  Mnltir. 

Mr.  J)resser  found  this  species  nmking  its  appearance  at  Matamoras  as  early  as 
the  latter  part  of  July,  —  this  affin'ding  remarkable  evidence  of  the  rapidity  of  its 
flight,  and  confirniing  the  hyiiothesis  that  smdi  visitants  nuist  be  birds  that  have  not 
raised  a  brood  that  seastni.  Jn  the  early  spring  Rlr.  Dresser  met  with  it  near  Sau 
Antonio. 

Dr.  Walker  nu't  with  this  species  on  the  coast  of  Greenland ;  and  in  the  first  part 
<jf  June  following  he  found  it  breeding  in  the  marshy  valleys  near  Bellot's  Strait. 

Mr.  Audubon,  whilst  in  Labrador,  found  this  species  plentiful,  breeding  on  the 
moss-dad  rocks  within  a  short  distancie  of  the  sea.  When  startled  from  its  nest,  it 
wdidd  rise  cm  the  wing  and  move  off  low  over  the  ground  with  incurved  wings  and 
with  a  slow  whirring  motion ;  or,  if  on  the  ground,  it  moves  off  slowly  and  limping 
as  if  crippleil.  On  the  20th  of  July,  after  some  search,  he  found  the  nest  and  eggs  of 
this  species.  The  bird  flew  from  the  nest  more  in  the  manner  of  the  Partridge  than 
of  the  Tr'ingu:  The  nest  had  been  formed  apjjarently  by  the  patting  of  the  bird's 
feet  on  the  crisp  moss;  and  in  the  slight  hollow  thus  produced  were  laid  a  few  blades 
of  slender  dry  grass,  bent  in  a  circular  manner,  the  internal  diameter  being  2.50 
inches  and  depth  1.25.  The  eggs,  he  states,  measured  .9,3  by  .75  of  an  inch. 
Their  groui,      olor  was  a  rich  cream-yellow,  blotched  with  very  dark  umber,  the 


li 


I 


1 1 


240 


PR.fiCOCIAI,  OKAM.ATOKKS—  LIMICOLE. 


markiuh's  larger  mid  mure  imiiit*ruuH  towurd  tliu  ubtuHueiid;  tlicy  were  quite  frfsli. 
TIh'  iM'st  was  iiudi'i'  tilt'  Iff  oC  ii  small  mik.  fxiiosfd  to  alt  tlif  lu'at  tin-  sun  can  uffitrd 
ill  that  lii^h  latitude.  This  pair  iiiust  liavf  lifcii  latf  in  dc positing,'  their  f^^'s,  as  a 
t'nrtni},'ht  later  AiidiilMHi's  jiaity  saw  yminj;  liirds  aliimst  as  lai'Ke  as  their  paifiits; 
and  soon  af'tfr  Ixith  parents  and  joiiiij,'  weri-  preparing  tor  their  departure  south. 

This  speeies,  so  very  p;enerallv  distrilmted.  so  eomiiioii  everywhere  —  it  heiii^ 
iiardly  less  niinif rolls  than  the  h'miiirtis  /msi/liis — collects  in  the  tall  in  ininieiise 
ttoeks,  and  resorts  to  ttie  j,'reat  masses  of  driftiiiK  sea-weed  on  our  coasts,  t'reipieiitiii;,' 
also  ttie  shores  and  sed^'y  l)orilers  (d'  salt  ponds,  ^deai.i  >i  minute  sh(dltisli  aint  niariiii' 
insects.  Althoii^,di  most  alnindant  on  the  borders  of  tiie  sea,  it  is  not  entirely  con- 
lined  to  the  shore,  liiit  is  also  found  alon^  ttie  margins  of  the  interior  lakes  and  rivers. 
On  tlie  sliores  of  l.oiiK  Island  (iiraiid  siieaks  (d'  it  as  very  pleiitifnt,  and  as  lieiiij,', 
diiriiij,'  the  month  of  Septemlier.  in  excellent  condition  for  the  taltle.  Hy  some  it  is 
considered  far  superior,  liotli  in  flavor  and  in  juiciness,  to  many  of  our  lart,'cr  shoic- 
liirds.  Its  note  is  low  and  tispini;;  hut  when  tilarnied,  it  moves  otY  in  a  confused  ami 
irregular  manner,  uttering,'  a  shrill  twitter  soumlint,' like  the  syltahles  j)f<-j>-pcet.  Dur- 
ing,' Octoher  it  mif,'rates  farther  south,  reappearing,'  early  in  ttie  spring  on  the  stiores 
of  New  .lerscy  ami  Long  Island,  where  it  is  seen  in  numliers  during  each  one  of  the 
summer  months,  although  it  is  not  known  to  hreed  within  the  limits  id' the  I'liitcil 
States. 

Kichardson,  who  deserihed  this  hird  under  two  speiiitie  apindlations,  speaks  id 
tinding  it  ahundant  in  tlie  iiiitumn,  feeding  during  the  recesses  of  tlie  tide  on  the  ex- 
tensive iiiud-tlats  at  the  mouths  of  Nelson  and  Hayes  rivers.  He  adds  tliat  it  lirecds 
within  the  Arctic  Circle,  arriving  there  as  soon  ;is  the  snow  melts.  As  I'arly  as  the 
iMst  (d'  .Mav  it  was  observed  on  ttie  swampy  t)orders  of  small  lakes  in  latitude  (J(J'. 
Its  lu'op  was  tiUed  witti  a  soft  blackish  earth  uiid  small  white  worms. 

This  sjiecies  was  found  breeding  abundantly  at  iMirt  Anderson,  on  tlit*  l?arreii 
(Jrounds,  at  Lake  Kende/.vous,  and  near  tlie  .Arctic  coast,  l>y  .Mr.  MacFarlane.  Of 
the  twenty  iie.sts,  the  notes  of  which  we  have  examined,  all  but  six  were  taken 
between  the  1,'lst  and  .'{ttth  id'  .Iiine,  none  being  recorded  as  later  than  the  lid  of  fluty. 
The  number  of  eggs  is  generally  given  as  four  —  in  no  instance  more.  Tlie  nests 
were  always  on  the  ground,  and  geiiorally  a  mere  dejiression,  with  a  lining  of  a  few 
dry  leaves  and  grasses,  and  usually  near  small  lakes.  Ttie  female,  as  she  tlutteri'd 
off  her  ne.st,  (d'ten  imitated  the  Hight  of  a  wounded  bird,  and  if  hd't  undisturbed, 
almost  immediately  returned  to  her  iie.st.  If  persistently  interrupted,  she  kept  aboiii 
the  nest,  and  endeavored  tiy  simulated  lameness  to  draw  off  the  intruders,  soon 
becoming  (luite  wary,  if  shot  at. 

(Jne  set  of  the  eggs  of  this  sjieeies,  eollect(>d  near  the  Arctic  coast  tiy  Mr.  MaeFar- 
lane  (S.  L  No.  JWr"),  measure  1.1')  inches  by  .S").  Tlie  ground  is  a  light  drab,  thinly 
marked  with  .sepia-brown  spots,  patches  of  which  are  suffused  with  the  ground-color, 
giving  them  an  ashy  effect.  The  markings  are  more  mimerous,  and  of  greater  size 
about  the  larger  end.  The  eggs  are  decidedly  ])yriform  in  sliape.  Another  set  (S.  1. 
No.  3324),  collected  on  Sabk  Island,  Nova  Scotia,  by  P.  S.  Dodd,  have  a  light-drab 
ground-color ;  but  this  is  aliuost  entirely  coueealeil  by  the  numerous  markings  of  dark 
umber  brown. 


^ 


SC'OLOPACID.K  — Till';  SNIPK   KAMIIT  —  PKMDN'A. 


241 


m 


Gkni'm  PELIDNA,  Ci  viKit. 

rfliilun,Cv\.  Wvg.  An.  1H17,  41to  ;  «■  I.  '.»,  ItfJU.  .VJtl  (ty|H.,  riiugn  tdpiun,  Linn.). 
AHCfilm'hiiluH,  Kait,  .Sk.  Kilt.  Kiir.  Tlii'TW.  ISiilt,  W  [\.s\f,  Triinja  MilHU-'iiiiitii,  Ti;mm.). 

rH.Ml.      Hill   Mlt'lliliT.  |iili;,'(T   tllllll   till'   llrilil,  ilii|i  lllliillj^ll  tile  Im-i',  nillllilcs-cl,  ^iMIii'ly  nr   Hot 

lit  mII  i'X|>aiiil<'il  at  till-  tip,  ami  iIim  iiliilly  <i(i'iii'\X'il  tcnninall).    Tui>ii»  hlniitcr  tlmii  llii'  liiil,  Imi;^!  r 
than  till'  iniilillf  liif.     \Vint{.s  ruiu'liiiij,'  lii^yond  tml  nl'  tail. 


II 


•d 

)Ut 
UOll 


ar- 
1.V 

Of, 

i/f 


/'.  id/iiiKt. 

The  K''">i'^  Pf'liifiift  inclmli'!'  two  wcll-kiiciwii  Siiiiilpiiici'H,  lioth  of  wliirli  arc  pnitinmn  to  Nnrtli 
Anic'iica  and  Kiimiif,  altli(iii;,'li  one  nf  tlicni,  tin-  Curlew  Sancl]ii|icr  (/'.  Kuliiiriiintld)  can  scaiii'ly 
111' iiiMHi(l('ri'(l  as  nioiv  than  a  siia;,';,'li'r  licic.  The  ntlu'i'  is  ri'|iirsi'iit<'il  in  Ihf  two  I'untinent.s  liy 
ilistin^'iiishaMo  niccM.     The  rharaitcr  of  the  specii's  and  races  oi'  I'llidmt  are  as  IoIIown  . — 

I.  P.  alpina.    Uiumt  tail-coverts  dusky.    Aihill  in  nininm  r :  lieily  lilack,  other  lower  jiaits  whitish. 

irinltr  plniuitije:  No  l)lack  beiiuath  ;  above,  uuil'uria  biuwiiish  gray.    Yuuikj  :  IJelly  and 

hrunst  spotted  with  Mack. 
a.  AljiliKt.     Wing, -I.UIM.".")  ;  culnien,  1.1")-1. 10  ;  tarsus,  .S.'i-l.tM);  middle  too,  .70-."").     link 

Europe. 
j3.  Amiricmia.    Wing,  4.(10-4.!).') ;  culnien,  1.40-1.".') ;   tarsus,  l.(Kt-l.l.') ;  middle  toe,  ."O-.HO. 

//((/).  North  America. 
•2.  P.  Bubarquata.     Upper  tail-coverts  white.     Adult  in,  mmnur :  lienenth,  ineluding  lielly,  deej) 

einnumon-ruroiis.    irititer  jilummji':   I'eiieath,  white,  olisoletely  streaked  on  thejiigiiliim  ; 

ahove,  hrowiiish  gray.     Ymni;! :  I'dly  and  hreast  unspotted.     Hub.  Pala'arctic  Region  ; 

occusiuuul  in  Eusteru  and  Northern  North  .Vinerica. 

Pelidna  alpina. 

a.   Alpina.    THE  BED-BACKED  8ANDFIPEB;  DUNLIN. 

Triiiga  alpinn,  T.isn.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  17.')8,  1  lit  ;  ed.  12,  17<>t),  210  (haseil  on  C'inr/iis  torqwitus,  IJui.ss. 

Oin.  V.  1760,  210,  1)1.  1!»,  tig.  2).  — Nkwt.  Mnii.  N.  H.  (iiccnl.  187">,  103  (nreciilaiid). 
IMiihm  nlpinn,  Hinc.w.  I'roi'.  1'.  .S.  Nat.  Mas.  1881,  200 ;  Noni.  N.  Am.  II.  1882,  no.  .5:10.  —  Coits, 

Check  List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  (i2;l. 
Trtiuja  cinrlus,  LiNN.  S.  N.  I.  17t)(!,  2'.!  (liascd  on  lluiss.  Orn.  V.  17(iO,  211,  pi.  19,  lig.  1). 
"  Tringa  jnuriUit,  Omki,.  .S.  N.  I.  1788,  (103 "  (GiiAY). 
Tringa  ruficnilis,  P.u.l..  Reise,  III.  1776,  700. 
jyumenius  variabilis,  Hi'.ciisr.  Naturg.  Dcutsclil.  IV.  111. 
Pelidna  Schinzii,  BiiRiiM.  (var.  ?)     Not  of  Aiiicrieau  writers. 
VOL.  I.  —  31 


if 


mm 


li  i 


'f 


« 


242 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATOUES  —  LlMICOLvE. 


/3.   Americana.    THE  AMERICAN  RED-BACKED  SANDPIPER. 


Tringa  alpina,  WiLs.  Am.  Oni.  VII.  181;!,  'i:,,  pi.  .')0,  fij,'.  2  (ik'c  Lisn.)  —  Sw.  &  H'^H.  F.  B.  A.  II. 

1831,  383.  — NriT.   Miiii.   II.  1834,  100.  —  Aid.  Orn.  liiog.  III.  1835,  680,  i>l.  2U0  ;  Syii(.|.. 

1839,  234  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1842,  -Jtiti. 
2'riinja   a/jiina,  viir.  (imtrioiiia,  (.'ass.  in   liiiiril's  15.  N.  Am.  18'i8,  711».  —  Haikd,  Cut.  N.  Am.  IS. 

1859,  110.  53(1.  —  l'.irK.s,  Koy,  1^72,  2.-.ti :  I'lick  List,  187:!,  424  ;  lUid.s  N.  W.  1874,  489. 
Tringa  vttriithilis,  Saiiink,  .Suiijil.  I'lirry's  First  Voy.  p.  cc. 
"  Tringa  cincliis,"  \Vii,.s.  Am.  din.  VII.  1813,  39,  \>\.  57,  li>,'.  3  (iicc  Linn.). 
J'r/iilmi  jmeifca,  (.'ofKs,  I'l.  Ac  Nut.  Sii.  I'liilail.  ISOl,  189  (in  text). 
Pdidna  ulpimi  nmn-icuna,  liiiuav.    I'lo.'.  V.  .S.   Nat.  Mhs.  1881,  201);  Xom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no. 

639rt.— Cocks,  Clurk  List,  2il  id.  1882,  no.  t)24. 

IIab.  Of  true  alpina,  the  Pula'urctic  Itefjioii,  lucideiitiil  in  North  America  (Hudson's  Bay  : 
Blaklston,  "  lliis,"  18(53,  132).  Of  amcriama,  North  America  in  general,  breeding  fur  northwaiil, 
and  straggling  to  eastern  coast  of  Asia. 

Sp.  Char.  {P.  americana).  Adult  in  sumvur:  Crown,  back,  scapulars,  runip,  and  upper  tail- 
coverts,  light  rufou.'*,  the  crown  streaked,  other  parts  spotted,  with  Itlack  ;  wing-coverts  brownisli 
gray,  the  greater  broadly  tipi)ed  witli  white.  Head  (excejit  crown),  neck,  jugulum,  and  breast, 
grayish  white,  streaked  with  dusky  ;  abdomui  black  ;  sides,  Hanks,  anal  region,  crissum,  and  linin,' 


of  the  wing,  pure  white,  the  sides,  flanks,  and  crissum  sparsely  stn-aked.  Aibdt  and  young  in  %cin- 
ler:  Above,  entirely  plain  ash-gray,  sometimes  with  very  imlistinct  dusky  shaft-.streaks  ;  indistinct 
superciliary  stripe  and  lower  parts  white,  the  neck  and  jugulum  indistinctly  streaked  with  grayish, 
the  sides.  Hanks,  and  crissum  sometimes  sparsely  streaked.  Yininij :  Hack  and  .scapulars  black,  the 
feathers  broadly  bordered  with  rusty  ochraceous,  this  becoming  paler,  or  even  white,  on  the  ends 
of  .some  of  the  feathers  ;  lesser  and  middh-  wing-coverts  liordeivd  with  bulf  ;  rum]>  jdain  brownisli 
slate  ;  upper  tail-coverts  darker,  tip|ieil  willi  rusty  ;  crown  light  rusty,  streaked  with  black.  Head 
and  neck  (except  crown  and  throat)  dull  dingy  bufl',  indistinctly  streaked  with  dusky  ;  remainin.; 
lower  parts,  including  throat,  white,  the  breast  and  belly  with  nuiiKnxis  irreguhirly  cordate  sjinis 
of  black,  the  flanks,  crissum,  and  lining  of  the  wing  immaculate.  "  Bill  anil  feet  black;  iris  daik 
brown"  (Audubox). 

Total  length,  about  8.50  inches  ;  wing,  4.(10-4.0.') ;  culmen,  1.4(»-1.75;  tarsus,  1,00-1.15;  mid- 
dle toe,  .70-.8(). 

There  is  a  considerable  amount  of  individual  variation  in  this  species,  especially  noticeable  in 
the  extent  and  continuity  of  the  black  alidominal  aiva,  the  distinctness  of  the  black  markings 
above,  and  the  depth  of  the  rufous  tint  ;  not  inlVe(|uently  tlie  latter  is  mixed  with  grayish.  In 
the  winter  plumage,  some  examples  have  the  sides  and  crissum  narrowly  stmiked,  while  in  others 
these  parts  are  immaculate. 

American  specimens  differ  constantly,  though  slightly,  from  European  tmes  in  their  larger  si/c 
and,  in  the  summer  plumage,  lighter  colors.    In  three  adults  of  the  European  bird  in  summer  plu 
mnge,  the  black  largely  predominates  on  the  dorsal  surface,  while  the  ochraceous  is  much  less  rusty 
than  in  American  e.xamples  ;  the  breast  is  also  much  more  heavily  streaked.    In  the  winter  pin- 


SCOLOPACID.R  —  THE  SNIPK  FAMILY  —  PELIDNA. 


243 


mage,  till!  tbrt'i'  speciiiiPiis  bifipic  us  IVom  Kitioiiu  an-  dcciilfclly  loiter  iwli,  and  «|uite  (listinclly 
siiviikL'il  almvu.  A  ,yi>uiin  I'inl  tVom  llmij^aiy  is  iniioh  li-st*  distinctly  spotted  iK-ncath  than  one 
I'luni  Alaska  (the  only  iinu'rican  cxainiilc  in  this  pltinia;,'i!  wi;  art;  abh;  to  conipare  it  with),  hut  is 
(■lluTwise  very  similar.  Tlic  (lilh'ii'iiffs  Iwlwccn  the  true  P.  ti/pina  and  the  American  race  appear 
t(i  he  (piite  constant,  hein;,'  vurilied  hy  all  wiilcis  who  have  made  actual  coniparison  of  specimens. 
Mr.  J.  K.  Hartin;,',  who  has  made  the  Liiniwln'  a  special  study,  and  who  is  therefore  the  best 
iiiitlicirily  on  this  j^Touit  of  biixls,  f,'ives  his  views  rej,'anlin^'  these  representative  forms  as  follows 
(r(.  V.  Z.  S.  IHTI.p.  11.-.):-- 

"On  comparing'  a  specimen  finm  Ni^w  Jersey,  in  lull  summer  iilnmaj,'e,  with  one  which  was 
shot  off  the  nest  in  iJenbecuhi  (Hebrides),  not  oidy  are  the  dilferences  pointed  out  liy  Prof.  IJaird 
ii|i|iarent,  but  it  is  also  oliservabh-  that  the  upper  portions  of  the  ]iliima;{e  in  the  American  bird 
are  considerably  pervaile.l  by  brij^ht  rufous-brown,  whereas  in  the  wime  parts  of  the  .Scottish 
liinl  black  is  the  prevailing,'  color.  Further,  the  black  of  the  under  parts,  which  in  the  Scottish 
liiril  e.vtends  (as  in  Sqmttiirnlii  hilvcliin)  from  the  vent  almost  to  the  chin,  is  confined  in  the  Anieri- 
( an  biril  (as  in  Eudrominn  Mnrinilhis)  to  the  belly  oidy.  Whether  this  hir;,'e  race  of  Dunlin,  known 
as  Triiiija  iimericana,  is  sjiecitically  distiiu't  or  not,  it  is  not  conlined  to  Anu-rica,  as  is  generally 
siijiposed.  I  have  specimens  in  winter  jdumage  now  before  nie  jirociu'ecl  by  ^[r.  Swinhw;  at  Anioy, 
and  (ilhers  in  autumnal  pluniaj,'e  shot  by  myself  in  this  country,  which,  as  rcfjaitls  me.isureme'.its 
(if  bill,  win>,',  ami  tarsus,  correspond  in  every  way  with  examples  from  New  Jersey.  They  differ 
(inly  in  color,  having;  been  obtaine(l  at  different  seasons  of  the  year.  As  far  as  I  can  jud(,'e  by  the 
(lata  before  me,  the  smaller  liird  ap])ears  to  have  a  more  restricted  ranj,'e,  and  remains  to  nest  in 
tliis  c(nintry  ;  while  the  laiv'er  bird  does  not  lireeil  with  us,  but  is  found  on  our  coasts  in  spriu},' 
and  autumn,  during;  the  mif,'ration." 


i 


This  form,  so  closely  alliod  to  tlif  (Joiiniioii  Dunlin  or  Purrp  of  Enroix',  lias  a  wide 
(listrilnition  over  the  coiitiiioiit  of  \ortli  Amorica.  It  is  found  in  high  Arctic  regions, 
and  on  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic,  i'acilic,  ami  Arctic  oceans.  ^Ir.  Dall  states  that  it 
was  seen  frequently  at  St.  .Miidiael's  by  Mr.  Uaiiiiister.  and  in  IJritish  Colnnibia  by  ^Ir. 
Klliott.  .\  number  of  specimens  were  ol  tained  at  Sitka  by  Hischoff.  ^Ir.  Dall  also 
met  witli  it  at  Nulato,  where  it  was  not  iincomnion  ;  and  it  was  also  abiuulant  at 
tlie  UKMitli  of  the  Yukon,  wlicre  an  exaiujile  of  its  egg  was  obtained.  Its  nest  is  .said 
to  lie  like  that  of  the  Lofn'jir^t  /ii/pi'r/iorriis.  .Mr.  \l.  Mrowiie  also  includes  it  among 
till'  birds  of  Vancouver  Island.  Dr.  Cooper  is  of  opinion  that  it  never  goes  farther 
(111  the  Californian  coast  than  San  Francisco,  as  he  has  iu)t  met  with  it  on  the  coast 
to  the  south  of  that  place.  This  bird  is,  however,  very  common  toward  the  north  from 
October  to  May,  freipienting  (diiefly  the  sandy  bars  about  bay.s.  but  not  going  far  into 
the  interior.  It  is  .seen  in  very  large  Hocks,  .sometimes  associating  with  the  other 
small  Sandpipers,  from  which  it  is  not  usually  distiiigiiished  by  hunters. 

The  American  Dunlin  —  the  C/u'v-oo-me-nok  of  the  Escpiimaux  —  is  cited  by  Mr.  E. 
.\dams  ("  Ibi.s,"  1.S7H)  as  one  of  the  birds  (diserved  by  him  on  the  shores  of  Norton 
Sound,  where  a  few  of  this  species  fre(pieiitcd  the  salt-marsh  together  with  Hocks  of 
AitmlroiiviH  mbnitUln.  They  built  their  ne.sts  —  which  consisti'd  merely  of  a  few  dry 
leaves  scraped  into  a  slight  hollow  —  on  the  liigher  ground  surrounding  the  marsh, 
and  were  very  olten  hovering  over  thein  and  singing  a  low  twittering  song.  The 
eygs  —  f(mr  in  numlH'r  —  are  described  as  marked  with  large  spots  of  three  sluides  of 
Inown  upon  a  light  olive-green  grt)nnd.  principally  about  the  larger  end.  The  small 
ciids  were  always  placed  together  in  the  nest,  as  is  the  case  with  all  the  Waders. 

The  Dunlin  is  iiududed  by  Kcinhardt  amcmg  the  birds  of  (Jreenland,  where  the 
luirojiean  species  is  known  to  have  been  taken ;  and  it  may  be  to  this  that  the  Green- 
land examples  belong.  I'rofessor  Xewton  states  that  Dr.  Tanlsen  more  than  once 
received  this  species  from  (ireenland,  both  in  the  imnuitnre  and  in  the  autumnal  plu- 
mage.    It  probably  breeds  there,  as  it  is  also  known  to  do  on  Melville  Peninsula 


I 


M 


i 


i  ! 


244 


PR.1X"(X.'IAL  GRALLATOUES  —  LIMICOL^. 


aiul  oil  the  coast  of  Davis  Strait.  Kiolianlson  states  tliat  ifc  is  abtindr.nt,  and  that 
it  breeds  on  tin-  An-ti«-  coast  of  America.  Jle  also  met  with  it  on  the  Saskatchewan 
I'hiin  in  its  iKt-ssaj^i'  north,  and  in  autumn  on  the  shores  of  Hudson's  J5ay.  He 
descri\»es  its  ejj}?»  as  liaving  a  ground  of  an  oil-greeu  marked  with  irreguhir  spots  of 
liver-brown,  of  difftTcnt  aiws  and  shades,  confluent  at  the  obtuse  end.  The  eggs  are 
saiil  to  Ix;  1.1^8  inches  long,  and  to  measure  .UG  of  an  inch  where  broadest,  the  ends 
differing  greatly  in  si»'. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  niention.s  finding  this  sjn'cies  in  the  eastern  portion  of  Kansas  in 
the  earlier  jKirt  of  3Iay.  It  wa.s  cpiite  abundant  in  the  neigldxirluiod  of  lag-  ')ns. 
Later  —  (hiring  the  .s4-eond  week  of  August — lie  again  met  witii  others  of  this  spe- 
cies at  Lake  I'a.<w  in  CoKirado.  In  the  following  September  he  again  found  it  ipiite 
common  in  tlie  Valley  i.f  (Jreat  Salt  Lake.  JNIr.  IJiclgway  states  that  an  individiud 
of  tliis  sja'cies  was  shut  by  one  of  his  party  in  ilay  on  an  alkaline  imjiuI  near  Tyramid 
Lake. 

iMr.  Iioardman  informs  its  that  this  sjiecies  occurs,  in  spring  and  fall,  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Calais,  but  lie  do<'s  not  think  tliat  it  is  ever  abundant.  Jt  eoines  to  Massa- 
chusetts from  the  north  in  ih-UAn'V,  ami  remains  into  November,  and  is  then  (juitt; 
common  on  the  ccxi.st.  lu  its  spring  migrations  it  jtasses  north  late  in  May.  Un  Long 
Island  this  s|>«'eie!*  is  known  Itoth  iis  tiie  IJed-liacked  Sandi)iiier  and  as  the  iShuk- 
breast.  According  to  Ijiraud,  it  arrives  on  the  shores  of  Long  Island  in  the  month 
of  April,  but  so«»ii  Ii-:ives  and  pa.sses  north,  returning  in  Sejitember,  at  which  time  it 
is  cpiite  abundant  there,  and  still  more  so  on  the  coast  of  >»ew  Jersey. 

This  siK'cies  a.-4.s<j«i-iates  in  HiK-ks,  fre(|ueiitiiig  the  sliores,  sandbars,  and  muddy 
Hats,  feeding  on  worms  an<I  such  minute  shellfish  as  abound  in  localities  of  this 
kind.  In  the  month  of  <A-t<»lM'r  it  is  usually  very  fat,  and  is  considered  excellent 
cjting.  The  autumnal  plunuige  is  so  entirely  dift'erent  from  thi^  vernal  that  by  hun- 
ters this  bird  is  generally  regarded  at  those  seasons  as  re|)resentiiig  two  different 
species.  The  same  thing  was  once  true  of  the  Kuroi)(>an  form,  the  i»limiage  of  those 
two  seasons  Ijeing  mt  unlike  as  not  only  to  deceive  siiortsnii'ii,  but  even  ornitholo- 
gists; hence  the  common  names  of  Dunlin  and  Purre.  and  the  two  scientific  terms 
alpiita  and  ilnrlu*.  ISy  Ininters  generally  —  both  in  New  England  and  along  the 
shores  of  Long  Island  and  New  Jersey  —  the  autumnal  form  is  known  as  the 
'•Winter  Sniix-."  In  this  plumage  it  closely  resemldes  the  winter  dress  of  the  Cur- 
lew Sandpii)er.  During  the  autumn  the  Ked-backi-d  Samlpii»er  may  Ix;  found,  both 
on  sandy  and  on  muddy  shores,  along  the  whole  of  our  central  Atlantic  coast.  It 
is  said  to  lie  a  restl«-s«,  active  bird,  gleaning  its  food  with  great  (U-xterity,  and  .seeming 
to  Ih!  ever  desirous  of  clianging  its  position.  Soon  after  alighting,  the  Hock  collects 
together,  making  short  excursions  over  the  water,  and  again  settling  down  at  but  a 
short  distance  from  the  sjiot  from  which  they  had  only  just  Hown.  These  birds  usually 
crowd  so  closely  t«»gether  when  whirling  about  in  these  excursions,  that  many  may 
be  killed  at  a  .singh-  -shot.  Mr.  (iiraud  mentions  that  on  one  occasion  no  less  than 
Hfty-two  were  kiU«*«l  by  the  discharge  of  lK)th  barrels  of  a  gun  into  a  Hock.  This 
is  an  unusual  numlier;  but  the  killing  of  ten  or  twelve  at  a  time  is  said  to  be  not  an 
uncommon  thing. 

On  the  slior(>s  of  the  Atlantic,  south  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  this  species  is  very  abun- 
dant in  its  s|>ring  migrations,  comipg  late  in  April  and  noi  leaving  until  nearly 
the  end  of  May.  In  ^<<•pt4•ml»er  it  reappears,  a  ])ortion  remaining  throughout  the 
winter.  Many  of  tlies<"  binls  as^ume  their  spring  plumage  before  they  leave  ;  proba- 
bly the  greater  numiier  of  them  do  so.  In  their  habits  they  are  more  like  the 
maculnta  than  the  other  Tringa;  and  are  ranked  as  Snipe  by  the  hunters,  from  their 


SCOLOPACID.E  -  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  PELIDNA. 


245 


jiieferences  as  to  their  feeding-grounrls.  Mr.  Audubon  speaks  of  them  as  particularly 
abundant  during  the  winter  in  Florida;  and  ^Messrs.  Allen,  Maynard,  and  JJoardnian 
have  sinee  confirmed  this  8tat«;nient.  They  take  their  departure  from  the  south  alxjut 
tlif  1st  of  April, 

The  J{ed-ba(;ked  Sandpiper  passes  through  the  interior,  as  well  as  along  the  coast, 
in  its  migrations,  pausing  on  its  way  to  fet'd  on  the  shores  of  inland  lakes,  ponds, 
and  rivers.  It  has  been  procured  at  both  seasons  by  Mr.  Kundien  near  Luke  Kos- 
konong,  where,  at  times,  it  is  (piite  alnmdant. 

Sal)ine  states  that  tiiis  sjiecies  was  observed  in  Sir  Edward  Tarry's  f  st  voyage; 
liiit  that  it  was  rare  on  the  coast  of  Davis  Strait  and  Uathn's  l>ay  and  among  the 
ishuulK  of  tiie  INdar  Sea.  In  the  second  voyage  it  was  found  breeding  on  Melville 
i'cuin.sula.  And  J.  C.  IJoss,  in  the '•  Xatiiral  History  of  the  Last  Arctic  Voyage," 
speaks  of  this  l)ird  as  very  abundant  during  tlu.'  breeding-season,  near  Felix  Harbor, 
where  it  builds  its  nest  in  the  marshes  and  by  tlu^  siiU-s  of  lakes. 

Tiu'ee  eggs  of  this  species  from  Soiitli  Cireenland,  taken  in  June,  1855,  measure 
MO  by  .98,  1..'55  by  .•.)8,  L.'W  by  1.03.  They  are  pyrii'orm  in  shape  —  extremely  so  — 
liaviiig  a  giound-color  varying  from  a  dirty  clayey-wliite,  with  a  washing  of  rufous,  t(j 
a  deep  clay -color.  The  eggs  are  all  si>otted  with  large  blottdies  of  dark  sienna-brown, 
wliich  occasionally  have  a  purplish  tinge,  and  an^  irregularly  confluent,  and  more 
numerous  alH»ut  the  larger  end  than  on  the  other  one,  where  they  are  lew  iu  uundjcr, 
small,  and  scattered. 

The  liluroiH'au  form  of  this  siieeies,  known  as  the  Dunlin  or  I'urre,  is  entitled  to  a 
place  in  a  list  of  the  birds  belonging  to  the  fauna  of  North  America,  since  it  is  of 
occasional  occurrence  in  (.Jreenland,  where  the  two  forms  appear  to  nu'ct  on  common 
ground.  It  is  not  j»rolial)lt^  that  tlie  hal)its  of  the  two  forms  are  otherwise  than 
nearly,  if  not  (piite,  identical;  and  as  somewhat  illustrative  of  both  varieties,  we 
copy,  with  slight  changes,  the  following  grai)lii(!  summary  of  their  peculiarities, 
from  the  pen  of  Sir  William  Janiine:  ''On  the  coasts  of  Great  Dritain  the  I'nrre 
is  tlu!  nu)st  common  of  the  whole  race,  and  nuiy  generally  i»e  mot  with,  no  matter 
wiiat  is  the  character  of  the  shore.  IJefore  they  have  been  much  driven  about 
and  annoyed,  they  an^  also  one  of  the  most  familiar.  During  winter  the  Hocks  are 
sdiuetimes  immense,  and  will  allow  a  jterson  to  aiiproaih  very  near,  looking,  and  run- 
ning a  few  steps,  or  stretching  their  wings  in  preparation  for  Higiit,  listlessly  an<l  in 
a  manner  indicative  of  little  alarm ;  a  few  shots,  however,  render  them  as  timorous 
and  wary  as  they  were  before  careless.  In  spring  they  sei)arate  into  iiai'^',  when 
some  perform  a  migration  to  a  consideral»le  extent  northward,  wiiile  others  retire  to 
till'  nearer  marshes,  a  few  to  the  shores  of  inland  lakes,  and  still  fewer  to  the  higher 
inland  nmirs.  Having  there  performed  tlie  duties  of  incubation,  they  return  again 
in  autumn  to  the  shore,  where  they  nuiy  be  found  in  small  parties,  the  amoinit  of  the 
broods;  and  these  gi-atliuilly  congregate  as  the  season  advances,  and  more  travellers 
arrive,  until  many  hundreds  are  tlius  joined.  Their  nests  are  fornu'd  beneath  or  at 
tlie  side  of  any  small  ImisIi  or  tuft  of  grass,  very  neatly  scraped,  and  with  a  few 
st  raws  of  grass  around  the  sides.  The  nuih^  is  generally  in  attendaui^e,  perched  on 
some  near  elevation ;  and  on  any  danger  ajiproaching,  runs  round,  uttering  at  (puck 
intervals  his  shrill,  monotonous  whistle.  The  ft'uuile,  when  raised  from  the  nest, 
flutters  off  for  a  few  yards,  and  then  assumes  the  same  manner  with  the  male.  The 
young  sit  and  squat  amcmg  the  grass  or  reeds,  and  at  that  time  the  parents  will  come 
within  two  yards  of  the  jwrson  in  search  of  them." 

Mr.  Macgillivray,  as  <|Uoted  by  Audubon,  represents  the  Purre  as  l)eing  seen  feo 
constantly  in  company  with  the  (Jcjlden  Plover  when  breeding,  that  it  has  obtained 


mn 


246 


rR.ECOCIAL  ORALLATORES  —  LTMICOL.E. 


i   e 


the  naiiK^  of  "  I'lovor's  J'.-igc."  During  the  hropding-soason  it  is  not  sepn  ahing  tlu- 
shores.  The  young  h'ave  the  nest  iuiniediately  after  exchision,  run  about,  and  when 
ahirmed,  conceal  themselves  l)y  sitting  dose  to  the  ground  and  remaining  motionless. 
If,  during  incubation,  a  person  approaches  their  retreat,  the  nuiie  —  and  frecpiently 
tho  female  also  —  flies  to  meet  the  intruder,  and  employs  the  same  artifices  for  deeoy- 
ing  him  from  tiu'  nest  or  young  as  tiie  Plover  does.  When  the  young  are  fledgcii, 
the  birds  gather  into  flock.s,  often  joining  tho.so  of  the  (lolden  I'lover,  resting  at 
night  on  the  ground  in  the  smoother  jjurts  of  the  heath.  When  an  intruder  ap- 
proaches such  a  Hock,  the  birds  stretch  tlu>ir  wings  up  as  if  preparing  for  flight,  ntttr 
a  few  low  notes,  and  either  stand  on  the  alert  or  run  a  few  steps.  Toward  the  end 
of  August  they  betake  themselves  to  tlu^  sandy  shores.  On  a  large  sand  ford  in 
IIarri.s,  JMr.  ]\[acgillivray  lias,  at  this  season,  seen  many  thousands  at  once  run- 
ning about  with  extrenm  activity  in  search  of  food,  the  place  seeming  to  be  a  general 
rendezvous.  Mr.  Newton  states  that  Dr.  Paulsen  has  more  than  once  received 
this  species  from  Greenland,  i)oth  young  and  in  the  autumnal  pliiiiuige.  It  brei 
there,  and  also  on  the  Melville  Veninsula,  as  well  as  elsewhere  in  the  coast  of  Davi 
Strait. 

I  have  eggs  in  my  eollection  taken  in  North  Greenland ;  but  whether  belonging  to 
this  form  or  to  the  americdmi,  I  am  not  sure.  There  is  no  perceptible  difference  in 
the  eggs  of  the  two  species,  so  far  as  is  known.  Greenland  specimens,  perhaps  of 
the  American  form,  are  slightly  larger  than  the  average  European. 


(IS 

s 


Felidna  subarquata 

THE  CUBIEW   SANDPIPER. 

Scolo}mx  subarqita/a,  Gvut.  Nov.  C'oiiiin.  Petrop.  XIX.  17/5,  471,  pi.  18.  —  O.meu  S.  N.  I.  1788,  G'jS. 
Tringa  subarqiiata,  Te.mm.  Man.  I.  181,''.,  393;  II.  1&20,  609.  —  XrTT.  Mnn.  II.  1834,  1C4.  —  Ai  ii. 

Om.  IJiog.  1835,  444  ;  Syiiop.  1839,  234  ;  II.  Am.  V.  1842,  2<i9,  pi.  333  ;  Ca.ss.  in  niur.r.s  W.  N. 

Am.  1858,  718.  —  Uviui),  Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  529.  —  Coues,  Check  List,  1873,  no.  425  ; 

Birds  N.  W.  1874,  491. 
Pdidiia  stiiarquala,  KiDow.  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Miw.  vol.  3,  1881,  200;  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no. 

540. 
Triiuja  (Ancylochrihts)  mlmrqttnla,  Bonap.  Cat.  Mi'l.  1842,  60.  —  CouES,  Key,  1872,  256. 
Annjlochihis  subarquni lis,  Coi'es,  Check  List,  2d  I'd.  1882,  no.  625. 
Scolopax  africamts,  (i.MEL.  S.  X.  I.  1788,  655. 
Numcnius pijgm(tus,  Bei'ii.st.  Xaturg.  IVutschl.  IV.  148. 
?  Tringn  Ulandica,  Beiz.  Fn.  Suoo.  1800,  192. 
?  Tringa  fcrruginca,  Hhcnn.  Orii.  Bor.  1764,  no.  180. 
Trgiign  falcinelh,  Pali..  Zoog.  l!o.sso-As.  II.  1811,  188. 
Piliihia  vuicrnrhijHcha,  Hkeiim,  Viig.  Doutsdil.  1831,  658. 
Ern/iii  varicgatit,  ViEILI,.  Analyso,  1816,  55. 
^rolin  varid,  ViEll.I,.  Gal.  Ois.  II.  1831,  89,  pi.  231. 
"Scolopnx  Dftlmrdingii,  ."<iem,ss!-.s."     ((iuAY.) 
" Frtlcmcllus  ciirsorius,  Te.mm."     (Coue.s.) 

Had.   The  Old  World  in  general ;  O(xasionnl  in  Ea.stern  North  America. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult,  summer  j^liimage:  Back  and  .'<capnlar.s  variegated  with  black  and  rusty; 
crown  rusty,  streaked  with  black.  Head,  neck,  breast,  ."ides,  and  belly,  deep  cliestnut-rulbiis  ; 
anal  region,  also  upper  and  lower  tail-coverts,  white,  spotted  with  black  and  tinged  with  rusty  ; 
wing-coverts  and  tertials  brownish  gray,  the  greater  coverts  tijtped  with  white  ;  primaries  and 
middle  tail-featliers  dark  slate-'  olor ;  rest  of  the  tail  ash-gray,  the  feathers  slightly  bonlered 
with  whitish;  axillars  innnarulate  pure  white.  Winter  •plumage:  Above,  brownish  gray,  in- 
distinctly streakefl  with  darker ;  tail-coverts  (above  and  below)  inue  white,  spotted  with  black  ; 
superciliary  stripe  and  lower  parts  white,  the   juguluni   indistinctly  streaked  with  grayish. 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  PELIDNA. 


247 


Young:  Buck  and  scupularH  dusky  black,  the  feathers  bonleretl  latertilly  with  dull  light  ochra- 
cLMiUH,  with  white  tenuiiialiy  ;  lesser  and  middle  win^j-coverts  bordered  with  dull  bull";  upi)er 
tail-coverts  white,  unspotted.  Lores  brownish  ;  indistinct  superciliary  stripe  and  lower  jiarls 
white,  the  juj,'uluni  and  sides  of  the   breast  washed    with    buff  and   narrowly   streaked   with 


m 


dusky.     "  Bill  dark  olive-green,  darker  toward  point  ;  iris  hazel  ;  feet  light  olive,  claws  dusky  " 

(AlDUBON). 

Total  length,  about  8.50  to  9.(H)  inches;  wing,  -1.80-5.20;  culmen,  1.38-1.60;  tarsus,  1.10- 
l.L>()  ;  middh'  toe,  .70. 

In  the  winter  plumage  this  species  is  very  similar  t(j  /'.  alphm,  but  may  be  immediately  distin- 
guished by  the  white  upi)er  tail-coverts.     American  sjiecimens  are  quite  identical  with  European. 


The  Curlew  Siiiidpipcr  i.s  of  rare  oecurrence  in  North  America,  and  has  been  actu- 
ally known  to  have  been  taken  in  Imt  few  localities  and  in  only  a  small  number  of 
instanees.  We  can  therefort'  only  regard  it  as  a  straggler.  It  is  one  of  the  rarest  of 
the  Sandpipers  which  visit  us.  It  has  been  taken  in  several  instances  near  New 
Vork  and  on  Long  Island.  Three  specimens  were  procured  by  !Mr.  George  A.  Board- 
man,  of  St.  Steithen.  from  near  St.  Andrews,  on  the  St.  Croix  Kiver.  <Jne  of  these 
was  in  the  vernal  plumage,  and  two  were  in  the  autumnal.  So  far  as  I  am  aware, 
oidy  two  or  three  instances  are  on  record  of  its  occurrence  in  New  England,  —  one 
given  by  Mr.  Maynard,  near  Ipswich,  Mass.,  one  at  East  Boston,  and  one  near  Port- 
land, -Me. 

It  is  mentioned  by  Giraud,  in  his  ''Birds  of  Long  Island,"  as  of  infrequent  occur- 
rence witiiin  the  limits  of  the  Tinted  States,  but  as  having  been  more  frequently 
observed  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  Vork  than  on  any  other  portion  of  our  sea- 
coast.  But  even  he  oidy  knew  of  two  or  three  having  been  se«'n  in  Fulton  Market, 
New  York;  and  Mr.  J.  (L  Bell,  the  taxidermist,  in  the  course  of  many  years,  lias 
jmrchased  seven  or  eight.  Three  or  four  others  are  known  to  have  been  taken  on  the 
shores  of  Long  Island. 

Autlubon  states  that  in  the  course  of  his  extensive  rambles  along  our  coasts  he 
saw  only  three  of  this  species,  which  he  regards  as  one  of  the  rarest  of  its  genus. 
One  of  Mr.  Audubon's  specimens  was  shot  on  Long  Island,  near  Sandy  Hook ;  the 
oilier  two  at  Great  Egg  Harbor,  in  New  Jersey,  in  the  spring  of  1829.  No  other 
birds  were  near,  and  he  a])proachcd  them  without  difficulty.  They  were  waging 
along  the  shores  up  to  the  knees,  picking  up  floating  garbage  and  sand-worms, 
ill  their  stomachs  were  fragments  of  miinite  shells,  slender  red-worms,  and  bits  of 
marine  plants.  He  adds  that  he  has  seen  several  sp. -:>imens  in  New  York  collections, 
two  in  Boston,  and  that  Dr.  Bachnian  had  also  two  of  this  species. 

In  the  ejustern  hemisjdiere  this  bird  appears  to  be  very  widely  diffu.sed,  occurring  in 
Europe,  Africa,  and  Asia  at  different  seasons  of  the  year,  and  according  to  its  luigra- 


248 


PILKCUCIAL  (HIALLATORKS  —  LIMICOL.E. 


tions.  It  nowhero  spoms  to  occur  in  gn'iit  mimbors,  iiltliouRli  in  some  regions  it  is 
now  known  to  be  less  nirc  tium  it  was  t'ornH'ily  suijjioscd  to  he. 

])r.  Ilcugliu  met  with  it  on  the  Red  Sea  from  July  to  September,  and  in  its 
summer  dress;  this  waj  between  Suakin  and  l>ab-el-Mandel).  Those  seen  Avere 
either  solitary  individuals,  or  were  in  small  Hocks.  In  October  and  November  he 
again  met  with  them  on  the  Sonuili  coast ;  tlii'se  were  in  their  winter  dress.  Sir.  T. 
Ayres  ("  Ibis,"  1878)  also  mentions  procuring  an  example  in  the  Transvaal;  it  was  in 
its  winter  plumage,  and  was  in  company  with  others  of  the  species. 

]\Ir.  C.  A.  Wright  si)eaks  of  this  bird  as  being  connuon  in  spring  and  autumn  at 
Malta.  He  has  also  met  with  it  there  in  June,  July,  August,  and  September.  Sir.  H. 
Saunders  met  with  it  in  Southern  Spain  in  May,  it  being  then  in  its  fullest  breeding- 
plumage.  Professor  Newton  states,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  I'roctor,  that  specimens 
of  this  bird  have  been  received  from  Iceland.  Dr.  Von  Sliddendorff  gives  it  .is  one 
of  the  birds  of  Siberia,  where  it  is  found  on  the  tuiiilvas  or  barrens.  Wheelwright 
speaks  of  it  as  rare  in  Scandinavia,  and  as  only  seen  on  the  southern  coast  during  the 
jieriods  of  migration.  He  shot  si)ecimens  in  their  full  summer  dress  on  the  shores 
of  Scania.  This  species  is  supposed  to  breed  on  the  west  coast  of  Finland,  not  far 
from  the  sea. 

According  to  Yarrell,  the  (!urlew  Saiuli)i])er,  which  was  formerly  regarded  as  a 
very  rare  visitor  to  England,  is  much  more  common  than  was  su])])osed,  it  having 
probably  been  confounded  with  the  Dunlin.  A  few  pairs  of  the  species  are  Ijtdieved 
occasionally  to  breed  in  that  country.  Specimens  have  been  shot  in  the  last  of  Slay, 
in  the  perfection  of  their  summer  ]ilumage,  in  Sandwich  ;  one  —  also  in  the  breeding- 
plumage —  was  shot  in  Norfolk,  and  young  of  this  species  were  taken  in  the  same 
h)cality  in  July. 

According  to  Thomj)son  it  is  a  regular  summer  visitor  to  Ireland,  and  also  to 
certain  parts  of  England;  and  in  Septend)er,  1S,'{7,  more  than  twenty  of  this  sjjecies 
were  exposed  for  sale  on  a  single  day  in  Lea<lenhall  Slarket,  London. 

Nilsson  states  that  this  bird  visits  Sweden,  remaining  there  from  spring  to  autumn  ; 
but  that  it  is  found  only  in  the  eastern  jjart  of  Scandinavia,  and  is  not  known  on  the 
western  shore.  According  to  Tennant,  it  visits  the  shores  of  the  Caspian  Sea,  Lake 
Haikal,  and  the  mouth  of  the  Don. 

According  to  Temminck,  this  species  breeds  in  Holland;  and  he  describes  its 
eggs  as  being  yellowish  white,  sj)otted  with  (hirk  brown.  It  is  said  to  feed  cm  insects, 
small  Crustacea,  and  worms,  which  it  obtains  by  laobing  in  the  soft  sand  at  the  edge 
of  the  water. 

Messrs.  Alston  and  Harvie-Iirown  ("  Ibis,"  January,  1873)  mention  finding  full 
sumnier-i)lumaged  specimens  of  this  species  in  the  market  of  Archangel,  in  Kussi.a, 
June  18. 

It  is  said  to  be  found  in  abundance  in  both  its  miu  itions  on  the  coast  of  Belgium 
and  France,  but  very  rarely  straggles  inland.  Mr.  Dresser  mentions  .seeing  two  large 
baskets  of  beautiful  specimens  of  this  l)ird,  in  full  breeding-plumage,  in  Barcelona, 
Spain,  in  May.  In  winter  it  visits  Africa,  ranging  southward  even  as  far  as  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hoi)e,  a  few  barren  birds  remaining  in  North  Africa  through  the  summer. 

It  is  also  found  along  all  the  coasts  of  Asia,  from  Asia  Minor  to  China;  but 
writers  differ  in  regard  to  its  abundance  in  the  interior.  It  is  common  in  Siberia, 
where  it  undoid)tedly  breeds,  as  Drs.  Finsch  and  lirehm  found  it  breeding  in  great 
numbers  on  the  isthnnis  of  the  Yalmal  Peninsula,  near  the  margins  of  the  lakes  on 
the  tundra,  in  latitude  G7°  'H)'.  As  this  was  in  August,  they  were  too  late  for  eggs, 
but  met  with  the  young  in  the  down  —  which,  however,  they  failed  to  secure. 


SCOT.OPACID.E- THK  SXIPE   FAMILY  —  CALIDRIS. 


249 


Mr.  Kiiiiilit'ii  s^ii  ,1,  of  this  spt'cics  us  mit  uiutoiuiuon  in  North  GrciMiland.  Kggs 
wen'  procmt'd  ;it  ('hiistiiuishiuil),  (iicciiluiul,  tlirou^'li  tlu'  kiiidiu'ss  of  Govonior 
I'ciickcr.  It  Wiis  not  ol)st'rvf(l  on  any  piirt  of  Cninbfiliinil  visiti'tl  liy  Mr.  Kunilim. 
(t|  tlicsc  two  ('},'|,'s  takt'n  in  NortU  (iri'cnlaml,  one  nicasnrril  I.Ali  inches  in  h'nj,'tii  iiy 
l.ii.'t  in  breadth.  Its  ground-<'olor  is  drai>,  witii  a  distinc^t  shade  of  olive,  and  it  is 
I liiikly  marked  with  Idotelies  »d'  two  siiades  of  uinlter-lu-own,  one  quite  light,  tho 
(iili(  r  nnich  darker;  tlu'se  are  most  numerous  on  and  around  tho  larger  end,  and  are 
ill  a  somewhat  longitudinal  direction,  with  a  tendency  also  to  a  spiral  (toursc.  There 
;iie  also  a  few  spots  of  a  very  dark,  almost  black,  color  on  the  larger  end. 

The  other  egg  measured  1.47  liy  I.dl  inches,  being  of  a  much  more  pyriform 
sli.ipe.  Its  ground-color  is  a  very  light  greenish  drab,  with  rather  sparse  markings 
(il  a  deep  und)er.  These  are  larger  and  more  conHiu'nt  altout  the  greater  end  of  the 
eg;,'.  wlicr(!  they  are  ehicHy  disposed  in  a  circular  ring;  but  are  si)arsely  distributed 
over  tlie  rest  of  tlu;  surface.     About  the  larger  end  ire  a  lew  very  dark  markings. 


Gkms  CALIDRIS,  (.'I'viKu. 

Ca/idris,  Cuvikis,  Aimt.  (.'cmi.  V.  (in  chart),  ISOo  (typf,  Tringu  arcnaria,  Linn.). 

riiAR.  fiL'iicriil  I'linriictcrj*  nf  Triiujn  ami  Artutlritninii,  hut  liiiid  toe  entii'cly  iihscnt.  Rill 
slriii^'lil,  ratiicr  longer  than  the  iiuad,  ^iliglllly  OLimiidctl  or  .simon-sliaiicd  ut  end.  Toes  nliort, 
tlic  iiiiililli.'  one  scarci'ly  two-tliirils  tin'  tai>ins. 

Tliu  only  known  .spoiius  of  this  gcnu.s  is  uuurly  cosmopolitan  in  its  range. 


C.  arcnaria. 


Calidris  arenaria. 


THE  SANDERLINO. 

Trliiga  urenrirw,  Linn.  S.  N.  1.  1"C(5,  2,')1.— Arn.  Urn.  liiog.  III.  1S35,  231  ;  Synop.  1839,  237; 

n.  Am.  V.  1842,  287,  pi.  338. 
Calidrh  arcHtiria,   Ii.i.Ki.   I'lmh'.  1811,  249.  — Sw.  &  Iticii.  F.  15.  A.  IL  1831,  360.  — Ni'tt.  Man. 

IL  1834,  4.  — C.vss.  in  liaiid's  15.  N.  Am.  1858,  723.  —  I5aiI!Ii,  Cat.  N.  Am.  15.  18.';9,  no.  ,')34.  — 

Col  i;s.  Key,  1872,  257,  lig.  1(17  ;  <  hnk  List,  1873,  no.  427  ;  2.1  ed.  1882,  no.  627  ;  IliiJs  N.  W. 

1874,  492.  —  KiixiW.  Norn.  N.  Am.  15.  ISSl,  no.  542. 
ClMrudrnts  valiilris,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  176<>,  2.'.5.  —  Wilson,  Am.  Oni.  VII.  1813,  68,  pi.  59,  fig.  4. 
Cluiradrius  riihiiliis,  Omki..  S.  X.  1.  1788,  688.  —  WiLs.  Am.  Oin.  Vll.  1813, 129,  pi.  58,  lig.  3. 
Armaria  vulijuris,  Hkciist.  Tascii.  Dcutsclil.  II.  462. 
Arcnaria  griscn,  Bulilm,  V(ig.  Dcutbchl.  674. 
VOL.  I.  —  32 


II 


r 


250 


PR.WOCFAi-  GUALLATORKS  —  LIMICOL.t:, 


Tnjnqn  tridnctiih,  Pail.  Zoo>{.  Hohso-Ah.  II.  l«s!a,  108. 
Citliilih  fi-iiiij>ii,l,n,  ViKir.l,.  (lal.  Oil.  II.  l.s;)|,  !'.'.,  iil.  •234. 
Caliilris  uiiifrkiniii,  IIiikiim,  Vmj^.  pi'iitNchl.  1&31,  tilt5. 
"Culidria  jiiijil/iis,  ViKii.r." 

Hah.  Ni'iirly  cosiiKiiKjlitim,  Imt  bicfilinj,'  mily  in  tlu'  An-tic  mitl  Subarctic  districts,  in  Aiia-ric  n 
iiiigriitini^'  Muutli  to  rala^'nnia  and  Chili.  Cliii'lly  litttintl,  )>ut  hviiut'iitiii^  also  tlu-  lar^'ur  iidaii<l 
wati'rs. 

Si*.  Chau.  X(i  hind  toe  ;  front  toes  niodcrati-  or  ratlu-r  lon^',  llatti'UtMl  undi'rni'ath,  distimtiv 
inar^^iiK'il  with  a  nicinliraiic.  Hill  Htrai;^dit,  ratiicr  tiiick  ;  rid;{c  of  u]i|M'r  niandiliii'  llattiMied  ;  iia~:d 
^Toovf  diTj)  and  nearly  as  lonj,'  as  tiic  iipiicr  niandilijc,  not  so  distinct  in  tlic  lower  ;  Itoth  niamli 
hli's  widciicil  anil  tlattcncd  at  the  li|> ;  api'itnit'  of  liif  nostril  laij^u  and  covered  with  a  nienihrain'. 
Winj,'  loii),' ;  tail  short,  with  the  niidclie  feathers  longest  ;  under  coverts  long  as  the  tail  ;  legs  nioil 
crate  ;  lower  third  of  the  tiliiii  naked.     Lower  parts  wliite,  immaculate  on  tlie  helly,  sides,  (lank-. 


i 


a ! 


a.villars,  nnal  region,  and  crissum  ;  groafev  wing-coverts  lnoadly  tipped  with  white,  and  inm i 
Jirimaries  wiiite  at  base  of  outer  webs.  Aihilt  in  sioinmr:  Above,  liglit  rufous,  broken  by  laiy.' 
spots  of  black,  the  feathers  mostly  tipjied  witii  whitish.  Head,  lu'ck,  throat,  and  jugulum,  i>ali- 
cinuamon-ruious,  sjieckied  below  and  streaked  aliove  with  blackish.  Atliilt  in  winUr:  Above, 
Very  pale  pearl-gray  (the  lesser  wing-covi'its  darker  anteriorly),  relieved  oidy  by  faint  daikii' 
shatt-streaks  of  the  feathers.  Thiont  and  jiiguluin  inimuculati!  pure  wiiite.  Adult  in  uprimi: 
Above,  liglit  grayish,  with  large  l>liick  spots  (streaks  on  the  crown),  here  and  there  mi.xed  wiili 
rufous;  jugulum  speckled  witii  dusky  on  a  white  ground.  Youmj:  Aliove,  jiale  gray,  spollnl 
with  black  ami  whitish,  tli<'  latter  on  tips  of  tlie  feathers  ;  jugulum  inmuiculate  white,  faintly 
tinged  with  dull  luilf.     "  Hill  and  feet  black  ;  iris  brown"  (Aldiiion). 

Total  length,  about  7.7r)-8.(M)  inches;  wing,  4,7<)-6.00  ;  culinen,  .95-l.(X) ;  tamis,  .90-1.(1") . 
middle  toe,  ..").'>-.«iO. 

In  tlie  universality  of  its  distribution  tlie  Sanderlinji;  is  probably  not  surpassed 
by  any  known  sitccies.  It  is  fotind  on  both  tlie  Atlantie  and  I'acitic  eoast  of  North 
America  and  in  the  interior.  It  wanders  in  fall  and  winter  to  the  West  Indies. 
Mexico,  Central,  and  over  the  greater  i)ortion  of  South,  America.  It  is  in  like  nuni- 
ner  found  in  the  breed inj,'-season  scattered  over  Northern  Eurojie  and  Asia,  and  from 
Auf,'ust  to  June  it  occurs  at  various  ])criods  in  ('eiitral  and  Southern  Asia  and 
Europe,  Africa  to  Xatal,  flajian,  tiiid  on  .several  of  the  islands  lying  to  the  south 
and  southeast  of  Asia. 

This  is  a  bird  of  the  highest  Arctic  distribution,  having  been  taken  by  Captain 
Hall's  i)arty,  in  the  "Polaris"  Expedition,  on  the  west  coast  of  (Jreenland.  It  w;is 
also  observed  by  Mr.  Feilden,  of  the  Expedition  of  1H7.V187(>,  in  Grinnell  Land  on 
the  5th  of  June,  187G,  flying  in  coin[)any  with  Knots  and  Turnstones;  at  tliis  date  it 
was  feeding,  like  the  other  Waders,  on  the  buds  of  Sn.riffaga  ofipositifolia.  It  was  iiv 
no  means  abundant  along  the  coast  of  that  region,  but  Mi:  Feilden  observed  several 


SCOLUl'ACID.K  —  TIIK  SN  li'K  FAMILY  —  L'ALIDUIS. 


251 


|i;iirs  in  the  uggrogatc,  and  I'ouiul  oiu-  oi  tlu-ir  lu-Mts,  containing  two  t'Kps,  in  lutitiulp 
s:*'  '^V  N.,  on  till'  LMtli  of  .luno,  187(5.  Tin-  lu'st  —  from  which  lie  kiUcd  tho  mah^ 
liinl  —  was  placed  on  a  gravel  ridge,  at  an  altitude  of  sifveral  hmidred  feet  above  the 
sea.  The  eggs  were  (h'posited  in  a  slight  depression  in  the  centre  of  a  reciiiuhont 
plant  of  Arctic  willow,  the  lining  of  the  nest  consisting  of  a  few  withered  leaves  and 
sdiiie  of  the  hv»t  year's  catkins,  (hi  the  Sth  of  .\iigwst,  lH7(j,  along  the  shores  of 
jjidieson  Channel,  Mr.  Feilden  saw  several  jiaities  of  young  ones  —  three  to  four  in 
iiuiiilier  —  following  their  parents,  and,  led  by  the  ohl  i)ird.s,  .searching  most  dili- 
1,'ently  for  insects.  At  this  date  they  were  in  a  very  interesting  stage  of  i)luniage, 
liriiig  just  able  to  Hy,  imt  retaining  some  of  their  down. 

The  migrations  of  the  SaniU-rling  appear  to  be  made  indifferently  along  the  coast 
iir  tiirough  the  interior,  both  in  the  (►Id  and  in  the  New  World.  Wherever  there  are 
large  bodies  of  inland  water,  to  the  banks  of  these  it  is  attra<'ted  alike  in  its  sjiring 
and  in  its  autumnal  migrations.  It  is  an  abundant  visitant  along  the  shores  of  our 
own  (Jrcat  Lakes,  arriving  in  full  breeding-plumage  about  the  L'Otli  of  May,  and  is 
seen,  according  to  Mr.  Ntdson,  in  flocks  of  from  Hve  to  seventy-tive  along  the  shore 
(if  Lake  .Michigan  until  the  l(»th  of  .fniie.  It  returns  aluiut  the  1st  of  Augu.st,  still 
wearing  its  breeding-dress  which  is  changed  about  the  last  of  the  month  for  the 
more  sober  colors  of  winter.  It  ilejiarts  about  the  I'Oth  of  October.  It  is  found 
almost  exclusively  ahtng  the  bare  .sandy  beach. 

Mr.  K.  Swinhoe  mentions  the  passage  of  flocks  along  the  coast  of  Formosa  early 
in  the  fall,  and  their  return  late  in  the  spring,  very  few  appearing  to  remain  on  the 
sliorcs  through  the  winter,  lie  afterward  met  with  this  species  at  Hungpe  Creek, 
ill  the  Island  of  Hainan.  March  .'!(>.  ( tn  the  |{ed  Sea  it  was  met  with  by  Dr.  Ileuglin, 
hut  was  not  seen  there  from  .luiie  to  September.  It  was  first  noticed,  about  the  end 
el  September,  near  Has  IJtdiil,  on  the  marshy  coast,  in  small  flocks,  .some  being  still 
partly  in  their  snmnier  dress ;  and  in  ( Jctober  and  November  it  was  very  fretiuent 
ill  winter  plumage  near  Zeila.  I>erbera,  l>eude.  (Jain,  etc.  Specimens  have  also  been 
luiM'ured  from  India;  and  ^Ir.  Temininck  received  them  from  .lapan.  from  the  Sunda 
Islands,  and  from  \ew  (ruinea.  Dr.  A.  Smith  obtained  s])ecimens  in  Simth  Africa; 
and  .Mr.  .1.  II.  (iiirney  ("Ibis."  lS(i."»)  mentions  the  occurrence  of  this  species  in  the 
('iildiiy  of  Natal,  also  in  South  .\frica,  where  he  found  it  gregarious  on  the  .sea-beach, 
niiiiiing  about  with  great  activity  while  feeding,  following  the  waves  as  they  retired, 
tibtaining  its  food  on  the  very  edge  of  the  water,  and  very  rai)id  in  its  flight.  This 
liiid  was  observed  in  the  Ionian  Islands  by  ^Ir.  T.  L.  I'owys ;  and  ^Ir.  C.  A.Wright 
("lliis,"  1<S(J4)  mentions  the  capture  of  a  single  specimen  in  Malta.  Sept.  -'4,  ISGli. 
It  was  found  by  Mr.  Saunders  abundant  in  Southern  Sjiain  during  the  autumn  and 
]iai  t  of  the  winter,  but  was  not  seen  by  him  after  the  early  spring,  nor  in  its  breeding- 
pluniage. 

The  Sanderling,  according  to  Yarrell,  is  well  known  <m  most  of  the  sandy  shores 
of  (ireat  Britain  and  Ireland,  where  it  is  found  at  the  water's  edge,  usually  in  com- 
pany with  the  Trliiffd  ti/ji!na.  It  also  associates  with  the  smaller  Plovers,  resembling 
tliciu  in  its  habits,  frtMpienting  the  harder  part  of  the  sandy  shore,  and  apparently 
running  or  flying  with  equal  ease  and  rapidity.  It  has  been  seen  as  late  as  June, 
and  as  early  in  the  fall  as  August ;  but  is  not  known  to  breed  in  that  country,  and  its 
engs  were  unknown  to  Yarrell.  Several  in  full  summer  livery  —  says  Air.  lleysham  — 
were  killed  on  the  coast  in  the  vicinity  of  IJrow-Houses  as  late  as  June  -1.  Others 
were  observed  by  Mr.  Bullock  at  the  northern  extremity  of  Scotland  as  late  as  the  end 
ef  June;  but  they  were  bidieved  to  go  farther  north  to  breed.  This  species  visits 
the  shores  of  Sweden  and  Iceland,  but  breeds  —  so  far  as  known  —  still  farther  north. 


ii 


252 


rR.ECOCIAI,  ORAT.LATOnKS  -  uMiror„E. 


Tcimninck  Htnton  that  tlic  Saiuli>rlin(;  iH  nliumlniit  in  spriii;;  an<l  aiitiiiini  on  ilx' 
coftHt  of  IloUaiiil,  and  that  it  is  fmiiiil  nn  tht-  shuri's  of  Fiunci' and  Italy,  occuiTin^ 
occanionuily  at  Nice  ami  (it-noa  in  fvcrv  Hta^ji'  <il'  plMniaj,'!' ;  anil  also  in  tlir  inti' 
I'ior,  on  tin-  shon's  of  the  lUark  Sea,  ftr.  Dr.  Middcnilortf  iiiclndt's  it  in  Ids  Li^i 
of  till!  Kirds  of  Sihi'iia,  anioii}^  tiios**  that  pt  to  the  t-xtn'mc  north,  and  Ilfrr  von 
Il('u;,'lin  met  witli  flocks  of  tins  siicrics  in  St'jiti'ndKT  on  \Vai},'at  Island,  Nova  Zrndila, 
ininj,'i('d  witli  tlocks  of  '/'rliii/n  nf/ilmi. 

Hfinliardt  inclndcs  the  Sandcrlin^'  anxni^'  thr  liirds  of  (Srcoidand,  wIiim-c  he  fouml 
it  rare,  and  hrcodinw  "H  Disco  Island.  Colonel  Sahini',  in  the  Appendix  to  I'arry's 
"  l'"ii'st  Voyaj,'c,"  nicntidiis  its  iin-cdin;,'  in  considcr.ilili'  nnndxTson  (lie  North  (icor^,'iiiu 
Islands,  where  several  pairs  were  killed  at  dilferent  periods  of  the  l)reedinj,'-sea.soii. 
Richardson  Htatos  that  it  breeds  on  the  eoast  of  Hudson's  15ay  as  far  south  as  the 
ooth  parallel,  llutchins  is  (pioted  as  statinj;  that  it  makes  nests  of  dry  grasses  in 
the  marshes,  and  as  <lescriliin|,'  the  v^^  as  liavinj,'  a  dnsky-eolored  t,'r(tnnd  s|iotted  with 
black,  incubation  eouimeneiiiii;  in  the  middle  of  .June,  i'rofessor  Newton  speaks  ol 
this  species  us  raru  in  (Sreenland,  and  as  saifl  not  to  breed  farther  south  than  latitmlc 
(W  X. ;  but  its  younj;  have  Im'cu  taken  at  (Jodthaab.  It  was  fouml  on  the  east  coa.sl 
by  (Iraah,  and  by  the  (iernum  K.xpedition  on  Sabine  Island.  It  is  also  said  to  have 
been  found  breeding  in  considerable  nundH-rs  on  the  I'arry  Islands. 

^fr.  Salvin  found  the  Sanderlintj;  in  consi(h'rable  nundiers  on  the  Vaoific  eoast 
of  Guatemala,  and  occasionally  veiy  abundant;  he  als(}  met  with  a  few  amon^  the 
bays  on  the  coast  of  Honduras  Lite  in  .\pril.  Mr.  Kdward  Newtoi-  procured  a  sin^ilc 
individual  at  St.  Croix,  Sept.  Hi,  liSoM.  Leotaud  includes  the  Sanderling  among  the 
binls  of  Trinidad,  but  states  that  it  is  only  a  rare  migratory  visitant,  occurring  in 
small  nund)er.s,  and  only  found  from  .Vugust  to  October.  It  always  stays  about  thr 
borders  of  the  sea,  running  over  and  carefully  searching  the  wet  saiul  and  mud  fm- 
small  worm.s.  Mr.  (Jould  states  that  it  is  plentiful  in  Brazil,  from  wheni'i'  he  has 
received  specinu'iis;  and  Mr.  11.  Durnlord  mentions  procuring  two  out  of  a  Hock  at 
Tombo  I'oint,  on  the  eoast  of  Central  I'atagonia. 

The  Sanderling  passes  south  along  the  ('oa.st  of  Massachusetts  from  the  ndddle  ol 
August  to  the  latter  i)art  of  September,  and  n'turns  northward  in  the  latter  part 
of  May.  It  readies  Lake  Koskonong,  Wisconsin,  about  August  lo,  and  in  .some 
seasons  is  very  abundant  there.  I'rofessor  Snow  obtained  specinu'ns  in  Kansas  in 
September.  It  is  very  common  in  the  s])ring  and  f:dl  near  (!alais.  Me.  (liraud  has 
never  oUserved  it  in  very  large  nundiers  in  the  sjiriiig  im  the  shores  of  Long  Island  ; 
but,  on  its  return,  it  arrives  in  flocks  about  the  midille  of  August,  and  by  the  1st 
of  Septem1)er  has  become  very  ainindant.  It  generally  prefers  the  more  immetliate 
borders  of  the  ocean,  but  is  often  seen  occujtying.  with  other  small  Sandiiipers,  tlic 
shoals  and  mud-flats  in  the  shallow  j>arts  (if  estuaries.  It  .seems  to  be  eminently 
sociable,  searching  for  food  in  c<mipany,  probing  the  sand  for  small  bivalve  shells  ami 
marine  worms,  or  attending  the  retiring  waves  in  search  of  shrimjis.  It  is  very  inter- 
esting to  watch  its  active  movements  as  it  feeds  along  the  shore,  alternately  advancing 
or  retreating  with  the  flow  of  the  water.  It  is  naturally  very  unwary,  and  is  even 
less  suspicious  than  the  rest  of  the  family  of  Trinyrv.  When  a  flock  is  fired  into, 
the  survivors  rise  with  a  low  whistling  note,  jterform  a  few  evolutions,  and  ])resently 
resume  their  feeding  with  undiminished  confidenic.  If  wounded,  it  takes  to  th>' 
water,  ami  swims  well.  Later  in  the  season  it  beconu'S  very  fat,  and  is  excellent 
eating. 

It  is  very  abundant  on  the  shores  of  the  Southern  Atlantic  States,  excejit  duriuLf 
three  or  four  summer  mouths.    The  greater  number  of  these  birds  pass  north  early 


srOLOPACID.K  -  TIIK  SMIM':   FAMILY  —  MXfOSA. 


253 


ill  M.'xy,  liiit  II  I'i'w  an-  srcn  in.lmii'.  Soinc  iiriivi'  Lite  in  Au;,'iisf,  Imt  nmst  of  tliciii  iti 
Si'|ttciiilii'r.  A I  U'l' October  tin- V  liccdiiif  (•(iiis|ii('U"U.s  l»y  their  li^l't  eulor.  Ip  to  ii 
-iKirt  time  Iwlori'  tlieir  <le|iiirtiir''  tliey  eoiitiiuietl  in  e(iiii|iaet  llciiks,  Imt  iii  .Mii\  tliey 
liicanie  iiion'  dispersed,  iiiid  were  seen  in  paiis  cliasiuj,'  eaeli  otiier  over  the  sand. 

Specimens  of  this  hird  were  taken  in  jternnidii  liy  Major  Wedderliuru  from  the 
nil  of  Septendier  to  the  7th  of  Novendier.  Aci'ordin'^  to  Mr.  Ilnrdis.  it  is  not  known 
t(i  have  oecnrred  there  later  tlian  tlie  lllth  of  Novendier.  Several  indiviilnals  cd'  this 
spcries  were  uhtaiiied  liy  .Mr.  .1.  \.  .Mien  at  Ipswich,  .Mass.,  in  .Inne,  l.StJS;  they  wert^ 
ill  immature  pluniii>,'e,  and  were  mere  stra>,'^;lin);,  unmated  birds. 

(»n  till!  Pacific  coast  the  Sanderlinj;  was  not  observed  by  Dr.  ('nuper  aloii;,'  the 
sipiithern  jtart  of  the  coast  of  California,  Imt  from  San  Kranci.sco  north  it  was  fonnd 
numerous  in  winter;  mid  thim^di  a  few  reiiiuin  throii^dioiit  tiie  summer,  none  are 
supposed  to  breed  there.  Its  food  on  the  I'acilic  coast,  and  indeed  wherever  tlie  coii- 
tiiits  of  its  stomach  hiive  been  observed,  appears  to  be  slender  sea-worms,  minute 
sliiUlisli,  Crustacea,  and  Hue  Ki'avel.  {''arther  north — as  .Mr.  I>all  states  —  it  was 
piiiiiired  it  Sitka  by  ISisidioff,  is  very  common  at  Nnlato,  and  on  the  Viikoii  to  the 
M'a,  where  it  arrives  "arly,  from  .May  loth  to  the  l."itli.  and  is  one  of  the  last  birds 
to  h'avo  in  the  fall,  havin;,'  been  seen  by  him  in  October  on  the  ed^re  of  the  ice.  Ken- 
nicott  found  them  in  the  interior,  alonj,'  the  beach  at  Lake  Winnipej,'  in  .lime,  where 
tlicy  were  iu  small  Hocks  and  numerous.  Mr.  Macl-'arlane  discovered  a  nest  id'  this 
species  —  the  only  one  at  that  time  known  to  naturalists  —  on  the  Harren  (irounds, 
.lime  lil),  l.S(J.'t.  The  female  was  seciireil,  and  the  nest  found  to  contain  four  e^^^'s 
which  wore  (piite  fresh.  The  nest  is  said  to  have  been  composed  cd'  hay  and  decayed 
leaves.  It  was  obtained  not  far  from  the  ,\rctie  coast,  a  little  east  id'  Anderson 
iiivcr.  The  two  e,i,';,'s  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection  (No.  IKtS,'))  measure,  one  1.14 
inches  in  length  by  .•».■»  in  breadth;  the  other,  l.t.'l  by  .J)!).  Their  ground-color  is  a 
brownish  olive,  marked  with  faint  spots  and  small  blotches  of  bistre.  These  mark- 
iiiLfs  are  very  t,'eiierally  dilfiised.  but  are  a  little  more  numerous  about  the  larger  end. 
fiiey  art!  of  an  oblong  pyriform  shape. 


Gkm's   LIMOSA,  ISimsson. 
Limosa,  Bkissun,  Orn.  il^W  (xyy,  Si-olnjui.r  liniiisn,  li.,  =  .S'.  niiiHVjilmhi,  L.), 

Ch.vr.  Bill  li'iijitlicni'il,  (■.xcccdiii^;  the  tarsus,  slcmlcr,  iiiul  curving  gently  ujiwards,  grooved  to 
WM  tilt'  tiji,  tlif  tip  not  attenuated.  Tiii>us  with  tnuisvcrsc  sciitcllie  licl'oiv  and  licliiiid,  rcticulatetl 
iatciJilly.    A  short  Imsal  iiu'iiiliriiiii'  lictwccii  the  middle  and  cmtcr  toes.     Tail  .short,  even. 

liill  nnuli  longer  than  head,  ncarlv  iMpiiilling  tni-si  and  toes  together,  curving  gently  upwards 
I'liiiii  the  base,  where  it  is  elevated  and  eoiii|iresse(l,  depressed,  however,  at  the  end.  The  grooves 
on  sides  of  hill  and  beneiilli  extend  iiearlv  to  the  lip  ;  the  tip  of  llie  upper  luaiidilde  is  thiekeiied, 
and  extends  a  little  beyond  the  lower.  The  gape  is  slij^lit,  not  extending  lieyoiid  the  Imse  of  the 
ciihiieii  ;  the  fi-athers  on  the  side  of  the  hill  reneli  imwiiid  to  about  the  same  point,  tlios.'  on  the 
iliiii  ft  little  farther.  Tarsus  more  than  one  and  one  half  times  the  toes,  twice  the  bare  jiart  of  the 
tiliia  ;  hind  toe  rather  lengthened  ;  outer  toe  webbed  as  fur  as  end  of  lirst  joint,  inner  toe  with  only 
a  short  ha.sal  weh.     Tail  short,  even,  two-tifths  the  wings. 

In  some  resports,  the  liill  of  this  genus  resembles  that  of  Mii(rnrli(nn)>hita,  the  chief  apparent 
dill'erence  being  the  upwanl  curve  of  the  one  and  its  straighlness  iu  the  other. 

A.  Wings  without  any  well-detined  white  patch, 
a.  Tail  distinctly  barred. 
1.  Ij.  fedoa.     Prevailing  eolor  oeliraceous,  the  head  and  neck  streaked,  the  remaining  upper 


^Miim 


254 


rU.ECOriAT.  OKALLATOIIKS-  F.IMirOL.K. 


|Mirti4  bttmil,  with  lirnwiiixh  (liiHk.v;  itxillarH  mul  liiiiti);  of  the  win^  iloop  riniiiiiiinn-ocliii'. 
\Vill){,  M,A(>-U.(N)  ;   (lllliicll,  a.r)(M>.*NI  ;  turMUN,  :<.7r)-:).(M)  ;   liiiilillc   I'M',   I.  ID.      Iliih.   Noitii 
Aiiiciiiii. 
2.  L.  Uppouloa.    I'l'iKT  tiiil-covvrti*  uliiif,  Hpnttoil  with  iliinky  ;  uxilliirM  luul  liiiiii>{  uf  win^' 
wiiitc,  ii'ifKuliiily  luitritt'il  with  tliixky.    In  tummn;  hi-iul  and  lower  |HtrtH  ciniiuiiioiMiilm 


■  --'^-'v- 


L,  fetlua. 

In  winter,  hcail  mid  lower  purtM  wliilisli,  the  liead  mid  n.-rk  streaked,  tlie  hreiist  and  wido 
irregularly  liarnnl  wiili  jirayish  lirown.  Yoninj,  like  winter  adull,  but  ])hinia^'o  j,'eu- 
erully  washed  with  dull  li;,dit  clnyecdor,  the  tiiroat  alul  Juj,'uluni  unstreaked. 
a.  Lapponiui.  Rump  white,  marked  with  (lli|iti(al,  aiumiuate  streaks  of  dusky.  Wiiij;, 
8.25-8.50  ;  culmun,  2.f)5-3.Wi ;  tarsus,  2.(KI-2.i")  ;  middle  toe,  1.10-1.20.  llali.  ruhumeti. 
Uetjion. 


Outer  tail-fi'.itlier  nf   '..  Injtponlca 
nova-ztalandUr. 


Outer  ttll-fcatbcr  of  L.  fidoa.  ^"^^^^^  ^_^*' 


Outer  tail-feather  of  L  hmuutlca. 


.4,.  I 


/3.  Nova:-zealan(fi(r.    Rump  dusky,  the  feathers  bordered  with  whitish.     Win},',  8.25-0.15; 
culmen,  3.15-3..55  ;  tai-sus,  2.00-2.20;  middle  toe,  1.10-1.20.    Uab.  Pacific  Islands  and 
roasts,  from  Austiidia  to  Alo-ska. 
h.  Tail  black,  with  white  base  and  tip,  but  without  bars. 


HCOLOPACID.E  — TMK  HSIVK   FAMILY  -  UMOSA. 


265 


3.  L.  haniaatlOH.     rpixr  lail-ioviTtH  i^rowtvil  liy  ii  wiiUt  luuiil  <>r  |iiirt>  wliiii- ;  llm^^^^T  \\\t\tvt 

tiiil-covertN,  I'litiiv  niiiip,  iiiul  axilliirx,  uiiilnnn  iliiitky  ;  liiiiii;;  of  wiii^  tlimky,  H|Hitiiil 
uith  wliili'  i>u(\«iii'tlly.  Siintmir  iiliinniiji  :  llt'iiratli,  i'lu"<tiiiit  luiiii'il  with  iliisky  ;  uIhivi-, 
l>liii'ki'«li.  ll'indi-  iiliiiiiini'  :  lii'inaili,  wliiti'.li,  witliniit  niiirkiii^^,  llu'  IiichkI  ami  Jti^'ii- 
liiiit  ({iityisli  ;  uliovc,  iiiiirciriii  lirnwui'ili  ({''"yi  •''(I't'pl  rump,  iippt-r  lail-i'iivt-rtH,  ami  tail. 
Vniiiiii:  ili'iH'alli,  li;,'lit  ;;iavi^li  I  lav-riijor.  ilarkff  on  Intact  ;  iilmvc,  lirnwiiihli  «''">',  ffalli- 
vT*  liniili'icil  with  (p(  hrart'DH;*,  ami  fiiiiii-what  Kimttcd  with  ilii^ky.  Win;,',  H.  |(I-h,(;(>  ;  riil- 
iiiiii,  J..s:i-;i  !.•) ;  taisuH,  2.2.'>-:!.:.(» ;  iiiitlilli!  Uw,  l.l"»-l  ;«<».  l/<ili.  Aimrica. 
Il<  Wiii^'  with  tw'i)  white  patclit'it,  tmc  ut  hanu  of  intu'i'  priiiiarii''<,  tliu  dthcr  Dcciipyiii)^  tliu  ^ivaliT 
]iart  III'  the  Nfi'iiiiilai'ii'K. 

4.  L.  CBgooephiila.     I'pprr  t  lil-niM'tli,  iiinip,  ami  tail  mui  h  as  in  //iiilKiniini ;  axillarx  ami 

lining'  nl  win^;  pun-  white.     U'inj{,  h.iT);  tuluiLii,  U.Tu  ;  tursuH,  li.h.'j ;  iniddlu  tia-,  l.:;5. 
lliti),  ralu'ui'ctiu  iti'^ioii ;  (irutiilainl. 


LimMa   fedoa. 

THE  MARBLED  OOOWIT. 

• 

Sciilojiaxftdoii,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  I'litl,  "Jll  (liii.Hnl  on  Fulna  amrrictinu,  Knw.  1:17,  nnd  Limoia  amtri- 
riiiiii  ni/ii,  lliir.ss.  V.  •2><7).   -   \Vii,.s.  Am.  Oia.  VII.  l.siil,  :1(),  pi.  .Iti,  (.  I. 

/,iHmwf/((/(«»,  nun.  id.  Wu.min,  VII.  l.sj,'..  ^Sw.  d  linn.  K.  It.  A.  II.  \m\,  aii5.-- Ni'ir.  Man. II. 
1834,  173.  —  All).  Orn.  Uion.  111.  18:i:.,  287  ;  V.  filtO,  pi.  X\»  ;  Syiiop.  1»31»,  2I<!  ;  H.  Am.  V. 
1812,  :131,  pi.  34H.  -  Casn.  in  Hiiird's  It.  N.  Am.  1h58,  710.  —  UmiiP,  (at.  N.  Am.  It.  18.10, 
no.  ,•.(-. —  I 'iiiti>,  Kry,  is7i,  '.•."u  ;  <  link  Li-t,  1873,  no.  J2.S  ;  Itiiils  N.  W.  1871,  4!t2. 

Limmiifinlti,  liiixiw.  Nom.  N.  Am.  II.  l.sM,  no.  :,V.\.  —( 'oiriu*,  Check  Lint,  2d  td.  1882,  no.  028. 

Sciilnjiitj:  iiKiniiiirii/ii,  L.vrii.  Ind.  Orn.  II.  17!Mi,  7'-'<'. 

" Linwiui  iiinn'iciniii,  Snil'IIEN.s,  Shaw's  lien.  /i«)l." 

"  I.illKnul  ll(/.1/klSll,    LlCIIT." 

II.vu.  Ndith  Aini'iira  ;  liici-dinj,'  in  the  infi-iiiir  of  the  cnntiiiPiit  (MiMsoiiri  Roijion  niid  north- 
waid),  wintfiin^'  Hoiithward  to  Viii:ataii  and  (iuatcniala  ;  Culia. 

Sp.  Chau.  IjIII  Iimi;.  ciirvid  iiiiwaids ;  Imth  inamlililis  ;.'riiovcd  ;  win>,'»  long  ;  tail  short  ;  legs 
loiit; ;  tibia  with  its  hiwer  hall'  naked  ;  tms  rather  short,  mai),'iiied  and  llatteiied  iinilern"ath  ;  the 


outer  and  niiddh'  toes  united  liy  a  rather  lari,'e  meinbmno.  Entire  upper  pnrt.^  variegated  with 
liiiiwnisii  hhiek  and  pale  reildish,  the  fonuer  disposed  in  irregular  and  eoiilluent  liand.s,  and  the 
latter  in  sputsand  iinperl'ect  hands  ;  in  many  si>eeiinens  the  lilack  i-olor  predominating  on  the  hack, 
iiiid  the  pale  red  on  the  runi]i  and  up]ier  tail-coverts.  Under  ]iart.s  ])ale  rufouw,  with  tninsverse 
lines  of  brownish  black  mi  the  breast  and  sides  ;  under  wing-coverts  and  a.villaries  darker  rufous  ; 
imtir  webs  of  primaries  dark  lirown,  inner  webs  light  rufous;  secondaries  light  rufous  ;  tiiil  light 
iiirous,  with  tnuisverse  baiM  of  brownish  black.  "Hill  dull  flesh-color  in  its  basal  half,  the  rest 
blackish  brown  ;  iris  brown  ;  feet  bluish  gray  "  (Af  ulijon.) 


266 


PK.KC<)("IA1,   (ii:AJ,I,AT(H!KS—  LIMICOL.K. 


Total  Ifiijjlli  about  I8.(K)  iiiL-lm-* :  wiiif,',  !).(K> ;  tail,  :J.")()  ;  l>ill,  l.(H>  to  n.tMl ;  tarsim,  a(K»  iiuliis.' 
Tlir  |iliiiiia^'i'  (if  this  liiiil  in  soiiii'  .-la;.'('s  is  wiiiidfi riiily  similar  to  tliat  of  SiniuitiiiK  lunijininlrii ; 
in  i'arl  the  ri'sciiililanri'  is  so  ^^'ival  lliat  \w\v  it  hhI  I'm'  the  rons[iii'Uoiis  ^^cnt'cic  (liU'i'rcni'cx  il 
would  III-  ratliiT  ililliriilt  to  distiii^uisli  tliciii  s|i(ritii'alK.  Itotli  have  in'ccist'ly  the  Huiiif  tints  nl 
color,  anil  also  a  nearly  idfutiral  di-^liilmtion  oi'  ihr  markings,  Tlu'  main  diU'i'it'iici's  a|i|ii'ar  to  lir 
till'  rollowin'^  ;  In  XfiitnuKs  ihi'  Mink  liais  nl'llu-  npiirr  paits  air  lonni'ilcil  liyliroad  stri|u's  aloii;,' 
the  niiddlu  III'  liii'  ri'athri's,  whili'  in  Limii.*n  jhesc  liars  are  all  isolati'd  and  nanowri',  a.-<  well  as  iiI'm 
less  deep  lilai'k.  The  lon;;iludinal  .streaks  on  the  head  and  neck  are  utucli  lesx  eons|iicuoiis  in 
Limtmii ;  in  the  latter  there  is  also  ol'lener  a  tendency  to  Iransvcrse  burs  on  the  crissuni,  and  le«- 
ol'ten  to  streaks  on  the  lorent'ck. 

Till'  (Sn'iit  Marlilcil  (Jculwit  has  lit'cii  rouiitl  throughout  North  Amorica  from  llir 
I'acitic  to  the  Atlaiitie  loast.  hut  is  not  known  to  orcur  north  oi'  the  Selkirk  Settle 
luciit-,  Manitiiha.  ami  Ilinlson's  l>ay  ;  nor  has  it  yet  heeii  traeeil  any  nearer  than  this 
to  the  Aretie  (.'iride.  ami  it  is  not  known  to  oecnr  in  any  jiart  ol'  Alaska.  I!y  our 
earlier  writers  it  was  supiioseil  to  lie  only  a  hint  <d'  transit  in  the  rnited  States;  Iml 
this  is  a  mistake.  It  is  now  kmiwn  *  i  lireed  in  Northern  Ohio,  in  W'iseonsiii,  Iowa. 
Minm'sota,  Kansas,  ami  Nebraska,  ami  also  not  improbalily  in  'i'e.Nas  ami  the  intei- 
venin^,'  re},Mon.  It  iia.s.ses  the  winte  ehietly  in  the  Wt-st  India  Islands,  Ale.xieo,  Cen- 
tral ami  South  America. 

y\Y.  Leyluml  louml  this  s|ieeies  eomnion  at  the  Ueli/e  ;  .Mr.  Salvin  nu't  with  it  on 
tlio  I'ai'itie  eoast  of  tiuatemala.  ami  .Mr.  Ilenshaw  mentions  its  a|i|iearini^  in  lari;i' 
tioeks  on  the  Califoriiian  eoast  both  in  s|irin,i;' ami  fall.  It  is  also  j,MVi'n  by  ^Ir.  If. 
IJrowi  e  in  his  List  of  the  Hinls  of  ^'am•onver  Island  ;  but  it  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  traeed  farther  north  on  the  Taeilie  coast  than  that  island,  ami  it  is  not  men- 
tioned by  .Mr.   Dall. 

According  to  Li'otaud  it  visits  the  Island  of  Trinidad,  aiTivinj;  there  in  the  nmnth 
of  Anj,nist  and  remainiii.u  until  October.  It  is  always  found  on  the  bonh'is  of  the 
.sea,  and  is  never  present  in  threat  numbers.  It  is  ineluded  by  i)r.  (iumllach  ainon;,' 
the  birds  of  Cuba. 

Ivichardson  speaks  of  this  species  as  abounding,'  in  the  Fur  Country,  esjiccially  in 
the  interior,  and  mentions  it  as  particularly  abumlant  on  the  Tlainsof  the  Saskatche- 
wan, where  it  freipieiits  marshy  places,  walkiii;;  on  the  surface  of  the  s/i/ini/iin,  and 
thrusting  its  bill  amonj,'  them  up  to  the  nostrils.  The  stomachs  of  Uiohc  that  lie 
kilh'd  when  so  en^ao;cil  were  found  to  be  lilled  with  fraj,'ments  of  leeches.  The  same 
author  states  that  in  the  I'nited  ."states  it  is  a  nu're  bird  of  tiassaj,'e.  winteriiij,' beyond 
our  southern  limit;  but  this  is  ai'  "ir.r,  as  this  species — to  some  extent  —  b.illi 
breeds  and  winters  within  our  limit.  -lah's  of  this  species  killed  in  the  I'ur  |{e;,'iiiii 
on  the  I'lst  of  .June  had  already  be!,'un  to  moult.  The  iiliimaf^e  of  the  females  at  the 
samt>  jieriod  appeared  mm  h  worn,  but  showed  no  m-w  feathers.  Cajilain  Jllakiston 
also  met  with  this  species  on  the  .Saskatchewan,  and  iifterward  received  spocimeiis 
of  it  from  II\id;on's  I'ay.  in  wliieh  re<,'ion  .Mr.  Murray  also  noticed  it  occasionally. 

Mr.  Dresf  'r  nu'iitioii'  that  in  .Inne  he  noticed  a  lew  of  tlu'se  birds  m-ar  Mrownville 
and  Matanioras,  but  was  able  to  procure  only  one  specinu'ii.  Their  occurrence  in  tha; 
locality  at  that  jieriod  rcii'cr.s  it  not  imi»o.ssible  that  a  few  may  breed  even  in  thai 


'  A  sorics  of  ten  s)ii'iiini'ns,  niclinlinjf  iiii  i'i|in(l  niaalie;- of  Mmles  iiiid  females,  shot  tiy  Mr.  Franklin 
lli'liner,  in  Milllli'Sdt.l,  lietweell  .Illlle  .Mil  aiel  20lh,  was  e.ni'fillly  nieiislllrd.  wila  the  liillowili),'  lesalls  : 
Miilm:  Tiiliil  li'ii^'tli.  lti.,'lo-i7.H'J,  aviTiiK"',  17. "H' ;  extent,  ;Ui..'i(l-:n,.''i0,  iivehij;i',  :tl.lO;  l.ill,  :!.(;•!-(. no, 
ni.Tnge,  ;{.S4.  J-Vmalis:  Tntal  linntli.  is. l'J-l!i,(|-.>,  :ivirafj!e,  llt.lo  ;  extent,  :f.'.(io-;i;).87,  iiveliine,  .'l-',8'-'  : 
bi>:,  4.54-5.00,  a-.riiKe,  4.77.     (See  "Hull.  .V'utl.  Om.  Cluh,'  V.  ,1  in.  IbSn,  y.  18.) 


•'hV! 

m 


li 


SCOLOFACID.K  ~  TIIK  SNIPK   FAMIIA'  -  LIMOSA. 


257 


soiithiTii  I'l'^iim.  in  AUj  "st  tli«'v  liml  lit'coim'  iinirc  iniiiit'nms ;  and  alMHit  thf  time 
ipf  liis  li-aving  he  saw  tlu'iii  daily  in  tiut  laj,'()un. 

Dr.  ("ooptT  statfs  tlial,  tliis  s|M'(it's  is  (•(iniiiioii  tlintiij,di  iit-aily  all  tlw^  year  aloiij; 
till'  siiiitlicrii  halt'  ol  the  (.'alitnrnian  coast  ■  and  it  scrnii'il  to  liini  |iri)l>alil('  that  it 
liii'i'ds  within  or  nt-ar  th*>  limits  id'  that  State  as  the  y«un^'  makt*  their  apiicaraiMf, 
lully  tl(dj,'rd.  near  San  I'fdro  in  .Inly,  and  n-maiii  nniil  die  L'ttth  (d'  May,  it' not  later. 

A<  eordiiin  til  (Jiiand  it  arrives  in  the  month  ol  May  on  the  sea-eoast  of  Long 
l>l;ind.  where  it  is  well  kiHiwn  to  the  sportsmen  iioth  as  the  .Marliii  and  as  the  <ireat 
Marbled  (iodwit.  It  visits  that  locality  ret;ularly  every  sprin-,'  and  aiitnnin,  liut  nev.-r 
in  alinntlanee,  It.  associates  in  Hocks,  and  iisnally  passes  its  time  on  the  shoals  and 
salt-marshes,  iH'ing  exceedingly  watchtnl,  and  not  permitting  a  near  approach;  yet 
wiieiiever  any  <nie  id'  its  inindier  is  wonnded,  its  associates  hover  around  it  and  ntter 
liiud  and  shrill  cries,  (hi  sntdi  un  occasion  they  crowd  together  and  oti'er  an  excidlent 
opportunity  for  the  hunter  to  secure  others.  I'elican  l>ar  is  said  to  lie  a  favoraide 
place  lor  prociu'ing  this  species,  (liraud  adds  that  its  tiesh  is  teiah-r  and  juicy,  and 
that  it  is  highly  prized  as  a  gamedtird  Ity  »'i)icurcs. 

This  Curlew  is  not  common  in  Massachusetts,  it  lieing  much  less  frecpu-ntly  met 
with  than  the  smaller  species.  .V  few  are  seen  hoth  in  their  spring  migrations  and  in 
the  fall,  in  the  laore  easterly  portions  id"  Itarnstaltle  County.  .Mr.  iSoarilman  informs 
us  that  it  is  found  at  (irand  .Meiian  late  in  the  sumnu-r  ami  during  its  migrations 
siPiuhward. 

Wilson,  who  only  oliserved  this  Imd  on  the  shore  of  New  Jersey,  regarded  it 
as  exclusively  migratory,  ciuuing  in  May  and  returning  in  Octohcr  and  Novenil)(>r. 
a  fi'W  lingering  into  dune,  'i'hey  were  known  to  huidiMs  as  the  Ited  Curlew  and 
the  Sti.iightd)illed  Curlew,  lie  (diarai'terizes  it  as  shy.  cautious,  ami  watchfid.  yet 
so  strongly  iitta(died  to  its  companions,  that  when  oin-  in  a  tlock  i^:  wounded,  the  rest 
are  imiuediately  arrested  in  theii-  flight,  making  .so  many  circuits  over  the  sjiot  where 
il  lies  Huttering  and  screaming,  that  the  sportsman  idtcn  makes  great  desrruction 
among  tliem.  'I'his  liird  may  lie  enticed  within  shot  \>\  imitating  its  whistle,  hut 
can  seldom  he  otherwise  approacdied.  It  is  found  usually  among  die  siilt-marshes, 
anil  in  the  fall  is  very  fat. 

N\ittall  ventured  the  conjecture — since  verilied  —  that  some  of  this  siiecii's  may  yet 
lie  innnd  to  hreed  in  more  temperate  regions  to  the  West,  as  wtdl  as  at  the  North.  In 
Ins  day  this  species  is  .said  to  have  appeared  ahont  the  middle  of  .\ugust  in  the  .salt- 
marshes  of  Massaidnisctts.  particularly  towards  the  eastern  extri'mity.aronml  Chatham 
and  the  N'incyard,  tlicir  stay  heing  very  siiiirl.  It  may  he  that  he  mistook  for  this 
till'  NiiilsDiilini,  which  in  some  seasons  is  very  almndant  on  this  coast.     .\t  present, 

at  least,  it  is  only  an •asimial  visitant,  though  said  in  Nutlairs  time  to  assemhle  in 

tliiiks  of  many  hundreds.  \'errill  speaks  of  it  as  rare  on  th.-  coast  of  Maim-,  and  it 
is  Mot  given  l>y  Itoardmau  in  his  List  (d'  the  Itirds  of  Calais,  although  he  has  sincL> 
1)1  en  informed  that  it  prolialily  lueeds  in  I'riuce  Kdward's  Island. 

Mr.  Andnhou  met  with  this  species  in  l-Moriila,  during  winter,  on  all  the  large 
mndily  Hats  of  the  coast.  It  was  generally  M'cn  in  Hocks  of  live  or  six,  in  company 
with  several  other  kinds  of  Waders,  Few  hirds  are  fouml  more  shy  or  vigilant; 
Imt  when  in  large  Hocks  they  nni,\  occasionally  he  apiiroached  and  kilh-d  in  large 
innnbers.  On  the  last  of  .May.  \M'J,  he  saw,  on  an  extei^sive  mnddtar  alKUit  six  miles 
south  uf  C!ape  Sahle,  an  immense  Hock  (d'  the.se  birds,  amounting  to  sonn*  thonsuinls 
in  nund)er.  Kotir  ov  live  shots  enabled  him  to  obtain  all  he  (h'sirei'.  Those  killed 
Were  |)lump  and  excellent  eatim;.  The  next  morning  the  whole  Hock  had  moved  north. 
This  liird   has  a  regular  and  ipdck   Hight,  and   when   migrating   usually   moves   in 

Vol..  I.  —  ;i;t 


_iLjl a- 


258 


PK.E(X)CIAL  (}KALLAT()I{KS  —  LIMICUL.K. 


I     '> 


I  5 


extended  lines,  present iii);  an  iirf'<,Milar   fmiit.  wliieli  miduliites  and  breaks  as  tin 
Hoi'k  advani'i'*.     tUi  muJi  «»(rasi(.iis  it  rarely  utters  any  cries. 

Aeeordin;;  to  .Mr.  Munre.  a  lew  ot  this  species  remain  aliout  Sarasota  liny,  Florida, 
during  the  siiiiiiuer  iimnths.  alth()U<^rli  the  lar,i;er  portion  leave  for  their  northern 
lireediie.{-<;roiiiid».  Tli«»«'  which  remain  do  not  exhibit  any  symptoms  of  in-inj,' matiil 
Mr.  M<M>re  diw.s  ii<»t  erv«l!t  the  statement  that  this  species  ever  lireeds  neai'  Charles- 
ton :  the  faet  is  a.<MUiii«'<I.  rather  than  provi'il.  The  pliimaye  ot  tlnj.se  that  remain  in 
Florifia  is  \tnii*-rvfl  iiiielianjf«'d. 

Three  i-<;^  uf  tlii)(  s|x'C'ies.  lM-lont,'in).j  to  the  Smithsonian  Iiistitntion.  and  obtained 
in  Minnenotu.  r.tH'^'  in  lenf^h  Irom  'J.'SJ  to  'J.'.V.i  inches,  and  trom  l.oO  to  l.fiO  inches 
in  breailth.  Their  jfround-^cdor  is  a  pah'  f,'reenish  dral».  O-er  the  eg},'  are  scattered 
markings  in  the  form  of  small  blotches  ol'  olivaceous-umber.  These  JM-eonie  lar<;ci 
at  the  tjreater  end  of  tlie  ej;^'.  ami  intermi.xid  with  them  are  also  a  few  washes  of  a 
dilute  purplish  •♦lat*'.  Three  eggs  in  my  own  collection  —  one  from  C'levidand,  Ohio. 
and  twr)  from  Nirrthwestern  Iowa  —  do  not  materially  vary,  in  regard  to  the  nest  of 
this  bird  we  haw  no  ilir«'<-t  information. 

Limosa  lapponica  novee-zealandias. 

THE  PACIFIC  OODWIT. 

Limom  Hcrtf-vol'imJiir.  *iiiA\,  Vnv.  Knlnis  A;  'IVrior,   Hinls,  1845,  13.  —  Cass.  Om.  U.  S.  E.x|i|. 

K.X|>.  \9li,  311  «Uow  1.,  .'^aiiiimii  <i|(iii|i), 
Limuta  laf/fimtiea,  rar.  m/vayuii/tim/iii;  (Ils.w,  1.  c. 
Li'HiKUi  IfiffffMioi  ^vvac-zealaM'fi'i,  Itiniiw.  Pr<H:  V,  S.    Xiit.   Mils.    Vol.  III.   1880,  200  ;  Noln.  N. 

Am.  I{.  H*l,  If).  :,H. 
Liif-mm  Hnp/iftfuili*,  <:«i  i.i»,  P.   '/..  S.   1S4S,  :1S  ;  liinis  .Aiistriilia,   VI.  1848,  pi.  .xxix.  —  Finw  ii  4 

Hakti.  ISHlr.  Kauiu«Viiii.  Pdyn.  1807,  177.       Baikh,  Triuis,  Clijcaj!"  Aiml.  1.  IsOU,  :W(i,  |j1. 

:«•»  (AU'tlu).   -  I».»Li.  k  l5.%x\i.sT.  II).  —  CoiKs,  (hck  List,  2il  wl.  188'_',  no.  «31. 
LiiioMi  F'urii,  I'lULf,  I'.  S.  Kxpl.  KxIkmI.  1848, -J:!!,  \<\.  Ixv. 

Hab.     Shor*-*  oikI  i*li»ii<U  of  the  I'licilic-  Oiciiii,  from  Austiidiu  to  Alaska.     Not  ruconlwl  from 
the  Piititk-  ciiik*t  of  Ameri'Mi  -(Utli  i-f  Alaska,  e.vi'i'pt  Lower  California  (L.  IJKi.ui.Nti). 

Sp.  Char.  Admit  im  tumiitff:  IJurk  and  saipuliu-s  dusky,  irivgularly  spotted  with  whitish  iiinl 
light  nifoiM  ;  win}:-«3>^verl»  light  gI•ayi^ll,  with  dusky  shaft-streaks  and  whitish  iMmlers,  the  unteriiir 


Bnialler  <i)v».'Tt»  'Urker  cikI  uiort  unifonu  gniyish  ;  priniuries  and  primary-coverts  ilii»ky,  the  linn  i 
■pulls  lx)rdtrtil  with  »hit»-.  Hmup  dusky  gruvish,  the  ffuthurs  liordund  with  whitt? ;  uppi  i 
tail-rovt-rt'  while,  liiit^.'ol  witli  li;.'lit  ciinianioii,  and  irregularly  spotted  with  dusky  ;  tail  grayisii. 
inegularly  Imrrvtl,  sikI  lumiH-ly  ti]i)NHi  with  white.     Mead,  iieek,  and  lower  parts,  light  cinnanion, 


SCOLOPACID.K  —  THK  SXIPK   FAMILY  -  LIMOSA. 


259 


ilii'  crown,  iiaiK',  and  lore*  sln-uk*-"!  wiili  ilii^ky.  Axilliirsaml  lining'  of  the  wing  white,  irn-gularly 
liarwl  anil  s|M>ti<<l  with  iln*ky  ^nivish.  U'iufir  pliiinuije :  Aliovc,  jiliiin  l»ri>wni^h  j^ray,  iH-neath, 
iiliiin  whitish  ;  runip,  ii|>|N'r  lail-i'iivcrl-,  tail,  axillars,  t'tc.,  as  in  suninu'r.  Yniniij:  Alxive,  iiirlmU 
iii^'  win>,'-c''iviTt-,  li'^ht  ;,'iayi-h  I'Ull',  nr  [pali-  tlny-iolni-,  coarsely  aiiil  ii'rcj,'ularly  s|)i)itcil  willi  liiiskv, 
till"  latti-r  chiclly  aloiij,'  lli<'  cri'tii->  nl'  the  Iraliu'is,  ami  showing,'  as  cniispiciious  slial't-stri'.'iks  nn  the 
»iiiL;-c">vrrts  ;  lower  |Kiris  hntry  whiti>li,  >liailt'il  across  the  jii;;uliiin  ami  hreast  with  "h-eiier  ;,'rayi!*h 
l>iifr:  in  iitlit-r  n-s|K-cts  liki-  the  aiiujt. 

Total  icnu'th.  aliont  hi  inches  ;  win;.'.  K.L'."i-!(.|."> ;  culniL'n,;}.l.")-;j.5"» ;  tai-suw, 2.<Ht-:i  20  ;  niiilille 

I..,.    1. 1(1-1. JO. 

Tlieii'  is  ciiiisiih-i-nhh-  variation  auiono  imiiviiliials  in  tiie  ileptli  and  continuity  of  the  cinnamon- 
color  on  the  lower  snil'ace 

Tile  relationship  of  this  form  is  un<|ue>tioMalily  very  close  to  /,,  liijijiniiitii,  of  which  it  cannot 
111'  coMsi(li'ii'<l  more  than  a  ;ieoo|-i|,||i,-j|l  race  or  -iili-siiecies,  the  iliffereiu'es  lieinj;  vory  slioht, 
:ililinii;ili  M|ipari-nlly  lonstanl.  These  lonsi-l  in  the  ratliei  paler  shade  of  cinnamon  on  the  lowc-r 
y.al^  in  the  sunnner  plumage,  and  in  the  ^.'ravish  itistead  of  distinctly  white  rump,  in  all  stiigt-M  of 
plumn^'c. 

.\ustralian  examph-x  ap|H-ar  to  Ih-  i|uite  identical  with  those  from  Alaska. 

'I'liis  .spccjis  i.s  inili  i|<-il  in  tin-  fiiiiiiii  nf  Nurtli  .Viiit'iicii  ii.s  n  suiiinior  resident  of 
.Mii.skii  Tt-rritHry.  whcit-  it,  wa.s  incf  with  by  .Mr.  I>all  wiiilc  ciij^aK'''!  oii  the  Tclf^iiipli 
i;x|ieilitif>ii.  Itsilisnivfrv  iis  a  hiid  of  .\laska  was  tint' of  tin-  mo.st  iiitt'rt'.stiii;,'  aiiioiij^ 
tlir  re.siilts  (if  that  siirvi'v.  as  its  cxisti'iiit'  in  North  .Vmcriea  had  not  Ix-t'ii  fvcii  sus- 
peelcd  In'I'oi')'  it  had  Im-ih  thus  taken. 

So  far  as  had  Ihmmi  prfviniisly  ascertained,  its  raiij;e.  dtiriiij;  the  winter  months, 
li:id  heeti  (ivi-r  I'lilynesia.  .Viistralia.  Kastern  and  Sutitliern  .\sia.  and  •lapan.  In 
summer  it  was  kin>wn  tt>  f^o  imltli  to  Siheiia.  where  .Middeiidorff  found  it  Ineedinj^ 
on  the  Taimyr  K'iver.  in  latitude  7.*"  N.  Speeiniens  from  Polynesia  were  lirou^ht 
lionie  liy  the  I'liit'-d  ."states  Kxplorino  l*]xpedition. 

Mr.  Switiiioe  nuMitions  that  a  pair  of  this  speeies  was  (d)served  fecdiiij^  in  eoinpany 
with  a  lar:.,'e  fhiek  <d'  (iudwits  in  the  shallows  of  tiie  ereek  at  lIuiiKpe.  on  the  Island  of 
liiiiiaii.  oti  the  ."lOili  (d  .Mareli.  'I'JM'y  were  seemed,  and  proved  to  lie  very  nearly  in 
rull  summer  plunia;;e.  I'liree  days  lattM'iinotlter  example,  in  the  full  winter  |iliimage, 
was  olil. lined  dii  tin'  sandy  slmres  df  litiehow  ilarlior. 

Captain  F.  W.  Mutton  (••lliis."  1.S71)  states  that  this  liird  was  seen  .several  time„ 
on  the  Chatham  Islands,  althoiij^di  he  did  not  sm-eeed  in  (ilitainiiiK'  iiiiy  speeimeiiH. 
These  examph's  were  apparently  mdy  iniKnitoiy.  leavinj^  the  Islands  in  winter. 

Iti  the  PriieeedinoH  iif  the  Philadelphia  .Xeadiiny.  lS."i,S,  Mr.  Cassin  refers  to  a 
species  of  Limos.i  friini  daiiaii.  which  .Mr.  Swinhoe  states  to  lie  prdlialily  this  due. 
lioth  Mr.  .Swinhoe  (••  litis."  l.S7."i)  and  .Messrs.  Illakiston  and  I'lyer  mention  its 
occurretwe  in  dilTeie-it  parts  nl  .lapati.  especially  \'es(i  and  ^'okohalua.  The  .Messrs. 
l-ayard  (••  Iliis,""  IH7N.  p.  L'til,')  cite  this  species  as  a  bird  of  New  Caledonia. 

.Mr.  Dall  states  that  this  species  was  very  eoinmon  at  the  mouth  of  the  Yukon 
Itiver,  and  al.so  on  the  Piistolik  marshes  to  t ho  tiortli  of  it.  It  is  the  laip'st  Snipe 
found  in  the  country.  iM-in;,' ipiite  as  lar'^e  in  Imdy  as  a  Teal,  ami  very  excidleiit  ealiii;,'. 
lie  adds  that  it  lays  two  lioht-<ilivaceous  atnl  spotted  e}j;Ks  in  a  rounded  depressitm 
ill  a  sedp>  tusstM-k.  and  that  the  nest  consists  of  a  lining  of  dry  Ki'iisses. 

.Mr.  II.  \Y.  Klliott  met  with  this  s|ieeies  from  time  to  time  dnriii:,'  his  stay  on  the 
I'lyliilof  Islands,  and  s]N-aks  of  it  as  only  mioratoiy  there,  and  never  lireedin^.  It 
I'omes  in  a  straj,'Klin>;  manner  early  in  May,  passino;  mirthward  with  Imt  little  dtday. 
and  re-appeariiifj  towani  the  end  of  Au!,'ust  in  Hocks  of  from  a  do/en  to  fifty. 

.\  set  of  the.se  e),'f,'s.  two  in  numlier.  are  in  the  Smithsonian  Colle<ti<in.  One  of 
these  ineaHtiit's  'J.'J't  incln's  in  length  by  1,  (•'>  in  breadth.     The  giuund-eolor  of  one  is 


l\ 


260 


rU-KroriAL  (iHALLATollES—  IJMICOL.E. 


a  (lei'p  greenish  drab;  tlie  iiiarkin^js  are  scattt-red  in  the  form  of  irregnhir  lih»telips 
of  a  dilute  iMiiiter.  Tlic  other  measures  L'.l,'.")  li_v  l.L' inelies,  and  the  ground-color  is 
of  a  pah'  drai),  the  markings  iieing  miudi  more  pronounced  than  in  the  other  si)ecimen, 
and  more  aggregated  toward  the  larger  end,  as  well  as  mon;  irregular  in  form,  and 
are  of  a  niueh  deejwr  sluuh'  of  nndx-r. 


Limosa  haemastica 

THE  HUDSONIAN  OODWIT. 

.Si-oliijm.i-  hirmiiHlkn,  I, INN.  S.  N.  nl.  In,  |,  17.'(S,  1 17  (luisfd  on  Kihvards,  pi.  1:18). 

Limosa  hitmaslifa,  CuCK.'*,   linll.  XiUt.  Oni.  riuli,  1880,  Km  ;  Clipck   List,  -Jil  cd.  1882,  no.  ti2fi. - 

HiDcw.  Ndiii.  N.  Am.  \\.  issl,  iki.  '<\'>. 
Scnlopiij'  Ill/ill,  I, INN.  S.  N.  I.  ITtiti,  --17  O'iisf'il  nil  I'riliui  oiiiadixsii.   Kdw.  ]i1.  l.^[l  ;  JAwn/tn  condiil'i, 

lllll».  V,  2Uii  ;    TiiliinH.1  n     mlcii.ii.s,  KhW.  |i|.  l;!!i,  f.  1;   7'iil(iiiiis  nnn/iiliis,  Bl!Is>.  V.  207). 
.s'iii/o/»ij'  oitiilitlii,  Linn.  1.  v. 
AWo/wij-  liiji/iuiiii'ii,  Viir.  fi.  t;.\ii;i,.  .S    N.  1.  1788, 
Sfo/n/mx  Hiiihniiini,  \,.\\\\.  hid.  Hin.  II.  I7'.HI,  720. 
Liiiioxii  Jfiiilsniiir,,,  Sw.Si  |!i(  II.  I'".  It.  .\.  II.  isai,  ;!!•«.  — Xt'TT.  Mall.  II.  lS;il,  17r).  —  Alip.  (tin. 

Hi.«.  III.  1S;!.\   I2il  ;  V.  .'.!t2.   |>l.  2.'iS  ;  .Syiio|i.    18:l!»,   247;   I!     .\lii.    V.    1,S42,   m',,   ).].   :i|!i. 

('As.-iiN,  ill   haiiii's  H.  N.  Am.   Is.'.s,   711.— Jl.MiiK,  (at.    N.  Am.  15.  185!>,  no.  r.48.  —  ('nils. 

Key,  1872,  2.")S  ;  (link  List,  1>7:!.  no,  42it ;  liiids  N.  \V.  1874,  4lt4. 
Limosa  iiirliiinini,  linNxr.  S|n'ci'.  t'()iii|i.  1S27,  no.  2ii4  (iioc  Lkisi..). 
Limusti  ir(jiicr]ili'ilii,  l!o\AI'.  .s»yiio|i.  1S2S,  ;S27   (me    I, INN.). 
Limnsn  E,/ir„rilsi,  Sw.  &  liK  ii.  I".  |i.  A.  II.  1831,  3!I8. 
Limosa  (iiistnilis,  (Jis.w,  Cat.  Hrit.  Mils.  1844,  iK>. 

Hah,  Hustcrii  Xnitli  .Vnu'rifu  mikI  tiu'  whole  ol  Middle  mid  .Soutli  America.  No  West  Indian 
loculitie.s  recorded  except  Ciilia.     Breeds  only  in  liie  high  iioitli. 

Siv  ("HAU.  Smaller  tiian  L.  fnliui.  Sinnnii'r  aihilt :  Aliove,  1  lackisii  lirowii,  irregularly  s]>otted 
and  kiireil  with  pale  ncliraceims,  the  niiiip  plain  lirowiiish  Idack  ;  upper  tail-coveils  iiuiiiaciilati 
white  ;  wing-coverts  and  shorter  tpiills  plain  dark  lirownish  gray  ;  juiniaries  Imiwiiish  Idack,  lluii 


shafts  white.  Lower  ]. arts  ■•hestimt-nilou.%  iinrrowly  Laned  with  hiowiiish  Muck,  the  feathers  of 
the  helly,  etc.,  olieii  tij.ped  with  white.  Tail  Idack,  with  the  Lase  and  lip  (narrowly)  while. 
Lining  of  wings  and  axillai-s  ]dain  snioky  Idack  H'i,it,r  phiturui,  :  Al.ove,  |>lain  dull  lnowniMi 
gray  ;  U-neatli,  while,  the  lnvast  shadeil  with  luowni.sli  gray,  (tthercharncters  as  in  summer  divss. 
YoiiiKj:  Soinevlml  like  the  winter  ]>huna!.'e.  lail  each  feather  of  dor.s.il  region  marked  with  a  .onl' 
terminal  dusky  crescent  niid  a  narrower  terminal  one  of  <hiil  oc  liin<  .-ous ;  heneatli.  very  jiale  dial', 
or  dull  light  hun",  the  nlMhnneii  wliilisli,  and  the  jngnliim  more  gniyish.  "Hill  grayish  yellow, 
dark  lirowii  along  the  rid;.'e  of  the  Mpjier  niandihle,  ami  Mackish  towards  the  lips  .  f  hoth  ;  iri- 
hniwn;  feet  light  grayitth  hlue  "  (Aidlbon). 


proLOPAnn.E  —  the  rxipk  KA^f m,y  —  limosa. 


2G1 


This  opecies  roseinl)^^  Romowhiit  tliu  Europpnn  L.  mjncrphnla,  hnving  the  tnil  marki'd  imicli  tlic 
>,iiiit'  as  ill  thai  «iit'ci«'K.  Tht-  hittir,  however,  ha**  two  while  ]iatches  on  the  wiu^'  (whicii  in  the 
incseiit  hinl  lias  no  wiiite  at  all,  excejil  ilie  shal'ls  ol'ihe  i>riiiiaiie-).  the  iixillai-s  jime  wliiti'  iiislead 
,.|  liidwiii^li  iihuk.  'I'lieru  ail' ali-o  other  iliircii'nres of  coloiatioii,  while  the  proportions  aru  i|uite 
(hHeivnt,  //.  iiiji.ci fili'ihi  liaviiij,'  ihi'  hill  and  lej,'s  niiich  !oii;,'i'r. 

Soiiih  Anii'riiau  speiiineiis  are  (|iiite  identical  witji  northern  ones. 

Much  leiniiins  to  lie  iisccrtaiiii'd  litdorc  tli<' liistorv  of  tlie  liiiliits  and  distrilmtion 
ol  tliis  (iddwit  can  lie  ^dvcii  witii  tidcraldc  accuracy  or  coniplctcnt'ss.  It  appt'iirs  to 
have  a  soincwliat  irrcj^iiiar  distrilmtioii  over  tin-  I'nited  States,  occiirriii(j;  in  soino 
seasons  in  jjrcat  ahiindaiicc  in  ri'j,'ions  w  here  it  was  not  known  before,  or  where,  in 
.-.iircpcdinj,'  years,  it  has  heeii  of  only  irrei,'uhir  and  occasional  appearance.  In  the 
I  lilted  States  it  is  only  known  as  niif,'ratory.  hrccdinj,'  north  of  the  limits  of  the 
Iniou,  and  in  rejjions  farther  north  than  those  in  which  the  /(■</'«/  has  heeii  found. 
li>  presence  in  rata,u-oiiia.  as  also  in  the  Falkland  Islands,  is  eipially  siij,'fjestivc  of  a 
wide,  and  perhaps  irre}{iilar.  disti'lljiitioii. 

It  is  not  ^,'iven  liy  Dr.  (inndlacli  as  occurring,'  in  Cuba;  Init  is  mentioned  by  I/'o- 
taiid  as  one  (d'  the  birils  of  the  Island  of  Trinidad,  where  it  is  spoken  of  as  ninch  more 
romiiioii  than  \\\v  fnlim,  coming' in  Aiij,'iist.  and  leaving'  in  Octolier.  It  is  always 
Iniiiid  in  either  the  imniatnre  or  the  winter  ]>liima^e.  and  is  only  to  i)e  met  with  on 
ilic  iiorders  (d'  the  sea. 

.Mr.  (r.  (".  Taylor  mentions  lindin;.;  this  siiecies  abundant  on  the  shores  of  Fonspoa 
I  lay.  where  it  is  in  the  habit  of  sittinj,'  on  the  braindies  of  the  manKi'ove-trces  wliieh 
ovcrhani,'  the  water,     lie  considered  it  excellent  eating'. 

Mr.  11.  Diirnford  ("Ibis."  1S77.  p.  I.">).  in  his  Observations  relative  to  the  Hirds 
observed  by  him  in  the  Valley  of  the  Cluiiiat.  in  l*ata,i,'onia.  states  that  diiritij,'  his 
visit  there  in  November,  1S7<>.  a  small  partv  of  this  (iodwit  was  always  to  be  found 
ill  tiie  shallow  water  at  the  west  end  of  a  larf,'e  lagoon  to  the  north  of  the  village. 
Tliey  weri'  feeding,'  in  company  with  7V///'/'(  Hiintiliifii  and  a  species  —  nnidentitied  — 
of  .KiiiiiHtls.     ( )n  the  l.'ith  (d'  Novcndier  he  procured  two  examples. 

Mr,  ('.  ('.  .Miboft  (■  Ibis,"  |S(»1)  mentions  tindinjj;  Hocks  of  tliis  species  at  Mare 
Harbor,  l''alkland  Islands,  in  the  month  of  Ma\,  iSCdi,  He  shot  two  of  them  at  I'ort 
bonis  on  the  L'Oth  of  that  month.  Uoth  had  the  red-barred  breast,  and  were  therefore 
ill  the  winter  plnmaoe.  |I,.  djd  not  notice  the  presciuM-  (d'  this  bird  in  those  islands 
during,'  the  winter  nninths;  and  even  when  found  there  in  the  ^'UlnuleI•,  he  lia.s  never 
lirard  of  its  ei,".is  liavinj,'  been  detected.      It  was  veiy  wary,  and   'iHicult  to  )irocnre, 

Ilearin'.  in  his  book  <  f  .Vrctic  tr,iv(ds.  jniblished  more  than  a  century  since,  rcd'er- 
riii},'  to  this  species  as  the  ••  |{ed  (iodwaite."  states  that  it  was  then  j,'enerally  known 
at  the  more  northern  M'ttlenuMits  on  Hudson's  15ay  as  a  I'lovcr.  He  mentions  that 
it  visited  the  shores  of  that  portion  of  the  bay  in  very  larj,'e  Hocks,  and  usually  fre- 
i|uented  the  marshes  and  the  mar.uins  of  ponds.  It  also  frequently  atteinled  the  tide, 
ill  the  manner  of  the  ••  Ks<|uimaux  Curlew"  (Siinienliis  J/iit/sonii'iis),  Hying  down  to 
the  water's  edge  and  feeding  on  a  small  tish  iiot  inueh  unlike  a  sliviiup;  but  as  the 
tiih"  advaiu'es,  retiring  to  the  marshes.  The  birds  were  said  to  Hy  in  siudi  large 
Hocks,  and  so  elo.sidy  together,  that  he  was  often  able  to  kill  as  many  as  twelve  at 
one  shot.  And  he  further  states  that  a  ^Ir.  Anderson,  long  a  resiih'iit  at  Fort  Vork, 
actually  killed  seventy-two  of  this  species  at  one  discharge;  but  this  was  after  they 
liiid  alighted  on  the  shore.  Near  t'hurchill  Kiver  they  were  stddom  very  fat,  though 
ill  tolerable  eimdition.  and  they  were  said  to  1m>  generally  very  good  eating.  They 
usually  weighed  from  ten  to  thirteen  ouiu'es.  The  two  sexes  differ  Intth  in  color  and 
size,  the  female  \mng  always  larger  and  of  a  much  lighter  brown  than  the  male. 


il 


11 


11 


i 


202 


I'U.KCiMlAI,  liKAM.AToKKS  ~  MMFCkL.E. 


Thi.-.  l)ii(l  rctiiTs  to  tlir  soiitli   Iniij,'  iM't'ort'  tlu'  fmsts  lM'<,'in;  still,  it  lias  lK>t>n  met 
with  as  tar  iinrtli  as  latitmlc  "I    ."ill'. 

This  (iodwit  —  .Mr.  i'loanliiiaii  tells  me  —  is  t'oiind  in  the  lu'ijjlihnihood  of  Calais. 
Me.,  hut  is  there  (piite  rare,  lie  was  iutdrmed  that  a  lew  oeeur  in  the  siiinnier  on 
I'rinee  Kdward's  Island,  where  the  spoeies  is  sii|i|insed  to  breed,  and  where  it  has  hecn 
olitaini'd  in  its  lirfi'din,t,'-i)lnina,Lre. 

.Mr.  Knss  nieiititiiis  this  liii'd  as  occurriiit,'  —  althnu^li  rarely  —  on  the  Muekeazie  ; 
and  .Mr.  .Murray  and  Captain  ISlakiston  both  proenred  it  on  Hudson's  Itay. 

<  >n  lliei'oast  oi'  .Massaelnisetts  it  is  (d' very  irre<.;ular  appesiranee  —  at  least  as  to 
nundicrs  —  brin^'  in  some  seasons  very  eommon.  It  is  stated  ity  .Mr.  II.  \.  I'nrdie  to 
have  been  (piite  abundant  on  the  New  Knt,'land  coast  in  the  fall  t>[  IS?.'!.  A  sIukI'' 
specimen  was  obtained  at  Kastham,  Nov.  .■>,  ISTS.  by  Mr.  Frank  II.  Tileston. 

This  species,  in  its  nuLrrations  in  sprini;  and  fall,  also  visits  the  interior  lakes  and 
rivers.  It  is  a  re^iular  visitant  at  Lake  Koskonon^'.  Wisconsin,  where,  as  .Mr.  Knui- 
lieii  iid'orms  nn-.  it  a])peared  as  early  as  August  l."».  in  IS7.">.  Mr.  .Nel.son  cites  it  as  a 
not  rare  nii;;rant  in  Northern  Illinois,  where  it  comes  in  .\pril  and  reajiiiears  in 
October. 

According,'  to  IJichiird.sou,  this  species  breeds  abundantly  on  the  Barren  (!round 
near  the  Arctic  Sea,  where  it  feeds  on  insects  and  shelly  molbisca,  whiidi  it  obtains  in 
the  small  sphafrnons  lakes.  In  all  its  manners  and  habits  it  is  similar  to  the  (iroiit 
.Marbled  Cod  wit. 

Aceordinj;  to  Ciiruud.  this  bird  is  nn-t  with  on  the  .sliores  of  Lon^'  Island,  where, 
however,  it  is  not  so  |>lentifnl  as  the  Marbled  Codwit.  It  is  known  to  the  hunters 
of  that  island  as  the  ••  i;inj,'-tailed  .Marlin,"  and  is  so  called  from  the  white  band 
crossinfi  the  tail-feathers.  .V  few  are  shot  every  .seasiHi  on  those  shores,  and  some 
arc  also  procured  on  the  more  eastern  .sean-oast.  (liraiid  adds  that  it  is  by  no  means 
a  rare  bird  in  the  Middle  States,  thon^di  not  abundant.  In  its  liabits  he  regards  it  as 
nearly  allied  with  x\u' jh/on,  with  which  it  .sonuMinu's  associates. 

This  species  apjiears  to  have  e.scaped  the  notice  of  Wilson,  and  to  have  been  bin 
very  imperfectly  known  either  to  .\ndubon  or  ti>  Nnttall.  The  latter  considered  it  an 
inlreipu'iit  visitor  to  the  Kastern  and  Mi(Ulh'  States,  and  conjectured  that  it  mii,dit 
be  more  conunon  on  our  northwestern  coast;  but  this  is  (piite  problematical.  Two 
specimens  only  are  recorded  by  .Mr.  Dall  as  having  been  taken  near  the  mouth  ol 
the  Yukon  liiver.  With  this  exception,  none  of  our  own  exjilorers  nnuition  its  occur- 
rence (ui  the  I 'acilic  shores.  .Mr.  Dall  regarde<l  it  as  cpiite  rare  on  the  Yukon.  Mr. 
E.  Adams,  however,  met  with  it  in  Alaska,  on  the  coast  of  Norton  Sound,  where,  as 
he  states  (••  Ibis,"  187S),  a  b'W  of  these  birds  fretpiented  the  marshes  on  the  river- 
banks,  to  which  they  exclusividy  contined  them.selves.  living  u]ion  the  worms  fomid 
there  in  abundance.  The  first  seen  were  feeding  in  sonn-  shallow  pools,  on  the  L'lst 
of  May.     He  afterward  met  with  the  sanu'  species  at  I'ort  Clarence. 

Nuttall  did  not  see  more  than  two  or  three  )>airs  in  the  course  of  a  season.  These 
were  found  on  the  neighboring  coast,  near  ISoston,  and  were  called  the  "(loose  Mini." 
One  pair,  obtained  about  September  S,  were  very  fat  and  wtdl-tiavored,  and  had  been 
feeding  ufi.  ■  f'fru  and  other  vegetable  matter.  He  noticed  this  species  in  the 
Boston  market  from  the  (ilh  to  the  .'iOth  of  Septendier. 

Audubon  regarded  this  as  a  very  rare  species  antl  unknown  along  the  coast  south 
of  Maryland.  He  first  met  with  it  in  Septeudter,  IS.'JH,  in  the  Hoston  market,  lb 
afterward  received  specimens  from  I'icton,  N.  S. ;  and  on  his  way  to  Labra<lor,  was 
informed  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Magdalen  Islands  that  this  species  breeds  in  the 
marshes  at  the  extremity  of  the  principal  island.     He  met  with  none  in  Labrador  or 


SCOLOPAUIU.li  —  THE  SNirE   FAMILY  —  LI.MOSA. 


203 


I 


ill  Newt'ouiulhuul,  but  wiis  iiii'dniu'd  by  Mr.  MiifCiilliick  tliut  it  Invt-ils  on  I'lincf 
Kilwiird's  Island,  t'roiu  wliicli  the  pairs  s|»ri'tid  almi;,'  the  timst  ol  .Nova  .Scotia,  uiul 
ilnn'  iciiiaiii  until  Vfry  scvfic  wi-atiit'r  drives  tliciii  away. 

.Mr.  .Maihiilani'  tuund  this  sjurifs  bn-fdin^'  in  tiic  vicinity  dl'  Fort  Anderson.  ^>\^ 
the  •.(til  of  .hiiic.  The  nest  was  on  the  j,'round.  was  eonipo.si'd  of  a  few  decayed  leaves 
Ivin^'  in  a  small  hole  scooped  in  the  earth,  and  containeil  fmir  e^'^'s.  Other  nests 
were  found  and  birds  olitaiiied  on  the  liower  Anderson  b'ivcr,  'I'iiey  were  mere 
(Icpiessioiis  in  the  ^jroiind.  lined  with  withered  h-aves. 

Kxaniples  of  this  species  were  also  taken  at  Fort  Kae,  on  Great  Slave  Lake.  I>y 
Mr.  Keiinieott;  at  Moose  Fort  by  .Mr.  I.  .NbKenzie;  on  the  Anderson  K'iver  liy  .Mr. 
11.  ];.  IJoss;  (III  Mi^'  Island  by   .Mr.  Ueiil ;  and  at  Fort  Keiizie  liy  Iiischotf. 

Three  of  the  e;,'M;s  collected  liy  .Mr.  .MacFarlane  arc  in  the  .Siuithsonian  ('oUection. 
ill  two  of  these  the  };rountl  is  of  a  deep  raw-uiiilier  color,  or  an  olivaceous  drab. 
I'licicare  no  well-delincd  spots,  l)Ul  the  apex  of  the  larirer  end  is  dei'ply  staineil  with 
a  dark  Iniint-iinibcr  color.  .V  few  very  indistinct  spots  of  a  paler  shade  of  this  tint 
are  visible  over  tiie  !,'eiieial  surface  of  the  i'Htis.  The  other  ^'^^^^  has  a  ^jround-color  of 
a  paler  uniber-dral).  and  tiie  niarkiiii,'s  are  ipiile  distinct.  Tiicse  are  small  irrej^iilar 
lilolclies,  loii<;itiidinal  in  tiieir  direction,  and  of  a  dei'[i  bnriit-umber  tint.  The  apex, 
of  the  lart,'er  end  is  covered  by  a  broad  patch,  in  which  all  the  marking's,  of  a  very 
dark  umber,  almost  black,  run  into  each  other.  These  cj,'^,':,  are  pyriform  in  shape, 
and  measure  L'.Io  by  l.U.  'J.VJ  by  l.;!<l.  and  LM'l.'  by  I.Kt  inches. 

Limosa  tiegocephala. 

BLACK-TAILED   OOOWIT. 

Scoh/MX  limoiin,  LiXN.  S.  X.  im1.  Id,  17.">8.  147  ;  <il.  1-j,  1700,  245. 

Scdiiiiiii.i-  wij(K'i/ih'i/ii,  I.INN.  .S.  N.  I.  Kilti,  •J4tl,  no.  lii. 

I.iiiiusii  ii,nio/ili<(/if,  l.i'.Ac  II,  .*<\Ht,  <'at.  ISltl,  :t4.  —  Ki'.vs.  &  Iti.As.  Wirl).  K.iir.  18l(i,  7t.       Bonai-. 

('oiii|i.   List,   l«:i.-i,   .■.'.'. —  (iUAV.  tirii.    U.  III.  1S41',   r.7'> ;  <  ai.   liiii.  It.   l6ti;i,  li")«. -- |{einii. 

IliU,  1801,  11  (tiifi'iiliiinh.  —  ItiiMiw.  Num.  N.  Am.  II.  ISM,  im.  ,'.40.  —  C'ofEs,  Check  last, 

2tl  til.  18S'.',  ii.i.  aw. 
Tiitiiiiiis  ni/iis,  IlKi'iisr.  NatiiiK.  IV.  2.53. 
I.iMi'nn  iiifhiiiiinm,  I.kim  .  Na.iil.  /ii  llnlist.  Natuig.  isil-isl.^.,  l.Mt,  l.'i7.  —  Nacm.  Viig.  Peutsclil. 

VIII.  lt>:W,  4(10,  y\s.  212.  213.  -  .Mai  .:ii,i..  .Man.  11.  «1. 
Noilo/mu-  Mgicti,  (iMia..  .*<.  N.  I.  U.-iS,  OtW. 
I.iniusti  jiidivi-ii,  Ia;Aiil,  .Sv.st.  Cat.  1810,  ;12. 
/.iiiiomi  in/iiiitlirii,    Itlil.M.M,  \  •■•;.   I»c'llt.sr|i|.    I,S31,  ti20. 

Ilhick-tiiiliit  G'xlwit,  VAiaa.i.i.,  iJiit.  II.  cl.  2,  II.  034,  11^.  ;  ed.  3,  II.  081,  I'ik.  ;  ct  AlTT. 

IIaii.     Tile  I'alieurctir  |{c^'ii<ii  ;  iit'ciik-ntiil  in  < > ivciiliiiid. 

Si'.  Chau.  AiIiiU,  ill  1111111111' I- :  Ileail.  iicik,  and  jiiuiihiiii,  chmaiiKin,  streaked  on  the  first  and 
liaircil  on  tlic  last  witii  diiskv  ;  ii'iiiaiiiiii;^  lower  parl»  wiiite,  liie  lucjist  and  >idfs  barred  with 
dusky.  IJiifk  and  .sra|iiil;irs  iiii.\i'd  Maik,  rimianKHi,  and  ;,'rayisii  ;  wiiiK-i'overls,  liniwaish  ;;ray  ; 
^'icater  I'overls  widely  lipped  with  while,  fdriiiiiiL;  a  rdiispicniius  patrh  ;  sociiiidarics  partly  white  ; 
|>iiiiiarii's  dusky,  llie  fil'tli  l>:  tiie  seventh  white  al  tiie  base,  furiiiiii!.;  a  seiuiid  white  patch  on  tiie 
wiii^;  Hiniip,  IciiiLjer  upper  tail-inverts,  uinl  must  nf  the  tail  dusky  ;  ii|i|ier  tail-cuverls  (except 
tei'iiiiiial  half  nf  the  loiij^'er  leather^)  and  Imim'  nf  the  tail,  imsiiaciilate  white,  tliis  on  iipyiii^'  the 
^.'ivater  part  of  the  outer  reetrii'cs.  .\\illars  and  liiiiii;,' of  the  wiii^'  iiiimariilate  while.  U'inUr 
liliniiiiiji  :  \Viii;,'s,  tail,  lump,  eti'.,  as  ill  -uiiiiiier  ;  head,  neck,  back,  and  scapulars  dark  lu'owiiisii 
^lay,  the  lieail  and  neck  li^'liter  :  ju^'uhiiii  pale  avny,  without  bars;  other  lower  jiiu'ts  while. 
yiin)irj,firitl  pliinuKjc :  "  lleail  dull  blown,  the  fwithers  el(,'ed  with  rufous-liiilf  ;  an  iiulisliiat  lij,'lit- 
l>Mlf  line  passiii^r  from  the  base  of  the  bill  above  ainl  beyond  the  eye  ;  neck  dark  buff  ;  baik  earthy 
lirown,  with  here  and  there  a  dark  blackish  brown  leather,  all  beinj,' edited  with  dull  riifoutt  .  .  . 


Ii 


I  ) 

{ 


I 


264 


I'U.Kt'ociAi.  <;KAi,i-A'i"om;s  —  limkoL/K. 


Lloiinatwl  iiiiitT  Hi'coiiiliiiii'H  ilark  lnuwii,  ednfJ  wiili  niroiiN-lniH,  iiiiil  initihfil  with  nifoun  ;  greater 
wiii;;-tiiviil-'  ilull  fiirtliy  },'iuy,  lnuailly  lipipcil  wiili  wliiic  ;  iiuiliitii  mul  siiiallii- ^•l)Vt•I■t^<(lull  linnvn, 
t-dj^i'd  ami  (iiipiil  with  >;iayi>«h  imH' ;  rliiii  dirty  wiiitr  ;  siiK's  nl'  hcail,  mck,  ami  luiant  dark  Imll  ; 
fluiikM  wuahtii  witii  laiH "  (Shaiu'K  iV  Dkkmnkh).     /'dk/ii/  ynumi:  •' HiiMy  jollow,  luurkttl  will. 


black,  e«]H'i'ially  oii  crown  ami  nmi|p  ;  a  iiaiinw  *trt'ak  thiinij,'h  tlic  i-yr,  winx-jttiiitH,  fbuuku,  and 
belly.  li),'ht  ydlDwisli "  (Sh.vki-k  »&  1)iu;.s.hi;u). 

WiiiK,  M.tMi-!).s(i ;  ciiiuiL-ii,  :5.7(i-».!».">;  tarsus  J  hi»-;»mO;  middlu  toe,  :i.(t(»-:!.l2. 

The  Hliick-tailfd  ijodwit  claims  a  jilarc  in  tlif  t'aiiiia  of  Noitii  Aiiicrifa  only  as  an 
ut'cidciital  visitant  ol'  (irrfiilainl.  It  is  an  inlialiitant  ol  tlic  Old  World,  lii-ci'din.: 
only  in  tlic  more  nortlicrn  portions,  but  not  within  hi;,'li  Arctic  rcf,'ions.  It  is  almovi 
exclusively  ini'^ratory  in  <ircat  Kritain  and  Ireland,  thoin^di  a  few  remain  there  eacji 
year  ami  lirecd. 

In  Kn',dand.  ac(  ordini,'  to  Varrcll.  it  is  most  lie(|uently  seen  in  tin'  spring;  and  fall, 
the  tirst-t'omcrs  licini,'  adult  liirds  on  their  way  to  their  l>reedinj,'-i,'roumls  in  hii;li 
northern  latitudes.  In  the  autumn  it  is  more  ahundant  than  in  the  sprin;^.  on  account 
uf  the  lar|,'e  numlier  of  yoim^'  liirds  of  tin'  year  ,i,'oin^'  south,  for  the  lirst  time,  to  theii 
winter-<|iiiirters.  A  few  were  still  known  to  resort  to  ^he  marshes  of  Norfolk  and  t" 
the  fens  of  Lincolnshire;  hut  these  are  very  rarely  permitted  to  lirecd  unmolested.  ii> 
the  large  size,  as  well  as  the  peculiar  action,  of  this  hird  when  it  is  lireedin;,'.  are  sure 
to  uttraet  the  notice  hoth  id'  the  sportsman  and  the  e<,'!,'er.  Varrell  was  informed  in 
1S."».  liy  the  l!ev.  IJicliard  Luliliock.  that  this  (iodwit  still  lireeds  oci-asionally  in  some 
of  the  Norfolk  marshes,  returnin.;  to  the  same  locality  year  after  year,  ami  lieiu'^ 
I'ouml  in  only  two  or  three  situ.itions. 

In  its  tli>;ht  duriiif,' the  lireeding-sea.soii  it  is  said  to  rescmhle  the  Tntiimis  ruHtlri.': 
of  Kurope;  ami  like  that  hird  it  Hies,  when  lirecdini;.  arouinl  the  hcail  td' any  intruder 
in  the  marsh,  imt  in  more  distant  circles,  and  at  a  min-h  ;;'reater  heigl.t  in  the  air.  li 
is  known  .in  the  rural  districts  of  Kn^land  l»y  the  Uu-al  name  cd'  ••Shricker;"  hut  in 
Varrell's  opinion  it  does  mit  deserve  the  name,  for  its  note,  thouj^li  loud,  is  veiy  iai 
from  heing  iidiarinonions.  It  is  said  to  he  hei-omiiii;  more  and  more  rare  each  year  in 
the  hreedin;,'-scason.  Its  food  consists  id'  insects  ami  their  larva',  worms,  snails,  ami 
various  other  soft-lMidied  animals.  If  disturhed  when  lireediuj,',  it  is  said  to  1" 
very  clamorous,  tlyini,'  roiimi  ami  utterint,'  a  cry  wlddi  is  tlnMij,'ht  to  resemhle  tin 
syllahles  ijriiffii-i/riiffii-i/nitfii ;  ami  liy  tins  name  it  is  known  hy  the  country  hilk  ol 
Holland,  .\cciiriling  to  Thomiison.  this  hint  is  seen  occasionally  in  [reland.and  oidy 
ill  the  autumn.  Kxamplesof  it  have  heen  olitained  in  Devonshire,  and  others  at  Car 
liiiXtoii  in  Bedfordshire;  and  Varrell  was  informed  hy  Mr.  Hond  that  severid  si>eci 
mens  have  been  known  to  make  their  appeararee  in  the  vicinity  of  Kinj,'shui\ 
l{eservoir,  a  hii'K<'  sheet  of  water  a  few  miles  north  of  homlon.     Hpeeimens  are  also 


RCOLOPACID.K  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  -  LIMO.SA. 


205 


iviiiriU'il  from  Ciimliriilj,'t'sliin',  N'oitliiiiiilMTlaiKl,  aiul  Irinn  the  vicinity  of  Solway 
i'lrtii.  liiviiiK  HptM'imi'ii.s  ar«'  occasionally  hroii^lit,  from  Holland  to  Kn^'land;  and 
tlic  l)ird,  in  a  scmi-<lomc.stic  state,  is  not  infi'ci|iicntly  contincd  in  wailed  ^aDlcns, 
wlicic  it  makes  a  very  interesting  and  amnsin^,'  pet.  ( (fliers  are  fatt'd  for  tlie  market 
with  iiread  and  milk,  as  is  also  done  with  the  Kiitf ;  l.-ut  the  (.iodwit  is  not  e(|uul  in 
liivor  to  the  latter  when  thus  treated. 

The  (Iodwit  is  fonnd  dnrin^'  the  summer  in  Denmark;  and  it  also  visits,  in  con- 
siiliiidile  ninnlMTs,  various  jiarts  ot  Si-andinavia,  and  especially  liapland,  K'"'"k'  '"^  fm' 
iioitli  as  Iceland,  and  mHuisiunally  to  (ireeiilaml.  In  the  more  southern  coinitries  of 
till'  Kuropcan  continent  it  is  exclusively  seen  in  spring,'  and  autumn.  It  is  (piite  com- 
iiion  in  Spain  ;  and  livinj,'  specimens  were  .sent  to  the  Zoological  (iarden  from  Tangier, 
where  it  was  said  to  he  not  uncommon,  U-sides  others  from  Tunis  and  ditferent  local- 
ities in  North  Africa.  According  to  Scliin/  (••Fauna  Hidvetica"),  this  liird  is  occa- 
Niniially  seen,  as  a  mi^'rant.  in  Switzerland;  and  not  infreipiently  a  pair  is  supposed 
t(i  remain  and  nest,  as  hirds  are  from  tinn-  to  time  taken  in  llcir  summer  plumuK*'. 
Ill  May  it  passes  north  through  Italy  and  iJenoa,  and  returns,  reinforced  in  n>iml»er.s, 
ill  the  month  id'  .Xu^nist.  It  is  said  to  lie  rare  in  Sicily,  iiut  is  more  common  at  Malta, 
ihiriiii,'  its  migrations.  Specimens  have  lieen  taken  in  Tripoli;  and  the  Zoiilo^'ical 
Sdiicty  received  a  yuuM^;  liird  of  the  year  from  Trehi/ond.  !l<dienacker,  a  Russian 
iiaturali.st,  nientions  this  species  amoni,'  the  birds  <d»tained  by  him  in  the  vicinity  of 
till' Caucasus ;  Mr.  ifod^'son  includes  it  amon^'  tho.se  found  in  Nepal,  and  Mr.  IMyth 
ill  tiie  list  of  those  occurring'  at  Calcutta.  .Mr.  Temmiiick  also  states  that  it  may  by 
tniind  in  •lapan  and  on  the  Isles  (if  Sunda. 

.VicordiuLj  to  .M.  (ierbe.  this  species  h;is  been  observed  at  diH'erent  seasons  in 
iiciirly  every  portion  of  Kurope,  .\sia,  and  .\frica.  In  France  it  is  a  re^'ular  bird  of 
|i:issap'  in  autumn,  and  a^ain  in  spriu);,  passing  north  in  .March  and  .\pril,  and  niov- 
iic.,'  .siaith  in  SepttMuU-r  and  OctnlM-r.  Many  of  these  birds  are  snared  in  the  sprint;, 
lietween  Doii.ii  and  Cand)rai,  and  kept  within  <;ardens  enclosed  by  walls;  but  tht; 
j.Mvater  numiier  of  them  perish  during,'  the  winter  for  want  of  suitalde  biod.  The 
same  author  adds  that  this  species  m>st8  in  damp  meadows,  in  the  {rrass,  or  among 
the  reeds.  Its  eggs  are  four  in  numlM-r.  rouiMh'd  at  one  end,  pyriform  in  shape,  and 
(jiiite  variable  in  regard  to  shades  of  color,  (ienerally  thev  have  a  deep  olive  ground, 
willi  jMiints  and  blotches  of  a  russet,  or  a  jiale  brown  color.  Some  of  these  are  of  a 
vri y  deep  shatle,  others  iire  very  faint.  These  markings  are  more  numen)ns,  larger, 
ami  more  conHuent  ;diont  the  larger  end.  .M.  (Jerbe  possessed  varieties  id'  this  egg, 
siMiie  of  which  had  a  reddish-white  and  some  a  y<dlowish-wliite  ground;  while  in 
others  it  was  of  a  very  pale  green  color.  Some  are  itrofusely  s]»rinkled  with  siwts  of 
an  inten.sely  deep  coloring,  and  again  others  are  cd'  a  uniforndy  ashy  gray,  and 
ail' entirely  unspotted.  He  gives  their  greater  diameter  as  varying  from  u.'{  to  (Jl 
miliinietres,  and  the  suuiller  from  .'>7  to  4<i. 

Acconiing  to  llewitson,  the  lUack-tailed  (bidwit  begins  to  lay  its  eggs  early 
ii'  May.  Its  nest  is  comjiimed  of  dry  grass  and  other  vegetables,  and  is  cimcealed 
aiming  the  co;irse  herliage  of  the  swamps  and  low  meadows.  The  eggs,  four  in  num- 
1»  r.  he  descrilM's  as  of  a  light  olive  brown,  blotched  and  spotted  with  darker  brown. 
tliiir  length  L'.l7  inches  and  their  brciidth  l.."»<»  inches,  and  in  form  they  are  decidedly 
lii'iir-shaped. 

Ill  addition,  we  learn  from  the  olhservations  of  Dr.  L.  Taczanowski,  of  Warsaw,  as 

limited  by  Dresser,  that  large  nundHMs  of  this  bird  breed  in  marshy  localities  on  the 

c:istern  side  of  the  N'istula.     In  the  spring,  as  soon  as  the  snow  disapjiears,  this  bird 

ai lives  in  the  marshes,  and  frenuents  their  eilges.     It  begins  to  breeil  early  in  May, 

vdi,.  I.  —  :i4 


m\ 


Sf 


;   i 


i'i 


lii-l 

lljlP:: 

2G0 


l'R.t:C()CIAI,  aRALLATORKS—  I.IMICOL.E. 


iiiiil  yuiiiig  art'  found  fully  fli'tlK«'<l  alMHit  tl»'  niiiMlt'  of  .luni'.  It  hrt-cdH  in  large  Hoci- 
ctit'H,  in  (lamp  |ilac»'8  covfri'd  wiili  a  thin  liiTlKi^f,  where  therr  arc  tusMOfks,  or  small 
dry  jilai'fs;  and  also  in  scattcrt'd  pairs  in  tlir  (iclds,  and  in  suiall  mar.sln's  cnvcnil 
with  t,'raMs  or  Imshfs.  In  a  dry  spot  the  liird  makrs  a  dcprrssinn  aliont  thric  inchi  ^ 
dt'fp,  linin^  it  m-atly  and  randiilly  witii  dry  grassi-s.  an<l  dt-pnsitinK  four  <'j,'j,'s,  on  whirli 
both  niah-  and  ffmalc  sit.  It' an  intrndt-r  apprnacht-s  this  cdlnny,  thi'  liirds  meet  him 
whfn  at  some  distain'f  I'ntm  it.  ulti-rin;;  Iniid  cries;  and  when  he  is  anmnKst  the  nesl> 
all  the  birils  tly  overhead,  nttcrinj,'  continual  lamentations.  Itelore  they  iiavu  ej,'i,M 
they  are  very  Hliy,  rar»dy  approaching  within  gunshot;  hut  when  the  yiaing  an 
hatched  they  arc  very  coiirageons,  .md  will  come  within  n  few  feet  of  the  intruder. 

Mr.  A.  Hcn/.on  —  also  (juotcd  l>y  .Mr.  I>rcs.scr  —  met  with  this  hird  nesting  in  Den- 
murk,  <ni  the  wost  coast  of  •lutland.  lie  olitaim-d  its  eggs  as  early  as  April  VJ  ami 
as  lute  us  July  4.     They  were  usually  deptjsited  early  in  May. 


Gknis  TOTANT7S,   Hk«  iistkin. 

ToUuiHn,  UKcnsr.  Oiii.  TusiIumI).   Idiitsilil.  isici.  aS'J  (tyjio,  ticolopax  lolitnim,  LiSN.).  —  Nai'M. 

VoK.  Dtutsrtil.  VIII.  r.:t.      liii.w.  (mm.  li.  III.  .ir.'. 
Glottis,    Kiicn,   HiiiiT.  /(ii)l.    iHltl,  ;to4  (iv|M',    Tnliiiiin  iilnttin,    liKciiHr.,  =  iiiliulariuH,  Ul'NS.).— 

N11..SH,  oni,  .Sii.v.  II.  I  SI  7,  :>:>. 

Gambdtii,  KaI'I".  .*<k.  Kiit.  K.ur.  TliiiTw.  ls2!i.  'ti  {\\\n\  SVn/o/H'r  caliilris,  Linn.). 

Chau.  Hill  u.'<iiiillv  MJciiilii,  luiii  <li;.'litlv  iiptnriuil  t(  liniiiiiliv,  tin'  Intcnil  ^'ronvt-  nl'tlic  inii\. 
illii  f.xlt-n<lin<;  ulioat  Imll'  wny  Id  ilic  tip,  Ni>  wcli  iH'twccii  tin-  iniiliili'  ami  iiiiii'r  tnc.i.  Tiu>ii- 
alidiU  twice  i(H  liiug  UK  tliu  laiildli!  tiH-. 

Iluviii;,'  I'urct'ally  cxumincd  and  rinnpurccl  the  (ivc  siiecicK  imually  ri'lVrriMl  to  the  sn-rallcij 
gtMii-ra  tliuiiliillii,  TiitdiiuK,  ami  <!liiltls,  wiili  tlicir  nearest  allies,  wilii  llic  view  ol' iletiiiin^,'  the  hcv- 
erul  ;.;eiieric  grouprt  uhuuIIv  recnjjni/ed,  we  find  that  no  twn  species  a),'ii'e  exactly  iii  the  detail  1  cl 


T.  melani'leiieuf. 

titructure,  and  that,  thurefore,  iid  characters  exist  which  warrant  a  siiljdivision  of  the  geims  ToIhum 
(with  T.  MwjnatilU  as  type),  Iteyoml  tlie  reiMi;;iiitit>n  nf  Ithijiu-ajihilnn  and  /•h-jilhrDHcilu.i.  Tliu  milv 
blieuies  agiwing  closely  with  the  type  ol'  tiitf  j^eiias  Tolmnm  is  the  Anierican  '■^  ttoinlicfla''  Jltiri]"^ 
((•Mkl),  which  dill'ers  in  huvin;,' the  t)ill  thicker  and  not  at  all  iiptmneil  terniinally,  and  in  tli' 
much  longer  jaimuries,  with  sluatt  r  ami  lirouder  teitials  ;  the  latter  it;  T.  Mtiiiiuatilin  reuchin.: 
nearly  to  the  end  of  the  longest  ipiills.     "  fimnbittu  "  iiuUiiioltin-d  ((  }mI''.I-.)  is  like  Jfarijun  in  iv'.miI 


8C0L0PACir).K  -  TMK  SNIPK  FAMILY  —  TOTANU8. 


20 


In  tlif  wiiiK  ;  l»it  tlx'  I'ill  >"  iiiiK  li  tlii<  ki'i,  iiikI  iliriiltMlly  rL>rurv(!<l  tvmuimlly,  whih'  it  \n  aU„ 
liiiiuiT  ill  |H(ii)<iiliiiii  I"  •!••'  liii>n-.  " illntliii"  KiiifMii iiM  i«  very  iiiui'li  like  /rti/d/Ki/udu,  l>iit  ilic 
siiiii'  clmnu'ti'iv  wliicli  ^•t'|llll'utl•  tin-  lalliT  h<im,/''(i'i'/«(i  nn- in  tliin  iimrL' rxu^jii'iiiiiil  ;  thf  icm'Iii- 

I'liillir,  IliiWi'Vi'l',  )>rili^'  limrli  rli)»c|'  Im'Iwi'CII  riliiiwi'i  im  ami  iiltliHiiililifil  lliail  lit'tWi't'll  the  liltltT  llllii 

II  iriiifK,  7'. '•<(/"''■"<  (!•  )  I'  ■•XMrliy  iiiliiiiii'ilialf  in  rniia  uml  |irii|i<ii'tii>nM  liflwccii  " '>'i(m'»  "</ * 
iic/<f;i(>/' I'l'd  iinil  ./'iii'iyiij*.  lihiiiifdfilitliiH  iHliiiifiiis  lia.-<  till'  liili  iihlv  a'*  li>li>;  ai  tiic  talxilH,  iii^trail  iil' 
\i  ry  nnu'li  Ioiikit.  iw  in  nil  1 1"'  I'lUfn'iiiin'  "iK-cicx ;  Inil  A*,  milituriu*  unci  A'  ijlnrenla  have  it  Khortfr, 

till'  latttT  j>|irrii-  (the  ty]ic  1)1'  li'liiinritjilnliiM,  ilillVl  ili^'  Irniu  till-  tyiiiral  ^|inif.  Ill'  Tiliitlim  (iitiiiiiiilliliA 
ituA  Jltiriii''i()  ill  tllr  Imiyi'l  till-,  till'  MiiiMli'  till'  Miy  i.caily  i'i|ilallili;,'  tilt'  liill  ill  li'li^lli.  r|Mi|i  tlif 
v.'IidU*  the  WihmI  Siilii||>i|irrM  ( It'll fitiiiiitli II iim)  mill  tlu'  KrilKliank  (/•^rilllirnmrlilii  fiiArmi)  xi'i'lii  Mlllll- 
I'ii'Mtlv  illH'rii'iit   riiitii  till'  -|irrii'-i  ill  Tniiiiiiin  tn  wairaiit  llu'ir  generic  Hc-|HU'iitioii,  tlu'  rullnwiiiK 

III  in;,'  till'  rllii'l  illMlilirliM-  ilialarli'l>i  :  — 

Totanua.  Miiiilli' Im' nut  iiinii' than  li.ill'  a-  Imi;,'  n^  llir  tai'Miis  ;  liill  ili'riili-illy  Hlmrlcr  than 
tar-ii»  :   I.  T,  Kiiiiiiiiililii :  •!.  T.  ihiriih.i ;  :i.  T.  iiiUiIri^ ;  4.  T.  mrUtmikucM ;  ft.  T.  gliitlit, 

Rbyaoophilu*.  MiiMh'  tor  iiraily  m  ijiiili'  a-  lun^'  as  tlii'  tai'>n-  :  I.  It.  ijlurinhi;  2.  li.  noli- 
lining  ;  ;J.   li.  iirAc'i/K'-i. 

ErytbroBcelus.  Miililh'  tm'  aliout  liiiil  thi'  taixiiM  ;  bill  hinder  tliiui  taimui.  Lower  partf> 
ilu^ky  ill  lulull  :   I.   I\. /kaiiiii. 

Synopsis  of  the  American  Species. 

Thr  thri'i'  Aiiiorii'.in  ijii'iii's  iil'  Tii'niniii  may  !«•  ilir'iii;{iiiH|ifi|  iw  I'nllow!!,  one  of  them  Wing  n 
nii'ii'  Hlra):}{ler  rroiii  KuriijM'  :    - 

4t'''  Xizi'  liir^ii-  (wiiin  initfi'  than  7  itnhi'")  ;  ti'iniiiml  liiilt' of  lull  Hli^htiy  rci'uivwl. 

i.  T.  iiebulariuB.  Knliii'  niniii.  ii|p|ii'i'  tail-rnviTtx,  ainl  lowiT  i>aits,  |mre  white,  without 
MiMikiiiiis  1)11  till' iris.-iinii ;  win^^'-riivi'its  nn^iiDltcil.  Win;;,  7.'x>-7.M(i ;  I'lilini'ii,  •2.\!'t-i.iO  ; 
liii-ns,  •2.-2't--2M'>\  niiililli' till'.  I.  l:i-l  .:i(»,  Idili.  H;iiii)|)i' ;  aniili'iital  in  Kluriila  f 
■2.  T.  melanoleuoua.  Itnni|i  niDttli'il  iliisky  ;  n|)|ii'r  lail-ruvi'its  wliiu-,  Imri'ril  with  iliisky  ; 
uiii;,'-ri)verti  "iiiitti'il  with  white  ;  -liili's,  Hanks,  ami  lnwi'i'  tail-rovi'its  iriej/iilaily  luivreil 
with  iliisky.  Willi;.  7.Ji>->^.<Ki  ;  culnu'ii.  I'.u.Vj. »() ;  tarsus,  :J.:j"i-i.7<» ;  niiihlle  toi',  l.J."i- 
l.rm.  Hull.  N'lii'lh  AniiTira  ;  Ci'iitial  ami  Smiili  Anii'iiia  ami  \Vi'>t  Imlies  in  winter. 
B.    Sl/i!  snrill  (\viii}{  K'ss  than  7  imln'^)  ;  hill  sK-mli'i',  nnl  rcrurved  teniiiiially. 

'.).  T.  flavipea.  Colors  of  7'.  miiiinolciiniA,  Win;;,  (i.l(MI.(!.')  ;  I'uliiii'ii.  I.IO-l.ftfl ;  far*ii», 
:i.(K>-i.|,")  ;  niiililli-  toe,  l(Mi-l.l">.  Il'ili.  N'mtli  Ainericii,  bree<liii>,'  iioithwanl  ;  Central 
uiid  iSouth  Aim-riia  ami  West  iiiilies  in  winter. 


TotanuB  nabularlus. 


THE  0BEEN8HANK. 

SmIopnrnelnilnriHK,  r,t'vxRnrs,  in  Li-i'in,  I,a|i|i.  Hi'silir.  1707,  251. 

ftctlnjinr  ijtollit,  LaTII.  Symi|i.  Sll|i|il.    17S7,  2i>'_'  (lirr  I. INN.). 

Tol<inii.s  ijlotth,  lU-.riisr.  NatiiiK.  IMitsrlil.  IV.  178!i-17i>.'i.  •24P.  —  Kf.ys.  &  Ri.as.  Wirb.  Kiir.  1S31, 

72.  — .Snii.Ko.  Iti'v.  Crit.  Hi.  — Oiiav,  (im.  B.  II'    i'<4n,  5/3  ;  Cat.  Brit.  H.  18«3,  ItW.  —  Atn. 

Orn.  nif'K-    HI.  "^:i''',  ■i'^'l  I'l-  20^  •■  Syiioii.  IS.lii,  _         B.  Am.  V.  1842,  321,  pi.  346.  —  Rinow. 

Noiii.  N.  .\in.  It.  1S81,  111).  .'■i47.  -    ri.iKs,  (■lici;k  List,  2il  oil.  188'2,  no.  635. 
SoilD/mj"  aiiiisii iin,  (iMK.l..  S.  N.  I.  178S,  titlS. 
"  iHliitli.H  canfscen.s,  .SrnicKi.."  ((lii.w). 

Smiopnx  folanun,  LiNN.  S   N.  nl.  I'i,  I.  Kttfl,  245  (ncc  eil.  10,  1758). 
LimiMi  Mail  IIS,  PaM.   Zoiijfr.  Hosmi-As.  II.  1831,  183. 
TotiniHn  fiHhiliiiiH,  Bi-.riisT.  Niitinjr.  IV.  isnii,  -241. 
Tiittuiiis  ijrisiiiH,  Bkimst.  t.-'.  231. 
OluUin  chhii-o/iii.'i,  XiL.sN.  Oni.  .Suei'.  II.  lS17-18'iI,  57.  —  BoSAi'.  Coinp.  List,  1838,  51.  —  Macoill. 

Man.  II.  01. 
Tntnnii.i  clilnrnii::t,  Mkyeu  &  Woi.K,  Tuschb.  Vug.  Deutsclil.  II.  1810,  371.  —  CoUES,  Key,  1872, 

250  ;  Cheek  hint,  1873,  no.  434. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


/. 


1.0 


I.I 


121    125 


|: 


m 


Mi 

m 

u 


I 


2.2 
2.0 


1.25  lllll  1.4 


m 

1.6 


^^ 


/ 


'V>' 


.* 


'/ 


'^ 


n>^  v^ 


H 


268 


PRyECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOL^. 


Ololtis  nutans,  Kocn,  Baicr.  Zool.  I.  1816,  305  (nee  Otto,  1797). 

Glottis  floridanus,  Bonap.  C'omp.  List,  1838,  51.  —  Cass,  in  Biiird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  730.  —  Baird, 

Cut.  N.  Am.  B.  18.'.!t,  no.  538. 
Totanus  (j/olhidcs,  Vio.  P.  Z.  8.  1831,  173. 
•        Glottis  niviiji'h,  Hddos.  in  Gray  Zool.  Miso.  II.  1831,  36. 

Glottis  Fiijorsii,  Oiiay.  —  O.  Horsjiddi,  CiiiAY.  —  O.  Liiinci,  Malm. 
Grccnslmnk,  Yauu.  Brit.  B.  ed.  2,  II.  618,  lig.  ;  ed.3,  II.  665,  tig.  ;  et  AucT. 
Cinereous  Oodwit,  Pex.n.  Brit.  Zool.  II.  1813,  50,  pi.  11. 

Hab.  The  Pulseurctic  Region,  south  to  Australia ;  accidental  in  Eastern  North  America  ? 
(Florida,  Audubon). 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  in  summer:  Head  and  neck  above,  grayish  white,  widely  streaked  witli 
dusky  ;  remainder  of  head  and  neck,  with  entire  lower  parts,  pure  white  ;  the  lores,  cheeks,  malar 
re},'ion,  auriculars,  sides  of  neck  and  foreneck,  finely  streaked  with  dusky  ;  sides  of  the  breast  and 
anterior  part  of  the  sides,  coarsely  and  irron;ularly  streaked  with  dusky,  the  markings  assuming  an 
irregularly  sagittate  or  V-shaped  form  on  the  sides.  Eyelids,  a  distinct  and  rather  broad  supra- 
loral  stripe,  chin,  throat,  abdomen,  crissum,  and  flanks,  innnacnlate  white  ;  axillars  white,  irregu- 
larly marked  toward  ends  with  grayish;  lining  of  wing  white,  with  irregular  sagittate  markings  of 
grayish  dusky.  Back  and  scapulars  dusky  blacki-sh,  the  feathers  edged  with  light  ash-gray  ;  wing- 
coverts  nearly  uniform  brownish  slate,  the  tertials  similar,  but  edged  with  paler  ;  primaries  uniform 
dark  slate  ;  entire  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  immaculate  pure  white,  the  longer  leathers  of  the 
latter,  however,  narrowly  zigzagged  with  dusky.  Tail  white,  narrowly  and  incompletely  barred 
with  grayish  dusky.  1  Winter 2)lumage :  Similar,  but  nearly  uniforn.'  grayish  above,  the  feathers  bor- 
dered with  grayish  white  ;  foreneck  unstreaked.  Yonnrj  : '  Above,  light  brownish  gray,  the  feathers 
margined  with  paler,  and  with  a  sub-edging  of  dusky,  in  the  form  of  an  irregular  dusky  line  near 
the  edge  and  parallel  with  the  border  ;  these  markings  changed  on  the  tertials  into  short  zigzag, 
oblique  bars  along  the  edge  of  both  webs.  Crown,  nape,  and  lores  streaked  as  in  the  adult :  fore- 
neck, jugulum,  and  sides  immaculate  white.  "  Bill  dusky  green,  black  at  end  ;  iris  brown  ;  feet 
dull  greenish  gray"  (Audubon). 

Wing,  7.00-7.80  ;  culnien,  2.15-2.20  ;  tarsus,  2.25-2.65  ;  middle  toe,  1.12-1.30. 

The  only  known  instance  of  the  occurrence  of  this  species  in  North  America  is 
recorded  by  Mr.  Audubon,  by  whom  three  specimens  were  taken,  May  28,  1832,  on 
Sand  Key,  Florida,  near  Cape  Sable.  They  were  mistaken  for  Tell-tale  Tattlers  as 
they  walked  about  on  the  bars  or  in  the  shallow  water,  and  upon  examination  were 
presumed  by  Audubon  to  be  the  Common  Greenshank  of  Europe.  They  were  all 
males,  and  probably  stragglers.  In  the  "Pacific  Eailroad  Eeport,"  Vol.  IX.,  owing 
to  their  inferiority  in  size,  these  individuals  are  given  as  a  distinct  species ;  but  it  is 
not  probable  that  this  claim  can  be  nuiintained,  and  we  presume  that  the  specimens 
noted  must  have  been  examples  of  the  common  European  bird,  especially  as  this  bird 
is  known  to  be  a  great  wanderer,  having  been  taken  at  Trebizond,  in  Mauritius,  and 
in  various  parts  of  Asia,  Java,  Sunda,  the  Moluccas,  etc.  Montagu,  in  his  "  Ornitho- 
logical Dictionary,"  mentions  this  species  as  occurring  in  North  America,  stating  that 
one  had  been  seen  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

The  Greenshank  is  said  not  to  be  anywhere  found  in  large  numbers.  It  is  a  sum- 
mer visitant  to  the  British  Islands,  and  more  frequent  about  the  time  of  its  spring 
and  fall  migrations ;  a  few  remaining  during  the  breeding-season,  but  the  greater 
portion  going  farther  north.  These  birds  are  found  in  the  London  market,  most 
frequently  about  the  last  of  April  and  in  May.  In  Ireland  they  occur  in  autumn  in 
small  parties  or  singly.  Mr.  Selby  detected  this  species  breeding  in  Sutherlandshirc, 
in  June,  1834,  in  various  parts  of  that  county  —  generally  in  some  swampy  marsh, 
or  by  the  margins  of  the  small  lakes  common  in  that  region.  It  was  very  wild  and 
wary,  except  when  it  had  tender  young,  at  which  time,  when  first  disturbed,  it  would 

1  Described  from  Audubon's  specimen,  supposed  to  have  been  obtained  in  Florida. 


SC0L0PACIDJ5  —  THE  SXIPE  FAiflLY  —  TOTANUS. 


269 


approach  quite  near,  making  a  rapid  swoop  at  the  head  of  the  intruch'r.  If  tired  at 
and  missed,  it  rarely  ventures  again  within  range.  Mr.  Selby  obtained  one  of  the 
young,  about  a  fortnight  ohl,  by  the  aid  of  a  water-dog. 

This  bird  was  observed  by  Hewitson  in  Norway,  where,  to  his  surprise,  it  was 
more  than  once  seen  seated  liigh  above  his  head,  on  the  top  of  a  tall  tree.  It 
breeds  as  far  north  as  the  Arctic  (Jircle,  in  Lapland.  Its  note  is  said  to  sound  like 
rhin-chio.  Mr.  John  Wolley  obtained  several  nests  and  eggs  of  this  bird  in  Finland. 
It  feeds  on  small  fish,  worms,  insects,  Crustacea,  and  molluscous  animals.  It  visits 
Itussia  and  breeds  in  the  more  northern  regions  of  that  country,  has  been  found  on 
the  banks  of  the  lihiue,  and  is  a  bird  of  passage  in  France,  Germany,  Switzerland, 
Italy,  the  islands  in  the  Mediterranean,  Asia  Minor,  etc. 

Mr.  Macgillivray  states  that  the  Greenshank  is  seen  in  the  Outer  Hebrides  early 
ill  spring,  and  that  it  generally  departs  in  October,  a  few  individuals  remaining  into 
November.  Previous  to  the  breeding-season,  and  after  the  young  are  fledged,  it 
resorts  to  the  shores  of  the  sea,  and  frequents  [lools  of  brackish  water  and  the  shal- 
low margins  of  bays  and  creeks.  It  is  said  to  be  extremely  shy  and  vigilant,  so  much 
so  that  it  can  seldom  be  shot,  until  after  it  has  deposited  its  eggs.  Many  remain 
in  the  Hebrides  in  the  summer,  and  at  that  season  are  very  easily  discovered,  as,  at 
the  approach  of  an  intruder,  even  when  he  is  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant, 
they  rise  into  the  air  with  chimcn'ous  cries,  alarming  all  the  birds  in  their  neighbor- 
linod,  fly  round  the  place  of  their  nests,  now  wheeling  off  to  a  distance,  again  advancing 
toward  the  intruder;  then,  at  intervals,  they  alight  by  the  edge  of  the  lake,  continuing 
the  noise  and  vibrating  their  bodies  without  cessation.  Mr.  Macgillivray  found  a  nest 
ill  one  of  the  Hebritles  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  water ;  this  consisted  of 
a  few  fragments  of  heath  and  some  blades  of  grass  placed  in  a  hollow  cavity  scraped 
in  the  turf  in  an  exposed  place,  and  resembled  the  nest  of  the  Golden  Plover,  the 
Common  Curlew,  and  the  Lapwing.  The  eggs,  which  were  placed  with  their  nar- 
row ends  together,  were  four  in  number,  pyriform,  larger  than  those  of  the  Lapwing 
and  smaller  than  those  of  the  Golden  Plover,  equally  pointed  with  the  latter,  but 
projiortionally  broader  and  more  rounded  at  the  larger  end  tliau  either.  The  dimen- 
sion of  one  was  2.00  inches  in  length  by  1.38  in  breadth.  The  ground-color  was  a  pale 
yellowish  green,  sprinkled  all  over  with  irregular  spots  of  dark  l)rown,  intermixed 
with  blotches  of  light  purplish  gray,  the  spots  and  blotches  more  numerous  on  the 
larger  end.  Mr.  Macgillivray  adds,  that  although  these  birds  may  be  seen  in  summer 
in  many  parts  of  the  islands,  they  are  yet  very  rare,  pairs  being  to  be  met  with  only  at 
a  distance  of  several  miles  from  each  other.  This  bird  is  of  very  rare  occurrence  in 
Scotland,  except  in  the  Hebrides,  making  its  appearance  chiefly  in  autumn. 

Totanus  melanoleucus. 

TELL-TALE;   STONE   SNIPE. 

Scolopax  mdanoleuca,  Gmel.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  659. 

Totamis  melanoleucus,  Vteill.  Nouv.  Diet.  VI,  1816,  398.  —  AuD.  Oin.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  68,  pi.  308. 

—  CoUEs,  Key,  ISJ-J,  258;  Cheek  List,  1873,  no.  432  ;  2(1  ed.  1882,  no.  633  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874, 

496.  —  RiDOW.  Kom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  548. 
OambeUa  melanoleuca,  Boxap.  Conipt.  Rend.  1856,  597.  —Cass,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  731.  — 

Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  no.  539. 
Scolopnx  voci/erus,  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  VII.  1813,  57,  pi.  58,  fig.  5. 
Totanus  vociferm,  ViEiu..  Nouv.  Diet.  VI.  1816,  401. —Sw.  &  Rich.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  389.— 

AuD.  Synop.  1839,  244;  B.  Am.  V.  1842,  316,  pi.  345. 
Totanus  sasnshew,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet.  VI.  1816,  412. 
Totanus  chilensis,  Philippi,  Wiegm.  Archiv,  1851,  264. 


II 


■,^  I 


:.:! 


270 


PR/ECOCIAL  GRALLATC  )UE8  —  LlMICOLiE. 


Had.  Auiuricu  in  j,'l'Ultu1,  Imt  breeding  only  in  colil-tcniiu'ratiMind  subarctii;  climates  of  the 
northern  continent  ;  in  winter,  south  to  Chili  and  Buenos  Ayres. 

Sp.  Chah.  Adult,  summer  'plumuiji' :  Aliove,  variejj;iited  with  shite-black,  pale  gray,  and  white, 
the  former  predominating,  the  latter  in  the  form  of  spots  along  the  edge  of  the  feathers,  including 
the  wing-coverts  and  tertials  ;  crown  and  najjc  grayish  white,  widely  streaked  with  dusky  ;  upper 
tail-coverts  white,  irregularly  barred  with  the  same  ;  primaries  plain  blackish  slate;  tail  wliite,  all 
the  feathers  barred  with  dusky,  the  middle  feathers  grayish,  barred  with  dusky,  the  hitter  some- 


times obsolete.  Head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  white,  only  the  alidomen  and  throat  immaculate  ; 
lores,  cheeks,  malar  region,  auriculars,  and  neck  (all  round),  streaked  with  dusky  ;  breast,  side^. 
and  flanks,  barred  or  transversely  si)ottt'd  with  dusky,  the  bars  more  sagittate  on  the  crissuiu. 
IVinter  pluviarjc:  Above,  rather  liglit  ash-gray,  without  the  black,  but  with  the  white  spotting  of 
the  summer  dress  ;  foreneck  and  jugulum  more  narrowly  streaked  ;  breast  nearly  or  quite  immacu- 
late ;  and  sides  and  flanks  faintly  and  irregularly  marked  with  grayish.  Ynuwj,  first  j)lumage : 
Similar  to  the  winter  dress,  but  darker  ami  more  brownish  above,  the  white  spotting  tinged  witli 
light  brownish  buff;  lower  parts  similar.  Bill  black;  iris  brown;  legs  and  feet  deep  yellow 
(tinged  with  olive  in  young). 

Total  length,  about  14  inches  ;  wing,  7.50-7. ".'3  ;  culnien,  2.20-2.30  ;  tarsus,  2.50-2.75  ;  midille 
toe,  1.35-1.50. 

In  nearly  or  quite  all  parts  of  the  United  States  the  "  Tell-tale  Tattler,"  as  thi.s 
bird  is  sometimes  called  by  s])ortsinen,  is  known  only  as  a  migratory  visitant.  Wilson 
speaks  of  its  arriving  in  the  JMiddle  States  in  April,  and  of  its  remaining  there  until 
September,  and  breeding  in  the  marshes.  He  describes  the  nest  and  eggs  only  from 
report.  In  all  this  he  was  ttndoubtedly  misinfonned ;  at  least  it  is  not  now  knowu 
to  remain  on  any  portion  of  our  sea-eoast  iluring  the  summer,  and  its  nest  and  eggs 
are  still  unknown.  Mr.  lloardiuan  informs  me  that  this  bird  is  found  about  Calais 
early  in  summer,  and  it  is  possible  that  ii  few  may  remain  and  breed ;  but  this  is  at 
best  very  doubtful.     It  is  much  the  most  abuiulant  in  the  spring  and  fall. 

In  Southern  Wisconsin,  as  \vc  are  informed  by  ilr.  Kumlien,  the  Winter  Yellow- 
leg,  known  there  as  the  "  Tell-tale,"  arrives  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Koskonong  in 
April,  and  is  one  of  the  last  birds  to  leave  in  the  fall.  Stragglers  are  found  along  tlic 
shore  throughout  the  summer.  Dr.  Hoy,  in  his  "  Li,st  of  the  Birds  of  Wisconsin,'' 
states  that  it  nests  in  all  the  large  marshes  of  that  State.  There  being  very  large 
ones  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Koskonong,  this  bird  may  i)ossibly  breed  among 
them ;  but  Mr.  Kumlien  does  not  think  so,  as  he  has  not  only  never  noticed  it  doing 
so,  but  has  never  even  found  any  birds  young  enough  to  justify  the  belief  that  they 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  TOTANUS. 


271 


weve  raised  near  the  place.  Late  in  August  this  bird  begins  to  gather  in  Hocks  along 
tlie  shores  of  Lake  Koskoiiong,  generally  in  company  with  the  Totanus  Jluvipes. 

(»u  Long  Island,  according  to  Giraud,  this  species  is  not  so  numerous  as  iXwfluvi- 
1,1  s.  It  is  tlicre  known  to  tlic  Imnturs  as  the  •'  Greater  Yellowshanka,"  arriving  in 
A|)ril,  about  two  weeks  earlier  than  the  Common  Yellowshanks,  and,  as  is  the  case 
with  the  latter,  making  at  tliat  season  but  a  very  short  visit.  It  appears  to  prefer 
tlic  shores  of  muddy  j)onds  and  creeks,  where  it  collects  its  food,  having  ai)parently, 
like  many  otlier  shore-birds,  u  sjiecial  fondness  for  the  spawn  of  the  horse-foot 
crab.  It  returns  from  the  nortli  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  and  renuiins  until  cold 
weather.  On  the  meadows  in  the  vicinity  of  Oyster  Pond  Mr.  (Jiraud  has  met  with 
this  bird  in  November.  In  the  autunni  it  is  in  line  condition,  and  its  Hesh  is  then 
very  finely  flavored.  It  does  not  generally  associati;  in  large  flocks,  but  roves  about 
in  parties  of  from  five  to  twelve.  Its  voice  is  nuich  stronger  than  that  of  the  ffuvipes, 
and  consists  of  fewer  notes,  imitations  of  which  it  will  Idindly  follow.  Though  more 
sus])icious  than  the  Common  Yellowshanks,  it  can  be  decoyed  if  tlie  sportsnum  is 
skilful  and  lies  close.  This  bird  is  (U'scribedas  having  a  graceful  carriage  as  it  walks 
over  the  ground,  collecting  its  food  in  an  elegant  iind  easy  manner.  It  is  capable  of 
very  rapid  flight,  and  at  times  mounts  high  in  the  air,  from  wliich  elevation  its  loutl, 
clear,  and  familiar  notes  may  often  be  recognized.  In  its  general  habits,  as  well  as 
in  its  appearance,  it  bears  a  strong  resenddance  to  the  ,//af//;t'.s.  It  is  more  common 
(in  tlic  shores  of  New  Jersey  tiian  on  Long  Island,  and  is  said  occasionally  to  breed 
tlicre;  but  no  good  evidence  of  this  has  been  obtained,  and  Giraud  was  unable  to  find 
any  proof  that  it  ever  breeds  on  Long  Island.  He  never  met  with  it  there  either  in 
.huic  or  in  .Inly. 

This  bird  passes  north  along  the  coast  of  Massachusetts  about  the  nuddle  of  April, 
the  flight  lasting  until  the  middle  of  .May.  It  returns  from  the  north  early  in  Au- 
gust, and  is  two  or  three  weeks  in  passing  south. 

It  is  found  on  the  Pacific  coast  as  far  north  as  Vancouver  Island,  where  Jlr.  H. 
Browne  notes  its  pn-sence.  Dr.  Cooiier  states  that  it  is  common  throughout  Cali- 
fcuiiia,  being  usually  found,  singly  or  in  small  families,  about  marshes  —  both  fresh 
and  salt  —  during  nearly  all  the  year ;  he  did  not,  however,  observe  any  as  far  to  the 
south,  in  tluly,  as  San  Pedi'o.  One,  which  he  shot  at  Fort  Mojave  in  January,  was 
of  a  remarkaldy  small  size,  though  a  female;  and  Dr.  Cooper  thinks  it  probable  that 
this  sniallness  is  peculiar  to  all  those  inhabiting  the  interior  desert  regions,  and  that 
they  may  for  this  reason  have  been  mistaken  for  the  smaller  Yellow-legs  of  the  East. 
Dr.  Cooper  thinks  that  this  l)ird  breeds,  without  doubt,  in  Californita,  although  he  did 
not  meet  with  any  of  its  nests  along  the  coast.  In  the  autumn  it  is  found  in  smal) 
families  about  still  waters,  feeding  on  small  shells,  insects,  (U'ustacea,  etc. 

Mr.  Salvin,  who  observed  this  s^iecies  in  Guatemala,  states  that,  so  far  as  noticed 
by  him,  it  seemed  to  be  more  solitary  in  its  haliits  tluin  many  of  the  other  Waders. 
Karcly  was  more  than  a  single  individual  seen  at  a  time ;  and  it  also  appeared  to  pre- 
fer the  borders  of  tlie  lak(!  to  the  marshy  resorts  of  the  other  species  of  Waders. 

It  is  said  by  Major  Wedderbuvn  to  visit  Hermixda  in  its  southward  migrations  in 
the  fall.  It  usually  arrives  in  August,  and  is  more  or  less  common  in  some  seasons. 
In  1S4S  quite  a  number  came  as  early  as  the  4th  of  August,  in  company  with  the 
Jl<a-lp;'x  and  the  smaller  Sandpipers.  On  the  20th  of  September  a  large  flock  was  seen 
moving  iu  a  southeasterly  direction.  It  occasionally  remains  until  the  10th  of  No- 
vcnd)er.  In  only  one  instance  has  it  been  seen  there  in  the  sj)ring ;  this  is  said  by  Mr. 
Hurdis  to  have  been  on  the  oth  of  June,  1852,  when  a  single  specimen  was  taken  in 
full  spring  plumage. 


W 


jiili' 


T 


272 


PR^COCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOLiE. 


m^ 


According  to  Mr.  N.  B.  Moore,  this  species,  as  well  as  T.Jiavipes,  was  observed  by 
him  during  every  month  of  the  year  on  the  waters  of  Sarasota  Bay,  in  Florida.  It 
exliibited  no  evidence  of  nesting,  nor  did  its  relative.  t\n\tf(tiilj)es  —  which  hitter  is  tlir 
more  numerous,  both  in  the  summer  and  in  the  winter.  On  one  occasion  a  tlo(;k  ol 
tweiity-tive  of  tlie  f/arijjcs  was  seen  in  an  oozy  lagoon.  When  the  ponds  are  (piite 
low,  in  June  and  July,  both  sjiecies  feed  in  a  very  curious  manner.  A  mass  of  black 
ooze  lies  just  below  the  surface  of  the  water,  on  the  hard  sandy  bed.  As  many  as  six 
or  eight  birds,  of  one  species  alone,  or  of  both  together,  may  be  seen  ruiuiing  at  full 
speed,  one  behind  the  other,  and  swee])ing  rapidly  from  side  to  side,  so  as  to  descrilje 
a  half-circle,  with  tiu'ir  bills  immersed  in  the  water.  This  is  contiinied  for  a  certain 
distane;',  and  then  tlu^  birds  all  turn  round  and  go  back  over  the  same  ground,  repeat- 
ing this  advance  and  retreat  a  second  time  even.  No  one  can  doubt  that  they  aic 
procuring  food  of  some  kind,  in  what  the  observer  mentioned  describes  as  an  "  impet- 
uous and  giddy  race ;"  yet  no  halt  is  made  either  to  snatch  or  swallow  anything, 
neither  can  they  be  assisted  by  their  eyes  in  finding  their  food.  Mr.  Moore  believes 
this  to  consist  of  the  aninuilcuhe  which  abound  in  the  oozy  matter,  and  that  it  is 
taken  in  by  mere  suction. 

Si)ecimens  were  collected  in  August  at  Moose  Factory  and  at  Rupert  House  by 
Mr.  J.  M'Kenzie,  and  at  Sitka  and  near  Fort  Kenai  by  Mr.  Bischoff.  A  single  speci- 
men is  reported  by  Mr.  Kunilien  as  having  been  seen  by  him  on  Arctic  Island. 
Cumberland  Sound,  Sept.  14,  1877. 

This  species  occurs  generally  in  the  West  Indies.  Gundlach  includes  it  in  his 
List  of  the  Birds  of  Cuba.  Gosse  mentions  obtaining  a  single  individual  at  Spanisli- 
town  on  the  21st  of  March,  and  was  informed  by  Mr.  Hill  that  in  the  succeeding 
month  it  bcTane  exceedingly  abundant,  so  that  it  was  obtained  by  the  market  sports- 
men in  quite  extraordinary  numbers.  According  to  Leotaud,  it  visits  Trinidad  at  about 
the  same  period,  and  remains  there  about  the  same  length  of  time,  as  the_j^«t-v}*c,s'. 
to  which  bird  it  has  a  very  marked  resemblance,  and  which — when  not  solitary  —  it 
usually  accompanies.  A  few  remain  during  the  winter  and  keep  about  the  pools. 
It  has  a  very  emphatic  cry,  that  sounds  like  chin-chin,  by  which  name  it  is  known  in 
Trinidad.     Its  flesh  is  not  considered  as  very  good. 

Mr.  C.  W.  Wyatt  met  with  it  near  La  Cruz,  in  Colombia,  and  it  has  been  found  in 
other  portions  of  South  America,  as  far  south  as  Chili. 

Mr.  Dresser  mentions  this  bird  as  being  common  near  San  Antonio  during  the 
winter  season,  until  the  month  of  April,  after  which  he  did  not  notice  it,  although  it 
was  seen  on  Galveston  Island  in  June. 

This  species  is  supposed  to  breed  in  Labrador,  where  it  is  said  to  have  been  found 
in  great  numbers  along  the  shore  all  through  the  summer  and  in  the  early  fall. 
Though  seen  in  all  situations  near  the  water,  the  favorite  localities  of  this  bird  seem 
to  be  muddy  fiats  laid  bare  by  the  tide,  and  the  pools  in  the  adjoining  salt-marshes. 
Eichardson  found  this  bird  very  abundant  on  the  Saskatchewan  Plains,  but  did  not 
discover  its  nest.  He  quotes  Hutchins  as  having  written  that  it  has  four  eggs,  which 
are  of  a  dark  ground-color,  spotted  with  black,  and  large  for  the  size  of  the  bird. 

It  was  found  on  the  Amoor  River  by  Schenck,  in  Siberia  by  Middendorff,  and  in 
the  La  Plata  region  by  Burmeister  —  the  latter  stating  that  it  is  everywhere  abundant 
throughout  that  country  on  the  banks  of  lakes  and  rivers. 

Audubon  says  that  this  species  spends  the  winter  along  the  shores  of  the  estuaries, 
rivers,  ponds,  and  ricj-fields  from  Maryland  to  Mexico ;  and  that  it  is  abundant  in 
South  Carolina  and  Florida  and  on  the  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  as  far  as  Texas. 
where  he  noticed  it  in  considerable  numbers,  and  where  it  paired  in  the  months  ot 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPE  !•  AMILY  —  TOTANUS. 


273 


A]iril  and  May.  It  lias  also  l)cpn  I'ouiid  in  tin'  spring  and  autumn  ovtT  tlif  wliolo 
iutt'iior  of  tlio  eountiy,  and  (iuitc  almndiint  at  those  seasons  along  the  entire  length 
1)1  the  -Mississippi,  Ohio,  and  .Missouri  rivers,  as  well  as  on  the  Arkansas.  This  hinl 
(•iiiiy;n'gates  in  great  numbers  during  the  winter  in  the  inland  marshes  of  Florida  and 
iilong  the  rivers.  Audulxm  saw  them  at  Hastport  as  early  as  tlie  1  Ith  of  .May,  and  on 
the  eoast  of  Labrador  on  the  iSth  of  . I  line.  In  Newfoundland,  on  the  11th  of  August, 
tiie  yomig  were  nearly  ecpial  in  size  tt)  their  parents. 

Though  found  at  all  seasons  in  the  vicinity  of  salt  water,  this  species  seems  to 
pre-fer  fresh-water  ponds  where  the  sliores  are  muddy  and  the  water  shallow ;  and  in 
these  places  it  freqiUMitly  wades  to  such  a  deiith  us  to  j)re.sent  the  apjjearance  of 
swimming.  Wlien  just  alighted  it  always  hohls  u})  its  wings,  as  if  (hiubtful  of  its 
hidting.  It  feeds  on  small  lishcs,  snails,  in.sects,  and  worms,  which  it  catches  and 
devours  with  great  rapidity.  It  alights  on  floating  logs  on  the  iMississippi,  where  it 
jirorures  shrimjis  and  the  fry  of  fishes. 

Audubon  fountl  it  breeding  in  Lalirador.  A  fenude,  having  been  kilhtd,  was  found 
to  contain  a  full-formed  egg;  this  was  pyriform,  2.2o  inches  in  length,  1.0(5  inches  in 
breadth,  of  a  pale  greenish  yellow,  and  marked  with  blotches  of  umber  and  i)ale  pur- 
plisli  gray.  We  have  had  no  other  knowledge  of  its  eggs  than  this  mention  and  that 
ol'  llutchins,  until  the  Notes  of  .Mr.  K.  W.  Nelson  on  the  Hirds  of  Southeastern  Illinois. 
Tliis  writer  mentions  this  bird  as  not  only  being  a  regular  migrant  to  the  southern 
shores  of  Lake  .Aliehigan.  but  also  as  breeding  in  that  locality,  when'  it  is  said  to  arrive 
about  tlie  middle  of  .Vpril,  the  grcati-r  luimber  going  north  early  in  31ay,  returning 
on  the  first  of  September,  and  then  renuiining  until  the  last  of  ( )ctober.  He  also  met 
with  pairs  of  this  bird  in  the  t'ahnuet  marshes  ;  and  on  obscM'viiig  their  actions,  be- 
came convinced  that  they  were  breeding.  Mr.  lUee,  of  Evunston,  received  a  set  of 
eggs,  which  were  not  identified,  but  which  were  attributed  to  this  species.  The  nest 
was  in  a  slight  depression  on  the  edge  of  a  slough,  and  was  composed  of  grass-stems 
and  lilades.  The  eggs  varied  from  1.70  to  l.SO  inches  in  length,  and  from  l..'JO  to  1.38 
in  breadth.  The  ground-color  is  described  as  being  a  deep  grayish  white,  marked  on 
tlu'ce  eggs  with  spots  of  dark  brown,  aiul  on  the  other  egg  with  spots  and  well- 
(Ictined  blotches  of  a  considerably  lighter  shade  of  the  same  color.  In  addition  there 
were  shell-nmrkings  and  obscure  spots  of  lilac.  The  nuirkings  were  abundant  over 
the  whole  surface,  but  more  numerous  about  the  larger  end.  This  description  varies 
materially  from  that  of  Mr.  Audubon  in  regard  to  the  size  of  the  egg. 


Hi 


■^ 


I 

■  I 


? 


I 


'<  I 


k'hich 


Totanus  flavipes. 

TELL0W-LE6S. 

Scolopax  flavipes,  Gmel.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  059.  —  Wii-s.  Am.  Oni.  VII.  1813,  55,  pi.  58,  tig. 4. 
Tot'inus flavipes,  Vieill.   Nouv.    Diet.  VI.  1810,  410.  —  Sw.  &  Ricir.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  390.  — 

NUTT.  Man.  II.  1834,  152.  —  Am.  Oni.  Biog.  III.  1835,  573  ;  V.  586,  pi.  228  ;  Synop.  1839,  243  ; 

B.  Am.  V.  1842,  313,  pi.  344.  —  CorF.s,   Key,   1872,   259;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  433,   2(1  ed. 

18S2,  no.  034  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  497.  —  Einow.  Xoni.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  549. 
Gumbiifa flavipes,  Bonap.  Compt.  IJoiid.  1850,  597.  —  Ca.ss.  in  Baird's  B.N.Am.  1858,  732.— 

Baiud,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  540. 
Toianvs  natator,  Vieii.l.  Nouv.  Diet.  VI.  1816,  409. 
Totanus fuscocapilhts,  Vieill.  I.e. 
"  Totaniia  leiicopygn,  Ii.ligeu.,  in  Mtis.  Berol." 

IIab.  The  whole  of  America,  breeding  in  the  cold-temperate  and  subarctic  districts  of  the 
northern  continent ;  migrating  south  in  winter  to  Buenos  .Ayres  and  Chili.  Much  rarer  hi  the 
Western  than  in  the  Eastern  Province  of  North  America.     Accidental  in  Europe. 

VOL.  I.  —  .'i.'j 


274 


PR.ECOCIAL  GUALLATORES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


Sr.  Chah.  Very  Hiiuiliir  to  7'.  rnelaiwleucua,  but  snialk'r  uiiil  uioru  Hlender.  Bill  nitLcr  ioiigci 
tliim  tile  heail,  strai^^lit,  slemler,  rather  cimiiire.ised  ;  wing  Idiik,  pointed  ;  tail  nliort ;  Ivit^t  loiij,', 
lower  half  of  the  tibia  nuked  ;  toe^^  moderate,  ulender,  niarj,'ineil,  the  outer  and  ndddle  uiiitnl 
nt  base. 

Adiilty  summer  }duina(ji' :  Above,  ashy,  mixed  with  ragjieil  blotidien  of  black,  this  bavin;,' a  ten- 
dency to  I'orm  re^jidar  transverse  bars  on  the  secondaries  and  scaimlars.  Crown  unci  nupe  wiih 
lonj,'itiidinul  streaks  of  l)lack  on  a  j,'rayish-white  t,'rounil ;  upper  tail-i',overt«  pure  white,  widi 
trauHVurse  bars  of  dusky  j  tail  white,  the  middle  feathers  ushy,  and  uU  with  transverse,  rather  n;j- 


rower,  bars  of  ash.  Primaries  and  their  coverts  plain  dusky  black.  Lower  parts  white,  the  jugii- 
lum  and  breast  densely  streaked  with  blackish,  and  the  sides  marked  with  more  transverse 
markings  of  the  same  color. 

Winter  plnvmge :  Above,  ashy,  sometimes  nearly  unbroken,  but  generally  slightly  variegateti, 
especially  on  the  scapulars  and  wing-coverts,  witii  transverse  spots  of  dusky,  and  whitish  edgings 
and  dots  along  the  margin  of  the  feather.s.  Streaks  almost  absent  from  the  iiead,  neck,  and  jui!ii- 
lum,  which  are  nearly  uniform  light  ashy  ;  the  chin,  throat,  and  supraloial  stripe  white.  In  otln  r 
respects  like  the  summer  plumage.  Youmj:  Like  the  winter  adult,  but  the  light  markings  alu  vu 
more  or  less  tingetl  with  pale  brown  or  dull  ochraceous. 

Total  length  about  10.50-1  l.(H»  inches  ;  extent,  20.00-21.00;  wing,  5.50-0.50  ;  culmen,  1.30- 
1.55  ;  tarsus,  2.00.     Bill  black  ;  iris  dark  brown  ;  legs  and  feet  bright  yellow. 

This  species  is  e.xceedingly  similar  to  T.  melanolcucus  in  jdumage,  but  diU'ei-s  in  tlie  following 
particulars  :  in  the  summer  adult  the  upper  parts  are  more  transversely  spotted,  with  a  less  amount 
of  black,  while  the  lower  parts  are  without  well-defined  transverse  .sjiota  or  bars  of  black  ;  in  tiiu 
winter  jilumage,  the  head,  neck,  and  jugulum  are  nearly  uniform  ashy,  instead  of  distinctly 
streaked. 

The  European  analogue  of  T.  fluvijics  is  tlie  T.  stagnatiliK  (Bechst.),  the  type  of  the  genus,  it 
resenddes  the  American  species  very  closely,  but  may  be  immeiliately  distinguished  by  the  rump 
being  wholly  pure  white,  instead  of  heavily  spotted  with  grayish  and  dusky.  Thi:;  peculiarity, 
being  shared  by  several  other  Palaiarctic  species,  compared  with  their  American  allie.s,  presents  a 
very  interesting  problem  bearing  upon  the  nuestion  of  geograjducid  variation.  This  curious  panil- 
lelism  was  first  called  attention  to  by  one  of  the  authors  of  this  work  in  the  "  .A  merican  Naturalist '' 
for  February,  1874  (p.  108),  and  the  following  list  of  species  presented  in  which  it  had  been 
noted  :  — 


American  {rump  dusky  spotted). 
Rhyacophilus  solitarius, 
Totanus  flavipes, 
Numenius  Hudsonicus, 
Ha;matopus  palliatus. 


European  {nimp  immaculate  ivhite). 
R.  ochropus, 
T.  stagnatilis, 
N.  phoeopus, 
H.  ostralegus. 


The  well-known  "  Yellow-legs  "  of  Eastern  sportsmen  has  a  very  abundant  distri- 
bution throughout  all  the  United  States,  not  excepting  the  immediate  neighborlujod 
of  the  Pacific ;  for  even  there  individual  examples  have  been  recently  reported.     It 


n 


SCOLOPACID.K  -  THK  SNIPE   KAN[ILY  —  TOTANUS. 


27r3 


is  ([iiite  cninmon,  in  its  inigvations,  hoyond  tiic  Ixocky  MountaiiiH.  How  cominon  it 
iiiav  lit'  ill  Ciiliroruia  ut  any  tiiiu'  icniaiiis  to  !»<'  ascfi'tainctl.  It  in  found  during  the 
winter  in  suitable  localities  tlironj,'l'oMt  Mexieo.  ('entral  and  South  America,  ami  the 
West  Indies.  Dr.  liurmeister  mentions  tindinj,'  this  s[ieeies  lioth  at  Mendoza  and  at 
i'liraua,  on  tht!  banks  ol'  rivers  and  the  slunvs  of  lakes,  Salvin  speaks  of  meeting 
with  a  small  Hock  near  Duenas.  in  (Juateniahi,  during  the  early  part  of  the  month  of 
April,  in  company  with  Aitnth  uinis  ninrii/iifii.  It  is  included  by  (iundlach  among 
tlie  birds  of  Cuba,  and  by  Marsh  among  those  of  .lamaica.  In  the  latter  island  (io.sse 
siicak.s  of  tiuding  it  always  solitary,  and  wading  in  shallow  water.  The  stonniclis  of 
specimens  he  procured  contained  a  mass  oi  pulverulent  nuxtter  which,  on  l)eing  sepa- 
rated in  water,  was  found  to  contain  fragments  of  in.sects.  According  to  Professor 
Newton,  this  bird  occurs,  but  not  plcntifidly.  in  St.  Croix  in  the  sjiriug  and  autumn  ; 
bat  it  probably  does  not  remain  in  the  island  through  the  winter.  lie  obtained  a 
single  specimen,  .Inly  !.'(>.  IS"»7;  and  Mr.  Kdward  Newton  first  met  with  it  Aug,  3, 
]M.'i.S.  It  is  a  regular  visitant  of  the  Island  of  Trini(hul,  coming  each  year  in  the 
month  of  August,  and  withdrawing  in  October.  Always  in  flocks,  sometimes  of  great 
size,  it  keeps  about  the  borders  of  the  sea.  only  leaving  them  for  moist  meadows  or 
newly  |)lougl'.ed  fields.  It  re([uires  a  soft  soil,  into  which  its  beak  can  easily  pene- 
trate in  quest  of  worms.  In  its  movements  it  is  said  to  resemble  the  Solitary  Tattler. 
After  the  general  departure  of  this  species,  a  few  renuiin  along  the  edges  of  pools  in 
swampy  tracts.  It  is  much  sought  after  by  sportsnu'u.  but  its  Hesh  is  not  of  good 
(piality.     It  feeds  largely  upon  ants  and  the  hirva'  of  (li])terous  insects. 

It  occurs  as  far,  at  least,  to  the  south  as  I'atagonia,  where  Mr.  H.  Durnford  (''  Ibis," 
1^77)  mentions  timling  it  common  along  the  banks  of  the  rivers  and  in  the  adjacent 
swamps  and  jiools  in  the  ('hupat  N'alley.  He  does  not  indicate  it  as  breeding  there  ; 
and  as  his  visit  only  continued  from  the  1st  to  the  Ui)th  of  >«ovember,  it  is  probable 
tliat  it  does  not  do  so. 

It  visits  the  liahamas  in  its  migrations ;  and  i)rol)al)Iy  passes  through  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  interior  regions  of  both  North  and  South  America.  Captain  Bendire 
notes  its  abundaiu'e  in  Oregon  during  its  migrations:  and  Air.  Nelson  found  it  quite 
luuiierous  in  Northeastern  Illinois,  arriving  late  in  April  and  returning  in  September. 
He  has  no  doubt  that  a  few  breed,  as  he  obtained  the  young,  barely  able  to  fly,  on  the 
l.st  of  July,  1874,  ne.ar  (Jhicago;  and  since  then  he  has  noticed  several  i)airs,  during 
the  breeding-season,  al)out  the  CaUunet  marshes. 

In  the  summer  this  species  extends  its  migrations  to  the  extreme  Arctic  regions, 
Reinhardt  includes  it  among  the  birds  of  (Jreenland,  a  single  .specimen  having  been 
received  from  that  region  by  I'astor  Jliischler  in  1854.  Captain  Ulakiston  met  with 
it  on  the  Sa,skatchewan,  obtaining  a  single  si)ecimen  near  Fort  Carlton,  ilr.  Murray 
records  it  as  from  Hudson's  IJay,  and  Mr.  Koss  found  it  abundant  on  the  Mackenzie. 
Iiichardsou  speaks  of  it  as  very  common  in  the  Fur  Countries,  where  it  is  seen,  either 
solitary  or  in  pairs,  on  the  banks  of  every  river,  lake,  or  marsh,  up  to  the  most  north- 
ern extremities  of  tht>  continent.  While  breeding,  it  is  very  impatient  of  any  intru- 
sions, betrays  the  approach  of  the  sportsman  to  less  vigilant  birds  by  flying  round 
his  head,  its  legs  hanging  down  and  wings  drooping,  uttering  its  incessant  and  jilaiu- 
tive  cries.  Trevious  to  its  departure  south  it  collects  in  small  flocks,  and  stops  for 
a  time  on  the  shores  of  Hiulson's  luay.  In  this  locality  it  was  observed  by  Hearne 
in  1772,  and  its  habits  noted.  He  speaks  of  it  as  the  "  Spotted  Godwait,"  ami  states 
that  it  visits  the  Hudson's  l^ay  in  considerable  numbers,  and  is  even  more  abundant 
in  the  interior,  usually  frequenting  the  flat,  muddy  banks  of  rivers.  In  the  summer 
it  was  generally  very  poor,  but  in  the  autumn  it  became  one  mass  of  fat.    Hearne 


w^ 


276 


PR.lilCOCIAL  OIIALI.ATORES  —  LIMICOL/E. 


f 


uwl  witli  this  bird  in  eonsidcraljle  numbers  as  tar  north  as  latitude  71'  o4';  and  at 
Fort  Vorit  he  has  known  it  to  In'  shot  as  late  as  the  hitter  part  of  ()etol)er.  At  tlii> 
time  it  is  in  its  K''«'iiti'st  jterfection,  and  is  said  to  he  delicious  eatinij;. 

It  is  not  noted  in  the  nintli  volume  of  the  '•  I'aeitic  Hailroad  Iveport"  as  occurring 
west  of  the  Missouri,  yet  Mr.  d.  A.  Allfu  found  it  in  considerabh-  numbers  aliouttlu- 
laijoons  of  Kastern  Kansas  in  tlic  earlier  jiart  of  May.  and  afterward  in  An,i,'ust;  hf 
also  saw  it  at  Lake  I 'ass,  in  Colorado,  ami  a  few  were  found  in  Sejitendier  in  the 
Valley  of  (ireat  Salt  Lake.  It  was  not  notieed  by  ^Mr.  Hid^way  in  I'tah  or  Nevada; 
but  it  has  been  found  very  alunidant  in  Au,L;ust  and  Sei)tend)er  throuf,'hout  Dakota 
and  Montana,  where  it  was  invariably  seen  associating  with  the  iiivlininlriira.  Botli 
species  are  there  the  most  unsuspecting  of  the  WatU'rs,  so  that  they  may  be  approaclnil 
without  the  .slightest  ditlieulty.  Mr.  L.  Helding,  in  the  winter  of  1878-1879,  procured 
a  specinu'U  on  the  coast  of  faliforiua. 

In  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi  this  species  is  a  regular  ndgrant  both  in  the 
spring  and  in  the  fall.  It  is  much  more  abundant  in  its  autumnal  movement,  and 
much  more  c()mnu)n,  than  the  niifniiofriirit,  coming  later  and  departing  earlier  than  that 
species.  None  remain  to  brei'd  near  Ijake  Koskonong,  where,  in  the  fall,  they  again 
become  very  abundant. 

It  was  met  with  at  Fort  Kesohition  from  Jlay  Tith  to  the  14th,  in  1860,  by  Mr.  U. 
Kennicott;  on  the  Vukon  liiver,  in  Juiu',  by  Mr.  Loekhart ;  at  Fort  Simpson,  from 
May  ir»th  to  the  L"Jth,  by  ,Mr.  M.  H.  Ross;  at  lUg  Island  by  Mr.  Reid ;  and  was  found 
in  great  abundance  by  Nr.  Ma(!l''arlane  at  Fort  Anderson,  on  Anderson  Itiver,  at 
Horton  H-.er,  Rendezvous  Lake,  etc. 

On  the  Atlantic  coast  it  begins  to  a])pear,  in  its  nngratinns  soutlnvard,  in  July, 
and  its  movements  continue  through  August.  It  returns  in  the  spring,  but  comes  as 
late  as  May  15.  In  Massaidiusetts  Mr.  William  Hrewster  has  taken  it  from  July  15 
to  Septendier  1,  and  has  noted  its  passing  north  occasionally  as  early  as  the  first  jiai  t 
of  May.  A  large  flock  was  observed  by  Mr.  Frank  15.  Tileston  near  Boston,  May 
.3,  1875.     It  is  (juite  common  near  Calais  in  both  these  migrati(Uis. 

On  Long  Island,  according  to  (iiraud,  and  also  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  this 
species  arrives  in  the  early  part  of  ^lay.  It  is  said  to  associate  in  flocks,  and  to  fre- 
quent the  muddy  flats  which  are  left  bare  at  the  recess  of  the  tide.  At  high  water  it 
resorts,  to  the  ponds  on  the  beaches  and  meadows,  where  it  collects  its  food,  which 
consists  of  snuiU  shellfish,  worms,  and  insects.  Occasionally  it  nuiy  be  seen  wadim,' 
into  the  shallow  Avater  in  pursiut  of  small  flshes.  It  is  conspicuously  gregarious  in 
habit,  and  is  constantly  calling  upon  others  to  unite  with  it,  its  shrill  cry  betraying 
its  presence  to  the  hunter.  It  is  readily  attracted  by  decoys,  answering  the  fowler's 
Avhistle,  and,  if  the  sportsman  is  well  concealed,  gliding  directly  up  to  the  decoys, 
gradually  lowering  its  long  legs,  which,  when  it  flies,  ])roject  beyond  its  tail-feathers. 
It  is  much  more  tinud  than  the  Red-breasted  Snipe,  yet,  like  that  species,  when 
invited  by  the  hunter's  whistle,  will  not  infrecpiently  return  and  receive  his  second 
Are.  The  cry  of  this  species  is  very  shrill,  consisting  of  three  or  more  notes.  AVheii 
woimded  in  the  wing  it  will  run  very  fast,  and  will  often  conceal  itself  so  successfidly 
in  the  long  grass  as  to  escape  detection.  It  is  often  seen  on  streams  in  the  interior. 
Its  flesh  is  not  particularly  good,  yet  it  meets  with  a  ready  sale  in  the  New  Yoik 
market,  and  large  numbers  are  shot  to  supply  the  demand.  Giraud  mentions  one 
instance  in  which  one  hundred  and  six  were  killed  by  the  single  discharge  of  a 
double-barrelled  gun  into  a  flock  that  was  sitting  along  the  beach.  In  the  latter  part 
of  August  the  Yellowshank  begins  to  move  southward,  and  in  September  all  have 
usually  retired  from  the  shores  of  Long  Island. 


SrOLOPAriD.'E  —  THE  SNIPE  FAlflLY  —  TOTANFS. 


277 


In  Bonaudii,  according  to  .Mii  jor  Woddcilmrn,  it  arrives  regularly  about  the  Ist  of 
August  in  each  year,  being  une  ui  tlie  earliest  visitors  from  the  north,  and  there 
iciuains  until  the  end  of  Se|(tenil)er,  On  the  l.'ith  of  thily.  1847,  one  of  this  species 
was  caught,  in  an  exhausted  state,  on  the  north  shore  of  one  of  the  islands,  during  a 
gale  from  the  northwest.  On  the  L'fSth  of  July,  IS-JS,  a  large  flock  was  seen,  and 
ii  week  later  the  birds  had  beeoiue  very  nunu-rous. 

It  is  more  or  less  abundant  (hiring  the  winter  from  South  Carolina  to  ^fexico.  ^Ir. 
iMesscr  met  with  it  near  ^Matamoras,  liut  it  was  not  eoninu)n.  in  tlie  spring  of  ISdl, 
at  San  Antonio,  he  noti(.'ed  it  n'uch  oi'temu'  than  he  did  at  Matanioras,  and  in 
April  and  early  in  ISfay  shot  seveial.  He  also  saw  this  l)inl  on  (Jalveaton  Island 
(■ally  in  dune. 

In  the  oi)inion  of  Audubon  the  Yellow.shank  is  nuu-h  more  abundant  in  the  inte- 
rior than  along  the  coast.  In  the  early  autumn,  when  the  sandbars  of  the  Ohio  arc 
luicovered,  it  may  be  seen  upon  them  in  small  fl(jcks.  em|iloyed  in  searching  for  food, 
wading  in  the  water  up  to  the  feathered  part  of  their  legs.  In  the  Carolinas  they 
resort  to  the  riceticlds,  and  in  Florida  to  the  wet  savannahs.  He  met  with  a  few  on 
tlie  coast  of  Labrador,  but  did  not  find  their  nests,  lie  was  informed  by  Thomas 
.MacCullock  that  it  breeds  in  considerable  mindiers  about  I'ictou;  but  when  in  that 
])lace,  in  1850,  I  could  ol)tain  no  corroboration  of  this  statement.  Mr.  ^lacCuUock 
dcscril)ed  the  nest  as  jjlaced  among  the  grass  on  the  edges  of  streams  and  jjonds  of 
tlic  interior. 

Although  this  bird  has  been  but  once  reported  on  the  Southern  I'acific  shore,  yet 
Mr.  Dall  states  that  it  was  obtained  both  at  Sitka  and  at  Kadiak  by  ^Ir.  Hischoff.  It 
was  not  rare  at  Fort  Vukon,  where  it  was  found  breeding  liy  Lockhart.  It  was  also 
seen  in  small  nund);'rs  at  Xulato  and  near  the  mouth  of  tiu'  Yukon.  Mv.  Keunicott, 
who  found  it  breeding  near  Fort  Uesolution,  states  that  it  arrives  there  in  the  spring 
among  the  first  birds.  He  describes  its  nest  as  of  th(>  simj)lest  kind,  it  being  merely 
a  dcin-ession  without  any  lining,  at  the  foot  of  a  small  bush,  in  ratlier  open  ground,  a 
rod  from  the  edge  of  a  marsh.  Another  nest  was  in  an  open  jdace  among  s])arse,  low 
hushes  —  a  simple  depressicm,  but  lined  with  a  few  leaves  and  small  sticks.  Mr. 
-MacFarlane  found  the  nests  of  this  species,  lined  with  decayed  leaves,  on  the  Tiower 
Anderson  Kiver;  and  in  some  instances  they  were  near  the  edge  of  a  small  lake. 
( tthers  were  taken  at  Fort  Anderson,  some  as  early  as  June  2.  The  nests  were  all 
mere  deju'cssions,  with  a  very  scanty  lining.  The  usual  luuuber  of  the  eggs  was  four. 
In  several  instances  the  male  bird  was  seen  to  jierch  on  trees  near  the  nest,  in  the 
manner  of  the  Oommon  Snipe.  Some  were  already  hatched  by  the  19th  of  June. 
W'lien  the  pair  had  young,  they  were  very  noisy,  going  constantly  before  the  intruder 
from  tree  to  tree  for  several  hundred  yards  beyond  their  nest.  The  yt)ung,  even 
Avhen  just  hatched,  run  aiul  hide  in  the  short  grass,  so  as  to  nuike  it  difficult  to  find 
them,  the  parents,  in  the  meanwhile,  flying  and  screaming  in  the  air  above. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  obtained  by  Mr.  MacFarlane  exhibit  some  variations  in 
the  shading  of  the  ground  and  in  tlu'ir  markings.  Mo.  113!>7,  Nat.  Mus.,  average  in 
measurement  1.08  inches  in  length  and  1.12  in  breadth.  Their  ground-color  is  a 
light  drab,  verging  in  some  into  a  darker  hue,  marked  with  separate  rounded  blotches 
of  bistre,  of  a  light  tint,  and  washed  in  a  few  instances  with  the  ground-color,  giving 
the  effect  of  a  light  ashy  slate.  No.  11388,  S.  I.,  the  ground-color  a  dull,  deep  rufous 
drab ;  the  spots  more  numerous  and  confluent,  giving  to  the  eggs  a  very  different 
effect  from  that  usually  presented. 


E   ? 


278 


rR.tlCOCIAL  OllALLATOllKS  —  I.IMU'OL.K. 


Gem  H  RHYACOPHILUS,  Kaup. 

Rhyicnphilm,  Kait,  Sk.  Kiitw.  Kiirop.  Tli.  1829,  140  (typo,  Tfiiiga  glarrnin,  LiNN.). 

Char,     Mimilar  to  Totamm,  Imt  .siuuUur,  and  with  miildlo  Uw  muirly  nn  loiij,'  iw  tui«u». 

TluTo  is  Imf  niio  Anioricnn  »iH'ries  of  this  fjcnits,  iiml  the  Old  World  niciiilx'is  nrc  liy  no  mcanf* 
numtTuiis  —  only  two,  the  li.  ochrdiiun  (Linn.)  and  li,  ijlunolu  (LiNX.)  licing  R'Ci)j,'ni/.ud  \>y  nnlliori- 


* 


: 


R.  aolUarius. 

ties.     Tiie  latter  is  the  typp  of  the  ^'enus,  but  it  resembles  the  American  R,  solitariun  much  less 
than  does  the  former.     The  tliree  may  lie  distinyuisiieil  as  luUows  :  — 

A»   Lininj^  of  the  wing  dusky,  barred  with  wliite. 

1.  R.  BolitariuB.     Upper  tail-coverts  dusky,  ban-ed  with  white  ;  middle  tail-feathers  dusky, 

spotted  with  white  aionj,'  the  edt,'e.    Win;,',  5.;3(» ;  culmen,  1.1") ;  tarsus,  1.30;  middle  toe, 
1.00.     Hah.  North  America,  mi^'ratinj;  southward  in  winter. 

2.  R,  oobropua.     Upper  tail-coverts  pure  white,  nearly  or  quite  immaculate  ;  middle  tail- 

leathers  widely  barred  with  white.     Wing,  5.40-5.70  ;  culmen,  1,30-1.40  ;  tarsus,  l.:25- 
1.40;  middle  toe,  .95-1.00.     Hith.  Europe  ;  accidental  in  Eastern  North  America  (Nova 
Scotia). 
LiniufT  of  the  wing  white,  spotted  e.\teriorly  with  dusky. 

3.  R.  glareola.     U])per  tail-coverts  white,  more  or  less  marked  with  dusky  ;  middle  tail- 

feathers  banded  with  white.     Wing,  4.75-4.90;   culmen,  1.10-1.15;   tarsus,  1.40-1.45; 
middle  toe,  1.00-1,05,     Hah.  Puliearctic  Region. 


Rhyacophilus  solitarius. 

THE    SOLITABY    SANDPIFEB. 

Tringa  ochrnpus,  var.  j3.  Lath.  Ind.  Oin.  II.  1790,  730. 

Tringa  solUnrin,  WiLs.  Am.  Oni.  VII.  1813,  53,  pi.  58,  fig.  3. 

Tolanun  soUtnrius,  Avn.  Synop.  1839,  24'J  ;  K  Am.  V.  1842,  309,  pi.  343,  —  Coue-s  Key,  1872,  2,59  ; 

Check  List,  1873,  no.  435  ;  Birds  X.  W.  1874,  498. 
Rhyacophilus  snlitarius,  Cass,  in  Bninl's  B,  N.  Am,  1858,  733.  —  BAian,  Cat.  N,  Am.  B.  1859,  no. 

541.— KiDow.  Norn.  N.  Am.  R.  1881,  no.  5,50,  —  Couks,  Check  Li.st,  2d  od.  1882,  no.  637. 
Tolamis  chhropyghts,  Vieill.  Xouv.  Diet.  VI ,  1816,  401.  —  Sw.  &  Rich.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  393.  — 

NuTT.  Man.  II.  1834,  1.59.  —  Auu.  Orn.  Biog.  III.  1835,  576  ;  V.  1839,  583,  pi.  289. 
Tolamis  macroptera,  Spix,  Av.  Bras,  II.  1825,  76,  92. 
(?)  "  Totanm  caligalus,  Light." 
"  Totanus  guttatus,  Illio." 


Ht:oLorAciD.E  —  THE  snii'p:  family  -  rhyacoimiilus. 


279 


IIau.  The  wliolt"  of  North  imtl  Midille  Aiuericu  anil  thf  KrcuttT  imrl  of  South  Ainurictt,  ruiij,'iii({ 
soiitli  to  Ura/.il  and  iVni ;  lncLMliii^'  thruu^hout  tcmperatu  Nortli  Aiuuiica,  hut  chiitly  noithwunl  ; 
acciih'iital  in  Kuiopu. 

Hp.  Chak.  AiIuU  in  guinimr:  Ahovo,  olivaceous  >iatt',  lallaT  K]iarMt'ly  nptTklcd  with  wliilc, 
tliu  iTowii  and  iui|if  indi^lindly  >ln'aki'd  witli  llii'  Hanic  ;  outiT  uii|i('r  tail-covcrfH  haired  with 
wliili' ;  i>iiniariu.i  and  iiriniaiy-eoveits  plain  slati'-l)laLk.  'I'ail  wliile  (iliv  middle  featheis  iliiMk\ ), 
all  the  featheiM  widtdy  huirud  with  duftky,  these  liars  niool  luiineious  on  outer  wubt*,  where  extend- 


in;;  to  the  hase  of  the  feathers.  Eyelids,  supraloial  stri|ie,  and  lower  parts  white  ;  the  sides  of 
the  head,  neck  (all  round),  and  ju;,'uluiu  streaked  with  lirownish  slate  ;  remaining  lower  parts 
innuaculute.  Linin;,'of  wimj  and  axillars  slate-color,  re;,'ularly  harred  with  white.  Winhr  iilumMje  : 
Similar  to  the  summer  dress,  hut  dark  ashy  above,  less  distinctly  sjieckled,  and  foreneck  very 
indistinctly  streaked,  or  simply  washed  with  ashy.  Yohikj  :  Above,  j,'rayis)i  blown  (li;,diter  and  more 
olivaceous  tliaii  the  adult),  thi<kly  speckled  with  buff  ;  crown  and  na]ie  plain  brownish  t,'ray;  cheeks 
and  sides  of  neck  nearly  uniform  ;;ray  ;  foreneck  streaked,  as  in  the  adult. 

Total  leiiKtli,  about  8.(M)-8.5(i  inches  ;  extent,  Ifl.rMl-Ki.SO  ;  winj;.  5.(1(1-5.-10  ;  eulmeii,  1.15-1.3(1 ; 
tarsus,  l.:J")-l.3(l ;  middle  toe,  1.(10.  Kill  ;;reenish  brown  (in  life),  dusky  terminally;  iris  brown  ; 
l(",'s  and  feet  olive-green  in  adult,  more  grayish  in  young. 

It  is  ditlicult  to  reeoiieile  all  the  variou.s  stati'iiuMits  in  regard  to  the  habits  of 
this  species,  either  with  our  own  observations  or  with  the  experience  of  more  recent 
observers.  Audubon  sjieaks  of  finding  it  nesting  in  Louisiana,  Wilson  of  its  breed- 
ing in  tiie  liighlaiuls  of  I'ennsylvania.  aiul  (Jiraud  considered  it  a  suuinier  resident 
uf  Long  Island  from  May  to  Scpteinbev.  How  far  these  statements  are  reconcilable 
with  fact,  or  how  far  they  may  be  erroneous  or  exceptional,  it  is  not  easy  to  deter- 
luiiic.  It  may  be  that,  like  tlie  Comniiui  Snijje,  this  bird  occasionally  breeds  in 
unusually  southern  localities.  Mr.  .J.  A.  Allen  met  with  it  at  Ipswich,  Mass.,  in 
duiic.  under  circumstances  which  led  him  to  feel  confident  that  the  bird  was  breed- 
ing there.  The  general  rule,  however,  is  that  throughout  the  United  States  this 
sjiccies  is  as  decidedly  migratory  as  the  Winter  Y'cllowleg,  and  that  if  it  ever  nests 
south  of  latitude  4.'i°,  the  instances  ave  rare,  exceptional,  or  caused  by  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances. It  is  common,  though  not  abundant,  in  Massachusetts  in  spring  and 
fidl,  although  not  known  to  breed  in  that  State.  It  comes  in  the  spring  in  the  latter 
part  of  May,  its  stay  being  short,  as  it  almost  immediately  passes  on  to  its  northern 
breeding-places.  It  begins  to  re-ajipear  in  midsummer,  or  about  the  15th  of  July, 
and  is  more  or  less  common  from  that  time  up  to  the  last  of  (October.  Maynard 
obtained  an  example  at  Erroll,  X.  li.,  as  late  as  October  31,  when  the  jionds  Avere 
frozen  over ;  and  Mr.  William  Brewster  met  with  partially  grown  young  in  Frau- 
conia,  N.  H.,  in  August. 

Major  Wedderburn  states  that  this  Sandpiper  —  which  reminded  him  so  much, 
both  in  aijpearance  and  in  habits,  of  Ehyaco2Jh!lus  ylareola  of  Europe  —  is  found  every 


•jso 


ril.KCOCIAI.   Cli.M.I.ATOUKS  -    I.IMU'OL.K. 


yt'iif  ill  MiTiimd;!.  I'roiii  tin-  -(Mil  of  .\iii,Mist  tii  the  last  oi'  Scpli'iiiltfr.  wiicrc  it  I'lv 
(|m>iits  till'  Nwaiiiits  tiilnl  with  stmitt'd  tn-i's  mul  IhisIics.  A  iVw  stra)4;Kl''i'x  ii'iiiain 
into  Nnvi'inlicr.  Oiif  s|H'i'iiiii'ii  was  seen  as  cailv  as  .Inly  'J.'i ;  ami  in  iS.'iU  several 
were  met  willi.  in  llieir  s|>rin.i;'  iiii.m'atinns.  as  early  as  tlie  Ttli  ni'  April.  Tliev  were 
i^enerally  very  sliy.  Mr.  Iluniis  lueiitiniis  tliat  utlier  examples  were  sImiI  on  tlie  lOili 
ami  Idtli  of  April  ol' llie  same  \ear.  Mr.  I>ali  iioled  llie  presence  of  this  species  al 
Niilato  I'rom   May  JlMli   to  the  iSlli.      Mr.  IJoss   I'uiiml   it    near   l''ort   Simpson   in   liie 


lalt. 


rt  oT   Mav.      it  was  also  taken  at    l''ort  ^'nlvon  1>\    Mr.  .1.  ,Mel>oii''al,  al   I'orl 


Iv'ae  liy  Mr.  Clark,  ami  at   Uii;-  Islaml  liy  Mr.  Ueid. 

Mr.  Ileiisliaw  prel'ers  tlie  name  ol'  Wood  'rattler  lor  this  species,  as  he  does  nut 
rej^'ard  it  as  a  solitary  liird.  lie  mentions  haviiifj;  Ireipieiitly  met  with  it  at  the  WesI, 
in  mountainous  lin'alities,  on  the  liorders  ol'  such  small  ponds  as  are  wholly  sin- 
rounded  liy  dense  I'orests  j^M'owiiii;'  almost  to  the  water's  edp'.  l>iirin,!L;  the  mii^ratoiy 
season  it  ocenrs  alniiidaiitly  on  the  shores  ol'  all  the  ii\ers,  and  in  tact  Ireipieiils 
every  locality  which  is  suited  to  the  wants  and  tastes  of  W'adiii^-liirds.  .\t  I  hese 
seasons  he  I'onnd  it  very  I'ar  t'roni  lieiny;  siditary.  and  rarely  to  he  seen  alone  ;  littli' 
eompaiiies  of  six  or  seven  liein^  ipiite  usual,  and  not    inl'rei|iiently  more  may  he  seen 


tiiLrel  111 


lie  did   not   sneeeed   in  lindinu'  it    hrtM'dint;.  I>nt    he  has  little  ur  no  d 


that    it.  actnallv   d< 


's  so    111    part 


I'lali.  ( 'olorado.   and    evi 


mill 


it  her   south.      Il< 


states  that  Mr.  .\iken  took  adult  hirds  near  I'lieMo,  Colorado,  lale  in  .Inly,  wliirli 
had  iindoiihtedly  spent  the  siimii"r  and  were  hreedinn'  there.  Mr.  Ileiishaw  proeiircil 
specimens  at  difl'erent  points  in  .\ri/.ona  from  .Inly  L".l  to  Aiii;nsl  I'l. 

This  liird  winters  in  Central  .\merica,  where  it  is  evidently  ipiilc  eomiiKai.  jiidf^ini; 
rrimi  the  nnmlxM' of  its  skins  in  all  lar^c  ccdleclions  from  (inatemala.  Mr.  Skinner 
(ihtained  specimens  near  Cohan.  It  is  also  found  in  most  of  the  West  India  Islamls, 
(iiindlach  niviiii;  it  as  a  \  isitant  of  Ciiha.  and  (Josse  ineluiliu'4  it  aimuiL;'  the  hirds  of 
.lamaiea,  wher<'  Im  loiiiid  it — not  sceminn'  parlieiilarly  solitary  -  ahout  piuids  in  pas- 
tures and  near  fresh-water  morasses,  lis  j;i//ard  was  tilled  with  Irat^nieiils  id'  miniilc 
water-iusects.  It  is  called  hy  him  tli  •  ••  I'.artailed  Sainlpiper."  ( hie  id'  these  liinls, 
whose  wiiii;'  had  heeii  hrokcn,  was  kept  alive.  It  had  most  ol'  the  manners  of  I  lie 
Kildeer,  hut.  freipienlly  ludd  up  the  win,i;s  when  rnnnini;'.  .\nollier,  whiidi  had  hecn 
wounded  at   Mount.  I'ld,i;cnnilie  I'ond.  plniii;ed  into  the  water  and  swam  vis^orously. 

Professor   Newton    met   with   this  species  on  the  Island  id'  SI.  Croix.      In    its  ;;('ii 
eral   appeaianee   it    reminded   him   id'  the  Wood    Sandpiper  of    I'lnrope  (lili iiiii'iijiliihis 
i//iirr(i/<i),  while  it  has  iiumc  of  the  liahils  and  notes  of  the  (ireen  Sandpiper  (li.  nrhvu- 
/Ills).      It.  was  tpiite  common  on  that    island,  and  arrived  alioiil   the  same  time  as  llic 
7'o/iniiis  //firl/iis.      lie  olitaiiii'd   one  specimen   as  early  as. Inly  I'd.  and    .Mr.  I'l.  New 
ton  one  on  .\ni;'nsl  T),      In  Trinidad,  accordiiii;-  to   l.i'otaiid,  it    is  only  a   hird  of  pas 


sa<'e.  arriviim-  there  in  .\imusl    and   leaving'  iiiOcti 


It    is  almost   always  alone 


somt'times  aeeompanied  hy  its  mate,  and  occasionally  mingled  with  a  tlock  of  oilier 
AVaders.  It.  is  always  seen  near  water,  eitliiv  on  the  hordevs  of  the  sea.  interior 
ponds,  or  where  water  has  softened  llie  soil,  thus  favoriiiL;  a  search  for  woians  and 
other  food.  Its  movements  are  marked  hy  lightness  and  }^raee ;  when  it  slops  ii 
freipienlly  vilirates  its  head  hai  kwani  and  forward,  movin.t,'  its  tail  at  the  same  lime 
it  Hies  rajiidly.  and  in  tlyin;;  utters  a  low  cr\ .  as  if  callint;  to  a  eiuiipanion. 

On  the  I'aeilif  coast  it  occurs  as  far  north  as  Alaska,  where  Mr.  hall  met  with  il 
at  Nnlato,  s|)ariii,i,dy,  in  the  month  of  May,  and  where  it  arrives  as  early  as  May  o. 
In  ('alifornia.  I>r.  Cooper  has  not  met.  with  this  species  south  id'  Santa  Kiirhara.  Kml 
Tejon  heiii;^  the  most  southern  locality  in  whivdi  its  ocenrrenee  has  lieeii  n-cordi'd. 
It  is  more  eommoii  inland  and  toward  the  north,  freipientiufj;  idiietly  the  hanks  ami 


liHIJ 


Sl'OI,()I'A(MI),1';  — TlllO  SMl'K   KAMII.V --  UllYACttl'llll.rs. 


lis  I 


lii'ils. 

Ilir 
lu'i'll 

hlv. 

.'.I'M 
i/lllllS 
til'lll'" 
IS    111'' 

Nrw- 
|i;is 
llliMir, 
u'.lu'r 

(ti'Vinr 

IS  mill 
lops  il 

tiuir. 

will)  it 
Miiy  .'•■ 
1.  i'oH 
•onli'tl- 
ks  anil 


.;i;ivi'll,\  liiirs  iiltMij,'  niiiiiin^;  lirouks,  ami  rarely  a|>|ii'ariii,i,'  iii'ar  llii'  sca-cdiisl.  'IMic 
si'aii'ity  of  I'U'ar  rivulets  in  Sunt  hern  ('iilildiiiia  niav  lie  the  icasmi  wliy  these  liinls 
iiie  lint  ruiiiiil  there,  lis  they  pi  imieh  tariher  south  in  the  interior  in  winter.  I>r. 
('oo|ier  has  seen  I  hem  in  May  on  mountiiin  slre;ims  in  Simla  Clara  \'alley,  wlu'ie 
tiiey  are  supposed  liy  liini  to  have  liatl  lu'.sls. 

This  speeies  prolialily  does  not  winter  in  any  portion  ol'  the  Inited  Stales,  ami 
iieiie  are  recorded  alter  Oelolier.  It  was  found  in  Aui;iisl  liy  Mr.  I  >resser  (Ui  a  sand- 
hank  in  the  h'io  (Irande,  near  Matanioi'as.  and  none  wi're  seen  there  at  any  other 
lime.  Duriii;^  .\pril  he  ol'ten  t'ound  them  at  the  small  pools  and  on  the  hanks  id'  the 
small  streams  near  San  AiitoiMo.  \  single  speeimen  is  recorded  as  haviui;-  lieen  taken 
in  Au,i,Mist  in  .\ri/.oiia..  Mr.  .1.  .V.  .Mien  noticed  this  species  in  Kaslern  Kansas  in  the 
early  part  ol'  May,  ami  found  it  there  (|uite  common,  lie  a.^aiu  met  with  it  diirini; 
the  second  week  in  .Vui^usl  at  Lake  I'ass  in  Culorado,  and  in  Septemlier  in  the  \'al- 
Icy  of  Salt,  l-ake.  Mr.  I\idi;\va\  also  met  with  it  (iccasionall\  in  I'tah  and  Nevada. 
It  arrived  in  the  Ti'iickee  N'alley  May  I.'!,  and  was  noticed  in  Parley's  I'ark  in  the 
Walisalch  Mountains  in  .\ui;nsl.  It  was  much  less  niimerous  than  '/'rliii/niilrs  iimrii- 
lurius. 

In  liOiiv;  Island.  accordiuL;-  to  Oiraud,  it  is  not  very  almndant.  yef  hy  no  means 
rare.  It  is  distriliuted  sinijiy  or  in  pairs  alony;  such  creeks  as  are  reached  \>\  the 
till';  and  is  also  oliservcd  aliont  pools  and  rivulets  im>re  remote  from  the  sea.  It 
seldom  visits  the  lieaeh,  and  is  very  rarely  met  with  in  the  salt-marshes  on  the  hays. 
It  ••'.ten  takes  up  its  ahode  near  the  hahitations  of  man.  prcl'errin!;'  his  society  to  that. 
nl  the  numerous  species  of  shore-liirds  freipu'ut in^'  the  seaside.  It  is  not  considered 
i;ainc.  and  is  not  hunted,  and  thus  heeonies  ipnle  familiar.  When  neai'ly  approached 
il  Hies  hut  a  short  distance  hefore  i|.  ie-ali,u;hts.  to  lesume  its  oecupat  ion  of  prohin.y; 
llic  soft,  anni  for  worms  and  minute  shelllish,  which  ahoiind  in  its  favorite  haunts. 
Il  also  results  to  decayed  loj,'s  fiU'  the  purpose  of  pi'ocuring  j^ruhs.  and  from  this 
|icciiliarily  of  hahit  il  is  liy  some  known  as  the  ••Wood  Tattler."  When  siii'pri.'^ed  if 
iiHcrs  a  sharp  whistliny;  note,  raises  its  win,i;s.  and  runs  iiimhly  over  the  miry  ijronnd. 
II  closely  pursued,  if  retreats  to  t,h(>  opposite  side  of  the  pond,  arranges  its  feathers, 
and  soon  resuun-s  its  usual  };entle  manm'rs.  This  liird  is  very  active  on  llu>  win^;-. 
and  may  sometimes  lu"  seen  darting;  after  win>fed  insects,  which  it  is  very  ex|>erl  in 
calcliinjj;;  and  when  Hyinj,',  its  loni;  and  ^'raccfidly  curved  winj^s  add  (,'reatly  to  the 
elTcct.  (d'  its  neat  plnmas^e.  It  arrives  lui  l,on,y;  Island  in  May.  and  is  not  Si'cii  there 
alter  Septemher. 

It  passes  its  Itrief  period  of  reproduction  in  the  extended  re^jion  north  of  latitude 
II',  liul  to  what  extent  mirth  is  uncertain,  l^iehardsou  met  with  a  sin,y:le  individual 
at  (Ircal  iiear  Lake,  in  lalilude  (M"  ;t()'.  May  II.  IS1.'(>;  and  Mr.  hall  noticed  it  at 
Nulalo  oil  ahout  the  same  parallel.  Mr.  IJoss  found  it  common  on  the  .Macken/ie 
Itivcr.  ami  Captain  lUakiston  oh.served  it  on  the  Saskatchewan  I'lains.  it  is  found 
tliioii!;lioiit  the  summer  —  or  Ironi  May  to  Septemher  —  in  the  iieif,dil)orhooi!  of  Calais, 
Mc.,  and  Mr.  r>oardman  has  no  douht  that  it  hreeds  there.  N'et  in  the  summer  (d' 
l'*^7.'l,  from  May  throu^jh  .liine  —  as  Mr.  Mrewster  informs  ns  —  none  of  these  hirds 
were  to  he  seen  in  the  vicinity  id'  Lake  riubafjo};;  hut  in  the  latter  part,  of  duly, 
wlicii  the  mii^rations  southward  hegan.  they  a|)pearcd  there  in  larp>  nnmlx'rs,  appa- 
I'ciilly  havin,u;  come  from  a  distance.  He  naturally  inferred  that  lew  lU'  none  lireed 
ill  that  neij,dil)(U'luio(l. 

Wil.son  states  tliat  this  .sjiccies  is  found  in  the  summer  in  diiinp  meadows  lunoiig 
•Mir  liif^hest  mountains,  from  Kentucky  to  New  \'ork,  on  the  mossy  niarj^ins  of  nioiin- 
laiii  springs.     He  found  it  unsuspicious,  niul  permitting  a  near  uiiproiieii  without 

vol,.  1.  —  ;!(! 


I 


I 


mm 


?W" 


mmmcmw: 


:™-^?WSS?W 


;    ^    ■■:■ 

#    '■Is 
1     '  il 

■1          "    ■'« 

282 


PRJiCOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOL^, 


appearing  to  be  in  the  least  alarmed;  he  had  no  doubt  that,  these  birds  regularly 
bred  on  Tocano  Mountain,  near  Easton,  altlu)Ugh  he  could  never  find  their  nests. 
He  notes  their  reseniblanca'.  botli  in  manners  and  markings,  to  li.  orhrojms,  or  the 
Green  Sanilpiper  of  Eurojie. 

Nuttall  states  that  a  pair  frequented,  very  familiarly,  the  small  fish-pond  in  the 
Botaiii(!  (Jardcii  in  (Jambridge,  attracted  by  larviu  tliat  fed  on  tlie  water-lily.  Tlicy 
would  trip  over  the  sinking  leaves  with  all  tlie  lightness  and  agility  of  the  Kail. 

Mr.  Nelson,  in  his  "  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Northeastern  Illinois,"  speaks  of  tliis 
species  as  a  common  migrant,  arriving  the  1st  of  May,  and  renuiining  until  about  the 
2oth,  when  the  majority  go  farther  north.  He  lias  several  times  taken  yoimg  birds 
near  a  prairie  slough,  winch  were  just  able  to  Hv,  and  has  noted  the  presence  of  adults 
throughout  the  breeding-season,  and  does  m)t  think  there  can  be  the  sliglitest  doulit 
that  this  species  breeds  in  tliat  vicinity,  taking  its  departure  southward  in  August 
and  September.  The  same  writer  noticeil  this  Tattler  as  being  common  on  the  banks 
of  the  Humboldt,  near  Elko,  Nevada,  the  young  being  half-grown.  It  frequented  tlie 
sloughs  in  the  meadows,  but  only  a  single  pair  was  seen  in  eacli. 

Early  in  August,  187S,  L  noticed  a  pair  of  this  species  with  a  brood  of  four  young 
hardly  able  to  fly,  near  an  open  reservoir  of  rain-water,  on  Appledore,  Isles  of  Shoals. 
These  were  too  young  to  have  come  to  that  island  over  the  water,  the  distance  being 
nine  nules ;  and  tliat  tliis  brood  could  liave  been  Iiatched  on  that  rocky  and  treeless 
island  seemed  very  imi)robable.  They  were  in  company  with,  yet  liolding  aloof  from, 
several  pairs  of  TriiKjohles  macuhtrlus.  My  near  presence  at  first  appeared  greatly 
to  alarm  tlii>  parents ;  but  they  were  soon  rpiieted,  as  I  did  nothing  to  disturb  them, 
and  they  then  resumed  their  search  for  worms  in  the  black  mud  on  the  edge  of  the 
Avater. 

Eggs  of  T,  mactiluvhis,  as  a  general  rule,  are  made  to  do  duty  for  those  of  this 
species.  The  only  egg  which  I  have  seen,  and  have  reason  to  accejjt  as  authcntii', 
was  one  taken  in  May,  187.S,  by  Mr.  Jenness  liichardson,  near  Lake  Bombazine,  \'cr- 
mont.  The  nest  was  on  the  ground,  and  tlie  female  parent  was  shot  as  she  left  it. 
The  egg  measured  1.37  by  .9")  inches,  the  ground-color  being  a  light  drab,  similar 
to  that  of  yEi/!((litis  vwlothi  ;  over  this  were  scattered  small  rounded  markings  of 
brown,  some  of  these  quite  dark,  nowhere  confluent,  and  not  large  enough  to  be 
called  blotches.  At  the  larger  end  there  were  a  few  faint  purplish  or  lilac  discoloi- 
ations  or  shell-marks.     The  egg  was  elongated  pyriform  in  shape. 

Rhyacophilus  ochropus. 

THE  GREEN  SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  ochrophiis,  Linn.  S.  N.  ed.  10,  1758,  149  ;  ed.  12, 1766,  250. 

Totamis  uchropus,  Tkm.m.  Man.  1815,  420.  —  Naum.  Vijg.  Deutsclil.  VIII.  1836,  59,  pi.  197.  —  Ki:ys. 

&  lii.As.  Wiilj.  Eur.  73.  —  IJonap.  Comp.  List,  1838,  51.  —  JIacgill.  Man.  II.  94.  — GiiAV,  Ooii. 

B.  III.  573  ;  Cnt.  Brit.  B.  1863, 1.58. 
Rhyacophihia  ocliropus,  Hidow.  I'loi'.  V.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  3, 1880,  200  ;  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  nu. 

551.  — CouEs,  Cheek  List,  2cl  ed.  1882,  no.  636. 
Totanim  rivalis  and  T.  /eucourus,  Bkkum,  Viig.  Deutsclil. 
Oreen  Sandpiper,  ""  'jr.  Brit.  B.  ed.  2,  11.  595,  fig.;  ed.  3,  II.  642,  fig.;  et  Auct. 

Hab.     The  PiiliEurctic  Region,  straying  to  Eastern  North  America  (Nova  Scotia,  Harting) 
Sp.  Char.    Adult  in  summer  :  Similar  to  R.  solitarins,  but  upper  tail-coverts  pure  white,  wiili- 
out  markings  ;  tail  white,  the  middle  feathers  widely  barred,  clear  across,  with  dusky,  the  lateral 
feathers  with  only  one  bar,  or  iiniuaculate,  the  others  barred  only  toward  ends.     Lining  of  winy 


.    l^fT^ 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SIHPE  FAMILY  —  RHYACOrillLUS. 


283 


!iii(l  axilliirs  more  nurrowly  barred  with  white.    Jyinter  plumage:  Similar  to  K.solitarim,  except 
as  pointed  out  above. 

'I'lie  introduction  of  thi.s  well-known  Euioiiean  f^pecics  into  the  list  of  American  bird.s  rests 
\iliou  tlif  circunistanue  of  a  single  situlfed  specinu'n,  said  to  have  been  killed  in  Nova  Scotia,  having 
(iiMic  into  the  iiossessiou  of  J.  Edmund  Martin^,  Es((.,  the  well-known  authority  on  the  Limicol(v. 
Tlio  collection  of  which  it  formed  a  part  was  received  from  a  responsible  dealer  direct  from  Xova 
.'icoti.i.  '['he  skin  bail  evidently  Ijeen  jirejiared  by  the  same  hand  as  the  others  of  the  coll  lion, 
wliich  were  all  American  species,  so  that  there  can  be  no  reason  to  doubt  the  authenticity  of  the 
ascril)ed  locality,     (("f.  Brewer,  "  Bull.  Xutt.  Orn.  ('lul>,"  III.  Jan.  1878,  p.  40.) 


IN-O). 
te,  with- 
lateral 
I  of  wing 


Till'  (Jrccii  Siiiidpipor,  (jr  White-tailtMl  Tattler  of  Kurope,  was  inclmled  by  Nuttall 
as  among  the  liird.s  of  North  Anu'rica.  It  i.s  also  given  by  Ikicbard.son  in  his  "  Fauna 
lioreali-Americana,"  Imt  was  not  iiudiuled  by  Mr.  Lawri-nce  in  the  'Taeilic  Railroad 
ivt'port,"  Vol.  IX.  Nuttall  states  that  two  specimens  had  been  obtained  at  Hudson's 
Hiiy.  but  he  does  not  mention  the  name  of  his  informant.  It  is  now  restored  to  the 
list  of  North  Ameriean  birds  on  the  authority  of  .1.  Edmund  Hurting,  Esq.,  who  in 
.Miueh,  187t{,  wrote  to  J'rofessor  Baii'd  from  London  that  he  had  reeently  received 
fiom  Mr.  H.  Whitely.  a  respectable  detiler  at  Woolwich,  a  small  parcel  of  North 
American  skins  which  had  been  sent  to  him  from  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  and  that 
iimoiig  them  was  an  example  of  this  bird.  Ujion  inquiry,  he  was  assured  l)y  Mr. 
Wliitely  that  the  skin  came  to  him  from  Halifax,  and  that  it  had  been  prepared 
there.  Mr.  Hurting  regards  this  as  the  first  authentic  instance  of  the  occurrence  of 
tiie  Green  Sandpii)er  in  North  America. 

According  to  Varrell,  the  habits  of  this  bird  are  as  yet  only  imperfectly  under- 
.stood.  In  England  it  appears  to  be  most  plentiful  in  spring  and  autumn,  a  few 
remaining  there  to  breed,  but  the  greater  i)art  going  farther  north,  and  i)robably 
returning  with  their  young.  An  occasional  si)ecimen  of  this  bird  is  not  infrequently 
met  during  the  winter  months.  In  some  of  its  habits  it  resembles  our  Solitary  Tattler, 
irpquentiiig  the  sides  of  shallow  streams  and  the  banks  of  rivers  and  iidand  lakes  and 
ponds,  not  being  usmUly  i'ouiul  so  near  the  sea  as  are  the  other  Sandpipers.  When 
running  it  spreads  and  flirts  up  its  tail  like  the  European  Redshanks  (1\  rolidri's). 
Its  food  consists  of  worms  and  insects.  By  some  it  is  known  as  the  Whistling  Sand- 
piper, its  note  —  which  is  a  shrill  whistle  —  being  thought  to  sound  like  cheet-cheet- 
c/u'L't. 

Mr.  Lubbock  informed  Yarrell  that  a  pair  of  this  species  .built  its  nest  in  a  hol- 
low on  the  side  of  a  claypit  in  Norfolk,  in  the  autumn  of  1839,  and  that  the  bird  was 
common  during  summer  and  autumn,  upon  a  small  stream  near  Attleburgh.  The 
siiiuo  gentleman  also  stated  that  he  had  killed  a  specimen  on  the  4th  of  January,  1837, 
when  there  was  a  deep  snow  on  the  ground,  and  all  the  Snipes  had  been  driven  out 
of  the  country  by  the  severity  of  the  weather.  He  was  nearly  certain  that  it  remains 
in  England  all  the  year,  with  the  exception  of  that  period  in  spring  and  early  sum- 
inor  during  which  it  withdraws  to  rear  its  young.  The  11th  of  April  is  the  latest 
tiiiii'  in  spring  at  which  he  has  observed  any.  A  nephew  of  JNIr.  Lubbock  informed 
iiiiu  that  on  the  23d  of  July  he  saw  six  of  this  species  together,  and  that  they  appeared 
to  bo  tAvo  old  birds  with  their  four  young.  This  bird  is  also  said  to  be  not  uncommon 
along  the  whole  line  of  the  southern  marine  counties  of  England,  from  Romney  Marsh, 
in  Kent,  to  Sussex,  Hampshire,  and  thence  to  the  Land's  End.  Mr.  Edward  Double- 
day  saw  several  pairs  about  small  streams  in  the  vicinity  of  Snowdon  in  summer ;  and 
two  pairs  were  observed  near  Capel  Curig.  It  is  also  a  summer  visitor  in  Ireland.  Mr. 
Henry  Doubleday  informed  Yarrell  that  in  November,  1840,  he  shot  a  Green  Sand- 
piper in  the  vicinity  of  Epping.     The  bird  was  only  slightly  wounded,  and  was  kept 


i: 


f ,? 


284 


PRiECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LLMICOL.E. 


alive.  It  was  not  at  all  shy,  and  ted  readily  on  small  v  inns,  first  dipping  them  in 
a  pan  of  water.  It  wcmld  run  about  the  room  rapidly,  eon.stantly  moving  its  tail  up 
and  down  like  a  ^Vlleatear.  When  flushed  it  utters  a  shrill  whistle,  and  generally 
flies  low,  skinnning  over  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  foUoAving  with  precision  all 
the  bends  and  angles  of  the  stream. 

The  Green  Sandpiper  is  said  to  visit  Scandinavia  in  the  S2)ring,  and  to  remain 
there  until  August.  It  is  not  included  among  the  birds  of  the  Fariie  Islands  or  nt 
Iceland.  In  tlie  spring  and  autunni  it  is  very  generally  distrilmted  over  Euro])e.  in 
France  it  is  esteemed  a  great  delicacy,  and  is  ca\ight  by  means  of  limed  twigs.  It  is 
found  in  all  the  countries  liordering  on  the  ^Icditcrranean,  Avas  taken  by  jMr.  Strick- 
land in  Smyrna,  and,  as  Vieillot  states,  has  been  seen  in  Egypt.  It  is  said  to  be  a 
characteristic  summer  resident  near  sheets  of  Avater  in  the  Avooded  districts  of  North- 
eastern Germany,  but  it  is  ncA'er  found  in  open  marshes  in  the  breeding-season.  It 
has  been  known  also  to  breed  among  tin  Lower  Alps  of  Southeastern  France  and 
throughout  the  French  Pyrenees.  It  has  been  found  in  nund)ers  in  winter  anions,' 
tlie  mountains  of  Abyssinia,  and  has  also  bt-en  met  Avith  even  as  far  south  as  the 
Cape  Colony.  In  Asia  it  appears  to  be  conuuon  in  I'ersia,  In<lia,  Turkestan,  Bur- 
mah,  China,  and  Japan,  and  to  breed  in  all  the  northern  piu'tions  of  that  conti- 
nent. It  is  said  to  be  very  shy  and  difficult  of  approach.  Its  flight  is  graceful  and 
swift,  and  it  traverses  a  considerable  distance  Avith  but  few  strokes  of  its  Avings.  It 
hovers  a  little  just  before  it  alights,  and  then  its  Avings  are  more  extended  than  in 
its  flight.  It  is  A'ery  peculiar  in  its  mode  of  nesting,  depositing  its  eggs  in  old 
nests  situated  in  trees,  and  is  not  known  ever  to  nest  on  the  ground.  The  details 
of  its  breeding-habits  Avere  flrst  published  in  "Cabanis's  .biurnal "'  (l.SGl'.  \).  4()0)  by 
Mr.  Hintz,  avIio  found  its  nest  for  the  flrst  time  April  I'O,  IS.'U,  in  an  old  one  of  a 
Tiirdiis  muslcus.  He  afterAvard  saAv  their  eggs  in  old  nests  of  I'igeons,  Jays,  Shrikes, 
and  other  birds,  but  most  commonly  in  those  of  tlie  Thrush.  Writing  in  1862,  'Mr. 
Hintz  states  that  none  of  the  nests  he  had  found  up  to  that  date  Avere  more  than 
three  paces  from  Avater,  some  being  as  Ioav  as  a  foot  above  the  ground,  although 
usually  at  an  eleA'ation  of  from  three  to  six  feet,  and  in  some  instances  as  nuich  as 
thirty-flve.  It  not  infrecjuently  nses  the  .same  nest  tAvo  years  in  succession.  The 
young,  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched,  jump  to  the  ground.  It  breeds  as  early  as  April. 
In  one  instance  seven  eggs  of  this  bird  Avere  found  in  an  old  nest  of  a  Thrush,  most 
probably  laid  by  tAA'o  females  of  this  species. 

The  eggs  of  the  Green  Sandpiper  are  pear-shaped.  In  some  the  groiuid  is  of  a 
delicate  grayish  sea-green,  over  Avhich  are  sparingly  distributed  pale  purplish-gray 
shell-markings  and  dark-broAvn  blotches,  the  latter  being  chiefly  collected  round  the 
larger  end.  In  otlier  examples  the  sjjots  are  smaller,  more  numerous,  and  more  gen- 
erally distributed.  Six  eggs  in  my  cabinet  from  Eastern  Prussia  exhibit  the  follow- 
ing measurements:  1.50x1.12;  1.49x1.10;  1.51x1.11;  1.52x1.10;  1.53x1.10; 
1.51  X  1.08  :  average,  1.51  x  1.10. 


Hi 


^1 


Genus   SYMPHEMIA,  Rafinesque. 

Sijmphemia,  Rafinesque,  .Tour,  de  Phys.  1819  (type,  Scolopax  semipalviata,  G.mei..). 
Catoptrophorus,  Bonap.  Syn.  1828,  323  (same  typo). 

Char.  Bill  compressed,  A'ery  thick,  the  culmen  rounded.  The  loAver  mandible  scarcely  grooved 
che  upper  grooved  to  about  the  middle.  Culmen  sl'ghtly  conA'ex  ;  gonys  ascending.  Bill  cleft  hut 
little  beyond  base  of  culmen.    Feathers  of  sides  of  both  mandibles  falling  short  of  the  nostrils,  the 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THK  SNIl'K   KAMILV  —  SYMrillvMlA. 


285 


WfW 


i 


liiwer  rnther  farther  forward.  Chin-feathers  reachiiij,'  to  middle  of  nostril".  Bill  longer  than  liead  ; 
atmut  ecjual  to  tarsus,  whicli  i.s  more  than  one  and  one  half  times  the  middle  toe.  lioth  toe.s  webhed  ; 
the  emargination  of  inner  web  as  liir  forward  as  the  middle  of  basal  joint  of  middle  toe,  the  outer 


<S'.  semipalmata. 

rcacliin;i  nearly  to  the  end.     Bare  portion  of  tibia  rather  less  than  middle  toe  without  claw.     Tail 
nearly  even,  or  little  rounded,  not  half  the  wings. 


vl 


iM 


::; 


Symphemia  semipalmata. 

THE  WILLET. 

Sc'^hpax  semipalmata,  Gmkl.  S.  X.  1. 17t>8,  Ori'J.  —  Wii.s.  Am.  Oni.  VII.  1813,  27,  pi.  56,  fig.  3. 
Tolanus  scmipalmotus,  Tk.mm.   JIan.  Orn.  II.  1S2S,  037.  —  Sw.  &  Rich.   V.  ]).  A.  II.  1S31,  3S8,  jil. 

07.  — Am.  Oni.  Hiog.  III.  1835,  510  ;  V.  1831),  5S5,  pi.  274  ;  Syiiop.  1831),  215  ;  B.  Ani.V.  1842, 

324,  pi.  347.  —  CoUKs,  Koy,  1872,  258  ;  fhocl<  List,  1873,  no.  431  ;  Birds  X.  W.  1874,  494. 
Totatitis  (Catoptrophorus)  scmipalmafttn,  I.onai'.  Syiinp.  1S28,  328.  —  Nurr.  JIan.  II.  1834,  144. 
Siimp/icmia  semipalmata,  Hm'.ti,.  liiv.  Zool.  1S45,  342.  — Cass,  in  Bainl's  15.  X.  Am.  1858,  729.  — 

Baiup,  Cat.  X.  Am.  !>.  1859,  no.  037.  —  Itmow.  X'om.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  552.  —  Coues,  Check 

List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  032. 
Toliintis  crassirostrin,  A'ikili..  Xouv.  Diet.  1810,  400. 
Sijmphtmia  athiniica,  Kafixkscji'i:,  .Tom-.  Phy.s.  Ixxxviii.  1S19,  417. 
Totanus  specidifcrus,  CrviEi:,  Ri'g.  An.  I.  1817,  351. 

Hah.    Temperate  North  America,  south  to  Brazil ;  We.st  Indies.     Accidental  in  Europe. 

Sr.  Chak.  Largest  of  American  Scolopacidiv,  except  genera  Nunicmus  and  Limnsa.  Primarie.s 
black,  with  nearly  the  basal  half  white,  producing  a  very  conspicuous  jialch  on  the  spread  wing. 
Summir  adult :  Above,  liglit  brownish  gray,  streaked  on  head  and  neck,  and  spotted  and  barred 
till  tlie  back,  etc.,  witli  blackisli  ;  beneath,  white,  tinged  with  ashy  on  foreneck  and  with  buff  along 
sides,  the  former,  with  jugulum,  spotted  witli  du.sky,  and  the  latter  barred  with  the  same  ;  upper 
tail-coverts  white  ;  tail  ashy,  more  or  less  distinctly  mottled  transversely  with  a  deeper  shade  of 
the  same  ;  wing-coverts  plain  ash-gray  ;  axillars  and  lining  of  wing  plain  sooty  black.  If'inter 
plumage :  Above,  plain  ash-gray  ;  beneath,  imnuiculate  dull  white,  the  foreneck  shaded  with 
grayish.  Young :  Above,  brownish  gray,  the  feathers  margined  with  pale  ochraceous  ;  sides  much 
tinged  with  the  same,  and  finely  mottled  transvereely  with  grayish.     Bill  black  ;  legs  and  feet 


286 


PRiECOriAL  PiRALLATORKS  —  LIMICOL.E. 


I: 
;: 


■ 

■ 


li 


)    9 


grayish.     In  life,  "bill  light  blue,  dusky  toward  end  ;  iris  brown  ;  I'pft  light  blue,  claws  black" 
(Audubon). 

Totid  length,  about  1,5.0()-17.(H>  inches  ;  extent.  :.'■).( M)-;}().(J(i ;  wing,  >^.(MM>.(H» ;  cnlmen.  2.30- 
2.60;  tarsus,  2.4()-2.8.j  ;  middle  toe.  1.35-1.40. 


The  Willet  is  one  of  the  most  extensively  ilistrilmted  of  all  our  American  l)ir(ls. 
It  is  not  only  found  along  the  entire  Atlantic  coast  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida,  and 
along  the  entire  Gulf  coast,  but  is  ccjually  almudant  on  the  I'aciiic  and  through  nearly 
all  the  marshy  regions  of  the  interior;  it  also  occurs  throughout  Central  and  South 
America  as  far  south  as  the  Pampas,  where  it  breeds  iij  large  numbers.  Burmeister 
could  find  no  difference  between  South  American  examples  of  this  bird  and  those 
from  farther  north. 

Mr.  Nelson  refers  to  this  species  as  being  a  larc  summer  resident  in  the  marshes 
and  on  the  wet  prairies  of  Northeastern  Illinois,  where  it  arrives  the  last  of  April, 
leaving  l)v  the  first  of  October.  The  same  writer  afterward  found  it  abundant  on  tlic 
shores  of  Salt  Lake,  in  comj)any  with  Avocets,  where  its  clamor  made  it  a  perfect 
nuisance  to  the  sportsman.  Captain  Bendire  also  noticed  it  as  an  abundant  summer 
resident  in  Southeastern  Oregon,  where  he  procured  several  .sets  of  its  eggs,  wliicli 
began  to  be  laid  about  the  lOth  of  May.  These  birds  were  (piite  as  abundant  in  tiie 
higher  mountain  valleys,  at  an  altitude  of  six  thousand  feet,  as  they  were  in  the  lower 
regions,  apparently  frecpienting  all  marshy  localities.  Dr.  Bryant  found  this  to  be 
an  abundant  species  in  the  Bahamas,  where  it  was  also  resident,  breeding  in  all  suit- 
able localities,  and  being  known  as  the  '•  Duck  Snii)e." 

On  the  Pacific  coast,  according  to  Dr.  Cooper,  it  is  one  of  the  most  common  of  the 
shore-birds,  especially  in  the  southern  portions  of  California  and  about  San  Fran- 
cisco, in  the  market  of  M'hich  it  is  plentiful  all  the  year  round.  Although  no  nests 
had  been  found,  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  it  breeds  abundantly  in  that  State,  as 
Dr.  Cooper  had  met  with  fledged  young  at  San  Pedro  early  in  July.  It  frequents 
the  marshy  ground,  both  on  the  coast  and  in  the  interior  toward  the  north,  but  none 
were  seen  on  the  Colorado.  According  to  Dr.  Heermann,  they  are  found  along  Hum- 
boldt River.  Mr.  Ridgway  found  the  Willet  in  June  breeding  alniiulantly  on  tiic 
grassy  flats  on  the  southern  shores  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  in  company  with  the  Long- 
billed  Curlew.  It  was  found  in  considerable  numbers  on  the  shores  of  small  saline 
lakes  near  the  Saskatchewan  by  Richardson,  but  is  not  known  to  range  in  the  sum- 
mer any  farther  north  than  the  56th  parallel,  occurring  only  in  the  interior. 

Mr.  Salvin  speaks  of  this  species  as  occurring  in  Guatemala,  where  it  was  quite 
common  at  Chiapam,  as  well  as  on  all  the  lagoons  along  the  entire  Pacific  coast. 


"'W' 


SCOLOPACID^:  —  THK  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  SYMPHEMIA. 


287 


According  to  Dresser,  it  was  not  rare  near  San  Antonio,  Texas.  He  procured  exam- 
ples at  the  Uoea  Grande  in  July  and  August,  and  at  King's  Hancho,  between  Mata- 
iiioMis  and  Victoria,  in  September.  He  saw  st^veral  in  .lune  on  (ialveston  Island,  and 
an  example  was  sent  to  liini  from  Fort  Stockton. 

The  Willet  is  also  found  in  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  larger  West  India  Islands.  It 
is  given  by  (Jundlach  as  a  bird  of  (,'idm.  .March  speaks  of  it  as  of  irregular  occur- 
rence in  Jamaica,  where  it  is  known  as  the  -Spanisli  I'lovr,"  it  being  not  uncommon 
tliere,  in  some  years,  during  and  after  tlie  autumnal  rains.  lie  never  met  with  this 
bird  in  th''  summer,  although  he  was  told  that  it  breeds  in  Saint  Elizabeth.  It  is 
referred  to  by  Mr.  (xosse.  on  the  authority  of  .Mr.  Hill,  as  almudant  on  the  island  in 
winter.  In  'i"rini(hid,  according  to  L('otaud,  it  is  known  as  tlie  *•  White-wing,"  and  it 
is  said  to  arrive  in  that  island  in  August,  and  to  leave  in  October  or  before.  It  is 
always  seen  in  flocks,  and  these  are  sometimes  of  (•onsider;d)le  size.  It  is  not  known 
to  leave  the  borders  of  the  sea.  The  movements  and  manners  of  this  species  are  simi- 
lar to  those  of  the  Tntanus  fdvipi's,  with  which  it  usually  associates.  Its  tiesh  is 
not  regarded  as  generally  excellent.  A  single  specimen  was  shot  in  Bermuda,  .July 
[>,,  1,S4.S. 

On  the  New  England  coast  this  bird  occurs  sparingly  from  Long  Island  to  Calais, 
.Me.,  and  along  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia  at  least  as  far  as  Halifax.  I  met  with  it 
breeding  on  the  small  Island  of  .Muskeget,  near  Nantucket,  Mass. ;  and  Mr.  Board- 
man  informs  me  that  it  occurs  in  the  neighborhood  of  Calais,  Me.,  and  that  it 
undoubtedly  breeds  there,  but  that  it  is  not  very  abundant.  Dr.  Bi'yant  noticed 
it  breeding  on  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia  near  Yarmouth  ;  and  I  have  received  its 
eggs  from  Mr.  Andrew  Downes,  ol)tained  near  Halifax.  It  is  more  common  on  Long 
Island,  on  whose  shores,  according  to  Mr.  Girauil,  it  arrives  about  the  1st  of  ilay. 
It  is  ('(puiUy  common  along  the  coast  of  New  Jer.sey,  Maryland,  and  Virginia  at 
aixtut  the  same  ])erio(l.  On  J.,ong  Island  it  is  said  to  be  common,  rather  than  abun- 
dant, and  it  is  also  far  from  ixdng  so  j)lentiful  as  it  is  at  F]gg  Harbor,  where  it  is 
known  to  breed.  Mr.  (iiraud  was  not  aware  that  it  had  ever  been  positively  ascer- 
tained to  breed  on  Long  Island ;  yet  as  it  is  known  to  nest  in  suitable  places  along 
the  entire  coast  from  Florida  to  Halifax,  it  is  hardly  ])robal)le  that  this  island,  with 
its  favoring  extent  of  sea-coast,  is  an  exception.  It  builds  its  nest  in  New  Jersey  in 
tlie  latter  part  of  May,  in  the  salt-marshes,  among  the  grass,  using  for  that  purjjose 
rushes  and  coarse  herbage. 

In  Florida,  according  to  Mr.  ]Moore,  the  full  set  of  four  eggs  is  laid  as  early  as 
April  L'5.  He  never  found  their  smaller  ends  placed  towtrd  one  another.  These  birds 
have,  as  he  states,  the  singular  habit  of  alighting  on  trees  during  the  breeding-season, 
evidently  for  the  purpose  of  viewing  their  nests  and  eggs.  They  perch  on  dead  trees 
or  branches  which  are  near  the  objects  of  their  solicitude,  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from 
tile  earth,  and  continuously  pour  out  their  notes  of  apprehension,  many  joining  in 
the  clamor,  so  that  the  noise  may  be  heard  a  half  mile  or  more. 

If  any  one  approaches  the  nest  of  the  Willet  during  the  season  of  incubation,  it 
is  said  to  rise  suddenly  from  the  marsh,  to  fly  wildly  around,  and  to  fill  the  air  with 
its  shrill  cries,  which  consist  of  three  notes,  repeated  with  so  much  force  as  to  be 
audible  for  a  distance  of  half  a  mile ;  if  not  disturbed,  however,  the  breeding-season 
is  passed  in  silence,  Avithout  any  such  manifestations  of  uneasiness.  On  Muskeget 
Lake  the  parent  birds  withdrew  to  a  distance,  and  were  not  seen  again,  their  nest 
having  been  discovered  and  the  eggs  taken ;  and  on  another  occasion,  where  eight 
or  ten  nests  were  found  by  me  on  an  island  near  Cape  Charles,  Va.,  the  birds  were 
silent,  and  were  only  noticed  as  they  withdrew  from  the  nests. 


:^i 


iii 


288 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATOUES  —  LIMICOLiE. 


i  il. 


itfii 


Tho  flight  of  the  Willct  is  swift,  and  perfonued  with  griuio  and  east".  While  in 
general  this  bird  is  found  in  the  salt-marshes,  it  will  also  at  times  alight  upon  have 
shoals  left  exposed  Ity  tiie  tide,  and  may  1»'  seen  wading  hreast-deej)  in  the  water.  It 
is  extremely  watelit'ul, and  when  in  an  exposed  situation  very  seldom  allows  a  hunter 
to  arrive  within  shooting  distance.  Nor  is  it  iiy  any  means  easily  allured  hy  decoys, 
even  thougii  the  sportsman  lie  well  hidden;  and  even  if  the  bird  ajiproaches  and 
answers  the  decoy-note,  its  keen  eye  will  soon  enable  it  to  detect  the  deception,  when, 
quickly  changing  its  course,  it  (hirts  olT  like  an  arrow,  and  ascends  beyond  the  reacii 
of  the  fowler.  Wiiile  it  rarely  associates  with  others  of  its  kind,  it  may  (d'teii  be  seen 
feeding  in  company  with  (iulls.  Sanderliugs,  and  other  birds.  When  Hying  it  is  made 
very  consi)icuous  by  the  white  markings  of  its  wings.  It  feeds  chiefly  on  worms, 
aquatic  insects,  small  crabs,  and  minute  shelltisli.  When  in  good  condition,  the  flesh 
of  this  bird  is  (pute  palatable,  although  not  considered  a  great  delicacy;  its  eggs, 
howi'Ver,  are  very  superior  food.  Audubon  was  mistaken  l)oth  as  to  the  absence  of 
this  bird  from  the  coast  north  of  Jioston  and  its  non-existence  in  the  interior.  It  is 
probably  rare  north  of  Long  Island,  but  it  is  often  (juite  abundant  at  some  distance 
from  the  coast. 

Wilson  characterizes  it  as  oue  of  the  most  noisy  of  the  birds  inhabiting  the  salt- 
marshes  in  summer,  arriving  about  the  L'Oth  of  April,  and  from  that  time  to  tlie 
last  of  July  making  the  vicinity  resound  almost  incessantly  with  its  loud  and  shrill 
reiterations  of  ^>(7/ ;i•///-//•/7/^'^  It  begins  to  lay  usually  about  the  L'Oth  of  May.  At 
Capi'  Charles  all  the  eggs  I  found  on  the  oth  of  June  were  quite  fresh.  The  nests 
are  always  on  the  ground,  among  the  grass  of  the  salt-nuirshes,  and  (iomposed  of 
rushes  and  coarse  grass,  with  only  a  slight  hollow.  Wilson  states  that  the  nest  is 
gradiuilly  increased  in  size,  during  the  period  of  laying  and  sitting,  to  the  height  of 
six  inches.  The  young  —  which  are  covered  with  a  gray-colored  down  —  run  off  soon 
after  they  leave  the  shell,  being  assisted  in  their  search  for  food  by  their  mother. 
while  the  male  bird  keeps  a  continual  watch  for  their  safety.  The  anxiety  and  afl'i'o 
tion  which  the  Willets  nuinifest  for  their  ycmng  is  often  quite  touching.  An  intruder 
into  the  marshes  where  they  are  breeding  is  at  once  beset  by  the  birds,  who  fly  around 
and  hover  over  his  head,  vociferating  with  great  violence,  and  uttering  a  loud  click- 
ing note  whenever  their  nest  is  apjiroached.  At  times  they  give  out  a  mournful  note 
expressive  of  great  grief.  During  the  breeding-season  the  Willet  is  said  to  be  often 
nuich  annoyed  by  the  predatory  excursions  of  the  Crow,  whose  visits  always  create 
alarm,  and  are  rei)elled  by  the  united  force,  who  attack  and  i)ursue  it  with  great 
clamor. 

According  to  the  observations  of  Dr.  Heermann,  the  Willet  wades  in  Avater  to  a 
depth  equal  to  the  length  of  its  legs,  and  if  wounded  swims  with  great  rapidity.  Its 
food  he  found  to  consist  of  the  small  shells,  crabs,  etc.,  with  the  insects  to  be  found 
about  the  marshes.  As  it  is  a  large  bird,  and  generally  well  flavored,  it  is  among 
those  shot  by  the  purveyor  for  market,  the  first  which  appear  being  for  sale  in 
August.  The  young  keep  in  separate  flocks,  and  are  easily  distinguishable  by  their 
pale  gray  color.  They  are  much  better  eating  than  the  old  birds,  and  may  be  founJ 
in  the  market  of  San  Francisco  throughout  the  winter. 

The  eggs  are  ahvays  four  in  lumdier.  (Tiraml  describes  them  as  being  rather  more 
than  two  inches  in  length  and  one  and  a  half  in  breadth,  and  very  thick  at  the  larger 
end.  In  color  they  are  dark  olive,  blotched  with  blackish  brown,  these  markings 
being  usually  more  numerous  at  the  larger  end.  According  to  my  own  observations, 
the  egg.'!  of  this  s])ecies  are,  without  exception,  pyriform  in  shape,  quite  broad  at  the 
larger  end,  and  strongly  tapering  toward  the  other  extremity,  and  are  very  nearly 


scoLurAcin.!-:  —  TiiK  sxipk  family-  IIKTKHOSCEI.US. 


289 


lit  (.'qiiul  size,  Init  dittVr  in  the  muHt  marked  niiiiiiier  as  to  tlieir  f^iouml-colur,  and  also 
ill  the  size  and  distiil)iitit)n  of  tlieir  spots.  The  K''"i""l-eoloi'  is  usually  a  deep  dnih, 
witli  a  slij^ht  rufous  tinge  ;  oecasionally.  instead  of  rufous,  the  shading  is  deeidedly 
(iliva'HMMis;  in  a  few  instances,  however,  tin-  ground  is  very  light  and  liright  grayish 
wlii  ith  a  slight  tinge  of  green.  The  markings  are  usually  of  Instre;  intermi.xed 
with  till'  Itlotehes  ol  a  purr  shade  are  others  washed  over  with  the  shadings  of  the 
M;riiunil-eolor.  giving  them  i;  neutral  or  slate-enlored  appearance.  One  egg  (No.  (mI), 
collected  at  Cape  Charle.H,  Va.,  dune  '»,  IS'Ki.  lueasures  li.OO  inches  by  l.')l.  It  has 
a  dark  rufous-drali  ground,  iiiaiked  with  hlotehes  of  liistre.  These  are  .scattered 
and  few  ahout  the  smaller  end,  i)iit  unite  in  a  c(uiHuent  ring  around  the  larger  por- 
tion. Another  (No.  IIT))  was  sent  me  hy  Mr.  Andrew  Dowiies.  from  Halifax,  Nova 
Scotia.  It  measures  L'.K)  imdies  l)y  l.ijO.  Its  ground  is  dral>,  with  a  slight  olivaeeou.s 
tinge,  and  the  Idotches  urn  more  scattered,  and  nowhere  conlluent,  except  on  one  sido 
near  the  widest  portion  of  the  egg  is  a  remarkahle  comhiiiatioii  of  dark  Idotches, 

l.OO  inch  by  O.til.     A  third   (No.  97(0 Uected  at  Cape  Charles  liy  the  Kcv.  .1.  N. 

.loiies,  measures  2.10  inches  by  !.")(>.  Its  ground  is  a  light  gray  —  almost  white  — 
with  a  deci(h'il  bluish  tinge.  Its  spots  are  small  tine  dottings  of  dark  bistre.  Except 
ill  shape,  it  has  no  resemblance  to  the  usual  egg  t>i  the  Willet. 


•I 


Genvs  HETEROSCELUS,  Haikd. 

Ueteroscdua,  Baiud,   lUrds  N.  Am.  IS.IS,  734  (tjiif,  TvUinua  bnvljun,  Vikii.i,.,  =&'o/yj»«u!  incuiiu, 

O.MF.I..). 

Char.  Bill  longer  than  liuad  or  tursus,  stout,  iiairli  compressed  ;  conmiissure  strnight  to  near 
end,  where  gently  dei'iirved  ;  culineu  sliglitly  concave  in  iiiiildle  portion  ;  nasal  groove  extending 
over  liasal  two-tliirds  of  hill.  Tarsi  short  (alioiii  eipial  to  middle  toe),  covered  laterally  aiicl  hebind 
by  bexagonul  scales,  tbe  naked  part  of  tibia  covered  with  siniilur  scales  ;  (juter  and  middle  toe  con- 


■r  to  a 
Its 
I  found 
limong 
lale  in 
their 
I  fouuu 

more 
llarger 
|'king.s 
itions, 
|at  the 

learly 


H.  incaniis. 

nected  by  a  basiil  web  as  far  us  first  joint  nf  tbe  latter,  and  a  rudimentary  web  between  middle  and 
inner  toes  ;  bind  toe  long  (nearly  one  third  tbe  tarsus).  Tail  half  as  long  as  wings,  nearly  even. 
Plnmage  j)erfectly  uniform  above,  without  .spots  or  bands  of  any  kind. 

Tins  very  remarkable  Sandpiper  differs,  in  the  hexagonal  scutellation  of  the  tibia  and  on  the 
posterior  face  of  tbe  tarsus,  from  any  other  of  tbe  Totanece.  The  bill  is  stronger  than  in  any  Ameri- 
can :,'enus,  except  Symphemia,  differing  mainly  from  this  in  the  straightness  of  the  bill  and  greater 
amonnt  of  inflection  of  the  edges.  Tbe  nasal  groove  extends  farther  forwanl,  and  the  upper  jaw 
is  a  little  more  decurved  at  the  end.     The  gape  is  a  little  more  deeply  cleft.     The  legs,  espe- 

V(JL.  I.  —  37 


m 


I 


•'iHlli  ^ 


290 


PUvECUCIAL  OUALLATOHEH  -  LlMICOL.t;. 


ciuUy  the  tnrNJ,  ure  luuch  Hhortur ;  the  iiinur  tou  only  slightly  wclibcd.    The  cluws  are  »hort,  btout, 
and  unuMiiiilly  curved,    Tliu  U'gM  have  a  much  ruu^hvncd  aiipcurancv. 

The  Hinnlt'  Noitli  Auiciicuu  Mpfcics  dI'  thin  i^cnu.s  i.  onu  ol'  wide  diHtriliution,  occiinint,'  '"i  tln' 
caMturii  cuustH  of  Asia,  and  the-  UliuidH  thruughuut  the  PuuiUc  Ucuun,  iw  well  um  ulung  the  wcsti  in 
Hhuro«  uf  Nurth  ^Viueiiuu. 


HeteroBceluB  incantia. 

THE   WAMDERINO   TATTLEB. 

Senhptix  incana,  {\m:i..  .S.  N.  1.  17b8,  068. 

Tiilanun  inmiiu.1,  ViKii.i..  Uict.  Dctfiv.  VI.  1810,  400. 

/h/iTiiscihin  iiiciinits,  Col  r.s,   Key,  18*2,  -'01  ;  I'liuck  Lint,  1873,  no.  440  ;  I'll.  2,  1882,  no.  642  ;  in 

Klliott's  Alaska,  fii.  is;.';,  187.  —  Uimiw.  Noni.  N.  Aiu.  H.  1881,  no.  653. 
Triiiija  glareola,  Pai.l.  Zooj;.  Hus.so-As.  II.  1811,  104,  pi.  00. 
Tulaiius  brcvipc.i,  Vikili..   Diet.  Dctoiv.  VI.  1810,  400. 
Jlttcniiicc/iis  hrevl/ies,  C.vss.  in  ll.iicd's  11.  N.  Am.  1858,  734;  cd.  1800,  pi.  88.  — Baiud,  Cot.  N.  Am. 

B.  18')!i,  n(i.  5I'2. 
Tutitiuis  fulijinoHu.i,  tidri.i),  Voy.  Bcag.  Birds,  1841,  130. 
Seo/uiiax  unduluta,  Foiisr.  iX'scr.  An.  cd.  Licht.  1844,  173. 
Tutanus  jni/viritlciihis,  Mi'i.L.  Vcrli.  1844,  153. 
Totanan  iKcnnicus,  I,i;ns.  Conipl.  Bull'.  1817,  '244. 
ToldHun  puli/inniu;  I'KAi.K,  Voy.  Vino.  &  I'cac  Birds,  1848,  237. 
Totunua  ijriseuiiiiijias,  (iofi.u,  B.  Austr.  VI.  pi.  38. 
"Oambelta  birvipea,  oceanica,  puliTnilenta,  occanka,  (jnseupijgia,  Bonap." 

Had.     The  islands  and  shores  of  tlie  Pacific  Ocean.    Of  frecjuent  occurrence,  during  migra- 
tions, along  the  coast  uf  Aluaku,  and  also  southward  tu  the  Uulapagos. 


t#' 


li 


I? 


i^ 


Sp.  Char.  Rather  larger  than  Totanus  flavipes.  Summer  aditit:  Entire  upper  parts  uniform 
dark  i)lumbeous  ;  lower  ])art9  white,  shaded  with  phunbeous  laterally,  the  foreneck  with  lon^'i- 
tudiiial  streaks,  and  other  portions  with  transverse  liars,  of  dusky  plumbeous.  Lining  of  wing 
white,  spotted  and  barred  with  dark  plumbeous ;  primaries  blackish  dusky,  the  shafts  brown  mi 
the  outer  and  white  on  the  inner  surface,  that  of  the  first  quill,  however,  white  on  both  sidus. 
Jf'inter  pluvmgc :  Above,  ])lain  plumbeous ;  lower  parts  white  washed  with  plumbeous  along  sides 
and  across  juguluni.  Young:  Somewhat  like  the  winter  plumage,  but  secondarie-s,  scapulars,  and 
upper  tail-coverts  indistinctly  si)otted  with  white  along  edges,  and  the  plumbeous  of  sides,  etc., 
faintly  mottled  with  white. 

Wing,  6.50-7.30  ;  culmen,  1.50-1.60  ;  tarsus,  1.25-1.35  ;  middle  toe,  1.00-1.05. 

The  history  of  the  jjresent  species  is  imperfectly  known.  We  have  no  account 
of  the  manner  or  the  locality  of  its  breeding.  In  North  America  it  seems  to  be  con- 
fined to  the  Pacific'  shore  and  islands,  and  to  inhabit  by  preference  the  rocky  portion.s 


SCOLOPACin.K  — THE  HXrPK   l'AMII,V  -  HKTRItoSCKLUS. 


291 


(if  the  coast,  riitlnr  ili;iii  lliosc  tliat  arc  Iciw,  luarsliv.  nr  samlv.     Dr.  ('(poiht  writes  in 

rct'crtMiPt'  to  this  l)ir(l,  that  it  mcoiuh  to  (litter  iiiiieli  in  ImititH  tiom  tl tin  r  inemhers 

(il  tills  rainily,  in  Miat  it  prefers  tiie  roekv  siicires  (if  tlie  oeeim.  ami  in  pnilialilN  never 
rn'i|uentiiiK  niarslies  or  inland  Idealities.  He  has  fimnd  il  only  siiarin};ly  almif,' tlic 
wlmle  sontherii  enast  of  Calildrnia.  but  not  im  the  islaiids,  though  the  speeies  is  so 
widely  (listrilmted  throuj,'hi)iit  the  I'aeitie  aicliipelaj,'oes.  lie  olitained  a  single  spec)- 
men  at  Santa  Itarliara  as  late  as  .\pril  L'",  and  .saw  another  pair  —  apparently  of  this 
species  —  at  San  I'edro  on  the  2.'!d  of  .May;  so  that  proiiahly  a  few  lireed  aloii^,'  the 
cnast.  He  also  met  with  it  in  .Monterey  in  SejitemlMM-.  This  naturalist  adds  that  he 
lias  always  fdiiml  it  feedin,!.,'  on  surf-lieaten  nicks,  aindii,!L;  the  seaweed,  and  ^'cnerally 
nut  shy,  lint  when  fri,i,dit('iic(i  tlyinj,' off  a  slidrt  distance,  with  a  harsh  rattling'  cry, 
like  the  alarm  iidte  df  the  Tui'iistdues.  It  has  also  a  prdjiensity  to  hide  itself  anioiif^ 
llic  rocks,  instead  of  Hying,  lieing  often  ditticiilt  to  find,  even  when  ehise  at  hand. 
Ill  an  account  snlise(piently  written,  Di'.  ('(io|ier  mentions,  in  descriliing  a  visit  to 
Mdiiterey,  Scjit.  It>,  iHiVJ  (••  Anu-rican  Naturalist,"  IV.  T.'iiS),  having  oh.served  a  i'ow 
(if  the  Wandering  Tattler,  and  that  they  were,  as  usual,  among  the  rocks  along  the 
sliiire  in  that  neighliorhood. 

This  species  is  included  liy  .Mr.  1{.  Browne  among  the  liirds  oliserved  by  him  on 
\aiicdiiver  Island.  Mr.  Dall  states  that  he  procured  three  specimens  of  it  at  Niihito, 
anil  .Mr.  lii.scholf  two  at  .Sitka;  but  it  is  said  to  be  rare  on  the  ^'ukon  Kiver,  where, 
however,  one  was  fcmnd  by  Mr.  McDougal.  Three  were  obtained  by  J)r.  Cooper  in 
Shoal  Water  IJay,  W.  T.,  and  two  by  .Mr.  Klliott  on  the  I'rybilof  Islands,  where  it  is 
said  by  him  to  be  of  regular  migratory  ajipearance,  but  not  to  breed.  He  adds  that 
it  comes  regularly  every  year  early  in  June,  and  siibserpn'ntly  re-ai)]iears  toward  the 
end  of  .Fuly.  when  it  may  be  obtained  on  the  rocky  beaches,  never  visiting  the  up- 
laiiils.  and  being  a  very  shy  and  ([iiiet  bird.  A  single  specimen  was  ;ilso  taken  at 
ridvcr  r>ay.  in  Kastcrn  Siberia,  Septendier,  l.sr>7.  I)y  Mr.  ISischoff. 

Mr.  II.  W.  ilenshaw  thinks  that  this  bird  is  well  niinied  the  "  Wimdering  T.ittler,'' 
and  states  that  it  has  a  very  wide  range,  being  found  on  the  i.slands  of  the  I'aeifin 
generally,  and  from  Alaska  to  Australia.  .Santa  Cruz  Island  is  the  oidy  place  where 
he  has  enjoyed  an  oiiiiortunity  of  meeting  with  it.  though,  as  he  is  informed,  it 
(iiiurs  on  other  islands  also.  (Japtain  Forney,  of  the  Coast  Surv(\v,  secured  (piite 
a  number  on  the  Island  of  San  Miguel,  where  this  bird  occurs  in  considerable  mini- 
hcrs.  It  is  not  .it  all  a  bird  of  the  siuidy  shores,  but  resorts  exclusively  to  rocks 
covered  with  seaweed,  following  the  tide  as  it  ebbs  and  flows,  running  back  and 
I'dith,  iiicking  up  the  worms  .and  marine  anini.als,  which  are  found  in  such  localities  in 
almndanee.  In  its  motions  it  is  said  to  simulate  exactly  the  little  Spotted  Sand- 
piper, and  to  have  the  .s.aine  curious  '"tijMii)"  motion  of  its  body  in  moments  of 
rest  from  feeding.  It  tlies  with  a  similar  deliber.ate  wing-beat,  with  jiinions  slightly 
(lc(  urved,  the  tips  being  ])ointed  downward.  The  voices  of  the  two  birds  are  said  to 
be  very  different ;  the  notes  of  this  s|  iccies  being  very  loud  and  harsh  as  comp,ared 
with  the  smooth  whistle  of  T.  mficuhd'ius.  Mr.  Henshaw  found  them  usually  soli- 
tary, quite  watchful,  and  full  of  distrust,  though  occasionally  he  found  himself  within 
a  few  feet  of  one  of  them,  and  was  able  to  watch  its  motions.  This  was  in  June ; 
and  though  the  birds  were  unquestionably  paired  and  breeding,  he  was  not  able  to 
obtain  even  a  hint  as  to  their  method  of  niditicatiou. 


1 


292  PIl.KrOCIAL  OUALLAT()RKS-I,IMICOL.t:. 


Qkmm  machetes,  Ci  vikr. 

PinoncdUi,  l,KA(  II,  Cut.  M.  U.  Ilrit.   Miih.  IXltl  (Xyyiv,    Ti-iinjn  jnnjiiuj;   1,.  ;  rf.  .Stejnkiikii,  Vrur. 

I'.  S.  Nut.  Milv  h".  r>,  \HH-2,  :i(«». 
Atnchrlet,  Cvvir.U,  H.  Aiiiin.  Isl7  (nuiic  i\|n). 

CiiAK.  Hill  lu'urly  HtriiiKlit,  uh  Idiik  uh  tlit-  lii-ml  or  tliu  imfiT  toe.  Oronvc  cxtfiiiliiiK  iii'iiilv  to 
till' ti|i  hill  i1c|piv^i(m1,  liinml  til  till-  ti|i,  whii'h  ih  nairrcly  fxiiainlcil,  (Jaiic  cxtfiiiliii^'  a  liiili 
lartliiT  liiiiW  lliiiii  till-  I'lilmcii ;  tlic  ri'iitlH'r."  of  Idwcr  iimiiililili''<  ixtcinling  iuiIht  liiitlu  r  Inrwiinl 
thiiii  tlii»f  1)1'  u)i|iLT  ;  tliuso  III  thill  Mtill  tiirtlici.     Li>){h  vlumler ;  tursmt  one  uiul  one  fouitli  tiiiu'ii  if 


' 


if.  ftiKjnax. 

lon){  as  luitlillo  toe,  ono  and  one  third  tiiuu.-i  tlic  lifiipjth  nl  Imic  tibia.  A  luf^al  wi'li  rininriiiii;,'  tlir 
outer  mid  middle  toes  to  the  fiwt  joint  of  the  I'oiiner  ;  inner  toe  cleft  to  Inwe,  Tail  rather  lon^' ; 
distiiatly  barred. 

This  jjenus,  URimlly  placed  anion;,'  Triiujcce,  apiiears  to  have  most  allinity  with  the  presini 

section,  and  in  a  measure  t miu'ct   TrijiirfitiR  and   llartrcimin.     The  liill  is  mure  de)ire»sed,  and 

rather  liroader  toward  the  end  than  usual ;  hut  it  appears  hard  ami  linn,  anil  with  little  or  none  nt' 
the  spnon-shttped  expansion  at  the  end.  The  i,'reater  cleft  of  the  mouth,  the  half  webbinj^  of  tin' 
toes,  the  bars  on  the  tail,  the  len;,'thened  tarsi,  eti'.,  all  sfein  to  indicate  the  ])ropriety  of  placing'  it 
witli  Tntunecr, 


Machetes  pugnax. 

THE  HUFF. 

Tfiiiga  pugmje,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1766,  247. 

Miichrlis  jHigniix,  Ci'v.   Keg.   An.    I.  1817,  400.  —  BoNAP.  Comp.   List,  1838,  50.  — Nai'm.  Vii^. 

Ueutsuhl.  VII.  1834,  .'■.02,  pis.   Iit(i-lit3.  -  MAcruM,.  Man.   II.   7.''>.  —  CouEs,  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn. 

Chib,  Apr.  18S0,  100;  Ciieck  List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  039.  —  Kinow.  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881, 

no.  554. 
Tringa  {Machrtrs)  pugnau;  Nurr.  Man.  II.  1834,  131. 
Philomachus  pugnaj;  Oiiay,   List  (!en.   1841,  89;  Cat.  Biit.  H.  18(i3,  164.  —  Lawk.  Ann.  Lyo.  N. 

Y.  V.  .Iuno,'l852,  220  (Lon^'  Island).  —  Cassin,  in  Bainrs  B.   N.  Am.   1858,  7:!7.  -  Baikp. 

Cat.  X.  Am.  H.  185it,  no.  644.  —  CofEs,  Key,  1872,  200;  Cheek  List,  1873,  no.  437. 
Pavoncella  pugnax,  Stk.ix.  Proc.  U.  .S.  Nat.  Mu.s.  Vol.  5,  1882,  p.  38. 
Tringa  Utlorca,  LiXN.  S.  X.  I.  1766,  2ril. 
Tringa  ru/escens,  Bechst.  Xaturg.  IV.  332. 


5»rnLopArrn.K  -  THK  mxii'k  family  — MACIIKTKS. 


293 


Tfingn  tq\uiilr\»,  I, aim.  hid.  nni.  II.  i;imi,  7;io. 

Triiiijii  ijrfnirvit-fii.ii.i,  I.aiii.  l.f.  7;il. 

friiiijn  viirifijiitii,  lliii'ss.  Orn.  Ilor.  64, 

yndi/'i /)/(i»i>c/M  mill  T.  iillici/i.H,  IliiKHM,  Vijn,  DeiiUchl. 

liiif,  YAiiit.  Ilril.  H.  I'l.  -J,  II.  tlj.'.,  ll«.  ;  eil.  3,  II.  tlU'J,  llg.  ;  I'l  Aitt. 

ll.vii.     'I'lii'  i'lilii'iinli''  Uc^'inii,  .•-iriiyiiiK'  til  Ka><li'iii  Nuitli  Aiimriiii  (iiiiniiTims  ri'ciinli*). 

Si'.  (_'H.\u.  Aliiivf,  vuiii'il  Willi  Murk,  imil',  uml  kihv,  iliu  rtiuimlurs  luul  intialH  fxliiliitiiiK  lln-^o 
coloi-ii  in  (>l>lii|im  IhukIh.  liiiu'iith,  wliito,  vuriutl  on  tliu  ju({uluni  iind  tlirr>at.  i'rinmricM  iliiik 
lii'dwn,  witli  ;,'rc('ni-iii  rt'tlt'ctiou  alinvr  ;  tiic  iiincr  wcIh  liiu'ly  iiiotllcil  lowiiril  thi'  Ihihi.'  OuIit 
ilinc  tiiil-IV-Klherit  {>laiii,  llu-  reuiuiiider  ti'unsveiHL-ly  Imiruil,     liill  Ijhiwii  ;  niilcit  of  runii>  wliitr  ; 


^'11 


ifaU. 

ii'j^s  yellow.  Miilo  in  sprint;  (lros>(  witli  tlio  fcathorM  of  flic  iicck  preatly  ilovolopcd  into  a  riifF;  tlio 
fiicc  coviTi'd  with  riMlili.-*!!  jiajiillir,  Aihill  mni  :  Colnr.-i  iiiilftciiiiinatc,  innlialily  no  two  Hjicuiiiirns 
liiin^,'  I'.xactly  alike.  As  a  ruk-,  the  "ia]>t'"  and  "nill"'  an  diU'crcntly  foloied  ;  thus,  of  the  llvo 
I'.vamiilfs  liL't'oie  us,  the  cnpc  and  riilF  are  colored  in  the  followiii),' manner: — ( "ape  flossy  Mack, 
lailfy  white,  yellowish  ochraceons.  itulf,  cliestimt-rufous,  j^lossy  Idack  streaked  with  nifous,  mot- 
tled fernij;inous,  ochraceons  laiir,  streaked  lintly  white,  and  pied  with  Idack  and  pure  white. 
Adiill  female :  No  ruff;  head  comj)letely  feathered.     I'luniaj,'u  transversely  handed  with  Mack,  and 


Female 


hulT,  white,  or  ferrnp;inou9  ;  the  abdomen  and  crissuin  usually  immaculate  white.  Young:  Back 
and  scapulars  browinsh  black,  feathers  l)ordered  with  bulf  or  ochraceons  ;  crown  ochraceous, 
streaked  with  black.     Lower  parts  entirely  immaculate,  white  posteriorly,  butty  anteriorly. 

Leii;,'th,  about  lO.(K)  inches:  wing,  (!.4() ;  tail,  2.(i() ;  bill,  1.25;  tarsus,  1.75;  middle  toe  and 
claw,  1.40. 

The  Ruff  has  been  so  fre([uently  killed  in  the  Eastern  United  States  as  to  entitle  it  to  a  place 
anioiif;  North  American  birds,  although  it  caimot  be  said  really  to  belong  to  our  fauna.  It  is  a 
vtiy  curious  species,  conspicuous  for  the  combats  among  the  males  during  the  breeding-season. 


4 


■■•?  i 


I  i:::| 


294 


PR.liCOCIAl-  (iUAM-ATOHKS—  LIMICOL.E. 


At  tliis  time  till'  reatlicrs  of  tlic  lu'ck  mv  k''"*''*!'}'  i'l«>ii^'i»ti'<l,  ronning  a  kind  of  ciipe  or  ruff,  nn<l  tlir 
face  is  ln'si't  witli  |)ii|iillii'. 

Tiu!  Rail'  is  iiliout  the  size  ol'  the  l>iirtram's  Tnttlcr  i>r  Field  Plover,  which  it  othcrwiso  rc-icin 
blcs  somewhat  in  color.     It  has  the  same  mottlin<^'  nl'  the  inner  webs  of  primarioH  n«  in  Trijiigilii 
riiftnir»t>,  t!i(iuf,'h  not  to  so  j^reat  an  extent,  this  feature  not  lieinj^  found  in  any  other  North 
American  Toluuea;  tluaijjh  seen  in  I/imuM,  Jatua. 

Tilt'  wt'll-kiiowii  Ikiilf  (if  Eiiroiu;  cliiinis  ii  pluci'  in  tlio  North  Ainorican  fauna  as  ;i 
not  iiifn'(jii('iit  stra,sj;^'lt'r  witiiiii  our  limits.  Several  spccinicns  have  been  from  time 
to  time  killed  on  Koii,i,'  i.slaml.  .More  reeeiitly  other  examples  have  boon  taken  at 
(iraml  Menan,  iill  of  wbieh  were  in  their  winter  i)lumaf,'e.  Two  have  boon  taken  in 
■"^iHsaelmsetts,  and  other,  i  various  i>ortions  of  New  Kiij,'lainl.  in  one  instance  .Mr. 
A\ '.lliam  Hrewster  jiroi^iired  a  tine  siieeimen  near  Newbiiryport,  May  L'O,  IHTI  ;  it  was 
a  feinalo,  witli  her  ovaries  so  far  developed  as  to  romler  it  evident  that  she  would 
have  been  ready  to  deposit  her  oj;<^s  within  at  least  two  or  thi'o(?  weeks. 

The  nnist  marked  poeuliarity  of  this  sjii'eies  is  tho  annual  appeariuiet^  of  a  ruff-like 
growth  of  feathers  about  the  neck  of  the  malo,  from  which  the  bird  derives  its  trivia! 
name.  The  males,  too,  ditfer  remarkaldy  in  their  color  —  an  uiuisual  eiretinistancc 
among  wild  birds  —  ami  are  polygamous.  They  are  also  much  larger  than  tlic 
females. 

This  species  has  an  extemh'd  distrilmtion,  being  fotunl  at  certain  seasons  througii- 
out  Kurope,  Northern  Africa,  aiul  in  Western  Asia.  It  is  only  a  migrant  in  (ircat 
'Britain,  making  its  appearance  in  .Vpril  and  leaving  in  the  autumn.  In  Scandinavia 
the  Jviitt'  a])poars  in  great  nundiers  on  the  eoa.st  of  Scoita  :it  the  end  of  April  or  the 
beginning  of  May.  It  is  not  knnwn  to  brood  in  tho  southorn  parts  of  Scandinavia, 
althougli  it  does  abtimlantly  in  Denmark.  It  reaches  La|)laiul  the  last  week  in 
May,  whert^  it  fretpieiits,  on  its  first  <'oming,  tho  margins  of  the  lakes  and  rivers.  .\s 
soon  as  the  grass  has  grown  uj),  it  hides  in  tho  extensive  and  gras.sy  morasses,  wliere 
it  can  rarely  be  forced  to  show  itself  on  tho  wing.  Tho  old  birds  migrate  south  in 
July,  the  young  lingering  until  .August;  by  the  loth  they  have  all  disapi)oarod. 

This  species  goes  as  far  north  as  Iceland,  visits  !{ussia,  and  Siberia  in  the  summer, 
and  the  eountrios  south  in  their  migrations,  at  which  times  only  are  they  seen  in 
Franco,  Switzorlaml,  Italy,  etc.  In  a  few  oxceptional  cases  a  ])air  has  occasionally 
boon  kiu)wn  to  breed  in  Switzerland.  Individuals  have  also  been  taken  at  Malta,  at 
Tunis,  Trebizond,  in  tho  country  about  thi'  (!aucasus,  in  Northwestern  India,  in  Nepal, 
near  Cahaittti,  ami  throughout  Lower  Ilengal. 

Until  within  comparatively  ft!w  years  tho  ca])turo  of  tho  living  l)irds  of  this  sjiocics 
in  England,  and  the  fattening  of  them  f(U"  the  London  market,  has  been  systomaticall\ 
practised  by  certain  persons.  iMontagu  mentions  a  m)te(l  feeder  at  Spalding  whose 
family  had  been  in  this  trade  more  than  a  century,  and  who,  at  tho  time  that  iiuthor 
visited  him,  had  eiglity-bmr  males  and  a  dozen  fenudos  in  contiiicment.  Of  the 
fornnn-  there  wore  not  two  alike.  Those  birds  will  feed  greedil}'.,  tho  moment  thev 
.are  taken,  on  bread  and  milk  or  boiled  wheat.  The  males  are  very  pugnacious,  and 
conteiul  for  their  food  with  so  nuich  obstinacy  that  they  will  not  oat  uidess  tliero  are 
several  dishes  before  them.  Their  actions  in  fighting  are  said  to  bo  something  like 
those  of  a  gcame  cock.  Although  they  present  a  very  ferocious  appearance  when 
fighting,  yet  they  rarely  injure  one  another. 

In  the  spring  the  Ruffs  assemble  on  a  rising  spot  of  ground,  where  they  contend 
for  the  females.  Advantage  is  taken  of  this  by  the  fowler  to  capture  them  alive  by 
means  of  what  is  known  as  a  clap-net. 


-m 


ni  i^iii 


SCOLOPACID.E  -  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  BAIITIIAMIA. 


205 


Moiitiigu  kept  sovoral  of  these  birds  in  coniineiiieut  a  ihhuIkt  ol'  years.  In  this 
coiidition  tlie  luah's  tooii  no  other  iiotiee  ol'  the  females  than  to  drive  them  from  the 
Idiiil;  invariahly  (luarrtdlinj;  with  eaeh  otlior,  Itut  takinj,'  no  notice  of  otht'r  species, 
anil  feeding,'  in  perfect  amity  out  of  the  same  disli  with  Laud-Uails  and  other  birds 
(■(intiued  witii  tiiem. 

When  the  llheeves,  as  the  females  are  called,  hv^'m  to  lay,  both  they  and  the  IJulfs 
;nv  least  shy,  and  are  easily  eau},dit.  The  females  lay  their  egi,'s  dnrinL,'  the  tirst 
(ir  second  week  in  May,  and  their  younj,'  are  sometimes  hatched  out  as  early  as  .Inne 
;i.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  on  a  slight  elevation  in  moist,  swami)y  places,  sur- 
rounded by  coarse  grass,  of  which  material  it  is  chietly  nuide.  The  eggs  are  four  in 
iiundier,  have  an  olive  ground-color,  and  are  nuirked  with  spots  and  blotches  of  und)er 
and  liver-brown.  They  are  of  an  oblong  jiyriform  shape,  and  measure  l.GO  inches  in 
length  by  1. 00  inches  in  their  greatest  breadth.  The  young,  which  are  i)rettily 
siiettcd  when  covered  with  down,  soon  leave  the  nest,  and  are  dilUcult  to  tiud  without 
a  good  dog. 


I 


Gknits  BARTRAMIA,  Lesson. 


Bartramia,    Lessos,   Triiitu  d'Orii.   1831,  553  (type,  li.   latkaiulu,    Less.,  =  Tringa  longicauda, 

HwllST. ), 

Acltibinis,   Itox.vi".  Sii^'j,'io,  etc.,  1831,143  (type,   Trimja  Bartramia,  AVii.s.,=  Tringa  lunijicauUa 

Bechst.). 
Euliga,  NuTT.  Jlan.   IL  1831  (same  tyi>c). 

C'hah.  l'|)per  mandible  grooved  liiterally  to  within  the  tcniiinal  fourth,  the  lower  not  (piitu 
.solar.  Cuhnen  concave  to  near  the  ti[i,  where  it  is  slightly  decurved  ;  ;,'onys  straii;ht.  Mouth 
ilccply  del't,  almost  as  far  back  as  the  anterior  canthus.  The  eulnieii  oidy  about  two  thirds  the 
cuinniis.sure,  shorter  than  the  head  or  tarsus,  and  about  uipial  to  middle  toe  withoiU  claw,     i'eath- 


ti,  hinijicauda. 

ers  extending  much  farther  forward  on  the  upper  Jaw  than  on  the  lower,  although  those  of  chin 
ri.'aih  nearly  to  end  of  nostrils.  Tarsus  one  and  one  half  times  nnddlu  toe  and  claw  ;  the  bare 
part  of  tibia  not  (juite  e(iual  to  the  nnddle  toe  above  ;  outer  toe  united  at  base  as  far  tis  lii-st  joint  ; 
Web  of  inner  toe  very  basal.    Tail  long,  graduated,  more  than  half  the  wings. 


296 


PR/ECUCIAL  GHALLATUKES  —  LLMICUL.E. 


mi 


Bartramia  longicauda. 

BABTBAH'S  TATTLEB;  FIELD  FLOVEB. 

Tringa  longicauda,  Hechst.  Vijg.  Nachtr.  tibers.  Liith.  Iiul.  Orii.  1812,  453. 

Tringii  Baiiramia,  Wii.s.  Am.  Oni.  VII.  liiia,  63,  pi.  59,  tig.  2.  —  AuD.  Syiiop.  1839,  231  ;  B.  Am. 

V.  1842,  248,  111.  327. 
Tringa  (Euliga)  Bartramia,  XuiT.  Man.  11.  1834,  168. 
Totanus  Barlramim,  Tk.mm.  .Man.  II.  1820,  650.  — S\v.  &  Kicii.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  391.  —  Ai'D.  Orii- 

liiog.  IV.  1838,  24,  1.1.  3(13. 
Actitttrus  Bartramius,  Hoxai-.,  Cassin,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  737.  —  lUiiip,  Cat.  N.  Am.  I!. 

IS,'-.!),  no.  545.  -  C'oUKs,  Koy,  1872,  260  :  Chock  List,  1873,  no.  438  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  502. 
Adit  urns  loiujiraiuliin,  Diir.ssKij,  H.  Kiir.  |.t.  59  and  60. 
Barlraiiiiiin  limgiramlus,  \Sv.  liev.  I't  .Mag.  Zool.  .K.\.  1857,  59. 
Bartramia  longicaud",   Ci.i'r.s,  Bull.  N.  O.  C.  Apr.  1880,100  ;  Check  List,  2d  td.  1882,  no.  640.— 

RiDGW.  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1882,  no.  555. 
Totanus  mdamipiigius,  Vieill.  Xouv.  Diet.  VI.  1816,  401. 
Totanus  eainpfstris,  ViKll,!,.  t.  c.  400. 
Totanus  varicgatus,  ViEii.i..  t.  c.  317. 
Bartramia  lalicauda,  Lkhs.  Traite,  1831,  553. 

Hah.     Eastern  North  America,  nii;,M'iitiiig  to  Brazil  unil  Peru,  and  extending  north  to  Alaska 
and  Xovu  '^ootia.     Brwds  nearly  throughout  its  Ni.rth  American  range.     Occasional  in  Europe. 


Sp.  Char.  Bill  about  as  long  as  the  heatl,  rather  wide  and  flatteneil  at  base,  slightly  curved 
at  the  tip  :  nostril  with  a  large  membrane  ;  nasal  gr<iove  long  ;  wing  long  ;  tail  long  for  this  grou[i ; 
leg8  moderate  or  r.ather  long  ;  lower  halt'  of  the  tibia  naked  ;  toes  moderate,  the  outer  and  middle 
nniteil  by  a  membrane,  inner  and  middle  free  to  the  base  ;  liind  toe  small.  Adult :  Above,  grayi^li 
brown,  the  leathers  paler  and  more  ochraceous  toward  their  edges,  spotted  and  barred  with  black  : 
head  and  neck  (except  throat)  streaked  with  blackish  ;  crown  blackish,  divided  by  a  mesial  line  ol 
bulf  ;  throat,  belly,  and  crissum  plain  buflfy  white  ;  axillars  jiure  white  and  clear  dusky  slate  in 
regnlar  bars  (.f  nearly  ('(jual  width  ;  tail-feathers  (except  middle  pair)  creamy  butf,  broadly  tipped 
with  white,  cro.ssed  by  a  broail  subterminal  bhick  spot,  and  with  a  few  irregular  narrow  bars  ante- 
rior to  this  :  outer  webs  of  prinnnies  plain  dusky  slate,  the  inner  webs  with  wide  transverse  bars 
of  white  on  the  outer  tiuill,  on  the  others  broken  into  a  confused  mottling.  Hump  and  upper 
tail-coverts  nearly  nniforni  blackish,  the  (.uter  feathers  of  the  latter  with  their  exterior  webs  partly 
white.  Young  :  Similar  to  the  adult,  but  the  buff  of  the  head,  jugulum,  wings,  etc.,  much  deeper, 
the  streaks  on  the  i'oreneck  and  jugulum  much  less  distinct,  and  the  back  plain  black,  the  feath- 
ers bordered  with  buff.  "  Bill  yellowish  green,  the  tip  dusky,  the  edges  toward  the  base  yellow  ; 
iris  dark  hazel  ;  legs  and  tarsi  light  yellowish  gray,  toes  rather  darker,  claws  brownish  black." 
Donmy  young:  Above,  coar.sely  and  irregularly  mottled  with  black  on  a  grayish-wiiite  ground, 
tinged  with  light  rusty.  Lower  parts  bnffy  white,  with  about  three  blackish  spots  on  the  flanks, 
one  beneath  the  eye,  a  smaller  one  on  the  lores,  about  half-way  between  the  bill  ami  the  eye,  and 
a  large,  nearly  vertical,  one  liehind  the  ears. 

Total  length,  about  12  inches;  wing,  6.50-7.(K) ;  culnien,  1.10-1.15;  tarsus,  1.90-2.05;  luid- 
tlle  toe,  .90-1.05. 


iDUi) ; 
liiMU- 
viiyi>li 
lack  : 
line  III' 
iitu  ill 
tilijicil 

aiili- 

,f  I'ilis 

paitl.v- 
deejii'i; 
;  feiitli- 

elluw  ; 

black." 


SCOLOPACIDiE  ~  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  BARTRAMIA. 


297 


Bui'tram'a  Tcattler  —  or,  as  it  is  more  generally  culled  by  gunners  and  sportsmen, 
tin*  Upland  or  the  Field  I'lover  —  is  more  or  less  abundant  in  all  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  in  tlui  interior  as  far  north  as  the  Saskatelu'wan  I'lains.  It  breeds  from 
Pennsylvania  north,  and  is  nu)re  eomnum  in  tlu!  interior  than  in  the  higher  grounds 
near  the  coast.  It  is  also  found  in  Mexico,  in  Central  America,  and  in  South  Amer- 
ica as  far  south  as  the  Pampas. 

^Ir.  Salvia,  during  his  stay  at  Duenas,  in  Guatemala,  noticed  quite  a  flock  of  this 
siiccies,  consisting  of  about  eighteen  or  twenty  mend)ers,  which  arrived  about  the 
licginuing  of  April  at  that  i)laee.  Since  they  .seek  dry,  open  savannas,  rather  than 
maisliy  jkhiIs,  they  fully  justify  the  api)ellation  of  Field  I'lover,  their  actions  and 
lialiits  closely  assimilating  theui  to  the  Chanult'Uihr.  Mr.  Sulvin  afterward  nu't  with 
tliis  bird  in  Ai)ril  on  the  coast  of  Honduras,  among  the  bays.  Dr.  Uurnu'ister  found 
it  coiamon  in  South  Anu'riea  south  of  Mendoza,  on  the  banks  of  the  Kiver  Tunuyan, 
anil  could  detect  lu)  difference  between  South  Anu^rican  and  Northern  specimens. 

Ivichardsou  nu't  with  this  bird  on  the  Saskatchewan  Plains,  where  it  was  feeding 
(111  coleoiiterous  insects.  Cuptain  Plakiston  also  found  it  common  in  the  same  local- 
ity, where  it  breeds  during  the  suuuuer.  Mr.  A.  Lockhart  foiuid  this  I'lover  breeding 
iis  far  north  as  Fort  Yukon,  June  15,  1802,  and  snared  t\u\  female  on  her  nest.  Mr. 
.1.  Ibbiston  also  procured  speciuu'ns  in  the  same  neighborhood.  Mr.  Donald  Gunn 
iimiid  it  breeding  at  Selkirk  SettlenuMit.  Mr.  R.  McDonald  noticed  it  Itreeding 
aniiiiig  the  mountains  west  of  the  Lower  Mackenzie,  and  ^Ir.  J.  M'Dougal  met  with 
it  in  the  (Jens  de  Large  Mountains,  two  hundred  miles  northeast  of  t\u'.  Yukon. 

Till!  Upland  Plover  is  a  great  wanderer.  In  at  least  three  instances  stragglers 
have  liecn  taken  in  England,  (hu'  of  these  was  obtained  near  Candu'idge  in  Decem- 
ber, 1<S~)4,  another  was  afterward  procured  in  Warwickshire,  and  Mr.  John  Gould 
received  a  siiecimen  of  this  bird  shot  near  Sydney  in  Australia.  Mr.  ^Villiam  (Jrant 
iccnrds  ("  Ibis,''  18(57)  the  capture  of  a  single  specimen  in  Malta,  and  Mr.  0.  A.  Wright 
(••  Ibis,"  18()9)  also  makes  mention  of  another  taken  in  the  same  island,  Nov.  17, 18()5. 
Mr.  Wright  adds  that  ahuost  sinudtaneously  with  this  occurrence  a  third  example  of 
tliis  species  was  taken  in  ICnglaud  near  Falmouth,  Nov.  14, 1865.  Two  other  instances 
air  named  by  Teniminck  of  its  having  been  noticed  in  other  parts  of  Euro])e. 

This  species  is  said  by  Leotaud  to  visit  Trinidad  during  the  months  of  August, 
September,  and  October,  after  which  it  departs  for  the  south.  But  few  visit  the 
island,  and  these  are  found  in  the  interior  meadows,  generally  singly. 

Jlr.  Dresser  met  with  this  species  on  his  jouriu>y  from  Brownsville  to  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  in  September,  180.'),  and  states  that  on  quitting  the  sandy  regions  and  entering 
into  the  grass  country  he  found  this  s])ecies  —  known  there  as  the  Grass  Plover  — 
qniti'  abundant.  It  did  not  go  in  flocks,  but  was  scattered  singly  all  over  the  coun- 
try. He  found  it  shy  and  ditticult  to  aiqiroach,  especially  when  on  foot ;  but  by 
rilling  or  driving  near  it,  he  could  always  get  within  .shot  before  it  took  to  flight. 
Wlien  undisturbed  it  ran  about  very  swiftly,  catching  insects  among  the  grass,  often 
reniiuiling  him  of  the  Stone  Curlew  of  Europe  ((Edimemus  crej)!tans).  AVhen  dis- 
turlieil  it  would  squat  close  for  a  tinus  and  then,  if  api>roached,  it  ^-juld  rise  srul- 
ilenly  and  fly  oft',  uttering  a  clear  whistle.  In  New  Orleans  —  where  it  is  known 
nuilcr  the  name  of  "  Papabot"  —  it  is  much  sought  after  by  epicures ;  and  Mr.  Dresser 
tliinks  with  good  reason,  as  he  never  tasted  a  better  bird.  In  some  instances  it 
was  so  fat  as  to  burst  open  on  falling  to  the  ground.  He  observed  none  during  the 
winter;  but  in  April  and  May,  however,  he  noticed  a  few  near  San  Antonio,  but 
those  were  very  shy.  Dr.  J.  C.  Merrill,  who  has  carefully  studied  the  habits  of  this 
Plover  in  the  Rio  Grande  region  of  Southwestern  Texas,  mentions  its  arrival  u.  t 
VOL  I.  —  38 


HI 

mm 


298 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATOIIES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


^1 


about  tlie  second  oi'  third  woek  in  ilaivli,  when  it  beeomt's  very  abundant  on  tlu' 
grassy  prairii'S.  It  is  in  iioor  condition  when  it  arrives  in  spring,  and  soon  goes  far- 
ther ncu'th;  a  lew  liii.m'r,  liowever,  until  May  Id.  Some  reappear  in  July,  and  liv 
the  Hrst  of  Septend)er  have  iieeonie  aliundant.  but  begin  to  leave  about  the  niiddlf  ol 
that  month,  few  being  seen  after  the  first  week  in  October.  Their  stomaehs  wimv 
usually  found  HUed  with  snails.  In  Northern  Illinois,  where  this  bird  is  a  very  cdiii- 
nion  summer  resident,  ]Mr.  Xelson  states  that  it  arrives  early  in  April  and  dejiarts  in 
.Sei)tember,  frecpienting  the  borders  of  marshes  and  uncultivated  prairies.  At  first 
it  is  dithctdt  of  approach,  but  it  beeonu's  entirely  reckless  during  the  breeding-season, 
when  it  hovers  over  the  heads  of  intruders.  Not  being  ap]ireeiated  as  game,  it  is 
said  to  be  but  little  hunted  in  that  part  of  the  country.  Dr.  trooper  mentions  having 
met  with  this  bird  at  the  western  base  of  .MuUan's  Pass  in  Montana,  but  adds  that 
it  is  not  known  to  occur  west  of  the  nioiuitains.  He  also  saw  the  young  of  this  spe- 
cies on  the  ])lains  of  the  Tpper  Missouri  in  June.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  noticed  it  in 
Colorado  in  August.  Mr.  Ki<lgway  informs  me  that  it  is  quite  abundant  on  all  the 
prairies  of  Southern  Illinois.  He  also  met  witli  it  in  July  on  Kamas  Prairie  in  Ttah. 
where  a  few  were  seen  in  the  grassy  fields.  In  Southern  Wisconsin,  IMr.  Kumliin 
informed  me,  in  IHoi  this  liird,  then  very  eiunmon  there,  was  known  as  the  ••  I'rairic 
Plover  "  and  also  as  the  '•  Prairie  Sni])e,"  and  was  nuich  more  common  on  the  prairies 
than  in  the  ojienings,  arriving  early  in  April. 

(liraud,  in  his  "Pirds  of  Long  island,"  mentions  finding  this  sjjeeies  very  ))lentiful 
on  the  Shinnecock  Hills  and  on  Montauk  Point  —  esjiecially  at  the  latter  place,  in 
these  hilly  districts  the  ea])tui'e  of  this  bird  by  the  nnmoiuiti'd  sjiortsman  is  easier 
than  it  woidd  hv  in  a  level  region,  as  advantage  can  be  taken  of  the  inequalities  of 
the.  ground  to  aiijiroaeh  within  shooting  distance.  Tln^  customary  mode  of  pursuing 
it,  however,  is  in  a  vehicle.  In  this  manner  it  is  more  readily  a]»i)roaehed;  and  liy 
most  hunters  its  pursuit  in  any  other  way  than  by  riding  is  regarded  as  hopeless. 
On  the  Shinnecock  Hills  and  on  Hempstead  I'lains  (iiraud  found  this  s]iecies  (|uite 
common,  and  it  is  there  variously  known  as  the  '•  Ui)land,"  the  ••Piehl.''  and  tiie 
"Grass  Plover."  It  was  everywhere  very  wary  and  difficult  of  a])pr()ach.  On  the 
ground  it  has  an  erect  and  gi'aceful  gait.  AVhen  alarmed  it  runs  rajjidly  for  a 
short  distance  before  taking  wing,  uttering  a  whistling  note  as  it  rises.  Its  Higlit 
is  very  rajiid,  and  it  frequently  goes  entirely  out  of  sight  before  it  re-alights.  It 
usually  keei)S  on  the  dry  open  ground,  feeding  on  grasshojjpers,  u])on  other  insects. 
and  on  seeds.  In  the  month  of  August  it  is  generally  in  very  fine  condition,  and  is 
highly  prized  as  ganu".  When  feeding,  these  birds  scatter  about,  all  moving  off  the 
instant  an  alarm  is  given.  They  migrate  southward  in  the  latter  part  of  August. 
and  perform  the  journey  by  night.  Some  stragglers,  however,  remain  behind  until 
late  in  Septeud)er. 

The  Upland  Plover  is  found  in  favoring  hx^alities  in  various  parts  of  New  Eng- 
land, usually  in  hilly  and  uninhabited  tracts  not  far  from  the  coast.  Occasionally 
it  is  met  with  in  more  inland  regions,  as  in  elevated  and  Ijarren  districits  in  New 
Hampshire,  and  jn'obably  also  in  Maine.  I  have  foiuul  it  breeding  in  Khode  Island 
near  Narragansett  Bay,  and  on  high  groiuids  near  Carlisle,  Pa.  In  the  latter  place 
the  nest  was  a  mere  de])ression  in  a  ploughed  field,  with  only  a  few  pieces  of  decayed 
grass-stems  to  keejt  the  eggs  from  the  damp  soil. 

This  species  seems  to  have  been  only  imperfectly  known  to  our  earlier  ornitho- 
logical writers.  Wilson  and  Nuttall  were  luiacquainted  with  its  eggs,  and  Audubnu 
saw  them  for  the  fii'st  time  in  my  cabinet  in  1S3().  Wilson,  who  was  the  first  to 
describe  it,  met  with  it  near  the  botanical  garden  of  his  friend  liartram,  on  the  banks 


SCOLOPACID.E  -  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  -BARTRAMIA. 


299 


ot  tlio  Sfluiylkill.  ITo.  mentions  that,  unlike  most  of  its  tribe,  it  seems  to  prefer 
iiiniiinf^  about  in  the  j,'rass,  feeding,'  on  Ix'etles  and  other  winged  inseets,  there  being 
usually  tliree  or  four  in  eoiupany.  The  liinl  was  extrenudy  watchful,  silent,  and 
sliy.  so  that  it  eould  only  with  great  ditliculty  be  a|)|in)a('lied.  It  was  oceasitmally 
si'cn  during  the  months  of  August  and  September,  and  is  described  as  running  with 
threat  rajudity,  sometinu's  spreading  its  tail  and  dropping  'its  wings,  in  the  manner 
(il  a  bird  seeking  to  attract  the  intruder  away  from  its  nest.  It  remains  as  if  lixed 
wlirn  it  alights,  stamls  very  erect,  and  as  it  mounts  to  fly  utters  two  or  three 
sharp  whistling  notes.  It  was  always  remarkably  plumi).  It  is  proitable  that  much 
ot  Wilson's  information  in  regard  to  the  habits  and  breeding  of  the  Field  Plover, 
attriliuted  by  him  to  the  Ulack-ljcllied  I'lover,  really  belonged  to  the  fornuM-,  and  not 
to  the  latter,  which  is  a  species  not  known  to  breed  in  any  portion  of  the  United 
States. 

Audubon  characterizes  this  bird  as  the  most  terrestrial  of  the  Wading  tribe,  hardly 
lii'liniging  to  that  family  in  its  habits,  but  always  keeping  away  from  water,  and 
never  venturing  to  wade.  In  the  dry  upland  plains  of  Djjelousas  and  Attaka]>as,  in 
Liiiiisiana,  he  found  it  abundant  in  early  spring  as  well  as  in  autumn,  passing  through 
there  in  the  beginning  of  March,  and  returning  again  in  the  fall.  It  was  e(pudly 
al)un(lant  on  idl  the  western  prairies,  on  both  sides  of  the  Missom'i,  arriving  there 
a  month  later  than  in  Louisiana.  The  general  impression  that  these  birds  never 
associate  together  ir  considerable  numbers  he  observed  to  be  not  wholly  correct,  and 
Mr.  Salvin  also  nu't  with  them  in  quite  large  flocks  in  the  winter.  Audubon  also 
observed  them  arriving  in  large  bands  in  the  spring  in  the  neighborhood  of  New 
Orleans,  where  they  generally  remained  two  weeks,  a  few  continuing  until  the  loth 
of  May.  lie  noticed  that,  whether  they  alighted  on  fences,  trees,  and  out-houses,  or 
on  the  ground,  they  always  raised  both  wings  ui)riglit  to  their  full  extent,  and  uttered 
a  loud,  prolonged,  and  not  unjileasant  note.  When  jmrsued,  they  will  at  times  lower 
tiicir  heads  and  run  off  rapidly,  or,  ])artially  extending  tlieir  wings,  run  a  few  ste]is, 
and  then  take  to  flight,  or,  moving  off  sideway,  conceal  themselves  in  the  grass.  When 
winged  they  escape  by  running  off  rapidly  and  hiding  themselves  so  that  they  can 
rarely  be  found.  In  Louisiana  they  feed  (diiefly  on  coleoi)terous  inseets,  and  among 
tlii'se  often  eat  cantharides,  and  are  thus  rendered  uniit  for  food.  In  Xew  England 
they  live  chiefly  on  grasshoi)i)ers,  crickets,  and  other  insects.  In  the  spring  mi- 
grations they  eat  wild  strawberries,  and  their  fle.sh  thus  acrpiires  a  delicious  flavor. 
The  flight  of  this  bird  is  swift  and  well  sustained ;  its  migrations  are  mostly  at 
night. 

In  South  Carolina,  according  to  I)i'.  Baehman,  this  I'lover  appears,  moving  south, 
aliout  the  15th  of  .Inly  —  the  hottest  season  of  the  year  —  resorts  to  high  grass-lands, 
vcniaining  there  id)out  a  month.  It  is  seldom  met  with  there  in  flocks  of  more  than 
fom'  or  Ave.  It  is  hunted  by  riding  over  the  fields  in  a  gig,  from  which  the  sports- 
man can  shoot  the  birds  as  they  rise  out  of  the  grass ;  and  this  can  hardly  bo  done 
in  any  other  way. 

The  usual  call-note  of  the  Upland  Vlover,  when  nndisturl)ed,  especially  during  the 
breeding-season,  is  a  prolonged  and  peculiarly  soft  whistle.  This  is  clear  and  reso- 
nant, and  to  those  familiar  with  it  is  readily  distinguished  from  any  other.  The  call- 
notes  vary  somewhat  in  their  character,  and  change  as  the  season  progresses,  and 
may  be  heard  during  the  night  when  the  young  brood  has  appeared.  These  notes 
change  yet  more,  and  become  intensified  signals  of  alarm,  Avhen  the  young  are  threat- 
ened by  danger.  ]?ut  under  any  and  all  circumstances  these  cries  are  peculiar  to 
the  species,  and  are  unlike  those  of  any  of  its  tribe. 


800 


I'R.ECOCIAL  GRALLATUUE8  —  LIMICuLi*;. 


In  IVnnsylvaiiia  tin-  t'gj,'s  arc  luitclicd  out  early  in  .hmc;  ami  there,  as  elsewhere, 
only  a  sinj^'le  brood  is  raised  in  one  season.  The  nest  is  always  placed  in  an  ()]irn 
sitiiation ;  Init,  notwitlistanding  this  eirciinistanee,  it  is  not  easily  I'onnd  witliout  the 
aid  of  a  good  dog  trained  for  tlio  puriMtse.  In  1S4.'J,  in  company  with  my  friend  liiiiid, 
I  searched  in  vain  in  an  open  plougiied  field  for  the  nest  of  a  pair  we  knew  must  Ih" 
near.  Its  site  was  not  found  until  after  the  young  had  gone  —  only  a  few  days 
after  (mr  first  search  —  the  empty  egg-shells  showing  where  iu  the  open  ti(dd  it  was. 
The  female  must  have  kept  closely  to  the  nest,  even  when  we  were  near  her,  wiiilc 
her  mate  was  doing  his  best  to  delude  us.  The  young  are  singularly  l)eautifid  little 
balls  of  .soft  down,  a  mottling  of  white,  brown,  and  lilack.  They  are  eared  for  liv 
tluur  parents  until  nearly  grown,  and  from  the  shell  instinctively  hide  themselves  at 
the  approach  of  danger. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  —  always  four  in  nund)er  —  vary  in  length  from  1.7".l 
to  l.S(i  inches,  and  in  breadth  from  l.oo  to  1.4-1  inches.  Their  groiuul-color  is 
usually  a  deej)  pinkish  drab,  and  over  this  are  distriljiited  small  roundish  sjxjttings 
of  a  burnt-sienna  tint.  These  arc  rather  sjjarsely  scattered  over  the  smaller  end  of 
the  egg,  but  become  more  densely  aggregated  about  the  larger  portion.  In  otlicis 
the  ground-eolor  is  mon^  of  a  cream-colored  dnib,  without  any  ])erceptible  shading 
of  pink.  In  a  few  the  ground  is  a  i)alo  pearly-white  (^dor,  with  a  faint  shading 
of  cream-color.  In  these  the  markings  are  usually  blotches  of  various  shades  of 
a  purplish  slate,  much  scattered,  and  overlain  by  spottings  of  a  deep  sepia,  which 
become  confluent  at  the  greater  end.  The  shape  of  the  eggs  is  a  slightly  roiindcd 
oval,  strongly  tapering  at  one  end  and  rounded  at  the  other;  their  number  is  uni- 
formly t'oui". 


Genus  TRINGOIDES,  I^onaparte. 

Tringoidts,  Bonap,  Snggio  di  una  (list.  etc.  1831,  fiS  (tyiip,  Tringa  hijpolcucos,  Linn.). 
Actitis,  BoiE,  Isis,  1822,  560.     Not  of  Illigkii,  Prodromus,  1811. 

Chau.     Upper  mandible  grooved  to  tlie  terminal  fourth  ;  the  bill  tapering  and  rather  ariitc. 
Cleft  of  mouth  only  motlerate  ;  the  culmeu  about  five  sixths  the  commissure.    Feathei's  exttiul- 


T.  macularitis. 


! 

1 

1 

1 

1 

II 

, 

1 

1 

ing  rather  farther  on  side  of  lower  jaw  than  upper,  the  former  reaching  as  far  as  the  beginning,'  of 
the  nostrils ;  those  of  the  cliin  to  about  their  middle.  Hill  shorter  than  the  liead,  straight,  eiiual 
to  the  tarsus,  which  is  of  the  length  of  middle  toe  and  claw.  Bare  part  of  tibia  half  the  tarsus. 
Outer  toe  webbed  to  first  joint ;  inner  cleft  nearly  or  quite  to  the  base.  Tail  much  rounded,  nioii. 
than  half  the  wing. 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  TRINGOIDES. 


301 


Tbe  Common  Sumlpipcr  of  Europe  (T.  hijpoleucns),^  the  only  otlicr  known  species  of  the  genus, 
greatly  resembles  the  Aiuuriciui  Spotted  Sandpiper  (T.  maculariiu),  but  is  entirely  unsjiotted 
lioiieath,  and  otherwise  different. 

Tringoides  macularius. 

THE   SPOTTED   SANDFIFEB. 

Trmjit  mncidnrin,  Linn.  S.  N.  1, 17C0,  249  (bnse<l  on  Tr'n\fja  mnculata,  Edw.  II.  130,  pi.  277,  fig.  2; 

Timliis  uquaticKs,  Buih.s.  V.  255).  —  Wii,.son,  Am.  Oni.  VII.  1813,  (JO,  pi.  5!t,  lig.  1. 
TolaniiH  macult.riu.i,  Tkmm.  Man.  ISLI,  422.  — Ninr.  Man.  II.  1834,  102.  —  Aun.  Orn.  Diog.  IV. 

1838,  81,  pi.  310  ;  Syixpp.  183!),  242  ;  li.  Am.  V.  1842,  303,  pi.  342. 
TrvKjokhs  mucuhtriim,  (JiiAV,  (Icii.  15.  III.  184!>,  574.  —Cass,  in  Baird's  IJ.  X.  Am.  1H58,  735.  — 

Baikd,  Cat.  N.  Am.  15.  1859,  no.  543.  —  Couks,  Key,  1872,  200;  Ciictk  List,  1873,  no.  43«  ;  2d 

I'd.  1882,  no.  638  ;  Hirds  N.  W.  1874,  501.  — Uiuaw.  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  557. 
"  Ti-iiKja  notala,  Ii.i.ic.r.u"  ((1i!Ay). 
Adilis  U'kdi,  BoNAi'.  (Jhlc  tiUAY). 

IIab.  The  whole  of  North  and  Middle  America,  and  South  America  as  far  as  Brazil ;  occa- 
sional in  Europe  ;  no  Greenland  record.    Breeds  throughout  temperate  North  America. 


II 


i 


\ 


Si'.  Char.  Small  ;  bill  rather  lonj^er  than  the  head,  strai^dit,  slender  ;  long  grooves  in  botli 
mandibles  ;  wing  rather  long,  pointed  ;  tail  medium,  rounded  ;  legs  rather  long,  Igwer  third  of 
thi'  tibia  naked  ;  toes  long,  margined,  and  llattened  underneath,  outer  connected  with  the  nuddle 
tne  liy  a  large  membrane,  inner  very  .slightly  connected  to  the  niitldle  toe.  Adult:  Upper  parts 
i;n'enisli  ashy,  with  a  somewhat  metallic  or  bronzed  lustre,  and  with  numerous  sagittate,  lanceolate, 
and  irregular,  mostly  transverse,  spots  of  browni.sh  black,  having  the  same  lustre.  Line  over  the 
eye  and  entire  luider  parts  white,  with  numerous  circular  and  oval  spots  of  lirownish  black  over 
the  whole  lower  surface,  smaller  on  the  throat,  largest  on  the  abdomen.  Primaries  plain  dusky  ; 
tail  dark  ashy,  tlie  outer  feathers  w-ith  dusky  and  white  transverse  sjiots  on  their  terminal  portion  ; 
axillars  immaculate  white.  Young :  Above,  greenish  ashy,  the  wings  with  narrow  transverse  bars 
i>f  black  and  ochraceous,  most  numerous  on  the  coverts.  Beneath,  white,  without  any  spots,  and 
with  an  ashy  suffusion  across  the  jugulum.     Downy  chick :  Above,  yellowish  gray,  with  a  narrow 

'  Trixgoidhs  HYPOiiEUCUS.     The  Connnon  Samlpipcr  of  Europe. 

Tringn  hypoleiico.i,  Linn.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  1758, 140  ;  od.  12,  I.  1766,  250. 

Adids  hypoleitois,  Boik,  Isis,  1822,  649.  —  Naum.  Vog.  DeutschL  VIII.  1836,  7,  pi.  194.  —  Keys. 

&  Bi.As.  Wirb.  Eur.  p.  73. 
Tringoides  hypohucn,  GuAV,  List  Gon.  1841,  88. 
Tringa  Icucnptcra,  Tm.!..  Zoogr.  II.  1831,  190. 
To/anas  guviefta,  Lkach,  Syst.  Cat.  Br.  Mus.  30. 
Aclifis  cincliis,  BolE,  Isis,  1826,  327. 
■   Ai'i/is  stagnalis,  Buf.hm,  Viig.  ncntschl.  649. 
Co    moil  SandpijKr,  Most.  Om.  Diet.  ;  Bewick,  Yaerell,  et  AucT. 


iiil 


I 


302 


PU.KCOl'lAL   (JKAl.LATdlJKS       LIMICOL.K. 


liliuk  dorsal  stripe  from  tlic  liill  t"  ilir  tail  ;  a  ii.imtw  bliu'k  liiu!  throii},'li  tlio  pyc.     Ik-ni'iitli,  dull 
white. 

Total  li'ii;,'tli,  iiboiit  7.75  im■ll(■^<  ;  I'Xii'iil,  lU.dd-l-J.OO  ;  wiii^;,  I.O.Vt.IJO  ;  riiliiu'ii,  .!)()-l.(K> ;  t,„- 
siis,  .!)()-l.(>5  ;  midille  lot',  .7t)-.Ml.  Muiulililc  iiiul  eil;.;i'  of  tlii^  iimxillii  imle  wiix-yullow  (in  lilii  ; 
rent  of  l)ill  l)lm'ii  ;  iiin  dii'^k  ludwii ;  larsi  and  toes  pain  ^'layisii  olive. 

Tlic  rt'ct-weot,  or  Spotted  S;iiiil|>i|M'r.  is  one  of  our  most  common  as  well  jih  most 
witlcly  ilistributt'd  .s|K'cit's.  It  is  found  tliroiij,'liout  iiciirly  all  North  Amcricii,  in 
the  interior  and  on  tho  shores  of  both  the  l*afili(^  and  the  Atlantic  Oceans,  hrecdim,' 
wherever  found,  from  Texas  to  Alaska,  and  from  Florida  to  Fort  Ainlcrson.  Tliat 
it  is  irrej,ndar  in  its  occurrence  would  appear  from  the  fact  that  IJitdiardson  nowliciv 
met  with  it  in  the  Fur  lic^don,  neither  in  the  interior  nor  on  the  sea-coast.  It  is 
found  in  IJernuida  and  in  nearly  all  the  West  India  Islands,  breeding  in  sonic  nl 
them,  and  is  met  with  in  winter  in  Mexico,  Central  America,  different  parts  of  Souili 
America,  iind  is  also  of  accidental  occurrence  in  Furope. 

Major  Wedderburn  writes  that  he  first  nn't  with  it  in  the  Mermudas,  in  immatiiiv 
pluniaf,a',  .July  UO,  1H47,  and  that  he  afterward  found  it  common  on  all  the  shores  of 
these  islands,  where  some  remain  all  winter,  having'  been  met  with  rather  fre(|uei)tly 
in  Aprd,  l!SH),  few  of  them  havinj;-  their  mature  plumaf,'e;  but  they  are  not  known  to 
breed  there.  In  (hiatemala,  aceordiujj;  to  Salvin.  it  is  to  be  met  with  in  the  winter 
months  about  most  of  the  riv<'rs  of  that  re^don.  It  is  found  principally  in  the  imni:i- 
ture  pluma}.re.  Its  range  is  wide,  including  both  the  table-lands  and  the  coast  coun- 
try. Jlr.  C.  W.  Wyiitt  ("Ibis,"  1.S71)  mentions  meeting  with  this  si)eeies  on  the 
borders  of  a  stream  near  Ocafia,  in  Coiiuubia,  S.  A.  It  is  given  by  Dr.  (Jundlach  as  a 
bird  of  Cuba,  and  is  mentioned  by  (losse  as  a  common  species  in  .Jamaica,  where  it 
haunts  the  margins  and  shallows  of  rocky  streams.  It  arrives  there  about  the  end  ot 
August,  and  remains  until  after  the  nuddle  of  April.  J'rofessor  Newton  mentions  it 
as  tolerably  comuKm  in  St.  Croix,  where  it  i)nd)ably  remains  all  the  winter.  Accord- 
ing to  the  observations  of  Mr.  ICdward  Newton,  it  is  absent  from  that  island  from 
April  27  to  July  27.  Mr.  E.  C.  Taylor  speaks  of  it  as  abundant  in  Trinidad,  in  suit- 
able localities,  where  Leotaud  also  met  with  it,  but  confounded  it  with  the  Common 
Sandj)iper  (7'.  hi/jjoleucus)  of  luirope.  lie  states  that  it  is  lioth  a  migrant  and  a  r<'si- 
dent  in  that  island,  feeding  ahnig  the  sea-shore  and  near  inland  po(ds,  keeping  gen- 
erally by  itself,  but  assend)ling  at  night  to  roost  in  the  branches  of  the  mangroves 
over  the  water.  It  is  lively  and  graceful  in  manners,  and  when  stopping  vibrates 
its  head  and  tail  almost  continually.  Its  flight  is  described  as  rajtid,  and  it  uttcis 
a  cry  as  it  moves  which  gives  to  it  the  local  name  of  "Ticwit."  In  August  the  num- 
ber of  these  birds  is  greatly  increased  by  the  arrival  of  new-comers,  which  again 
dejiart  in  October. 

On  Long  Island  (iiraud  observed  it  to  be  the  first  of  its  family  to  arrive  in  the 
spring,  appearing  there  the  middle  of  April,  and  remaining  until  quite  late  in  autumn, 
staying  until  nearly  all  the  other  Trlnr/fr  had  de])arted.  It  is  a  very  common  spe- 
cies, and  from  its  habit  of  constantly  raising  and  lowering  its  tail  has  in  that  region 
the  local  name  of  "Teeter."  It  is  not  known  to  associate  in  large  flocks,  but  is  (putc 
solitary  in  its  habits,  preferring  moist  grounds  in  the  vicinity  of  streams  and  ponds. 
and  often  resorting  to  the  jiloughed  fields  to  gl(;an  the  worms  which  lie  exposed  in 
the  furrows.  This  bird  begins  to  build  it.s  nest  early  in  May,  using  for  that  purjjose 
straw  and  dry  grasses,  placing  it  on  the  ground,  where  it  is  often  found,  along  the 
banks  of  small  streams  and  on  the  margins  of  ponds,  and  not  infrequently  in  exposed 
parts  of  pastures,  among  the  stubble.  The  young  run  about  as  soon  cas  hatched. 
and  at  first  utter  low  whispering  notes,  which  soon  increase  in  strength,  and  become 


SCOLOPACID.K  —  THli  SNIPE   FAMILY  -  TKINOOIDKS. 


803 


liartUy  ili«tinj,Miisli;il)l('  From  tlic  tiill  v(  ice  ol'  tlic  iiiiiciits;  uiid  tlicy  iilso  at  a  very 
early  period  ^Iw  tlic  iicculi.ir  iiiDvcmciits  of  llifir  tiiil-tVatlicrs  tor  whidi  tlif  siu'cica 
i>  iiiiti'd.  'j'lif  tli,i;lit  of  tliis  liird  is  vi-ry  uiifvcn,  lu'iiif,'  sridoiii  for  any  coiisidcralilo 
dislaiici'  ill  a  sti'ai|,dit  line.  In  tin-  love  si-ason  it  oltcn  pcrlorins  arrial  ^'andiols  just 
aliovc  tlu'  siL'l'iicf  oi  tht'  ground.  WIhmi  wounded  it  will  take  to  tlic  water  and  swim 
liciieatli  tlie  siirl'aee  with  eoiisidenilde  swiftness.  In  tlic  spiiiij,'  it  takes  pos.session,  in 
pairs,  of  the  muddy  margins  of  wateieoiirscs.  niakiiii,'  excursions  from  tlience  into  the 
udjoiniiig  iields.     It  is  exclusive  in  haliit.  never  scekin,!,'  the  society  of  other  species. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  found  this  species  ipiitc  common  in  Eastern  Ivaiisas  in  the  early 
part  of  May.  He  afterward  noticeil  it  more  or  less  frequently  aloii.i,'  the  streams  of 
Western  Kansas,  near  Fort  Hays,  and  in  Colorado  he  traced  it  uii  to  tiie  very  souico 
of  the  South  riatte,  on  Aloiiiit  Lincoln.  He  also  met  with  it  occasionally  in  tlio 
\'allcy  of  (Ireat  Salt  Lake.  J )resser  obtained  in  Auj^ust  a  single  immature  specimen 
near  Matamoras.  and  in  Septemher  and  Octolicr  found  the  sjiccies  ahiindant  near  San 
Antonio.  Mr.  IJidgway  states  that,  next  to  the  Kildeer.  he  found  this  liird  the  most 
aliundant  and  generally  distrilmted  Wader  in  the  (Ireat  liasin.  He  saw  it  hreediiijj 
Ironi  an  altitude  of  four  thousand  feet  or  less  to  ahove  seven  thousand.  At  (Jarson 
City  it  arrives  alioiit  the  L'Kth  of  April. 

Althougli  not  met  with  i)y  Sir  .lohii  Hichanlson.  this  l)ird  has  a  high  nortliern 
range,  reiicliiiig  almost  to  the  holders  of  the  Arctic  (ti'can.  liermird  Ko.ss  found  it 
aiiundant  along  the  lianks  of  the  .Mackenzie  ;  Kennicott  mentions  it  as  hreeding  near 
i"nrt  Kesolution;  and  in  eaidi  instance  the  nests  are  described  as  having  i)een  mero 
depressions  in  the  ground,  with  a  few  bits  of  grass  or  a  few  dry  leaves  phuM'd  there- 
in. Mr.  Dall  obtained  a  b'W  specimens  at  Nidato  from  the  KJtli  to  the  otttli  of  .May; 
Mr.  Iiannister  found  it  common  on  the  Island  of  St.  .Michacd's  in  the  fall ;  uiid  it  wa.s 
taken  by  Misehoff  at  Sitka.  Mr.  ^MacFarhuK?  found  it  breeding  and  cpiite  e.oiinnon  in 
tlic  neighborhood  of  Fort  .Vmh-rson.  It  is  abundant  along  the  Anderscm  Jiiver,  and 
al>ii  on  the  Mai'ken/ie  from  l"'ort  (lood  Hope  to  l'"ort  Simpson.  The  nests  are  all 
spoken  of  as  being  mere  depressions,  scantily  lineil  with  leaves  and  grass;  they  con- 
tained eggs  ill  the  latter  part  of  .June.  .Mr.  Audubon  b>uiid  it  breeding  in  Labrador 
on  tile  17th  of  .rune,  and  iiy  the  l.".(tli  of  duly  the  young  were  fully  tiedged. 

in  favorable  seasons  the  I'eet-W'eet  appears  in  .Massatdiusetts  during  the  last  week 
in  April,  and  in  some  seasons  nearly  a  fortnight  later.  It  conies  at  first  in  small 
niving  flocks,  and  b)r  a  wdiile  moves  about  in  a  britd'aiid  even  sportive  manner,  flying 
hack  and  ibrtli  along  and  across  the  smaller  streams.  |performing  strange  aerial  evolu- 
tions, seemingly  more  for  its  own  enjoyment  than  in  (jucst  of  food.  As  these  birds 
move  about  —  and  iinu'e  e.s])eeially  when  they  meet  other  small  flocks  of  their  own 
species  —  they  give  utt<'rance  to  their  cheerful  and  lively  whistle,  which  is  loud  and 
shrill,  and  not  unlike  the  .syllables  jicrt-arct  several  times  repeated.  Toward  the. 
close  of  the  nd'rain  the  notes  are  lower  and  the  soniul  more  plaintive.  A  little  later 
ill  the  season  they  separate  into  ])aii's  along  the  banks  of  smaller  streams,  and  usually 
nest  in  fresh-water  meadows  or  in  low  u))laiids  not  far  from  water ;  occasionally 
tliijy  nest  on  uplands  not  far  from  the  sea.  Sometimes  this  bird  is  so  familiar  as  to 
make  its  nest  within  a  garden,  and  not  far  from  the  house.  In  one  instance  Mr. 
Xuttall  found  its  eggs  in  the  strawberry  beds  of  a  resident  of  Belmont,  Mass.,  while 
young  and  old  familiarly  fed  on  the  margin  of  an  adjoining  duek-pond. 

This  species  has  a  very  characteristic  habit  of  vibrating  its  tail  and  moving  its 
head  and  body,  as  if  balancing  itself,  the  head  and  tail  being  alternat(dy  depressed 
and  elevated.  When  excited,  and  anxious  for  the  safety  of  its  young,  this  vibratory 
inotion  is  especially  noticeable,  and  is  joined  with  plaintive  cries  oi  peet^weet-tveet. 


304 


I'R.liCOCIAL  ORAM.ATOKKS—  MMK'OL.E. 


!l  ] 


The  nestH  of  this  bird  vary  in  their  poHitioii  an«l  constnictioii.  So  far  a8  I  luivo 
iiotnl  tliciii,  they  have  lifcii  in  soiiic  Hiiiiill  (Icpri'SHion  in  the  ^'loiiml.  oMimi  shcltrnil 
Ity  Ix'iii^;  i)lat't'(l  ni'ar  a  HniaH  Imsli  or  in  a  tiilt  olf^rasH.  'I'licy  aif,  tor  tin-  niont  ]tait, 
liiiilt  in  thi!  dry  open  tit-Id,  mvcr  very  far  from  water.  Unually  tln-y  arc  of  very  siniplo 
Htrui'tnrc,  bfiii^,'  inatlc  of  dry  IxMit,  and  answering,'  tiu'  purpose  of  proteetinf,'  tlie  v^'^h 
from  tlie  damp  j,'ronnd,  but  rarely  so  well  interwoven  as  to  bear  removal.  >rr.  Audu- 
bon states  that  the  nests  of  this  bird  found  by  him  on  an  island  in  the  <iulf  (d'  St. 
Lawrence  were  mueh  more  bulky,  and  more  neatly  constructed,  than  any  seen  by  him 
farther  south,  yet  not  to  be  compared  with  those  he  had  setfli  in  Labrador,  where  they 
were  concealed  under  lodges  of  rocks,  and  wi're  made  of  dry  moss,  raised  to  the 
hei},'ht  of  several  inches,  and  wtdl  finished  within  with  slender  grasses  and  feathers 
of  the  Kider  Duck.  The  tinu' of  nesting  varies  three  months  from  Tc.xas  to  Labra- 
dor. On  Hutfalo  Hayon  in  Texas  Audidion  foun<l  full-grown  broods  on  the  otli  of 
May.     In  Newfoundland  they  were  only  just  Hedged  on  the  1 1th  of  August. 

The  yonng  run  about  with  renuirkublo  ease  and  swiftness  almost  as  soon  as  they 
are  out  of  their  shell.  When  danger  a])])r()aches  they  immediately,  upon  an  alarm- 
signal  from  theii'  parents,  riui  and  hide  themselves,  scpiatting  close  to  the  ground,  and 
there  remaining  perfectly  immovable,  resendding  a  snuiU  dralwolored  stone  with  a 
single  streak  of  black  down  the  middle.  If  the  young  bird  finds  itself  discovereil, 
and  an  attempt  is  nuule  to  take  it,  it  runs  with  great  celerity,  uttering  the  most 
plaintive  cries,  and  at  the  .sanui  tinm  the  parents  exhibit  .synii)toms  of  distress  and 
counterfeit  lamene.ss  with  great  skill. 

Mr.  IJartrani  infornu'd  ^^'ilson  that  he  saw  one  of  these  birds  defend  her  y(mng  for 
a  considerable  tinu'  from  the  attacks  of  a  ground-squirrel.  The  mother  threw  her- 
self, with  her  two  young  behind  her,  iM'tween  them  and  the  land,  and  at  every  atteni] it 
of  the  s([uirrel  to  seize  them  raised  both  her  wings  in  an  ahnost  iierpeudicidar  jjosi- 
tion.  assuming  the  nu)st  formidable  a]ii)earanc.e  she  could,  and  rushing  forward  on  the 
squirrel  endeavored  to  drive  it  back.  The  young  crowded  together  close  behinil  her, 
sensible  of  their  jjcrilous  situation,  moving  backward  or  forward  as  she  advan(!ed  or 
retreated.  This  lasted  sonu'  ten  minutes,  and  would  have  terminated  disastrously 
for  the  young  birds,  had  not  Jlr.  IJaitram  interi»osed  for  their  rescue. 

Mr.  MacCuUoek,  of  I'ictou,  informed  Audubon  that  liaving  once  found  the  nest  <d' 
this  Sandpii)er,  and  proposing  to  take;  it  <in  his  return,  he  marked  the  jdaee  by  putting 
a  number  of  stones  in  a  slanting  position  over  the  nest,  and  so  close  that  it  was  im- 
possible for  the  bird  to  g(it  into  it.  On  his  return  in  the  evening,  he  observed  the 
bird  rise  from  beside  the  stones  in  great  tre])idati(m,  and  more  than  ever  anxious  to 
draw  him  away.  On  examining  the  spot,  he  ascertained  that  the  bird  had  not  only 
hollowed  out  a  new  nest,  but  had  succeeded  in  abstracting  two  eggs  from  the  other 
nest.  How  slie  had  contrived  to  remove  the  eggs  lie  could  not  conceive,  as  the  stones 
remained  undisturbed. 

Audubon  states  that  he  has  observed  this  species  alight  on  the  branches  of  trees 
hanging  oyer  watercourses,  walking  on  them  deliberately,  with  their  usual  elegance 
of  gait  and  balancing  of  body:ind  tail.  They  are  also  wont  to  alight  on  the  rails  and 
stakes  of  fences  or  walls,  and  on  the  tops  of  haystacks. 

The  eggs  are  always  four  in  number,  and  are  of  a  rounded  ])yriforni  shape,  varying 
in  length  from  1.21  inches  to  1.35,  and  in  breadth  from  .95  to  1.00  inch.  Their 
ground-color  varies  from  a  light  drab  to  a  dark  cream,  sometimes  tinged  with  rufous, 
and  occasionally  with  a  muddy  (day-color.  The  markings  in  some  are  fine  dottings, 
and  in  others  large  and  confluent  blotches  about  the  larger  end.  The  color  of  the 
markings  is  a  rich  sepia-broAvu,  with  a  slight  purplish  tinge. 


SCOLoPACID.K  -TIIK  SMPK  FAMILY  —  THVNaiTEa. 


305 


Oknuh  TRYNGITES,  ("aiiamm. 

Tfinijitci,  I'AU.  .Iciiuii.  Iirldii.  iN.'iti,   IIn  (ty|ii',  Trimjn  niji.nrit.s,  ViKIl.t..). 

CiiAii.  r|i|u'r  luiiiiilililc  K>""Vi'il  til  iiliiiiii  till'  ti'i'iniiial  I'lmrlli  ;  tlic  lnwcr  not  (|iiitf  mi  far. 
Ciiliiirii  aiiil  giiiiys  liliiiiil  stntij^lit.  Muutli  i|i'i'|i|y  rlil't  iiimt'  llmii  liall'  way  In  tlic  cVf  ;  the  i'IiIiik'U 
Hlmut  two  tliii'ilrt  till.'  ('oiiiiiiixKiirc.  ( 'iiliiii'ii  iiiiii'h  Hliot'ti'i-  tliaii  the  \wm\,  ami  ulioiit  i>(|ual  to  iiiiilillu 
till'  williiml  claw.     Taixiis  ulioiit  oin'  ainl  cmc  -ixtli  a.->  loii},'  an  miiMli'  toe  ami  claw.     Hare  part  of 


T,  rii/eacenn. 

tiliia  (Icciileilly  slidrter  tlmu  niiiMIc  tou  without  claw.  Toes  cleft  to  the  base,  with  only  a  very 
niiliiiientary  weli.  Upper  Jaw  feathered  to  the  nostrils  ;  the  side  of  the  lower  and  beneath  feath- 
iMiil  iniidi  farther,  or  t<i  the  end  of  the  nostrils  ;  the  interspace  of  the  rami  entirely  filled.  Tail 
somewhat  j,'raihiated,  not  half  the  wini,'. 


trt't'S 

iH'llllCC 

IS  and 


Tryngites  rufescens. 

THE  BUFF-BBEASTED  SANDFIFEB. 

Ti  inga  rufescens,  Yir.iu..  Xouv.   Diet.   XXXI V.  181!",   l"o  ( Loiii-xiaun).  —  Xi'tt.  Man.  II.  1834, 

113.—  Ai'D.  Orn.   Biog.   III.  1835,  i:A,  jil.  265  ;  Synop.  183U.  235  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1842,  264,  pi. 

331. 
Trijwjili-s  nifewcns,  Caiian.  .1.  f.  O.  1856,  418  (Cuba).  —  Cassin,  in  Biiird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  739. 

—  Baikii,  Cat.  X.  Am.  R  18.")!i,  no.  546.  —  Coi'ks,  Key,  1872,  2<iO  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no. 

430  ;  2a  cd.  1882,  no.  641  ;  liinls  N.  W.  1874,  506.  —  liiiic:w.  Nom.  X.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  556. 
"  Trinija  subriijicol/is,  Vir.ii.i.."  ((iUAY  and  .Sciii.i'.o.). 
"Triiiijn  hrcvi rosin's,  LicinKNSTIClN  "  (OliAY  iuid  Sciii.KO.). 
Act  ill  ants  navi  us,  1If.i:ii.m.  Pr.  Ac.  Xat.  Sci.  Pidlad.  VII.  1854,  179  ;  Pacific  R.  R.  Rep.  X.  pt.  VI. 

1859,  20,  pi.  6  (Texas). 

ILvn.  North  America  in  general,  especially  the  interior;  breeding  chiefly  in  the  interior  of 
British  America  and  the  Yukon  district ;  niijjratinj,'  south  to  Peru  and  Uruguay.  Frequent  in 
Eiiiope.     No  West  Indian  record,  except  Cuba. 

Sp.  Chab.  Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  straif;ht,  compressed,  nniTow  at  the  point ;  nasal 
!,'r(i(ive  long  ;  wings  very  long,  the  first  quill  longest ;  tertiaries  rather  shorter  ;  tail  moderate  or 
lunger  than  usual  in  this  group  ;  legs  rather  long,  lower  third  of  the  tibia  naked  ;  toes  free  at  base, 
tiatteiu'd  underneath,  and  slightly  margined  ;  hind  toe  small.  Upper  parts  pale  and  dull  ocbra- 
eeous,  with  an  ashy  tinge  ;  every  feather  with  a  large  central,  lanceolate,  crescent-shaped,  or  oblong 
spot  of  black,  frequently  with  a  glossy  green  tinge,  especially  on  the  back  and  shorter  tertiaries. 

vol..  I.  —  39 


" 


p 


;{i)0 


ricKcociAi,  <;u.\i,i,AT()iti;s     i.imkol.k. 


Uiiilt'r  purtN  li^lit  oclirucuouM  nr  {Nilf  t'uwii-ciili)i',  iiiaiiy  IVutlicix  tipin'il  with  wliid',  ami  piiliToit  t!i. 
lliiiikMitiiil  alHlciiiii'ii,  1)11  tilt'  lir('a'<t  ^titll  |i.ii'tiallv  luiiiialril  xiiiall  "itniH  ni  Murk  ;  axillary  tVutlui'i 
wliitc.  (^iiilN  witli  llii'ii  iiiitri'  \M'li'<  li^lit  liiii»ii,  iiiiD'i  wi'li.i  a<liv  white  luaihltil  with  Mark  niiil 
iiiiiTiiNvly  ti|i|i<'il  with  white;  iiiiihlle  tail-l'eatliei>4  lnnwiii^i  Mai  k  ;  miter  I'eatheiH  iij^htcr,  with 
li'uiiiNeiMe  \va\ei|  liiiei  nf  Mack  nil  the  teiiiiiiial  hall,  ami  lipin'il  with  w  liite  ;  iiiiilei'  |iiiiiiai'y-i'i)\eiu 
bi'uuliiiillv  iiiarhktl  with  hLick.     Hill  ^{leeiii^li  Maek  ;  le;;<  j;rfiiii,Hh  yellow,     i'uunij:  (iciiciully 


Hiiiiilar,  luif  the  ii|>|iei'  parts  with  the  Mack  ami  lawii-enlor  less  sharply  cmitrastecj,  ami  eaih  I'tutiier 
with  a  ciiiispicuniis  terminal  Imriler  nl'  white.  Marliliii;;  mi  inner  welis  nl'  priniaries  ami  nn  uiiihr 
primary-coverts  imuli  more  minute  ami  ilelicate  than  in  the  ailiilt.  "  ('ill  dull  oliv(,'-;,'reeii,  du.-^ky 
tiiwaiil  the  piiiiil  ;  iris  ha/el  ;  feel  dull  yellow  ish  ^jreeii,  claws  dusky  "  (Aluiikix), 

Total  h'li^th,  uhoul  T.-'iO  to  H.iH)  inches  ;  win^',  T). K »-r)  ">( t  ;  eulineii.  .75-.H(> ;  tarsus,  l.l.')-l.;!ii; 
niidiile  toe,  .7.")-.S,"). 

Tills  is  a  little  Mid  ol'  r  ither  peculiar  loi'iii  ami  ol'  handsome  pluma^'e.  Its  rehitii>nship  appears 
to  he  to  I5artram':i  Tattler.  Uoth  species  more  liahltually  IVwiueiit  plains  and  othur  dry  localities 
than  any  of  the  true  Sandpipers. 

Dr.  lleerniann'.'-  type  specimen  of  his  Arfiiliint^  nirriitK  represt'iit.s  the  UHiial  adult  ]iluniiiKi!. 

Till!  l>itll'-lii('iisti'(l  SamlpiiiiT  is  foiiiul  nearly  or  (ptitt'  tliroiiHlioiit  North  Aiiicrien, 
and  its  occiirrctu'f  is  imt  iiiicoiiiiiKUi  in  tlic  iiurtliciii  ami  iiiidtlli'  portions  of  Soiitli 
America.  It  is  found  both  on  tiie  I'aeitic  and  the  .\thintie  eoasts.  is  niigrtitofy  in  ;dl 
parts  of  tiie  rnited  States,  hreetls  in  lii,i,'h  Arctic  latitudes,  and  is  of  occasional  ap- 
liearance  in  Kiiroiie.  Its  presence  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  however,  is  regarded  as  an 
int'feinient  event ;  Imt  ^If.  I>oaf(linati  mentions  it  as  having  been  found  nciir  ('ahii.s, 
both  in  the  spring  and  in  the  fall  It  has  tilso  been  taken  at  b'ye  Ueaidi  by  Mr. 
JJfcwstef,  ami  iti  Hoston  Harbor  by  Mr.  Ileiisliaw;  and  about  the  I'Oth  of  August  ii 
tow  ari'  usnally  to  be  seen  in  the  J'.oston  market. 

Mr.  (Jiraud  did  not  consider  that  it  was  a  common  bird  on  Long  Island,  although 
(hiring  almost  every  season  a  few  are  noticed  along  its  southern  shore.  In  Septciidicr 
this  bird  is  occasionally  seen  exposed  for  sale  in  the  markets  of  Mew  York,  togcilii  r 
with  the  Pectoral  Sandpiper,  from  which,  however,  the  JUitt'-bivasted  is  easily  distin- 
giiishcd  by  the  eomiiarative  shortness  of  its  bill. 

Mr.  (iiraud  also  states  that  in  August,  Ihi-U,  his  friend  iMr.  Brasher  observed  five 
of  this  species  together  on  the  shore  of  (Jowanus  Uay  —  a  number  much  larger  tluiu 
is  usually  seen  in  one  groni).  They  appeared  to  be  very  gentle,  allowing  him  to  ad- 
vance within  shooting  distance  without  seeming  tc  notice  his  presence,  and  three 
were  killed  at  the  first  discharge  of  his  gun.  The  surviving  two  made  a  short  Higlit 
over  the  water,  returning  in  a  few  minutes  to  the  shore  at  a  short  distance  from  tiic 
lioint  at  which  they  had  previously  taken  wing,  thus  giving  him  an  opportunity  to 
secure  the  whole  number.  When  flying  from  the  observer,  this  bird  appears  not 
unlike  the  I'ectoral  Sandpi])er,  on  account  of  the  resemblance  of  the  ujjper  plumage 
of  the  two  species. 


SCOLOPACID.K      TIIK  SNIPK   KAMII.V  -  TUYNOITFX 


307 


Mr.  Hri'Mscr  ini't  with  tliis  |)ir(l  lu'iii'  MataiimraK  luti-  in  AiiKiiHt.  VisitinK  tiic 
Im^'iiiiii  cut'l.v  niii'  moniiiiKi  Ix'  luitio'il  ;i  tlmk  nt'  Siiiiii|ii|)crs  iii'iii'  liim.  nn  ^  littlit 
>{iiiHsy  i>I;i'''' H  sliurt  ilistiinrc  f'nmi  tlir  walr  ■.  mid  mi  slidofiii;,' soim' of  llinn,  fniiiul 
flifiii  t"  III'  "it  this  s|H'cifs ;  the  next  ihiy,  on  .isitiiij,'  ihf  Haiiif  |ihtit',  he  was  alih'  to 
|M>M'iii't>  otht'i'H.  Ill  travTlliiiK  thfiicf  tu  San  Aiitunio,  ii,  Sc|iti'iiiliri',  Iii>  t'lnuiii  thrsu 
liiiils  rathiT  I'Kiiimuii  thrniiKhniit  thf  wlmh-  juiirncy  ;  and  hf  «)Hfu  hIkiI  thcin,  tiiidiiij; 
tlii'iii  I'Xi'rlh'iit  t'atiiiH;.  Thcv  wcif  not  sli.v,  and  wmt  in  tlock-i  ol'  fiom  tivf  to  lwrlvi> 
ill  iiuiiiIkt.     'IMh'v  dill  not    ii'.sort  to  thi-  jiooIm.  luit  lived  on  the  siiiall  insrrtH  lonnd 

;iiiiiiiih'st  th larsi'  hi-riia;,'!'  whiidi  otti-n  ki'«"W'h  Honn-  dlHtaiicr  lioiii  the  water.     Near 

\  ntiiria  tiiev  were  very  aliuiidaiit,  init  alter  h'aviiii,'  tliat  town  he  noticed  only  a  few. 
At  .Sin  Antonio  In-  .saw  none,  imt  was  inlorined  liy  Dr.  Ueerinann  that  they  are  often 
loiiiid  there  in  the  spriiiK  and  aiitniun.  l>r.  Merrill  also  found  this  speeies  on  tin; 
i;i<i  (Iranile,  and  mentions  its  fi'ei|iientinK  the  wiiuc  Inealities  and  oliserviiiK'  the  saiiio 
sfiisoiis  as  the  rplaiul  IMover,  which  it  closely  resenililes  in  haliits.  tlioiij,'h  il  is  niiieh 
less  shy  and  siis|iicious. 

This  species  has  not  lieen  detected  in  California.  Imt  jir.  Cooper  is  eontident  that 
it  (icciirs  then-,  at  least  as  far  south  as  .Sjiii  Francisco.  It  is  found  spariiij,'ly  north 
(if  the  Cohiialiia.  .Vceordin;,'  to  J)r.  lleeriiiann.  on  the  interior  ]irairies  this  species 
feeds  on  insects,  and  utters  merely  a  low  fici't't,  two  or  three  times  repeated.  It  runs 
swiftly  and.  if  ahirmctl,  Hies  rapidly,  lnakin^'  eireiiitoiis  sweeps  before  ali^htiiiK'  aKaiii. 
This  author  idaiins  to  have  found  its  nest  in  Texas,  made  of  (grasses,  placed  in  a 
hnliiiw  ill  the  uroniid,  and  eniitainin^,'  four  v^'^s.  Ihit  as  this  liird  lueeds  in  high 
iiiiiliiirn  regions,  up  to  liie  very  liorders  of  the  .Vretic  (tcean,  he  may  have  licou 
iiii>liiken  in  his  iileiililicatiou. 

It  occurs  in  Culia,  according  to  (iiindlaeh,  as  a  winter  visitant,  and  pmlialily  in 
dlher  West  India  islands,  it  visit.s  Trinidad,  where,  as  Leotaud  states,  it  is  known 
astlie  Little  Vellowleg,  and  where  it  makes  its  appearance  in  August,  departing  iii 
(titiiher.  It  comes  regularly,  liut  never  in  great  numhers,  and  it  is  almost  always  in 
ciiiiliniuy  with  the    7'ofiiiiiis jfiii'l/irs. 

During  the  winter  months  it  aii[)eais  to  lie  resident  in  South  America  as  far  south 
;is  the  Plata,  where  it  was  procured  liy  Dr.  Darwin,  Mr.  Salviii  received  an  example 
tnnu  liogota,  and  Natterer  olitaiiied  t'.xamples  in  vari<ius  parts  of  Urazil  lietwecn  No- 
vcinlier  and  .Nfandi.     ft  is  also  reported  from  Peru  liy  Messrs.  Salvia  and  Ctodman. 

ll  is  not  of  infreipuMit,  although  of  inegiilar  and  aeeidental,  oecurveiu'e  in  Kurope. 
Professor  IMasius  includes  it  in  his  List  of  tlu'  Uirds  of  Heligoland;  and  Mr.  Varrell 

r ii'ds  ipiite  a  iiumlier  of  instances  in  which  it  has  lieen  taken  in  Kngland  and  Ire- 

laiiil.  where  it  was  noticed  among  flocks  of  J)unlins  and  King  Tlovers.  VieiUot 
includes  it  among  the  liirds  of  l^'anee,  on  account  of  one  having  lieen  taken  in  Pie- 
anly.  It  was  first  maile  known  as  a  s]iecies  liy  Vieillot,  from  a  s|iecinu'n  taken  in 
Louisiana,  where  it  had  not  lieen  noticed  liy  Audulion.  It  Avas  unknown  lioth  to  Wil- 
son and  to  l?onaiiarte  ;  and  the  first  specimen  .seen  hy  Audulion  was  one  in  jio.ssession 
III'  tlie  Arctic  exjihirer.  Captain  James  Clark  Hoss,  who  had  received  it  from  a  sailor, 
liv  whom  it  had  lieen  procured  in  the  course  of  one  of  the  numerous  inland  excursions 
in  the  desolate  regions  from  which  the  jiarty  had  recently  returned,  rrom  this  Mr. 
Audubon  rightly  conjecttu'ed  that  this  bird  bred  within  the  Arctic  Circle.  Mr.  I'.ernard 
Kdss  mentions  having  found  it  on  the  Mackenzie  River,  where  it  was  (]nite  rare.  A 
single  s]ieeimen  was  noticed  by  !Mr.  Frank  L.  Tileston  in  Triiice  Edward's  Island, 
where  it  Avas  regarded  as  very  uncommon. 

Mr.  Nelson,  in  his  "Notes  on  the  Uirds  of  Northeastern  Illinois,"  mentions  it  as  a 
very  rare  migrant  in  that  regi(jn,  only  one  specimen,  so  far  as  known,  having  been 


II 


■I"  ii' 


i,  ^'  fl 


; 


308 


PR.FCOCIAL  GRALLATOHKS  —  LIMICOL.E. 


taken  ;  this  was  near  Chicago,  Sfpt.  4,  lcS73.  Dr,  Hoy  spcakH  of  it  as  coinmon  near 
Kaeine  from  Seittember  1"»  to  October  10;  Init  this  statement  Mr.  Nelson  seeuis 
disposed  to  question. 

Mr.  Dall  mentions  tliat  two  s)»eeimens  of  this  Sandpiper  were  obtained  on  the 
Yukon,  l)eh)w  Nulato,  where  it  was  not  common.  One  was  obtained  at  Sitka  Ity 
Bisclioff. 

It  breeds  .abiuuhmtly  in  tiie  An(h'rs()n  Iviver  region,  where  a  number  of  its  nests 
and  eggs  were  fomid  by  ^Mr.  MacFarlane ;  and  from  Ills  memoranda  in  reference  to 
tlie  nests  and  eggs  of  this  si)eeies  in  ujiward  of  twenty  instant^es,  we  gather  tliat  tlic 
nest  is  always  on  the  ground,  .lud  hardly  distinguishable  from  that  of  the  (ioldcn 
I'lover,  being  a  mere  depression  in  the  soil,  scantily  lined  with  a  few  withered  leaves 
and  dried  grasses.  These  nests  were  all  obtaint-d  on  the  Uarren  Grounds  between 
Horton's  River  and  the  coast,  l)etween  the  li()th  of  .luiu'  and  the  *.>th  of  .Tidy.  Tlic 
eggs  in  every  instance  were  four  in  number.  Even  in  .July  the  endtryos  were  not  far 
advanced.  When  the  nest  was  apjiroaclied,  the  female  usually  made  a  short  low 
flight  to  a  distance  of  about  twelve  yards. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  conspicuously  pyriform  in  shape,  and  measure  1.")! 
inches  'n  length  by  1.10  in  the  greatest  breadth.  So  far  as  1  have  noticed  them, 
however  much  the;  nuiy  vary  in  certain  minor  respects,  they  all  i)resent  a  renmrkalile 
uniformity  in  their  general  characteristics  and  appearance.  Their  ground-color  is 
unifonnly  an  ashy  drab,  over  which  are  prcdiisely  sjjread  rounded  markings,  splasln^s, 
and  confluent  blotches  of  deej)  sepia.  The  markings  are  smaller  and  more  rounded 
in  shaj)e  around  the  smaller  end,  and  larger  and  more  confluent  about  tlic  other.  The 
sepia  tint  is  (piite  luiiform,  and  the  deeper  markings  i-re  mingled  with  washes  dl 
dilute  iiurplish  slate.  These  nmrkings  vary  in  tin  ir  shape,  size,  and  character,  being 
in  some  large  splashes,  and  in  others  longitudinal,  as  if  nmde  by  strokes  of  a  i)aint- 
brush.  The  eggs  described  are  in  my  own  cabinet,  and  were  taken  by  MacFarlaue 
on  the  Arctic  coast  east  of  Anderson  lUver  (No.  180.'5). 


Genis  EURYNORHYNCHUS,  Nilsson. 

Euryiun-htjnchus,^  XiLss.  Oni.  Siiuc.  11.  1821,  29  (type,  Plataka  pygmcea,  Linn.). 


EurynorhjmchuB  pygmseus. 

THE   SFOON-BILLED   SANDPIPER. 

Platalea  pygmcea,  Uss.  S.  N.  ed.  10,  I.  17.'>8,  140;  oil.  12,  I.  1766,231  ("  Surinnin  ").  — Gmf.i,.  S. 

N   I.  1788,  615  (.[uotes  "Mus.  Ad.  Fr.  26.     BainT.  Guj.  171.     Dwarf  Spoonbill,  Lath.  Syii.  IV. 

i.    \  17,11.  3"). 
Euryhorhynchiispii(j.i\a:us,Vv.\\\i^uy.,io\\\:   As.  Soo.   Bciig.  V.  1836,  127. — Hakting,  Ibis,  ISOii, 

427,  111.  12  (critical,  with  full  syiionyiiiy  ;  Clioiis  PiMiiiisnla,  Alaska)  ;  P.  Z.  S.  1879,  111,  111 

(same  loi'.).  —  CorKs,  Clicck  List,  2(1  cd.  1882,  136,  no.  884. 
Eurinwhynchus piigmmcs,  Ouav,  lIaiid-1.  III.  1871,  51.  —  Ridc.w.  Xoiii.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  85,  no. 

642  (Point  Bnriow,  Alaska).  —  Bean,   Proci,    U.    S.    Nat.    Mus.   V.  1882,  165  (i'lover  Bay, 

Siberia). 
Eurynorhynchvs  griseua,  "Nn.ss."  Tejim.  Man.  cd.  2,  11.  1820,  594. 
Eurynorhynchus  oriciitalis,  Bi.yth,  Ann.  Mag.  N.  11.  Xlll.  1844,  178,  179. 

1  This  name  has  lieen  variously  spelled  Eurinorhynchus,  Enrinoryncm,  Eurinorinchus,  Eurhinorhiin- 
chtis,  Eurinorincus,  etc.,  but  the  forni  given  above  is  the  trao  orthography.  Seo  "  The  Ibis,"  1869,  p.  427 
(footnote). 


SCOLOPACIDvE  —  THE  f^NIPE  FAMILY  —  EURYNORIIYNCIIUS. 


309 


Hah.  Ill  Hiiniiiu'i-,  KustPiii  Sibi-riii,  especially  iilonj^  Arctic  coast ;  accidciitul  on  shores  of  Alaska 
iiortii  of  Ik'lirin^'V  Straits  ;  in  winii^r,  "  nnmtlis  of  the  Uuiiges  and  east  coast  of  Bay  of  licnfjtal,"  and 
diiici'  |i(utioiis  of  Soutiii'aslcrn  Asia  (IIautixc;). 

Sr.  Char.  ^'  Jh-^criptian  (jididt  in  vintir):  Hill  black,  lonjjer  than  tlic  lii-ad,  flat,  clilated  con- 
-idi'raUly  at  the  extremity  in  a  rlionilioidal  shajie.  '["(tii^'ne  broad  and  smooth.  Forehead,  cheeks, 
lliruat,  and  nnder  i)arts  pure  wlnle  ;  crown,  nape  and  sidi's  of  neck,  back,  wings,  and  npper  tail- 
cdverts  ilusky  brown,  eacli  featlier  margined  more  or  less  with  jiale  gray.  Wings  long  and 
pujiilcd  ;  shafts  of  the  primaries  white  ;  liist  (luill-featlier  tlie  h)ngest.  Tail  short,  rounded,  cnn- 
,~i-tiiig  of  twidve  feathers,  the  two  nuddie  featliers  tile  h>ngest  and  darkest  in  color.  Legs  and  toes 
lil;ii  ii,  nioih'ralely  long,  slender,  tliree  toes  in  front,  one  behind,  margined  ah)ng  the  sides;  a  sliglit 
iiiiiiibrane  connecting  liie  base  of  tlie  middle  and  out(r  toe  on  each  foot.  Total  length  (i.Od  inches  ; 
liijl,  l.(Hi ;  wing,  from  carpus,  ;5.7(>:  tarsus,  .!)().     (E.xempl.  typ.  in  Alus.  Upsal.yiWe  itiictt.  n'lt.). 

'■■Ailulf  ill  f'lninitrr  (iiillierto  undescribed)  :  Hill  as  above.  Head,  neck,  breast,  nnd  back  ferru- 
ginous ;  tlie  feathers  of  the  head,  nape,  and  iiai  k  with  dark-brown  centres  ;  those  of  the  throat  and 
liiiiist  slightly  margined  with  white.  I'nder  parts,  from  the  breast  downward,  becoming  grad- 
ually whiter  toward  the  tail.  Primaries  somewhat  darker  than  in  winter.  Legs  and  toes  black. 
(I'Aciiipl.  in  Mus.  Acad.  O.xon.)."  —  Hahtin(1,  "Ibis,"  I8()0,  p.  428. 

Yduiiil  (So.  81  t;U,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mu.s.  Port  Providence,  Plover  Bay,  Silieria  ;  August;  Dr.s. 
|).\M,  iV-  1>i;a.n')  :  Scapulars  and  interscapulars  black  centrally,  brownish  gray  beneath  the  sur- 
face, and  broiiiUy  bordered  temiin'dly  with  soiled  whitish,  the  anterior  feathers,  however,  both  of 
scapulars  nnd  interscapulars  margined  with  rusty  ;  wing  l)rowni.sh  gray,  the  feathers  darker  cen- 
trally, with  shafts  ([uite  dusky  ;  greater  coverts  tipped  with  white,  I'orming  a  distinct  bar  across 
till'  wing  ;  reiniges  dusky,  the  ba.siil  portion  of  secondaries  and  inner  primaries  white  ;  pileum  dull 
li>;lit  grayish,  spotted  with  dull  black,  the  feathers  edged  with  dull  rusty  ;  remainder  of  head, 
neck,  and  lower  parts  soiled  wliite,  clouded  anteriorly  with  liglit  grayish  lirowii,  but  nearly  jiure 
white  and  ijuite  immaculate  po.steriorly.  15111  black  ;  legs  and  feel  bhickish  brown.  Wing,  U.35  ; 
culnien,  .8(»  ;  greatest  breadth  of  maxilla,  .45  ;  tarsus,  .80  ;  middle  toe,  .(iO. 

Tlie  habits  and  g:(M)grai)lii('iil  distrilmtionof  this  very  roiiiiirkable  form  iirc  very  far 
fidiii  bi'inijr  ■well  understood,  though  the  regions  it  visits  during  tlie  breeding-season 
iiiid  in  its  migrations  are  a  little  better  known.  It  was  first  referred  to  liy  Liniifcus 
as  having  some  supposed  resemblanee  to  the  Sjioonbill,  and  for  nearly  a  century  was 
only  known  t'nnn  a  unique  example  in  the  Museum  of  Uitsahi,  whieh  was  said  to 
luive  been  ]n'oeured  fnuu  Surinam;  but  this  was  evidently  an  error.  It  has  since 
been  referred  to  by  Hanend't  as  ;i  bird  of  (iuiana;  but  he  either  followed  Linnanis  or 
mistook  for  it  some  other  species.  Lesson  gave  as  its  liabitat  the  Arctic.  IJeglon  of 
botii  continents,  but  also  stated  that  an  examiile,  shot  near  Paris,  was  in  one  of  the 
nuiseums  of  that  city ;  and  l>onaparte  giive  it,  in  his  ''  Geograjihical  List,"  ;is  a  Euro- 
pean species.  Neither  of  tliese  statements  is  now  credited,  inasmucli  ;is  there  is  no 
eviik'uce  that  any  example  of  this  species  has  been  taken  in  J'hirope. 

Professor  A.  Newton,  in  an  exlianstive  paper  ("Ibis,"  1801),  jip.  4l^(S— 434),  assigns 
to  it  a  place  among  tlu;  Waders,  lietween  J'Jreintcfc.sjx'frijiriifun  an;l  Tringa  siifidrquofit, 
and  he  has  with  great  jiaius  pre]>ared  a  list  of  all  the  examples  of  the  Si)oon-billed 
Sandpiper  known  to  have  been  taken.  The  locality  of  the  type-exam])le  remains 
undiscovered.  The  known  localities  are  Edmondstone's  Island,  Saugur  Sand,  1836; 
Arracan,  in  the  same  year;  Ciileutta,  1840;  mouth  of  the  Ganges,  1840;  Amher.st  in 
Tcnasserim,  1846;  three  taken  in  ISot!  and  twelve  in  18o9,  in  Cliittagong;  and  one, 
tlie  only  exaiu])le  known  to  have  been  secured  in  summer  plumage,  from  Ikdiring's 
Straits.  The  last-named  was  taken  by  the  expedition  nnder  Cajitain  Jlooro.  and 
is  now  in  the  new  Museum  of  Oxford.  Its  sujiposed  ])resence  on  both  shores  of 
behring's  Straits  in  the  breeding-season  is  the  occasion  of  its  being  placed  in  the 
Ninth  American  fauiui,  though  Captain  Moore's  exam]»le  is  given  as  having  come 
from  the  northeast  corner  of  Asia  (Proc.  Zool.  Hoc.  1859,  !>.  201). 


I 


310 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATOUES  —  LLMICOL.K. 


Tho  Spooii-l)ill(>(l  .Siin(l])i]H'r  is  said  to  frequent  tlie  mud-Hats  at  the  mouths  of 
rivers  and  tiie  sands  of  tlie  sea-shore,  wliere,  in  company  with  various  species  ol 
Trhigcr,  it  procures  from  tlie  surface  of  the  water  an  :d)undant  harvest  of  such  food 
as  is  always  h'ft  by  a  receding  tide.     Of  its  niditicatiou  nothing  is  as  yet  known. 


Gkms  NUMENIUS,  IJmssoN. 

Numrnixm,  Bniss.  Orn.  V.  1700,  311  (typo,  Scohpax  arquata,  LiNS.). 

Char.  Lrf,'s  cnvorod  anlcriorly  with  Iraiisvursi.'  stutulliu,  liiteraliy  iiiul  bi'liiml  with  f^iiiall  Iic.\ii'4- 
onnl  scales.  15111  Vfry  loii^s  uxceiMliiij,'  the  tihia,  and  curved  downward  for  tlie  terminal  hall  ; 
the  culnieu  rounded.  Tip  of  bill  expanded  laterally  and  clul)-shai)ed.  Grooves  of  bill  not  reaching,' 
beyond  the  iniiMle.     Tertials  as  lonj,'  as  primaries. 

Bill  variable  in  lenj^th,  always  lon;,'er  than  tarsus,  sometimes  exceeding  tarsus  and  toes.  It  is 
nearly  straight  iit  the  ba.se,  then  decurving  quite  rapidly  to  the  tip,  where  the  upper  manilil)le  is 
thickened  downward  beyond  and  over  the  lower.  Lateral  grooves  occupying  only  the  basal  h.ill' 
or  third  of  the  bill  ;  under  mandible  not  grooved  beneath.     Cleft  of  mouth  extending  but  little 


|i 


N.  longirostria, 

beyond  the  base  of  oulmen.  Feathers  of  head  extending  about  the  same  distance  on  both  man- 
dibles ;  those  of  chin  to  opposite  the  anterior  extrennty  of  the  nostrils.  Tarsi  nearly  twice  as  long 
as  middle  toe,  rather  more  than  twice  the  bare  part  of  tibia  ;  covered  behind  by  hexagonal  scales 
larger  than  the  lateral  ones.  Outer  toe  webbed  for  its  basal  Joint ;  iniier  for  half  this  distance 
Tail  short,  nearly  even,  not  quite  half  the  wings.     Tertials  as  long  as  the  primaries. 

Of  the  genus  A'innoinw  several  spei'ies  are  found  in  North  America,  none  of  them  occurring 
regularly  in  the  Old  World,  as  is  the  case  with  so  many  of  the  Tringcm. 

American  Species. 
At    Thighs  not  bristled. 

a.     Rump  tint  white. 

1.  N.   longirostria.    Wing,  10.00-12.00  ;  culmen,  3.80-8.50  ;  tarsus,  2.2.5-3.60  ;  ndddle  toe, 

1.30-1.5.5.     Lower  parts  pale  cinnamon  ;  axillars  deep  cinnamon,  without  distinct  bars  ; 

crown  uniforndy  streaked,  without  median  stripe.    Hab.     Temperate  North  America, 

south  to  Guatemala,  Cuba,  Jamaica,  and  Brazil  (?). 


SCOLOPACID^  —  THE  SNIPE  FAMILY  —  NUMENIU.S. 


811 


■I.  N  HudBoniouft.  Wiiij,',  9.00-10.25  ;  cuhuen,  3.1K)-4.U) ;  taisuH,  2.25-2.30;  middk'  too, 
1.35-1.40.  Lower  parts  jKilf  IjuII',  llie  l)ri;a.st  iiiinkwl  with  linear  streaks  ;  inner  webs  of 
primaries  spotted  with  hull'  toward  ed^es  ;  axillars  dceiier  hull',  <listinctly  barred  with 
dusky  ;  erown  unite  inn  dusky,  divided  liy  a  median  stripe  of  pale  Imlf.  llah.  The  whole 
of  America,  including  West  Indies,  but  breeding;  oidy  in  the  colder  rej,'ions  ;  (ireenlaiul. 

3.  N.  borealiB.     Winu:,  H.(Ml-(s.u(t  ;  culinen,  2.25-2.50  ;  tarsus,  l.TO-l.HO  ;  middle  toe,  1.00. 

Very  similar  to  Ilmlsonicus,  but  brea.st  with  \'-sliaped  dusky  markinj,'s,  a.\illars  pule  cin- 
namon, barred  with  dusky,  inner  webs  of  primaries  uniform  dusky,  the  whole  crown 
streaked,  and  without  ilistinct  median  strijie.  /lab.  Northern  and  Ea.stern  North 
America,  and  Southern  South  America  ;  no  West  Indian  record  ;  (Jreenluiul ;  occasional 
in  Europe. 
b.     Rump  immaculate  whiti\ 

4.  N.  phaeopuB.     Win^',  n.30-10..50  ;   culmen,   3.(K)-3.60 ;   tarsus,   2.30-2.50;  middle  toe, 

1.40.     Similar  to  Iladsnnicioi,  liul  wlnde  rump  innnaculate  wliite,  and   axillars  white, 
barred   with   j,'rayish    brown.     J/nh.     I'ahearctic.   African,  and  Indu-Malayan  regions; 
Greenland. 
Bi    Tlii;,'hs  with  elon^'ated  bristles,  projecting'  far  beyond  the  feathei-s. 

5.  N.  tahitiensis.     Wiuj,'.  !).50-10.40  ;   culmen,  2.70-3.70;  tarsus,  2.00-2.40  ;  middle   toe, 

1.35-1.50.  Upper  tail-coverts  ami  tail  ochiaceous,  the  latter  regularly  barred  with  dusky 
brown  ;  crown  dark  lirown,  divided  lon;,'itndinally  by  a  wide  medial  striiie  of  buff; 
axillars  pale  cinnamon  or  pinkish  bull",  widely  barred  with  dark  brown.  JIab.  Pacific 
Islands  and  coast  of  Alaska. 


»j 


Numenius  longirostria 

THE  LONG-BILLEO  CURLEW. 

Scolopax  arqitafn,  var.  /3,  Omki,.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  656. 

yaiii'iiinsarqitatd,  var.  B.  L,\rn.  Ind.  Urn.  II.  1790,  710. 

M(„wiiu.i  loiiiiiroslfh,  Wii.s.  Am.  Urn.  Vlii.  1814,  24,  pi.  64,  11^.  4.  — Sw.  k  V<wn.  F.  B.  A.  II. 

1831,  376.  — Nltt.  Man.  II.  1834,  04.    -Auu.   Urn.   Bioj;.   III.   183;-.,  240;  V.  1830,  .'.87,  pi. 

231  ;  Synop.  1839,  2r»4  ;  I).  Am.  VI.  1843,35,  pi.  3.55.  —  C'.vss.  in  liaird's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  713. 

—  r.-Mun,  Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  549.  — CouKs,  Key,  1872,  262  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  441  ; 

2(1  vd.  1882,  no.  613  :  Birds  X.  W.  1874,  508.  —  llioGW.  Xom.  X.  Aiu.  B.  1881,  no.  558. 
Xumaiius  riifiis,  VlKllx.  (ial.  Ois.  II.  1825,  113,  pi.  245  (part). 
Kumcnius  occidcnUdis,  Woouii.  Pr.  Ac.  Xat.  Sci.  Piiilad.  VI.  1852,  194  ;  Sitgreaves'  Rep.  1853,  98, 

pi.  6  (=youii<,'  ;  AUimpicniue,  X.  M. ). 
"?  Xumcnius  )iielaHoj)UK,  ViKIl.i,." 
"I  A'umcnius  brasilicmis,  Max." 


yvuiig. 

ILvB.    Temperate  North  America,  migrating  south  to  Guatemala.    Cuba ;  Jamaica  ;  Brazil  (?), 
Sp.  Char.     The  largest  American  species  of  this  genus.     Bill  very  long,  much  curved,  upper 

nuuidible  longer  than  the  under,  somowhat  knobbed  at  the  tip,  wing  rather  long  ;  legs  moderate  ; 

toes  united  at  base.     Entire  upper  parts  pale  rufous,  tinged  with  ashy,  every  feather  with  trans- 


' 


iir 


312 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATOKES  —  LLMICOL^E. 


verse  and  confluent  Itnntls  of  browuisb  bliick,  most  numerous  and  preiloniinatin}{  on  the  back  ami 
scapulars  ;  secondary  (iuills,  under  wing-coverts,  and  axillaries,  lirij,'lit  rufous  ;  primaries  witli  tjioir 
outer  \vel)s  lirownisii  Mack  and  llicir  inner  wehs  rnfous,  uitli  transverse  liands  of  lilack.  Undii 
jiarts  pale  rufous,  with  l(inj,'itudinal  lines  of  lilack  on  the  neck  and  sides  ;  tail  rufoUs,  tiu^'ed  wiili 
ashy,  transversely  liarred  with  lirownisii  lilack.  Specimens  vary  to  some  extent  in  the  sha<le  of 
the  rufous  color  of  the  plumage,  and  very  nnich  in  the  length  of  the  bill.  The  rufous  color  i-: 
probably  more  distinct  in  the  young.  Total  length  about  :2").(K)  inches;  extent,  about  40.(mi  ; 
wing,  KMHt-l !.(«) ;  tail,  4.(«) ;  bill,  -'.HO  (immature  individual)  to  H.nu  ;  tarsus,  i.-^'t.  liill  lilack, 
beconung  dull  light  lilac-brown  on  basal  half  of  the  mamlible  ;  iris  brown;  legs  and  feet  gray. 

Downy  young:  Very  pale  ocliraceous,  with  a  tinge  of  sulphur-yellow,  rather  deejier  below  than 
above.  Upper  parts  marbled  coarsely  and  rather  irregidarly  with  Idack.  Hill  straight,  about  l.Ki 
inches  long. 

The  Loiig-billod  ('iirlcw  luis  ti  geiioral  hut  irrogtilar  distrihiition  over  North  Ann-rica. 
from  the  (.hilf  of  Mexico  to  Ciiiuulu,  jukI  from  the  I'ucitit^  to  the  Atlantic.  In  the 
I'usteni  States,  though  occasionally  .seen  in  considerable  nuiulx!r,s,  it  is  of  uncertain 
aiul  irregular  apiiearanee.  It  is  coiiinion  on  tlie  prairies  of  the  Western  States,  uud 
is  more  almiulant  on  the  Paciiic  than  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  It  is  not  known  witli 
certainty  ever  to  visit  the  Fur  Uegion,  nor  has  it  been  met  with  in  Alaska,  or 
on  tlu;  Pacific  coast  north  of  N'ancoiiver  Island,  in  which  latter  place  its  presence  is 
recorded  by  Mr.  H.  Browne. 

Dr.  CJooper  mentions  tiiuling  the  young  of  this  species,  coinnion  on  the  Tlains  of 
the  L'pper  ilissouri,  in  .lune.  The  same  writer  states  that  it  abouinls  in  California 
during  the  cooler  months  ;  and  as  it  is  to  be  found  in  that  State  in  small  numbers 
during  May  ami  .fune,  while  the  young  niaki^  their  appearance  in  July  at  San  I'eih'o, 
he  considers  it  probable  that  some  breetl  about  the  lakes  in  the  interior,  especially  in 
the  northeastern  portions  of  California,  where,  indeed,  this  species  was  noticed  by 
Dr.  Newberry  in  summer.  It  seems,  however,  probable  that  it  migrates  directly 
south  from  its  summer  resorts  to  San  Pedro,  as  it  is  randy  seen  at  San  Krain'is<(i 
before  Seiitembcr;  after  whitdi,  however,  it  remains  throughout  the  winter.  Colundiia 
Iliver  is  about  the  limit  of  its  northern  range  along  the  coast,  and  it  is  not  common 
there.  In  California,  as  also  elsewhere,  it  freciueuts  dry  jdains  ami  i)asture.s  (juite  as 
much  as  it  does  the  marshes,  and  Hocks  nuiy  be  foiuid  throughout  the  valleys  during 
th((  winter.  It  feeds  (p'.ite  as  much  on  grassho])i)ers  and  other  iiLsects  as  on  worms 
and  small  crabs,  it  is  very  shy  ami  watclif\il,  es])ecially  on  the  dry  and  open  ]dains. 
where  artifice  is  usually  necessary  to  obtain  it,  ami  it  can  often  be  allured  within 
gunshot  by  an  imitation  of  its  cries,  which  are  usually  whistling  notes,  loud  ami 
variable  in  character.     In  California  this  bird  is  regarded  as  excellent  eating. 

Dr.  I'ickering  mention.s  fimling  it  in  (h'cgou  in  Juiu'.  1841.  where  large  numbers 
had  taken  u\)  their  residence  in  the  grassy  Hats  ami  jdains.  ami  were  undoubtedly 
breeding.  He  describes  its  note  as  being  a  sort  of  whistle,  m)t  unlike  the  word  nir- 
lew,  with  the  last  syllable  nuadi  jjrolonged,  ami  uttered  more  (piickly,  and  in  a  more 
complaining  tone  when  the  bird  is  Hying  overhead.  In  one  instance  he  noticed  this 
bird  alighting  in  the  top  of  a  tree  during  a  rain,  and  frequently  repeating  its  note. 
Once  he  saw  it  attacdv  ami  (dnise  a  Hawk,  which  retreated  quite  precipitately.  In  its 
habits  ami  general  apjiearaiu'c  it  reminded  him  of  the  (Cayenne  Lapwing  as  seen  in 
South  America;  subsecpiently.  in  the  month  of  October,  Dr.  Pickering  also  met  with 
it  in  large  lumdjers  in  California. 

Cai)tain  Uemlire,  in  his  "Notes  on  the  I5irds  of  Eastern  Oregon,"  mentions  this 
species  as  a  common  summer  resident,  breeding  abuiulantly.  It  often  iiests  in  wet 
and  partly  flooded  meadows.     In  the  spring  of  187G  he  found  three  sets  partly  cov- 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  SNTPE  FAMILY  —  NUMENIUP. 


313 


noil  with  water.  Noar  Fort  Lapwai  tliis  bird  breeds  on  hi,i,di  and  (by  i)rairii\s  several 
miles  from  lake  or  river.  It  also  breeds  in  Southern  Arizona  near  Snlpimr  S])rinj,'s, 
tliirty  miles  west  (d'  Camp  Howie.  Tlie  e,i,',!;s  are  saiil  to  vary  i^reatly  in  sliape,  size, 
and  coloration,  even  in  tiie  sanii'  nest.  averaj,dn.L,'  L'.dO  l>y  1.7-1  inelies.  These  birds 
congregate  in  large  flocks  before  migrating,  and  liave  all  left  b_v  the  1st  of  August. 
They  feed  chiefly  on  crickets. 

Lieutenant  M'Cauley  refers  to  this  speeies  as  being  generally  distributed  over 
Kiiiisas.  the  Indian  Territory,  and  the  Ued  IJiver  liegion  of  Texas.  He  found  it 
breeding  in  June,  and  very  (damorous  when  the  nests  were  approached. 

Mr.  Ividgway  also  met  with  Curlews  whi;di  he  had  no  (hiui)t  were  of  this  species, 
during  the  s])ring  and  suunner,  along  the  Truckee  Uiver.  In  the  neighborhood  of 
Great  Salt  Lake  they  were  also  nuu'e  or  less  abundant  during  the  summer,  in  all  the 
wet  and  grassy  places.  Several  young  j\ist  hatched  were  caught  mar  the  camp  on 
Anteloiic  Islaml.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  nu't  with  a  single  small  c(dony  of  these  birds  in 
tlir  western  jKU'tion  of  Kansas,  near  Fort  Hays.  This  was  late  in  May,  and  the  birds 
were  evidently  breeding. 

.Mr.  Salvin  nu't  with  ()ceasi<uial  s])ecimens  about  tlu^  lagoons  of  Chiapam,  on  the 
I'aeitic  coast.  It  was  usually  inciuupany  with,  but  not  so  nunu'rous  as.  the  Xitmenlus 
Hii</.io>urHs.  He  also  obtained  a  single  specinu'U  at  Ducnas,  in  the  interior.  f)n  the 
Atlantic  coast  it  is  of  coni])aratively  rare  occurrence.  iMr.  lloardman  informs  me 
tiiat  occasional  examples  have  been  taken  on  the  St.  Croix  Itiver,  as  far  uj)  as  Calais; 
luid.  as  it  is  not  uncommon  on  I'rince  Edward's  Island,  it  (piite  possibly  may  1m^  met 
wiili  on  the  sea-eoast  of  Nova  Scotia.  It  is  seen  about  Calais,  but  only  near  the 
close  of  suunner.  in  the  month  of  August.  At  the  sauu'  season  examples  liave  ln'cii 
tidicn  on  the  ^lassaiduisetts  coast ;  and  —  so  far  as  L  am  aware  — at  no  other  tiuw. 

Mr.  IJoardman  has  been  infornu'd,  on  good  authority,  that  this  bird  breeds  regu- 
larly in  considerable  numbers  on  I'rince  J'Mward's  Island;  and  this  fact  accounts  for 
ils  (Mcasioual  appearance  on  the  New  I'higland  coast. 

(iiraud  in(dudes  the  Long-billed  Curlew  anuuig  the  birds  of  Long  Island,  "where  it 
is  (iccasionally  found  frecjuentiug  the  uualdy  shores  of  the  beaches  and  nuxrshes,  eol- 
Icctiug  minute  sludltish.  which,  with  worms  and  vari(ms  insects,  constitute  its  food. 
When  moving  about  in  iloidvs  it  is  said  to  fly  nuudi  after  the  nuinner  of  the  Wild 
(Idiise,  its  leader  uttering  a  jjcculiarly  hoarse  dull  note,  whiidi  maybe  easily  and 
(■n'cctively  imitated,  as  tlus  bird  is  ])roverbial  for  answering  the  fowler's  call  when 
at  a  greater  distance  from  his  decoy  than  any  other  shore-bird.  AVhen  a])])roa(diing, 
and  near  to  the  decoys,  it  spreads  its  wings  and  sails  slowly  u]).  i)resenting  a  fail' 
mark.  Its  flesh  is  said  to  be  rank,  and  the  young  partake  of  the  same  flavor;  but 
this  is  probably  true  only  of  those  which  feed  on  the  salt-nuirshes.  The  birds  which 
:\\v  found  in  the  interior,  feeding  on  grassli()])])ers  and  berries,  are  regarded  as  a 
i;rcat  (hdicacy.  This  Curlew  is  noted  for  its  great  sym])athy  with  those  of  its 
(iwn  kind,  flocks  being  often  kept  Avithin  gunshot  by  the  cries  of  their  wounded 
coniiianions. 

Kichai'dsou  su])posed  he  had  good  reason  for  believing  that  this  species  frequents 
the  Saskat(dicwan  I'lains  and  the  banks  of  the  ('(dumbia.  There  is  said  to  be  a  speci- 
men (d'  this  Curlew  in  the  Museum  of  the  Hud.sou's  Hay  Company;  but  the  locality 
from  whi(di  it  was  ])roeurcd  is  not  known. 

The  Limg-billed  (!urlew  in  its  general  ap])earauce,  and  lU'obably  also  in  nearly  all 
its  specific  habits,  bears  a  very  close  resemblance  to  the  Common  Curlew,  X.  arquata, 
of  i']uro])e  ;  and  before  Wilson  ])ointed  out  the  difference  between  them,  the  two  were 
confounded  together.     According  to  Wilson,  this  Curlew  appears  in  the  salt-marshes 

vol.  I.  — 40 


m 


«■  "n    ■  ^. 


814 


PILECOCIAL  fiUALLATOKKS  —  LIMICOLyE. 


of  New  Jersey  about  the  luiddle  of  .May,  iiiid  a,y;iiin  in  Seiiti'inbcr.  He  inferred  — 
prohaldy  incorrectly  —  that  tlicsc  Idrds  necessarily  went  nnith  to  lireed.  Their  ioml 
seemed  to  cnnsist  ciiicHy  id'  small  <'ral)S.  for  which  they  very  dexterously  [jrohe,  jmlj. 
iiij,'  them  out  of  the  holes  with  their  lon^,'  l)ills.  They  also  feed  on  the  small  sea- 
snails,  so  common  in  tlie  salt-marshes,  and  on  various  worms  and  insects.  In  the  fall 
they  are  said  to  lie  very  foml  of  the  licrries  of  tlie  wild  iirand)lcs.  on  whi(di  they  fenl 
with  eafjferness,  hecomin;,'  very  fat,  and  are  then  excellent  eatin;^',  not  haviu},'  the  rank 
sed^'y  flavor  ac([uired  hy  those  birds  which  feed  exclusively  in  the  marshes,  ^\■ils(lll 
states  that  in  some  cases  one  or  two  pairs  have  l)een  known  to  remain  iu  the  sail- 
marshes  at  Cape  May  all  throu,i,di  the  summer. 

In  Major  lion.n's  expedition  some  id'  this  species  wei'c  observed  iu  the  northeiii 
part  of  Illinois  (hit.  4l'°  N.).  dune  \n.  from  which  it  was  naturally  inferred  that 
they  were  brccdin.y;  there.  It  is  now  known  that  they  ])rol)ably  l)reed  iu  all,  or  neailv 
all,  the  Western  States  north  of  the  Ohio  and  west  cd'  Lake  Krie. 

Xuttall  observed  them  on  the  muddy  shores  of  the  Santci',  near  Charleston,  S.  ('.. 
in  Jamuiry.  Audulion  alterward  ascertained  that  this  Curlew  is  a  constant  resident 
in  the  Southern  States,  that  it  is  well  known  both  iu  sumnu'r  and  winter  abnut 
Cliarleston,  and  that  it  breeds  on  the  islands  ou  the  coast  of  Scnith  Carolina;  but  lie 
met  with  none  oi  this  species  iu  Labraihjror  in  any  jdace  from  Eastjjort  to  the  most 
northern  piu'tiou  visited  by  him.  and  he  satistied  himsidf,  IVom  his  inquiries  amoni;' 
well-informed  I'csidcnts.  that  none  are  ever  found  there. 

The  Ivev.  Dr.  ISacdimau  found  it  lireedin,t;iu  Scmth  Candiua,  where  it  nested  on  the 
grcmnd,  formiui,'  a  very  scanty  reccptaide  for  its  e.ufis,  and  placini-'  the  nests  so  closely 
t()j,'ether  that  it  was  almost  im|)ossil)le  for  a  nuiu  to  walk  iu'tween  them  vitlmur 
injurin|4'  the  ej;'i;s. 

In  South  Caridina  Anilubon  oliserved  that  this  sjieoies  spent  the  day  in  the  sea- 
marshes  and  returned  at  the  ajiproach  of  ui,i;lit  to  the  sandy  Ijcachcs  cd'  the  sea-shore, 
where  it  rested  until  the  mornin;^.  lie  states  that  the  nund)er  (d'  these  birds  tiiat 
■would  thus  collect  for  the  night  souu'tinu's  anumuted  to  several  thousands,  lie  vis- 
ited Cole's  Island,  near  Charleston,  in  order  to  witness  its  movements.  Just  after 
siuisct  the  birds  began  to  make  their  ai)]iearance,  iu  ])arties  of  from  three  to  live,  and 
were  by  no  nu'ans  sliy.  As  it  became  darker  the  nund)er  of  Curlews  increased  and 
the  Hocks  approaidied  in  more  rapid  snccessi(Ui,  until  they  seemed  to  form  a  contin- 
luius  ])rocession,  moving  in  an  extended  mass  at  the  height  of  not  more  than  tlnrt y 
yards,  not  a  sound  being  heard  exci'iit  the  I'cgulai'  tla])pings  of  their  wings.  Tlicy 
flew  directly  toward  their  resting  place  —  known  as  the  lUrd  lianks — and  aliglited 
without  perfornung  any  evolutions.  Hut  when  the  party  f(dlowcd  them  to  tiiese 
banks  —  which  wvw  small  sandy  islands — the  congregated  Hocks,  amounting  to 
several  thousand  individuals,  all  standing  (dose  together,  rose  at  once,  performed  iu 
silence  a  few  ev(dutioi>s,  and  re-alighted,  as  if  with  one  accord,  on  the  extreme  margin 
of  the  sandbank,  idose  to  the  bi'cakers.  The  next  morning  a  little  before  daylight 
the  party  again  visited  the  banks;  i)nt  as  soon  as  they  landed  the  birds  all  rose  a  few 
yards  in  the  air,  and  flew  off  in  various  directions  to  their  feeding-groimds. 

i\lr.  Moore  has  nu't  this  s])ecies  in  Florida  during  the  summer  nu)nths,  Imt  was 
not  able  to  obtain  any  evidence  that  it  breeds  there,  althougli  regarding  it  as  (piitc 
probable  that  this  is  the  ease  on  the  more  distant  islands  along  the  coast  of  that 
State. 

The  eggs  of  this  species,  —  whiidi  vary  considerably  in  their  grouud-c(dor  and  in 
the  distribution  of  their  nuirkings  —  are  jiyriform,  or  a  rounded  oval  pointed  at  one 
end.     In  one  (S.  I.  No.  2910)  the  ground-c(dor  is  a  pale  (dive-drab,  the  markings  licing 


SCOLOPACID.E  —  THE  HNIl'E  FAMILY  —  NUMENIUS. 


316 


vciy  uiiit'ormly  distributed  ovor  the  wliole  surface,  and  consistiuK  of  ratlier  snuill 
hlotclu's,  longitudinal  in  direction,  and  of  a  l)urnt-und)er  tint.  In  others  (S.  I.  No. 
,"ill7)  the  ground-eolor  is  a  pearly  white,  with  a  sliadingof  cream,  covered  with  large 
lildtehes  of  an  ashy  lilac,  these;  being  overlain  by  siaallcr  ami  deeper  spots  of  burnt- 
liiiilier.  These  eggs  vary  from  L'.TU  to  'J.W  inches  in  length,  and  from  1.78  to  l.Dli 
imlies  in  breadth. 

Numenius  Hudsonicua. 

THE   HUDBONIAN   CURLEW. 

Scolojtax  homilin,  (I.\m-.l.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  054  (nee  Fdiistku,  1772). —  Wils.  Am,  Orn.  VII.  1813,  22, 

1.1.  5(5,  lig.  1. 
y  II  mi- II  i  lis  l«  lira /is,  OiMi,  ctl.  \Vn..siiN,  1.H25.  —  l!i!i.wi:i:,  id.  Wii.sos,  \siu,  173  (excl.  syn.). 
Xiniidiiiis  Jliii/.soiiiriis,  Laiu.  Iml.  Oiii.  II.  17!'l),  71"i  (iiiiscil  oii  KsijiiiiiKiii.i-  Ciirlnr,  Arct.  Zciol.  II. 

ItJl,  no.  :ii!l,  pi.  I'.i.  and  lliidsiiiiinn   Ciir/iir,   Lath.  Syn.  Siii)i)l.  VII.  'J43). — Sw.  &  Kicii. 

F.  H.  A.  II.  ISiil,  y77.  —  .NiTT.  iMiin.  II.  1834,  St7.— AuD.  Oiu.  Iliog.  III.  I.'t3.'.,  283;  V. 

183!t,  5Si»,  111.  237  ;  Syiio]..  1831),  254  ;  15,  Am.  VI.  1843,  42,  i>l.  350.  — (.'ass.  in  Buird's  11.  N. 

Am.  1858,  744.  — l5Aiiii>,  Cat.  N.   Am.   15.   I85i»,  no.  550.  —  Cocks,  Koy,  1872,  2(J2  ;  Clicrk 

List,  1S73,  no.  442  ;  2(1  cd.  1882,  no.  (145  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  509.  —  Itmow.  Norn.  N.  Am. 

B.  1881,  no.  55U. 
Xiimaiius  iiilcrmcdius,  Ni'TT.  linn.  II.  1834,  100. 
Kiiiiirnins  ntfivcntris,  Vki.  Zool.  .lour.  IV.  182',»,  356. 
"  XumcniitH  hriifiiUcnsis,  Maxim,  ct  l5cr..M."  (.Si.aiku). 

IIah.  The  wliole  ol'  Anierini,  incliuling  the  West  Imlies;  breeds  in  the  high  north,  and 
winters  tliietly  soutli  of  the  United  States.     Cireenland. 

.•^i'.  CuAR.  Adult :  Crown  d.irk  sooty  brown,  divided  longitudinally  by  a  mesial  stripe  of  Ixiff ; 
a  narrow  diisky  stripe  on  side  of  head,  fioiu  bill  to  aiUerior  angle  ol'  the  eye,  eontinued  back  beneath 
the  eye  and  along  upper  edge  of  auriculars,  sepamted  I'roni  the  dusky  of  the  crown  by  a  wide,  well- 


hnt  w;is 
lis  (piite 
lof  that 


dciinod  superciliary  stripe  of  ligh^  aiff.  Rest  of  head  and  neck,  and  entire  lower  parts,  light  buff, 
till'  tliin,  throat,  and  abdomen  innnaciilate,  other  portions,  ineluding  cheeks,  entire  neck,  jnguluni, 
and  lireast,  marked  with  linear  streaks  of  dark  brown  ;  axillars  pinkish  buff  or  dilute  cinnamon, 
baned  with  dark  brown.  Upper  parts  spotted  with  dark  sijoty  brown  and  light  bnif,  the  latter 
p!v\-ailing  on  the  wing-coverts,  the  former  on  the  back  ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  similarly 
siMitteil ;  primaries  dusky,  the  inner  rpiills  spotted  with  buff. 

Wing,  9.00-10.25  ;  culnien,  3.(HV4.0() ;  tarsus,  2. 2.5-2.30  ;  middle  toe,  1.35-1.40. 

This  species,  generally  known  to  s])ortsnieii  as  the  Jack  Curlew  or  Short-billed 
Curlew,  and  to  ornithologists  as  the  Hudsoniau  Curlew,  is  very  generally  distributed 
throughout  Xorth  America,  being  found  both  on  the  Pacific  and  the  Atlantic  coast, 


316 


PU.ECOCIAL  flllALLATOHKS  —  LIMIPOL.K. 


ami  riiiiii  Cfiitral  Aiin'rica,  wlicn-  it  passes  the  wiiitt-r  iiKuitlis.  tn  tlic  Arctii'  Ocean,  mi 
tlie  litirders  of  wliicli  il  lireeds.  In  Alaska  Mr.  iiannister  saw  it  on  the  Island  nl  ,"<(. 
Mieliatd's.  where.  ImweviT.  it  was  nut  v.tv  ""innidn.  It  was  iditained  at  Sitka  li\  .Mr. 
l>is(dintT;  and  .Mr.  Dal!  states  tliat  il  wa,>  not.  rare  at  tiie  inoutli  of  llie  \'nkiin  K'ivi  i. 
wiu're  its  favorite  attitiaii'  seemed  to  He  sittinj,'  on  a  lii,!,di  stump  or  piece  of  drill- 
wood,  or  even  an  alder-l)nsli  when  this  Aas  kir^'e  enon^j;ii.  witii  one  (tf  its  le^js  di.iwn 
up.  Mr.  licrnard  Ifoss  met  with  thi.  Cnrh'W  in  the  neitrhhorhood  of  (Jreat  Sla\i 
liake.  i'rofessor  Keiniiarilt  iiadmh".  it  amonj^  tiie  iiirds  of  (Ireeidand  on  the  stienulli 
of  a  sin.i,de  spi'cimen — a.  femah- — ^eiit  from  (lodtliaah  liy  llollioll.  The  latter  uhh- 
tions  liavin,','  obtained  il  twice  —  at  .Inlianeliaal)  and  Fiskernaes  —  and  also  cnic 
specinnai  from  .lakolishavii.  It  oecnrs  as  a  mi;.,'ratory  visitant  in  the  I'all  in  jiernnida. 
where  it  ari'ives  early  in  .\iii,'nst.  Init  is  so  shy  of  approaidi  that  i)ne  can  hanlly 
ever  },'et  within  t,Minshot  of  it.  It  is  J'oinid  only  in  Au^nisi,  and  September.  l>r. 
Kjaerliiillinj,' mentions  (••  Nauniniinia."  \'l.  .'iOS)  that  he  received  a  s]iecinM'n  (d  this 
Curlew  from  le»daud.  Mr.  I{.  J'l'owne  speaks  of  havin;,'  seen  it  on  Vanconver  Island. 
Dr.  Cooper  noticed  hut  few  of  this  species  on  the  soutlieiai  coast  of  Califorida.  ami 
tliese  only  in  the  spring,  sonw  remainint;  in  Hocks  at  Santa  liarhara  as  late  as  .May 
I'O,  and  a  few  f,'o  as  far  sontli  as  San  |)iej,'o.  Thoiio;h  not  known  to  breed  sontli  of 
Ihidson's  l)ay.  Dr.  (^)oper  thinks  i hat  some  may  nest  aniojij,'  the  mountain  laki-s  nl 
(!alifornia.  He  ailds  that,  like  the  lion.LC-liilled  Curlew,  they  fly  with  sonu'  approach 
to  a  re}j;ular  order,  generally  i'l  the  I'orm  of  a  \,  and  in  company  with  most  of  the 
other  shore-birds,  cindiiis;;  high  in  the  air  A\ith  hmd  cries  when  the  falling  tide  begins 
to  lay  their  feeding-grounds  bare.  They  are  also  common  on  the  Pacific  const  as  far 
.south  as  (Juatemala,  and  JNIr.  Salvin  found  them  very  abundant  about  the  lagoojis  lif 
Chia|>ani. 

Mr.  Moore  mentions  tliat  on  the  22d  of  .Mar(di.  1872,  a  single  si)eeiiuen  of  liiis 
Curlew  M'as  brought  to  him  which  had  been  killed  on  the  shore  of  Sarasota  Uay. 
where  it  was  feeding  in  the  water  in  comjiany  with  Alarlded  Codwits,  Itcd-brcastcd 
Snipes,  and  AVillets,  as  well  as  with  a  few  others  of  its  own  species.  It  was  the  oidy 
bird  of  its  kind  ever  seen  by  him  in  the  flesh  in  Florichi. 

It  is  not  mentioned  by  Dr.  (iundlach  as  occurring  in  Cuba;  hut  L(''otaud  states 
that  it  is  a  regular  visitant  of  Trinidad,  and  that,  although  known  there  as  the  llml- 
sonian  Curlew,  it  always  seems  to  conn'  from  Soidh  America.  If  this  were  not  tin' 
case,  it  would  arrive  in  Novemhi  r.  whereas,  in  fact,  it  always  makes  its  a|ipearanci' 
on  that  island  in  August,  as  if  avoiding  the  colder  regions  of  South  America  ;  it 
departs  in  October.  It  is  always  found  along  the  borders  of  the  sea  and  in  ovei- 
Howed  meadows,  where  it  searches  for  worms  in  the  nuiddy  bottoms.  Its  Hesh  is  not 
hehl  in  high  esteem  in  Trinidad,  and,  as  Leotaud  think.s,  with  go<id  n-a.son. 

]\[r.  lUnrdman  informs  me  that  this  species  is  found  in  the  fall  in  the  ueighborhond 
of  Calais,  hut  that  it  is  never  vei'v  common  in  that  neighborhood.  In  Massaehusetts 
it  is  (|uite  abundant  every  year  in  the  fall,  coming  from  the  north  in  irregular,  pro- 
longed migrations,  from  th"  25th  of  August  initil  October.  It  is  not  known  to  occur 
in  the  sjiring  in  that  State,  although  it  may  pass  through  in  a  ])ndonged  nocturnal 
flight,  since  this  bird  is  found  on  the  shores  of  New  Jersey  and  Tjong  Island  late  in 
the  month  of  May.  A  single  si)ecinu'n  was  jn'ocured  hy  me  at  the  Isles  of  Shoals 
on  the  loth  of  August,  1870. 

According  to  Girjiud,  this  Curlew  arrives  in  May  on  Long  Island,  Avhere  it  fre- 
quents the  marshes  and  muddy  flats,  feeiling  on  worms  and  juinute  shellfish,  but  nm 
being  so  abinulant  there  as  are  the  Long-billed  Curlews,  with  which  it  sometimes 
associates.     It  leaves  and  passes  on  to  the  north  early  in  June,  again  making  its 


acr)T/)PACID.K  -  THE  SXIl'K   FAMILY  -  Nl'MENIUS. 


317 


I'.il.V. 

;istcil 

(llllv 
Stlltt'S 

lliid- 
(it  till' 

I'ii;  it 
over- 
is  not 

iisctts 
r,  [Pl'i:- 

(ICCIll' 

tiiniai 
iitf  in 
Slioiils 

it  I'n'- 

)llt  11"! 

ctinii'S 
iug  its 


aiilioaranot'  in  tiu'  sult-marslics  of  that  inland  in  Au^fiist.  It  is  said  sonu'tinics  to 
|'ii'i|U('iit  tin'  uplands,  wlicrc  it  iccds  on  insects  and  licnics  oi'  vai'ions  kinds,  lu'cominj^ 
vi'i-y  fat,  altlionf,di  even  then  its  flesh  is  not  well-tlavoied.  'riie  llii^dit  of  the  llndson- 
ian  Curlew  is  descrilied  as  liein^'  easy  and  steady;  and  it  readily  olieys  the  fowler's 
wiiistlf,  goiierally  prescMitiuj,'  an  exetdleut  mark,  'i'his  sjieeies  is  reniarkalile  for  tlio 
niiinner  in  whieli  it  syni|iatlii/es  with  its  wonnded  eoni|iaiiions  —  a  trait  also  eons|iie- 
u>'iislv  dis|dayed  l»y  the  Lon^'-hilled  Curlew.     StrajiKliuj,'  individuals  id'  this  s|ieeie.s 

lire  ( asionally  ohscrvi'd  to  linj,'ei'  i)ehind  until  the  early  pait  id'  Novendtei',  hut  in 

i,niiiral  all  have  hd't  liy  the  middle  of  Oetoher.  'I'hey  ale  known  to  the  i^'unners  of 
l.oii^,'  Island  hotli  as  the  ••  Sliort-i)illed  "  and  as  the  ".hudx  "  Curlew. 

Aeeoi'din^'  to  |)resser,  this  s|ieeies  is  of  oee.isional  oeeurrenee  in  Southei'n 'I'exas 
IikiIi  in  s|)ring  and  fall;  and  he  proi'ured  two  specimens  wiueh  had  been  shot  niMir 
San  .\ntonio.     It  is  the  least  eommon  there  of  the  Curlews. 

lieirne,  in  his  "  .lonrney  to  the  Aretie  Ocean  "  —  a  work  puhlished  nnne  than  a 
century  aj,'o  —  (p.  421),  desij,'nates  tliis  species  as  the  '■  Escpiiniaux  Curlew  "'  —  a  name 
niiw  ,i,dven  ex(dusiv(dy  to  the  smaller  liirtl.  A'.  /ii>rrii/!.».  He  states  that  at  tlu!  time  of 
his  writing,'  l)oth  species  wei-e  founil  in  ^'reat  inindiers  on  the  coasts  of  Hudson's  Hay 
durin;.,'  the  summei'.  an<l  that  they  l)oth  lireed  in  all  parts  of  it.  as  far  north  as  lati- 
tude 72".  This  hird  always  keeps  near  the  sea-coast,  awaitiui,' the  elihiiij,' of  the  tide.s, 
and  lieiui,'  frequently  found  in  Ljreat  nnndiei's  at,  low-water  mark,  where  it  feeds  on 
the  marine  insects  which  are.  found  in  j^i'eat  ahundanee  liy  the  sides  ()f  the  stones.  At 
liii,di-wator  it  retires  to  the  dry  ridj,'es,  and  awaits  thts  rceedin.i,'  of  the  ti(h'.  This  hird 
will  answer  to  a  whistltMinitatinj,' its  note.  It  flies  as  steadily  as  a  Woodt'oek.  and 
as  it  rests  hint,'  on  the  win.i,',  presents  itstdf  as  a  mark  whi(di  can  he  easily  hit.  llearno 
.adds  that,  at  times,  this  Curlew  is  rci^fanled  as  delicious  eatinj,'. 

Auiluhon  did  not  ol)serve  this  s| ies  in  Lahrador,  and  altliou.tfh  he  made  dilij^ent 

inquiries  amonit  int<dli'.^ent  residents,  could  find  no  one  who  knew  of  its  oceurreiiee 
there.  XevertheU'ss  others  havu  met  with  and  seeuri'd  specimens  of  a  low  individ- 
uals (d' this  sjiecios  in  that  rejj;ion.  This  liird  is  nsnally  very  shy,  and  it  is  .seen  in 
the  greatest  numbers  at  the  time  of  the  deiiarture  of  the  /mmi/ls,  which  specii'S  it 
greatly  vesenihles  in  its  general  ajipearance,  haiiits,  and  manner  of  leeding,  although 
having  a  nnich  louder  and  harsher  voice. 

Wilson,  although  h(>  rcd'ers  to  this  species  in  his  description  of  Scolojxi.r  fmmtlis, 
was  not  aware  of  the  existence  of  two  species  of  Short-iiilled  Cnrh'ws,  an<l  it  is  ini- 
possihle  to  determine,  whicdi  one  he  had  in  view  in  his  aceonnts  of  its  hahits.  Jt  is 
inoliahle.  however,  that  whih^  Ills  description  of  the  phuuage  beh)ng3  to  the  larger 
s|iecies,  it  is  the  smaller  cmo  to  which  his  account  of  the  habits  of  the  Cnvlew  is  to  bo 
referred.  The  same  is  also  true  (d'  Xuttall's  statements,  we  btdieving  that  this  sjie- 
eies is  more  exclusively  ,a  feeder  in  the  salt-marshes,  and  that  it  rarely,  if  ever,  feeds 
•  III  the  u])lands  in  the  manner  of  the  /mrm/is.  Xuttall  states  that,  previous  to  its 
clepartnr(>  .south  in  the  tall,  this  species  will  assemble  in  large  Hocks  near  the  sea- 
hcach ;  and  he  Avas  informed  by  a  friend  that  it  luul  been  seen  in  an  island  in  the 
I'iscata(iua  River  in  a  (lens(>  Hock  of  many  thousands,  thickly  covering  several  acres 
(if  gronnd.  Barren  birds  of  this  species  are  found  on  the  Atlantic  coast  from  May 
to  .August,  bnt  are  nsnally  of  solitary  habit.  Andubon  states  that  he  has  found  this 
liird  abundant  on  the  .shores  of  Xew  Jersey  in  May,  where  it  remains  a  few  we(<ks, 
and  that  he  has  seen  a  large  flock  of  these  Cnrlews  near  Charleston,  S.  (J.,  iu 
December. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  met  with  this  species  breeding  on  the  TJarren  Gronnds,  on  what 
is  known  as  the  Eskimo  Barrens,  on  the  Lower  Anderson  River.     The  nests  were  on 


I 


■«i 


I 

4 


11 


|Tf 


;]18 


•U.KCncIAI.   (il(.\l,I,AT()|{KS  —  I.IMIC(1|,.K. 


tlu!  fjnniud,  and  witi'  iisiiall}  iin'ic  (lc[in!SsL(iiis  lined  witli  ;i,  lew  witlicicd  Icavrs.  Tlit) 
t'Kj^H,  lour  in  nuniliiT,  weru  lounil  Ix'twrcn  tlic  I'dtli  ul'.hini'iind  tln'  l(»tli<)t't)uly.  Tlii'so 
ni'sts  wiTc  found  in  aliont  7U  north  liilitndf,  hut  wciv  conqnirativcly  rare;  tht-y  wciv 
nsnallv  phu'cd  near  small  lakes  or  streams:  this,  however,  was  not  always  the  ease. 

ICy.'-JM  "'  this  species  in  the  Suiithsoiuan  Institution,  I'roui  Mv.  MaeFurUino  (No. 
",tH.'.*<).  liave  a  Ltround-i'olor  ot  a  ereauiy  drah.  The  inarkinj,'s  are  irrei,'nlar  spots  oT  a 
dark  ninlier  tint,  with  lari,'er  si)ottin,^'s  (d'  a  slaty  hrown  around  the  j,'reater  end. 
These  nieiisure.  one.  L'.IO  liy  I.."*?  ineiies;  the  other.  l,'.;i.S  hy  l.nW  inches.  Another 
•set  (No.  I  U<M  )  iiave  a  sindiar  ground,  hut  the  marking's  are  larger,  h'ss  nuniemus, 
and  id' a  |)aler  shade  id'  brown;  these  measure  2.L'1  hy  1.(m  iiudies. 

Numenius  borealis. 

THE    ESKIMO    CURLEW. 

Scnloimj'  linmi/h,  KiilisT.  I'lill.  Tiiiiis.  I„\il.  1771.',  Ill,  4;il  (Albany  I"i>it). 

Nitmeniiiit  huri-nli.i,  Lath.  Iml.  (Mn.  II.  171mi,  71i.'.  —  Sw.  &  linn.  F.  li.  A.  II.  1S31,  37S,  jil,  i!,V 

-  Nrrr.  .Mun,  11.  ls:J4,  lul.  —  Ain.  Oni.  Ilio.i;.  III.  183.^.,  (I'.i ;  V.  18y!>,  :,W>,  jil.  idS  ;  Syii..|.. 

183ii,  -irKi;  II.  Ai]i.   VI.   1843,  45,  iil.  !1.17.  —  ('As.s.  in  WnUA'^  II.  N.  Am.  IS.IS,  744.  —  BAUii., 

Ciit.  N.   Am.   It.   lsr.li,   nil.  :,J1.  —  Turivs   Kr_v,  1S72,  I'li'J  ;  Clirck  List,  187:1,  no.  443;  lM  id. 

18S-A  nil.  (ilii;  liinls  N.  \V.  1874,  510.  —  liininv.  Num.  N.  Am.  11.  1881,  no.  000. 
^'uMfniuH  hirrirontrin,  Lirni.  \'irz.  l»onlil.  1823,  75. 
Xiuiiiiiins  micror/iiiiiiliiis,  1'mii..  vt  Lamhi.  'Wii'i^m.  Anliiv,  iMiii,  12t»  (Chili). 

Hah.  Kii.stcrn  I'roviiuc  of  Nnrtli  .Vnii'rica  ;  Invidinj,'  in  Arctic  districts,  where  {'xtftidiiij,'  I'loni 
till'  Pryliilnl'  Islanil.s  (not  lirccdinj,')  tn  (irccidaml  ;  nii,L;riiliii^'  snutli  to  tlic  cvtrcinity  nt  ,'-!iiinli 
America  (l^'alklimd  I.diind.'*,  Patii,i;iiiiiM.  Chili,  luid  S.  i!rii/il);  no  West  Imlian  record,  hut  nulcil 
fnau  Bcrnuida  and  Trinidad  (LtifiTAun).  Occiisional  in  Knrii]K'.  Nut  recorded  I'roni  We.stirn 
North  America. 

.Sp.  CiiAU.  Adidt:  Crown  dusky,  streaki'd  with  Imir,  hut  without  distinct  mesial  .stripe;  a 
(hisky  stripe  of  nj,'i,'re^'ate(l  streaks  on  side  of  head,  from  hill  to  and  heldnd  the  eye  ;  rest  of  Inail. 
neck,  and  entire  lower  parts  light  hull",  the  cheeks  and  neck  streakeih  the  hreiLst,  side.s,  Hunks,  ami 


cri.^sum  with  V-shaped  markiiifjs  of  dusky  brown;  axillavs  and  hinn;^  of  the  winy  jiale  cinnamon, 
the  former  narrowly  Laned  with  dusky.  Upper  parts  spotted  dusky  and  hiifl",  tlie  winf,'-coverts 
more  grayish  brown,  with  dusky  shaft-streaks  ;  primaries,  includinj,'  their  inner  webs,  phun  brown- 
ish (hisky.  Hump  aiul  upper  tail-coverts  spotted  dusky  and  hfjht  buff.  Tail  brownish  gray,  barred 
witli  dusky. 

Wing,  8.()0-S..5O  inches;  culmen,  2.-2i}-2.r)0;  tarsus,  1.70-1.80;  middle  too,  1.00. 

In  plumage,  this  little  Curlew  closely  resembles  X.  Hmhnnicm,  but  has  the  iinier  wehs  of  the 
primaries  fnieh'  and  confu.sedly  mottled,  instead  of  being  marked  with  very  distinct  and  regul.ir 
ochrnceous  spots  ;  the  breast  with  transverse  V-shaped  markings  instead  of  linear,  longitudinal 
streaks,  while  there  are  other  differences,  besides  the  important  one  of  size,  which  readily  dis- 
tinguish them. 


SC()M)PA('[I).K  -   THK  SNIPK    KANfll-V  -  NI'NfKXrrS. 


319 


Tlic  Smaller  KskiiiKi  Ciiricw,  or '•  Doii^'li-liiid,"  as  it  is  called  in  New  Hn.^laml  — 
ill  (listiiiftioii  tidiii  llif  lari,'!'!'  //iii/son!iiin  —  lias  a  widely  exti'iided  (listiiliiitimi  over 
iicaily  tiie  wlinle  (il  Noitli  aiid  Smitli  Aiiieriea.  It  is  iiifliided  iiy  Ueiidiaidt  aiiiuin,' 
ihr  iiirds  III'  (ireeidaiid,  ami  iPiolpalply  (■oii't'ctly.  tliniii^li  liis  cvideiirc  was  iiilei'eidial 
iitlier  than  positive.  It  lias  iiccn  (liitaiiifd  at  Koit  \  iiUoii  l),\  Mi  >si.s.  .MePmij^al, 
Liit'kliart,  and  Jones,  hut  was  loiind  nowlieic  in  Alaska  west  or  sontli  of  that  point. 
Il  lias  liecM  detected  oil  no  |iiirt   ol'  the  I'acitic  coast,  so  tar  as  I  am  awaic.  althoii;,'h 

|>r.  Ilecrmatin  speaks  of  it  as  common  in  the  San  {''lancisco  maikcl.     It  has  not  1 ii 

(ililaiiied  theie  liy  any  ol'  the  cdliectors,  and  Dr.  ('()o|ier  has  no  doiilil  tlial  l>i'.  Ilccr- 
iiiaiin  must  iiave  had  nd'erence  to  the  IIiiiIsihi'iiks.  It  hrceds  liiiou,v;hoiil  all  the 
nnrthci'ii  poitions  ot  North  America,  to  the  very  holders  and  islands  (d' the  .Vict ie 
Sea.  Several  siiecimeiis  have  hein  taken  in  (iieat  iSritain.  Where  it  passes  its 
uintei'H,  or  the  extent  of  its  wand,  liiij^s  Ironi  Noveiiiher  to  April,  is  only  ini|)ert'ectly 
known.  It  is  not  j^iveii  as  oceiirriiif,'  in  St.  I'roix.  Cuha.  .lamaica,  or  St.  l)omin,!,'o. 
I.i'iitaud  mentions  the  capture  ol'  only  a  siiij,de  specimen  (d'  this  species  in  'I'rinidad; 
this  was  taken  in  a  dry  meadow  in  the  month  (d'  Septemher,  It  ap|iears  to  he  e(pially 
rare  in  Central  .\merica,  where  only  a  siic^le  specimen  (d'  it  is  recorded  as  having 
heeii  taken  —  hy  Mr.  '-'.  ( )weii,  at  .San  (leronimo.  in  (iuatemala.  It  occurs  in  its  nii},'ra- 
lidiis  on  the  (Jult'-coa;  t  (d'  Mexico,  hut  in  what  nuniher.  and  tor  how  lon.i,'  a  period  it 
is  lound,  is  not  known  with  accuracy.  Mr.  Uresser  met  with  it  in  sprinj;  at  San 
Antonio,  where  it  was  more  common  than  the  Jlitilsniiiiiis,  hut  not  so  ahundant  as 
the  /(i>i(/!riififr!s.  J)r.  Merrill  also  speaks  of  this  species  as  heinj;  ahundant.  diiriiii^ 
its  mif4i"itions.  in  the  same  rej^ioiis,  and  he  is  eonlidcnt  that  some  s|)cnd  the  winter 
ill  the  valley  ot  the  hower  Hio  (Iraiide. 

Accordiii.Lj  to  the  ohservations  id"  Mr.  Ntdson,  this  Curlew  passes  in  eoiisiderahlo 
iiiimiiers  thron^h  the  interior  in  its  mi,t,'rations.  He  speaks  of  it  as  rather  common 
ill  Northern  Illinois  during;  these  movements.  It  is  said  to  arrive  a  little  later  than 
the  //iiflsiiiiicits,  ]iasses  north  with  short  delay,  and  returns  ahoiit  the  last  ot  Se|)- 
triiil)er  and  in  Uetoher,  fretiueiitiii};  the  wet  jirairies  in  comiiany  with  the  tJoldeii 
Plover. 

The  tacts  that  tliLs  species  is  of  such  rare  occurrence  in  the  West  Indies  and  in 
Central  America;  that  it  is  I'onnd  with  so  much  a[iparent  uncevtaiidy  on  the  .\tlan- 
tic  roast;  that  its  aiipearauce  may  almost  always  he  explaiueil  hy  the  interruiition 
(d'  its  Hight  hy  storms;  and  that  it  is  nowhere  to  he  I'ound  within  our  limits  duriiifj 
the  winter  —  all  this  jxiints  to  South  America  as  its  residence  durinjf  that  .season. 
\\ V  inter  also  that  its  nii,i,'ratioiis,  hoth  in  the  tall  and  in  the  spriiij,',  are  made  in  loii}^ 
ciiiitinuoiis  Hi^dits,  without  any  stoppage  on  the  way.  except  when  .such  is  caii.seil  hy 
stress  of  weather,  unfavorahle  winds,  foi^s.  and  the  like.  In  this  opinion  -we  are 
strenjftlicned  h}-  the  fact  that  this  hird  may  he  h)Uiul  on  the  Ania/ou  and  in  various 
ether  portions  cd'  Urazil  as  early  as  Septemhi-r,  where  Natterer  procured  .specimens  in 
I'tnisiderahle  nunihers.  Darwin  met  with  it  at  lUienos  Ayres,  and  Liehteu.stein  found 
it  at  Jlontevideo. 

We  also  have  the  eontirmation  given  hy  ]\Ir.  H.  Durnford,  in  his  "Notes  on 
the  liirds  of  Central  Patagonia"  ("  This,''  1S7S.  ji.  404),  where  he  states  that  he  wit- 
nessed the  jiassage  of  large  migratory  flocks  of  this  sjieeies,  from  the  8th  to  the  lOtli 
of  t  (ctoher,  through  the  valley  of  the  C'hupat,  in  latitude  4.")°  S.  They  made  hut  a 
sluut  stay  in  that  valley  —  two  specimens  only  having  heen  procured  —  and  were 
not  scon  again. 

In  this  connection  the  fact,  noted  hy  Dr.  Lincecum,  is  not  without  interest  —  that 
this  species,  known  there  as  the  "  Curlew  Sandpiper,"  occurred  in  his  neighhorhood 


m 


-i 


•M, 


320 


I'lt.KfOCIAI-   (ilSAl.I.ATOKKS       MMICdLvK. 


ill  tlirii'  spring  niiKnitidiiH  in  A|>ril.  Tlicy  ranir  in  ifiiiipaiiy  witli  tlif  ('i)iiini(in  Onlili  m 
IMiivrr,  anil  NtTiih'il  to  Irnl  ill  lilt'  saiiii'  iiiaiini'i' ami  (III  tlii>  Hiinii'  riiiiil.  'I'ln-y  wiic 
t'miiul  tliinl,\  sratti'it'il  aimni;,'  tin'  i'lovci'.s.  ami  wnr  wilil  ami  lianl  to  hIidhI.  Tlir\ 
wt'i'j'  j,'i'm'iall,\   very  lean.     'I'luy  a|i|it'ait'il  tlu'ic  alioiit  tlir  Itli  nf  April. 

Mr.  .1.  A.  Alli'ii  imt  with  u  Minnie  «tray  n-prcHfiitativi'  nl  tliiH  spccit's  in  WcMtiin 
l\an..;is.  nrar  l''nri  Mays,  in  May.  Dr.  Cimpfr  nii'iitiiniH  timlin^  tliis  Curlew  appar- 
ently lui'i'iliiiK  in  tlie  \  ieinity  III  Knit  itenlun.  W  llele  its  ynlin^  ones  Wele  lakrll  liy 
liiiii  w  liilr  llicy  wiTe  still  ill  llie  iliiw  II ;  iiiit  lie  saw  mnie  nil  tlie  ( 'uliiiiiliia  I'lains, 

.Mr.  iMiai'iliiiaii  iiiluriiis  lae  llial  tliis  speeics  is  I'laiiiil  in  tlie  vicinity  (if  ('alain, 
where  it  is  iiiiire  aliiimlaiit  than  the  lliiilsiiiiiitis,  altlioii;^'li  imt  ii.siially  very  niinienms. 
It  is  (leeasiiiiially  loiiml  in  lloeks  alioiit  the  hist  of  Aii},'iiHt.  At  this  time  it  is  vei\ 
t'oiiiniiiii  ill  the  Itcriiimlas.  It  is  iLsiuilly  iiiiieh  imire  almmlaiit  on  the  const  of  Maine 
when  there  iiave  lieeii  easterly  storms  alioiit  tlie  L'dtli  ol'  .\iij,'iist.  ami  is  then  sem 
ill  remarkalile  lli,u;lils;  hut,  exeept  in  sturmy  weather,  it  is  never  iintieeil  inlaml.  In 
sola  •  seasons  this  liird  is  rare  in  .Massaehiisetts;  in  others  it  is  very  almmlaiit.  It 
is  ol'  very  irre;,'iil,ir  oeiiirreiiee,  .iml  prolialily  is  more  coiiiiiioii  when  easterly  winds 
prevail  diiriii].;'  the  last  third  ot  .\ii^Mist. 

A  sin^'le  speeinieii  ol'  this  Curlew  was  taken  hy  Mr.  II.  W.  Klliott  on  the  I'ryhilnt 
Islands  in  .hiiie.  Is?-. 

Kieliardson  states  that  he  round  this  Curlew  trequentiiiK  the  I'arreii  Lands,  within 

the  .\rctie  ('in  le,  in  siimmi'r.  where   it  I' Is  on  j^rnlis,  tiesh-water  insects,  and  the 

tniit  of  the  Em  jnl  I'll  III  iii'iriiiii.  I  le  descrilics  its  ej;<rs  as  lieinif  ol'  a  pyrit'orm  shape 
and  ot  a  SiHkiii-.i,'recn  color  clouded  with  a  h'W  lar^^c,  irref,Milar  sjiots  ol'  liri^ht  iiiiihei- 
brown.  The  Copper  Indians  lielieve  that  this  liiid  and  some  others  lietray  the 
npproiieh  of  straii,i,'eis  to  the  Kskinio.  (In  the  1,'itli  of  .lune.  18L%  !!i(diarilsoii  dis- 
covered one  of  these  Curlews  .sitting;'  on  three  cj^^^s.  on  the  shore  of  I'oint  Lake; 
when  he  ap|)roaidied  the  nest,  the  female  hird  ran  a  sln'  istance,  crouching  close 
to  the  1,'rouiid.  and  then  stopped  to  oliserve  the  fate  of  her  treasures,  ilearm'.  in  liis 
'•.loiirney  to  the  Arctic  ( tcean,"  rei'ers  to  this  species  as  lieiiij;  exai'tly  like  the  lai;;er 
one  in  color,  shajie,  and  nearly  everything:  else  except  si/e.  lie  adds  that-  these  two 
species  also  ilil'fer  from  others  in  their  manner  id'  life,  as  they  never  I'reijuent  the 
water's  e(lu;e,  hut  always  keep  anioiii;'  the  rocks  and  dry  ridj^es.  feeding  on  berries  ami 
small  insects.  The  Hesh  of  this  bird  is  generally  miieh  more  hi<,dily  esteemed  by  tin' 
dwtdlers  on  Hudson's  Uay  than  that  of  the  lar^'cr  species,  but  it  is  by  no  means  so 
numerous  in  that  ipiarter.  llearne  did  not  nu'ct  with  this  species  I'arther  north  than 
Ej,'f,'  I  fiver. 

Audubon,  in  his  account  of  this  Curlew,  confirms  the  statoiueuts  made  more  than 
aeeiitHiry  ajj[o  by  llearne,  relative  to  its  habits  and  the  way  in  which  they  differ  froiu 
those  of  the  Ifuihuniiiis.  He  was  told  by  Mr.  ( ).'ikes,  of  l]iswieli,  ^lass.,  that  durin,!,'  its 
short  stay  in  that  .section,  in  the  early  autumn,  this  bird  may  be  met  with  on  the  hi^li 
sandy  hills  near  the  sea-shore,  where  it  feeds  on  e;rasslio]ipers  and  on  .several  kinds  ot 
berries.  (.)n  this  food  it  becomes  very  fat,  is  excellent  eating,',  and  acipiires  the  name 
of  "l)ou<i;li-liir(l  ■'  in  conseipu'iice.  He  never  met  with  it  after  leaving  iMassachusotts, 
exeept  on  one  occasion;  this  was  on  one  of  the  islands  on  the  coast  of  South  Caro- 
lina, at  the  dawn  of  a  fine  day,  when  a  dense  flock  of  this  Curlew  ])assed  to  the 
southward,  near  enough  to  enable  him  to  ascertain  the  species.  On  the  29th  of  July. 
18.1.'{,  these  birds  made  their  first  ajipearance  in  Labrador,  near  the  Harbor  of  liras 
d'Or.  They  came  from  the  ufirtli,  ami  arrived  in  immense  numbers.  Flock  after  flock 
passed  close  to  his  ves.sel,  and  directed  their  course  to  the  sterile  mountaimms  tracts 
in  the  neighborhood.     Their  stay  on  the  cjast  seemed  to  be  occasioned  solely  by  the 


SCol.oI'ACID.K  -rilK  SMl'l';    I'AMII.Y       NIMKNII'S. 


821 


ili'ii.sity  ••*  Hu'  t'oK.  mill  us  hoou  us  tin-  wfutlitT  cli-uri'd,  tlicy  stt  dtl  in  u  Htiaih'lit 
,nUtH«'  ut'ioss  tlif  (iiiir  of  St.  I.iiwniicc.  W lidi'Vcr  tlicif  was  u  s|Mit.  iitloidiiiK'  ii 
>u|(|ily  t)l'  luod,  lliin'  tin-  Cmli'ws  uIkhiikIimI,  ;iiiiI  wi-if  I'usily  ii|i|in)a(liiMl,     My  tlio 

r.'lli  i>l       nust  all  liail  It'tt  tlif  ('(miitry.     In  Laluailor  ('urli'ws  f I  clui-Hy  ou  what  is 

ilnTi'  k.nwn  as  tin- "C'urlcw-lM'rry  "  —  a  Niiiall  lilark  iiuil  (,'rowinj,'  i»n  a  crcfping 
slinili  not  more  tliaii  an  imli  or  twii  IiIkIi-  WIh'Ii  in  scarcli  <>!'  rcrtliMK-K''*'""'^  t'"'y 
tlv  in  I'liisi'  niassi's  witli  ii'inarkalili'  s|i>'i'il.  pi'i Im niin^  licautilnl  ('vulnlii)ns  in  tiii! 
iiir.  W  iiili'  i>n  till'  wiii^'  tlii-y  riuit  a  sutt.  wliistlin^  ntito,  liiit  ui'i*  sili-iit  when  uliKlitcil. 
Tlii'y  ran  swiftly  mi  thr  ^,'nlnnll,  picking,'  n|i  llif  ln-rrii's  in  flu-ir  w;iy  ;  ami  wlu'ii  pur. 
Hiiril,  will  sipiat  in  tin-  inannrr  nf  a  Snipi-,  laying'  ni-i'k  ami  In-ail  tiat  un  tlir  gruuml, 
mill  whi'U  appniai'lii-il,  at  a  siii;;lr  wliisllr  of  lam  of  tin-  tlork,  all  iinnn-iliatcly  srn-ani 
mil  riy  itIT,  not  infii'ipirMtly  iraii^'litiiiK  mi  tin*  sanii'  spot.  Tht'sc  birds  contiiint'd 
til  aii'is'i'  in  Hr.is  d't  Ir  fnr  si'Vi'ral  days  in  lincks  of  inrn-asin^  sizi'.  'I'liis  sprrii's 
iJM's  fruai  till'  j,'rmind  liy  a  siii^,'li'  ipiick  spring,  cuts  liarkwanl  iiml  lnrward  and  all 
ai'iiiuiil  in  a  vi-ry  riirimis  maiini'r,  and  urcasimially  paiisi's  in  tin'  air  in  tin;  uiun- 
iKi' uf  a  Hawk,  ri'iiiiiinin;,'  statimiiiiy,  with  its  lii'ad  toward  thr  wind,  just  hcfori'  it 
ali;,'lits.  It  is  nimi'  shy  in  ralm  and  ipiii't  wratln-r  than  at  any  otln-r  tinn-.  In  its 
passa^'i'  across  tho  (Inlf  it  llii's  liij^li.  in  i  losr  liodics  and  at  ^,'rt'at  spi-cd,  Itut  not  in 
I'c^^alar  linrs,  Aiidnhon  was  informi'd  hy  old  sitth-rs  at  Uras  d'(h' that  this  (hirhnv 
liMssi's  northward  ovi-r  thf  saiar  trart  ahoiit  tin'  middh'  of  May. 

'I'lii'  Kskimo  Ciirlrws  arc  known  to  iiii.i,'rat('  thrmii,di  the  interior  in  inuucnse 
niiiiibi'rs  in  May.  Duriiij,;  the  second  week  of  that  month  liirj,'e  flocks  of  several  hnn- 
ilivd  nnike  their  appearance,  even  while  the  snow,  many  feet  in  depth,  still  fills  the 
ravines.  .\t  this  season  this  Curlew  may  he  I'ouiid  .scattered  everywhere,  dotting  the 
piaiiic  in  large,  loose  flocks. 

According  to  (Jirand.  this  <'iirlew  is  fmind  every  sea.son  on  the  coast  of  New  .Jer- 
sey. Long  Island,  iind  Uliode  Island.  It  freipients  the  ojicn  ground  in  the  vicinity  of 
till'  sea-coast,  feeding  on  grasshojipers  and  other  insects,  seeds,  worms,  and  berries. 
It  ai lives  on  the  shores  of  Long  Island  in  the  latter  part  of  .Viigust.  and  remains  until 
tlir  1st  of  Novi'inlicr,  when  it  assembles  in  large  flocks  and  moves  oif  to  its  winter- 
([iiaiteis.  lie  has  shot  a  few  straggleis  as  late  as  the  L'tttli  of  Novcmiier.  It  occa- 
siuiially  associates  with  the  (loldeii  I'lovei'.  is  generally  in  line  condition  in  the 
autumn,  and.  unlike  both  the  other  Curlews,  its  flesh  is  hnely  flavored.  In  the 
viiiiiiry  of  New  Vmk  it  is  known  liy  the  name  of  /■'iifrs.  \\\  .Smithern  sportsmen  it 
is  known  as  the  ".lack  Curlew"  and  the  ••  Shmt-billed  Curlew."  It  is  said  to  reach 
the  .Middle  States  from  the  South  early  in  the  spiiiig,  leiiiaining  only  a  short  time, 
fi'iiliiig  in  the  salt-marshes  and  on  the  mud-Hats.  It  moves  in  large  Hocks,  and  keeps 
ii|i  a  roiistant  whistling  during  the  journey.  It  has  been  stated  by  those  who  shoot 
fur  the  Philadelphia  nuirket.  that  a  few  remain  and  bi'eed  in  the  marshes  about  Cape 
May;  but  it  is  more  jirobable  that  these  are  only  barren  stragglers. 

On  the  New  .lei'sey  coast  it  is  saiil  to  be  a  very  shy  bird,  and  reipiires  great  cau- 
tiiiii  to  approach.  When  friglitiMied  it  Hies  with  grei't  rapidity,  and  is  not  easily 
hriiiight  down ;  but  may  be  much  more  readily  shot  as  it  Hies  to  and  from  its  feeding- 
grnunds,  or  it  may  be  taken  unawares  when,  unsuspicious  id'  danger,  it  is  feeding 
with  other  Waders  on  b.ars  and  points  ahmg  the  creeks.  To  approach  it  under  such 
ciivuiiistaiKH's  reipiires  many  inecautions,  as  it  is  easily  alarmed.  If  one  is  wounded, 
its  companions  evince  great  solicitude  for  it,  .and  will  fly  around  it  for  some  time ; 
ami  advantage  is  often  taken  of  this  by  the  si)ortsnian  to  obtain  others. 

Mr.  MaeFarlane  met  with  this  species  breeding  in  great  abundance  throughout  the 
Karri'ii  Grounds  up  to  the  Arctic  coast,  but  it  was  not  met  with  before  entering  these 

VOL.   I.   —  41 


I 


■I! 


I  !!' 


'^  '  5^(. 


I:. 


322 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


grounds.  TIk;  nests  —  wliicli  were  fountl  i'roni  about  June  20  to  July  10  —  weir  ii. 
every  instance  mere  holes  in  the  ground,  lined  witli  a  few  decayed  leaves  and  haviii.r 
a  thin  sprinkling  of  hay  in  the  centre.  It  was  very  diHitndt  to  detect  the  nest  of  this 
species,  as  the  parent  bird  glides  off  long  before  a  near  approach,  and  the  eggs  dosclv 
resend)le  the  grass  in  their  colors.  This  species  was  very  numerous  in  the  IJarrcns. 
The  female,  soon  after  leaving  her  nest,  usually  ascends  into  the  air  in  a  straiglit 
line.  The  young  birds  leave  the  nest  as  soon  as  hatched,  and  when  ai)pr(iached,  liidi' 
tliemselvi's  in  the  grass,  and  can  be  found  only  with  the  greatest  dithculty.  iSoiuc 
Avere  already  hatched  by  July  12. 

The  eggs  of  tins  species  exhibit  very  great  variations  in  size,  colors,  and  distrilmtidii 
of  markings.  In  No.  Ob'ii  (S.  I.)  tlie  ground  is  a  pale  greenish-ash,  with  large  olili(|uc 
blotches  of  ditferent  shades  of  sepia,  the  lighter  inclining  to  a  i)urplish-slaty  tint.  In 
No.  14009  (S.  I.)  the  ground  is  of  a  deep  muddy  or  clay-colored  drab.  The  markings 
are  chiefly  toward  the  larger  end,  where  they  are  confluent  on  the  apex,  are  of  ;ni 
umber  tint  varying  in  the  dejitii  of  the  shade.  In  Xo.  9432  (S.  I.)  the  ground  is  a 
deep  olivaceous  drab,  and  the  markings,  of  a  very  dark  sepia-color,  are  in  the  form  of 
irregular  small  blotches,  more  nunu-rous  toward  tlui  larger  end.  In  No.  11401  the 
ground  is  a  light  ashy-green  color,  and  the  markings  are  smaller,  more  riumer(i\is. 
more  longitudinal,  and  of  a  much  lighter  shade  of  sepia.  These  eggs  are  of  an  oblong 
oval  shape,  slightly  pyriform,  one  end  more  rouiuled  than  the  other,  and  have  an 
average  length  of  about  2.10  inches,  and  a  breadtli  at  the  largest  portion  of  l.'.K) 
inches. 

NumeniuB  phaeopus. 

THE  WHIMBREL. 

Scolopax  phccopus,  Linn.  S.  X.  cd.  10,  I.  1758,  140  ;  cd.  12,  I.  ]76(i,  243. 

Nitmniius phaopKs,  Lath.  Iiid.  Oiii.  II.  U'.'O,  711. — Xaum.  Viig.   Deutsclil.  VTII.  183t>,  50ti. - 

Kkvs.  &  Hi.As.  Will).  Kur.  78.— r.oNAi'.  Comp.   List,  1838,  49.  —  Macoim..  Man.  II.  7S. — 

GriAV,  tleii.  B.  III.  560;  Cat.  Hrit.  IJ.  1863,  1,')4.  —  Duksskii,  Birds  Eur.  XVII.  Apl.  1873,  pi. 

—  RiDGW.  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  .5(51.  -Coue.s,  Check  Lis.t,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  644. 
Numaiiiis  minor,  LKAcn,  .Syst.  (^at.  1816,  32. 
Nwncniits  islandiciis,  Biiehm,  Viij;.  Doutsclil.  610. 
ScoloiMX  bomiUs,  (Imki,.  S.  X.  I.  1788,  6")4  (not  of  Forster,  1772  !). 
Phixopus  arquatus,  SxKi'n.  Gen.  Zool.  .\1I.  36. 
Whimlrcl,  Pknx.  Brit.  Zool.  II.  1812,  36,  pi.  9.  —  Yahk.  Brit.  B.  ed.  2,  II.  583,  fig.  ;  ed.  3,  II.  tilii, 

fig. ;  et  Aucr. 


Hab.     Palaearctic  Re'jion,  occasionally  visiting  Greenland  (of.  Reinhardt,  *'  Ibis,"  1861,  p.  10). 

Sp.  Char.     Adult :  Crown  siuiflf-browu  or  sooty-brown,  divided  longitudinally  by  a  medial 

stripe  of  pale  buff  ;  a  dark  stripe  on  side  of  head,  from  bill  to  luid  behind  eye,  wiili  n  distinct  liglit 


SCOLOPACID^:  —  THE  SNIPK   FA\riLY  —  NUXIENIU9. 


323 


suporciliiiry  stripe  above  it ;  reiiminder  of  the  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  generally,  bully  w'uite, 
llic  iliin  and  throat,  abdomen,  thij;h.s,  and  anal  region,  more  nearly  white  and  innnaeulate  ;  cheeks, 
link  (all  round),  ju},'uliun,  and  breiust,  distimtly  streaked  with  brown;  sides  irregularly  marked 
wiih  the  same;  axillars  white,  barred  with  brown.  Back  an<l  wings  grayish  brown,  in egularly 
>|Mitted  with  ligliter  ;  primaries  dusky,  the  inner  (juills  slightly  sjiotted.  Entire  rump  immaculate 
white  ;  ui)per  tail-coverts  while,  barred  with  brown.  Tail  Ijiownish  gray,  barred  with  dusky,  and 
tipped  with  white. 

Wing,  J).;3(»-l().r)()  ;  culmen,  3.(tO-;}.f;o  ;  tarsus,  ^.ao-i'.oO  ;  middle  toe,  1.4n. 

Tliis  spjcies  bears  a  strong  superficial  resemblance  lu  X.  Uudsunicus,  but  may  be  inimcdiutcly 
ilistiiiguis'ied  by  the  jmre  white,  unspotted,  rump. 

Tlie  "  Whinibrel,"  ••  Wliiiubrel  Curlew,"  "  HiilRkirU'w,"  or  ••  Jack  Curlew  "  —  as  it 
is  variously  callod  in  diiTcrcut  parts  of  Great  Jiritaiii  —  is  of  occasional  occurrence  in 
(Irci'iiland,  and  claims  a  jdace  in  our  fauna  exclusively  on  that  ground.  It  is  found 
tlmntgliout  Xortheru  Europe  and  Asia  in  its  breeding-season,  ami  during  the  re- 
iiiainder  of  the  year  is  i.i  tuicertain  appearaiu-e  in  vari(ms  portions  of  the  Old  World, 
including  Ja])an  and  other  islands.  In  ali  respects,  of  jdumage,  haunts,  habits,  and 
iiidd.  the  Wliiiid)rel  very  closely  resembles  the  Common  European  Curlew,  but  is 
iiiuch  smaller  in  size,  aiul  nowhen^  occurs  in  such  numbers.  It  is  met  with  occasion- 
ally on  the  shores  of  (ireat  liritain  during  the  winter,  but  is  much  more  plentifid 
tliere  in  May,  and  again  in  September.  The  larger  portion  of  these  i)irds  are  nngra- 
tdiy,  either  on  their  way  to  mort^  northern  regions,  where  they  breed,  or  returning 
til  nil  the  north  with  their  yoiing  brood.  Only  a  few  breed  within  the  limits  of  Great 
liritain,  aiul  these  almost  exclusively  in  the  islands  north  of  Scotland. 

According  to  Thom])son  this  bird  is  only  seen  in  Ireland  in  the  spring  and  in  the 
autumn,  ami  at  these  periods  it  is  also  common  on  the  Grampians  and  in  other  ele- 
vated districts  of  Scotland.  Mr.  Selby  mentions  meeting  with  this  species  in  the 
summer  of  IH'M  on  the  margin  of  Loch  Shin,  in  Sutherland.shire.  Mr.  Salmon  found 
it  breeding  among  the  Orkney  Islands,  ami  states  that  it  nests  very  early,  all  its 
eggs  having  been  hatched  by  the  'M  of  .Iuiu\  Yarrell  states,  on  the  authority  of 
Dr.  Fleming,  that  this  bird  also  breeds  in  Shetland,  where  it  is  known  as  the  '■  Tang- 
uliaep,''  and  that  the  lu'sts  are  placed  on  exj)osed  ])arts  of  the  he.ath.  Mr.  Ilewitson 
also  found  it  breeding  on  two  of  the  Shetlaiul  Islands,  Veil  and  Hascosea —  where, 
however,  it  is  rapidly  decreasing  in  luimbers.  Mr.  Dinni,  who  has  several  times 
visited  both  the  Orkney  and  the  Shetland  Islands,  informed  Mr.  Yarrell  that  while 
tlie  Curlew  and  the  Whimbrel  do  not  associate*  together,  he  has  found  their  nests 
within  a  gunshot  of  each  other,  tmd  that  the  latter  leave  those  islands  as  soon  as  the 
i)reeding-season  is  over. 

The  Whimbrel  is  said  to  feed  on  insects  and  worms,  and  their  note  to  resemble  the 
syHables  tellii-telhj-ti't,  rapidly  enunciated.  On  the  continent  of  /Europe,  :ind  during 
the  breeding-season,  this  bird  is  found  throughout  Deiimark,  Scandinavia,  and  Russia. 
Mr.  Ilewitson  met  with  it  occasionally  in  the  western  \t\xvt  of  Norway,  ami  Mr. 
Dunti  informed  Mr.  Yarrell  that  a  few  breed  in  Lajdand  as  high  as  latitude  Gu°.  It 
is  also  a  regidar  summer  visitor  to  the  Fariie  Islands  and  Iceland. 

It  is  not  known  to  breed  on  the  southern  coasts  of  England,  yet  small  lit)cks  have 
been  recorded  by  ^Ir.  Knox  as  occurring  in  Sussex  in  the  months  of  May  and  June. 

During  the  winter  the  Whimbrel  is  known  to  extend  its  migrations  as  live  scuth  as 
Madeira,  and  in  its  journeyings  it  occurs  in  Holland,  Geruiany,  France,  Sjuin,  Italy, 
and  in  all  the  various  islands  of  the  Mediterranean.  It  is  more  common  in  Holland 
than  in  any  other  country.  It  Avas  found  by  Menefries,  a  Russian  naturalist,  on  the 
borders  of  streams  in  the  region  of  the  Caucasus.     It  has  been  met  with  in  various 


^i 


m 


321 


PILECOCIAL  GHALL.ATOItES  —  LIMICOL.K. 


Ill 


parts  of  India,  and  Tenuuinck  believes  that  the  specimens  from  Japan  are  identical 
with  European  birds. 

Mr.  Dresser  regards  this  bird  as  one  of  the  most  widely  distributed  of  the  Waders, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  not  only  f(mndover  the  entire  I'aliearctie  IJegion,  but  also  thriiuj,'li- 
ont  the  Indo-Malayan  division,  and  in  Africa  as  far  down  as  the  Cape.  In  Norway 
it  breeds  north  of  the  Fell-ranye,  and  in  some  ref,'ions,  especially  within  the  Arctic 
Cin  Ic,  it  is  very  numerous.  It  occurs  in  the  extrenu'  northern  jiortions  of  Scandi- 
navia, but  has  not  been  found  in  Spitzbergen.  in  Central  Uussia  it  is  extremely 
common.     It  only  breeds  in  the  diy  stejjpes  in  Eastern  Euro])e. 

Mr.  Dresser  states  that  its  extra-limital  range  includes  Siberia,  India,  China.  Aus- 
tralia, and  Africa.  It  has  been  seen  in  Kamtschatka  and  in  Eastern  Siberia,  in 
Africa  it  has  been  taken  on  the  Nile,  at  Mozambicpie,  in  Zanziitar.  Madagascar,  Mau- 
ritius, etc.  In  South  Africa  it  is  rare,  but  s])ecimens  have  been  obtained  even  as  t':ir 
south  as  Capetown. 

The  preseiu-e  of  this  sjiecies  in  Greenland,  and  its  conscfpuMit  claim  to  a  place  in 
the  North  American  fauna,  rests  on  the  authority  of  Iieinhardt,  who  states  (•■  Ilns," 
18G1,  p.  10)  that  he  has  seen,  during  recent  years,  five  or  six  specimens  from  various 
parts  of  Greenland,  and  that  he  knows  of  six  others  that  had  previously  been  sent  to 
his  father  in  the  years  IH.'U-KS.'io ;  and  he  expresses  the  belief  that  it  will  yet  ho 
ascertained  that  tliis  Curlew  breeds  in  Greenland.  He  is  strengthened  in  this  by  his 
conviction  that  the  Xinneniiis  meltnioi'hijnrlnis  of  IJonaparte  —  attributed  to  Greenland 
and  Iceland  (Compt.  Kend.  XLIII.  1021)  —  is  no  other  than  this  species. 

The  fiesli  of  this  l)ird  is  said  to  be  excellent  eating.  The  eggs  are  stated  by  Yar- 
rell  to  be  four  in  number.  The  ground-color  is  a  dark  olive-brown,  blotched  with  a 
still  darker  brown.  They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  and  are  very  much  like  those  of  tlic 
Kumenlus  (iniuittu,  but  smaller.  They  measure  2.o4  inches  in  length  by  1.(57  inches 
in  breadth. 

Mr.  Gerbe  states  tluit  this  species  passes  through  France,  in  its  autumnal  migra- 
tions, in  the  months  of  Septendjcr,  October,  and  Novend)er,  and  returns  north  again 
in  the  months  of  April  and  May.  In  its  spring  movements  it  appears  either  solitary 
or  in  small  parties  of  two  or  three. 

Captain  Feilden,  as  (]uoted  by  Mr.  Dresser,  states  that  it  breeds  in  considerable 
abundance  on  the  Faroe  Islands,  from  the  26th  of  May  to  the  17th  of  June.  The 
nest  is  simply  a  de])ression  in  the  soil,  on  the  top  of  some  slight  elevation  in  any 
comparatively  dry  spot  in  the  nuirshes,  and  is  usually  lined  with  a  few  grass  l)ents. 
or  leaves  of  wild  branddes. 

According  to  ^Ir.  Dresser  the  eggs  vary  from  2.25  to  2.57  i"  ches  in  length,  and 
from  1.57  to  1.(51  inches  in  breadth.  They  are  pear-shai)ed,  and  vary  in  color  from 
light  olive-brown  to  dark  greenish  brown.  ISIost  of  them  are  clouded  and  blotched 
with  dark  umber-brown,  the  sjiots  l)eing  more  numerous  toward  the  larger  end. 


NumeniuB  tahitiensia. 

THE  BRISTLT-THIOHED  CURLEW. 

Scolopax  lahilfv.sis,  Omel.  S.  N.  I.  1788,  656. 

Nwnusnuis  tahiticnsis,  Ridow.  Xom.  N.  Am.  \\.  ]881,  no.  .562. 

NttmenUts  taitemis,  CrjiEs,  Check  List,  2(1  ed.  1882,  iio.  647. 

Numcnim  femoral  is,  Peale,  Zool.  V.  S.   Expl.  Exp.  1848,  283.  —  Cass.   Orn.   T*.  .S.  Expl.  Exji. 

1858,  316,  pi.  xxxviii.  —  Rn)Gw.  Am.  Nnt.  July,  1874,  435  (Fort  Kenai,  Alaska). 
Otahf.Ue  Curlew,  Lath.  Synoj).  III.  1781,  122. 
OtnhUe  Ourkw,  f'oi'Es,  1.  c. 


PHALAROPODID.E  —  THE   PHALAROPES. 


325 


Had.     Islands  throughout  the  Pticitic  Ocenn.    Occtisionivl  or  accidental  on  the  coast  of  Alaska. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult:  Tibial  and  femoral  iilumes  with  their  shafts  lengthened  into  long,  hair-like 
loi-itles  ;  crown  dark  sooty  brown,  divided  longitudinally  by  a  nie<lial  stripe  of  buff;  a  stripe  of 
(lii-iky  aggregated  streaks  from  bill  to  and  behind  the  eye  ;  rest  of  the  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts, 
buff,  the  cheeks,  neck,  and  juguluni  streaked  with  brown,  the  sides  irregularly  barred  with  the 
same  ;  axillars  reddish  bulf,  or  dilute  cinnamon,  widely  barred  with  dark  brown.  Upper  parts 
■iiioty  brown,  coarsely  spottetl  with  buff.  Rump  nearly  uniform  dark  brown  ;  upper  tail-coverts 
1111(1  tail  ochraceous-buff",  the  latter  regularly  barred  with  brown  (the  brown  bars  narrower  than  the 
iiilt-rspaces),  the  coverts  sometimes  nearly  immaculate,  but  usually  irregularly  marked  with  brown. 
"  Legs  and  fei't  dull  livid  blue  ;  iris  hazel  ;  basal  half  of  lower  mandible  dull  dark  flesh-color,  lost 
nf  bill  horn-black"  (Nelson,  MS.). 

Total  length,  about  17.2.')  ;  extent,  32.50  ;  i  wing,  about  10.60  ;  tail,  4.60  ;  culnien,  3.65  ;  tar- 
sus, 2.20  ;  middle  toe,  1.50. 

The  single  Alaskan  sjiecimen  before  us  agrees  with  examples  from  the  Sandwich  Islands  and 
Paumotu  Group,  but,  being  in  more  perfect  feather,  is  somewhat  deeper  colored. 

This  species  Avas  first  described  by  Mr.  Peale  in  1848  from  specimens  obtained  by 
the  Wilkes  Exploring  Expedition  at  Vincennes  Island,  one  of  the  Paumotu  Group,  in 
latitude  16°  H.,  longitude,  144°  W.  A  single  male  specimen  was  taken  by  Mr. 
Bis(dioff  at  Fort  Kenai,  Alaska,  May  18,  1869,  and  is  in  the  Collection  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution.  The  occurrence  of  a  bird,  the  habitat  of  which  is  presumed  to 
lie  in  the  Southwestern  Pacific  Ocean,  and  distant  some  five  thousand  miles  from 
Alaska,  and  in  a  tropical  region — a  locality  so  remote  and  so  unlike  its  natural 
haunt  —  can  only  be  regarded  as  being  something  jnirely  accidental.  The  bird  is 
said  to  bear  a  general  resemblance  to  the  N.  Hudsonicus,  but  to  be  conspicuously  dis- 
tinguishable by  the  rigid  bristles  that  form  the  termination  of  the  feathers  of  the 
upper  portion  of  the  tibiae.  Except  a  slightly  stronger  ferruginous  tint  in  the  males, 
the  two  sexes  were  not  distinguishable.  They  were  abundant  on  an  island  of  the 
Paumotu  Group  named  Vincennes  by  the  Expedition,  were  found  in  the  month  of 
September,  and  had  become  exceedingly  fat  by  feeding  on  the  berries  of  a  species  of 
Canthium,  then  very  abundant.  The  birds  were  rather  tame,  and  when  flushed  uttered 
a  clear  plaintive  whistle.  Beyond  this  we  have  no  history  of  their  habits,  their 
manner  of  breeding  not  being  known. 


Family  PHALAROPODID^.  —  The  Phalakopes. 

Ohar,  Small  birds  of  Sandpiper-like  appearance,  but  with  very  full,  compact 
jilumage  like  that  of  the  Coots,  Gulls,  and  Petrels  ;  the  tarsus  greatly  compressed, 
and  the  toes  partly  webbed,  as  w^ell  as  fringed  by  a  lateral,  sometimes  scalloped, 


11 


The  Phalaropes  are  small  northern  birds  combining  the  habits,  as  well  as  to  a  cer- 
tain extent  the  appearance,  of  the  Waders  and  Swimmers.  The  three  known  species 
belong  to  as  many  different  genera,  whose  characters  are  as  follows :  — 

A.    Bill  flattened,  broad,  the  nostrils  sub-basal. 

1.  PhalaropuB.     Web  between  outer  and  middle  toes  extending  to  beyond  second  joint  of 
the  latter  ;  lateral  membrane  of  all  the  toes  broad  and  deeply  scalloped. 


1  Fresh  measurements  of  No.  58471,  f  ad.  Fort  Kenai,  Alaska,  May,  18,  1869  (F.  Bischoff). 


'1 


'Wtmm^^- 


326 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LISIICOLJ:. 


i 


^« 


l<  a  '( 


B.    Bill  subulutL',  the  nostrils  strictly  basal. 

2.  Lobipes.     Fed  as  in  J'linlaivjiiis. 

3.  Stegauopus.     ^^\■b  between  oulur  und  middle  toes  not  reaching  to  second  joint ;  lateral 

membrane  to  all  the  toes  narrow  and  scarcely  scallopeil. 


Gknus  PHALAROPUS,  Brisson. 


Phalaropus,  Biiiss.  Orn.  VI.  17U0,  12  (type,  Tiiiiga futiairia,  Vikill.). 
"  Crymnphilus,  Vieill.  1816  "  (Cassin). 


•  ^^'      /; 


I" 
i 


I',  fulkarius. 

Char.  Bill  flattened,  broad,  the  Jiostrils  .sub-basal ;  web  between  outer  and  middle  toofi 
extending  to  beyond  second  joint  tif  the  latter  ;  marginal  membrane  of  the  toes  broad  and  deeply 
scalloped. 

Phalaropus  fulicarius. 

THE  BED  PHALAROFE. 

Tringafulicaria,  hi^^f.  S.  N.  I.   1766,   249  (based  on  Phalaropus  rufisccns,  Buiss.  Orn.  VI.  20; 

Edw.irds,  i>I.  142) 
PImhtropiis fulkariim,  Bonai-.  .lour.  Tliilad.  Aead.  IV.  1825,  232.  — Sw.  &  KicH.  F.  B.  A.  II.  ISm, 

407.  —  Ninr.  Man.   II.  1834,  23(i.  -  Am.  Orn.  Bio<;.  III.  mn,,  404,  pi.  255;  Synop.  ]8:i'.i, 

239  ;  n.  Am.  V.  1842,  291,  pi.  339.  —  Cass,  in  Baird's  B.  X.  Am.  1858,  707.  — Baiku,  Cat.  X. 

Am.  H.  1859,  no.  521.  — Couks,  Key,  1872,  248  ;  Clierk  List,  1873,  no.  411  ;  2d  ed.  1882,  no. 

604  ;  H.  X.  \V.  1874,  471.  —  liiixiw.  Xom.  X.  Am.  B.  1882,  no.  503. 
Phalaropim  riifiis,  Vxhh.  Zooj,'.  l!osso-As.  II.  1831,  205,  pi.  63. 
Phdiavopus  plahjrhijncluts,  Tkmm.  M.m.  1815,4.59. 
Phalaropus  rufcsccns,  Hr.iss.  Orn.  VI.  1760,  20. 
Phalaropus  griscus,  Leach,  Cat.  Brit.  Miis.  1816,  34. 

Had.  Northern  portions  of  the  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  very  high  latitudes,  and 
migrating  southward  in  winter  ;  chiefly  maritime  ;  in  America,  recorded  from  as  far  south  iis 
Ohio,  IllinoLa,  .ind  Cape  St.  Lucas, 

Sp.  Char.  Adult,  summer  plumngfi :  Entire  lower  parts  <leep  purplish  cinnamon  ;  sides  of 
head  white.  Back  and  .scapulars  light  ochraceous  or  bufl',  strijied  with  black  ;  wing-coverts  deep 
bluish  plumbeous,  the  greater  widely  tippeil  with  ptire  white  ;  remiges  plumbeous-dusky.  Lining 
of  the  wing  white,  bordered  exteriorly  with  dusky  grayish.     Male,  with  the  crown  and  na])e 


PHALAROPODID^E  —  THE   PHALAKOPES  —  PIIALAROPUS. 


327 


stiiiiked,  like  the  back  ;  white  on  side  of  hend  not  well  defini'd.  Female,  with  the  crown  uniform 
liliiiiilieous-ljlack  or  dark  i>liunlx:ou9,  the  white  on  wide  of  the  head  surroiindinj,'  the  eyes,  and 
alii'iiiitly  delined,  the  nape  unstreakod  cinnamon  and  idiiniheou:'.  Ailult  and  youiirj  in  u-inttr: 
Iliad,  neck,  and  lower  jiurts  jmre  white,  tlie  ucciimt  and  a  space  [lartly  or  completely  Rurroiniding 
ilic  eyes  ilark  pUimlieous.  Ui)i)er  parts  uniform  line  pearl-^'ray  or  lij,dit  bluish  plumbeous,  the 
niiiij,'es  slate-color.  Yoiuuj,  Jimt  jjlummje :  ("rown,  najie,  back,  and  scapulars  dull  black,  the 
I'liiihci's  e(l;-''d  with  ochraceous  ;  winj,'-coverts,  rumj>,  and  upper  lail-coverts  plumbeous,  the  middle 
idvi'its  bordered  with  pale  buff,  tlie  tail-coverts  with  ochraceous.  Head  (e.xcept  crown)  and  lower 
]urts  ^'enerally,  white  ;  the  throat  and  .JM,i,'ulum  sullused  with  brownish  buff.  Downy  youwj: 
Aliuve,  )irif,'ht  tawny  buff,  marked  with  broad  irregular  stripe.^  of  black  ;  superciliary  stripes  bright 
lawny  bull",  separated  oidy  by  a  narrow  and  sometimes  interrupted  dusky  streak  ;  pileum  bright 
raw-uniber  brown,  bonlei-ed  e.xteriorly  with  black  ;  chin  iind  tiiroat  light  fulvous-buff,  changing 
til  smoky  buff  on  jugnlum  ;  rest  of  htwer  parts  dull  whiti.sh. 

Total  length,  about  7.50  inches  ;  wing,  about  r).25  to  5.50  ;  culmen,  .80  to  .95  ;  tarsus,  .80  to 
.85  ;  middle  toe,  .75  to  .80. 


it 

1 

111  very  many  respects  the  habits,  movements,  and  distribution  of  the  Red  Phal- 
arope  appear  to  be  very  nearly  identical  with  those  of  Loh'qies  hjiperboreus.  Like  that 
sju'cies,  it  breeds  in  hifjjh  Arctic  ret^'ioiis,  and  is  even  much  more  decidedly  Arctic  in 
its  residence  during  the  season  of  reproduction.  It  wanders,  during  the  long  period 
that  intervenes  between  these  short  seasons,  irregularly  over  a  large  portion  of  the 
iKirthern  hemisphere,  having  been  traced  to  Calcutta,  where  a  single  specimen  Avas 
jirocured,  and  to  Xorthern  Africa,  where  also  one  was  obtained  in  January  by  Mr. 
Tyrwhitt  lUake  (-'Ibis,"  18C7).  This  species  is  also  included  by  Middendorff  among 
the  birds  of  Siberia,  and  is  given  as  among  those  ■which  penetrate  to  the  extreme 
north.  It  arrives  with  the  Red-necked  Thalarope  on  the  Taimyr  Kiver,  and  the 
two  were  equally  common  there  and  on  the  Bogauida.  In  latitude  ITf  X.  the  last 
was  .seen  on  the  loth  of  August,  and  its  fresh  eggs  were  obtained  June  17th,  and 
half-fledged  young  ones  July  L'oth  (O.  8.).  The  note  of  this  bird  resembles  that  of 
the  Northern  I'halarope  (Lo/)i/>rs  lolxitus),  but  is  even  more  Finch-like. 

In  the  English  Arctic  Expedition  of  1  .S7r)-187()  this  species  was  found  breeding  near 
the  "Alert's  "  winter-ipiarters  (lat  '<'J°  .'57'  \.),  and  Mr.  Feilden  obtained  a  specimen 
there  —  a  female  —  on  the  oOtli  of  ,  uue,  1S7().  During  the  month  of  July  he  also 
ol)served  a  pair  on  a  small  fresh-water  pond  in  latitude  8li°  30'  N.,  where  they  were 
apitarently  breeding.  The  female  was  larger  and  brighter-colored  than  the  male. 
Several  other  examples  were  seen  in  the  same  neighborhood  by  various  members  of 
the  Expedition. 

According  to  Mr.  Kumlien,  this  is  the  "Whale-bird"  and  "Bow-head  Bird"  of 
wlialemen.  He  met  with  large  flocks  of  this  species  at  great  distances  from  land; 
ill  one  instance,  on  Augtist  4tli,  in  latitude  41°,  longitude  68°  W.  Their  numbers  in- 
creased as  he  proceeded  north,  and  at  a  distance  of  two  hundred  miles  from  the  Lab- 
rador coast  he  noticed  them  in  a  gale  in  very  large  flocks.     He  states  that  this  bird 


It 


328 


PR.KCOCIAL  GRALLATOREB  —  LIMICOL.E. 


follows  the  whales,  imnu'diiitely  aiiproiiehing.  wlipii  one  is  seen  to  blow,  in  quest  of 
the  marine  animals  tliiis  In'uiight  to  the  surface.  Wlialemen  always  watch  the  motidiis 
of  this  Itiril,  as  it  is  well  known  that  it  can  discern  a  wliale  at  a  mucii  greater  distauci' 
than  they  can.  A  spe'-imen  wliicli  had  been  killed  on  the  back  of  an  Oreu  gltidlntDr 
was  brought  to  Mr.  Kumlien  l)y  an  Kskimo,  and  i  I'sophagus  was  found  to  becramnuil 
with  small  crustaceans,  which  were  still  alive,  thuugh  the  bird  had  been  killed  .sev(i;d 
hours.  This  species  arrives  in  Cumberland  with  the  breaking-uj)  of  the  ice,  and  is 
said  to  have  greater  powers  of  flight  than  either  the  L.  tobntits  or  the  »V.  If'ilsoui,  and 
to  fly  much  more  swiftly. 

I'rof.  Alfred  Newton  found  these  birds  breeding  on  Spitzbergen,  though  he  was  iml 
able  to  discover  any  of  their  nests.  The  exjdoring  expedition  of  the  i)rcvious  ycur 
met  with  one,  however,  in  the  beginning  of  .Inly  up  the  North  Fjord  of  the  Sound. 
Later  in  the  month  Professor  Duner  found  a  nest  with  tliret'  fresh  eggs  in  l!ill 
Sound.  They  lay  on  the  ground,  without  aiiv  bedding,  among  small  splinters  of  stone 
Dr.  Malmgren  met  with  this  species  as  far  imrth  as  latitude  iSO°  10',  and  states  tliat 
it  feeds  chiefly  on  a  sjieeies  of  nostoc ;  but  the  stomachs  of  those  I'rofessor  Newtmi 
dissected  on  Kossii  contained  gnats  and  their  larva*.  Professor  Newttui  also  rclVis 
to  this  species  as  one  of  the  birds  of  Iceland,  where  it  is  well  known  to  the  natives. 
Faber  met  with  three  pairs,  June  21,  IHL'l,  ami  iigain,  on  the  Oth  of  July,  with  a 
family  party  of  this  species.  In  18uS  I'rofessor  Newton  discovered  two  i)airs  on  a 
lake  in  the  same  district  where  Faber  had  found  his,  but  they  did  not  reniiun  {» 
breed.  In  ISGU  he  received  four  eggs,  well  identified,  which  had  been  sent  to  him 
from  Iceland  by  a  friend. 

Wheelwright  found  this  species  very  rare  in  Scandinavia  ;  but  although  he  nc\  ci' 
obtained  its  eggs,  he  had  no  doubt  that  it  breeds  on  the  coast  of  North  Norway  and 
in  East  and  West  Finland. 

The  IJed  I'halarope  is  a  distinguished  swimmer.  Sabine,  in  his  menu)ir  on  the 
Birds  of  (ireenland  having  met  with  a  flock  of  four,  in  latitude  OiS°,  mentions  tlicir 
swimming  in  the  sei  tiong  icebergs,  several  miles  from  the  shore  ;  and  Kichardson. 
in  his  Appendix  to  ''I'arry's  Second  Voyage,"'  states  that  it  was  observed  in  the  ojicu 
sea,  out  of  sight  of  land,  preferring  to  escape  danger  by  swimming  rather  than  hy 
flying.  This  bird  feeds  on  the  smaller  thin-shelleil  crustacea  and  on  aqiuitic  «;cts, 
which  it  i»ursues  in  the  water  and  picks  u|i  as  they  are  swimming:  and  its  ar 
has  been  compared  to  that  of  a  Teal  with  the  head  drawn  l)ackwards. 

This  bird  is  common  in  the  early  summer  in  (xreenland.     In  I'arry's  Aret^voy- 
ages  it  was  also  observeil  to  be  abundant  on  the  North  Georgian  Islands,  and  l^^t.^^ 
found  breeding  at  Igloolik  and  on  Melville  Island.     It  is  included  in  the  list  of  birds 
given  in  the  zoology  of  r>»'echey's  voyage,  but  the  locality  is  not  given. 

Dr.  Walker  met  with  a  single  specimen  in  ilelville  Hay,  near  Cajjc  York.  Rein- 
hardt  also  tnuimerates  it  among  the  liirds  of  Greenland,  where  it  is  evidently  very 
abundant  during  the  breeding-season.  (■ai)t!un  lilakiston  reeeived  si)ecimens  from 
Hudson's  Bay  which  were  in  their  summer  plumage. 

In  the  summer  of  18G(>  a  very  remarkable  visitation  of  this  bird  took  place  in 
Great  Britain.  It  ajjpeared  in  unusually  large  numbers,  and  a  great  many  were  shot. 
Mr.  J.  H.  (Jurney,  in  a  ])am])hlet  recording  this  unusual  occurrence,  states  that  tii(! 
flrst-comers  made  their  appearance  on  the  20th  of  August,  none  being  seen  after  the 
8th  of  October.  The  greater  number  of  those  taken  were  shot  between  the  15th  and 
the  25th  of  Se])teraber,  inclusive.  Adult  specimens  and  the  young  of  the  year  were 
obtained  to  the  number  of  not  less  than  two  Juutdred  and  fifty ;  they  were  chiefly 
take,   in  the  south  of  England. 


IP'' 

jilll 

"\ 


I'UALAHOFODID.K  -  TlIK   IMIALAHOI'KS  —  PIIALAROPUS. 


329 


on  tlic 

tlii'ii' 

iinlsiiii. 

le  opt'ii 

iiin  by 

■fts. 


Uk'hiirdsiin  states  that  he  t'omul  this  spt'cics  iihmulaiit  in  lii^'ii  northern  hititudes, 
liircding  on  the  Nortli  (Jeorgian  Ishinds  and  on  the  .MelviUe  Peninsula.  It  was  fro- 
i|iiciitly  seen  hy  the  uiendiers  of  the  northern  ex|ieditions  swimming  at  a  great  dis- 
tjiuce  Irom  land.  Its  eggs  —  generally  four  in  nnndter  —  are  described  as  iiaving  an 
(lil-green  ground,  varied  by  crowded,  irregular  s[)ots  of  dark  nnd)er-brown,  whieli 
iMCiinie  eonHiient  toward  the  o!)tnse  end. 

Mr.  Hatty  writes  that  lie  has  observed  this  species  keejiing  in  its  migrations  well 
(lilt  to  sea,  and  thinks  tiiat  it  is  rarely  seen  inland.  He  met  with  it  about  the  middle 
lit  May  in  the  Hay  of  Fundy,  whence  it  departed  for  the  iu)rth  shortly  after  its  arrival, 
rrtiutiing  again  in  .\ugust  iti  coiintlchs  inimbers,  keeping,  al)ont  twelve  miles  from 
the  land,  in  the  tide-streaks,  where  it  fed  (Ui  the  surface  of  the  water,  Hoating  or 
swimming  aixmt  in  it  as  small  Ducks  do. 

(iiraud  considered  this  I'halarope  as  of  rare  occurrence  on  Long  Island,  mention- 
ing one  specimen  known  to  have  been  shot  at  (^uxiue,  and  others  said  to  have  been 
taken  in  that  vicinity.  It  is  probably  not  so  rare  there  as  has  l)een  sui)j)()sed,  A 
tiiic  pair  in  their  winter  plumage  was  .shot  in  that  neig!d)orhood  in  October,  1S7.">,  by 
Dr.  .Fames  C.  Merrill,  and  are  now  in  tlie  collection  of  the  I'xiston  Natural  History 
Sdcicty.  It  is  said  also  to  be  rari'  on  the  coast  of  New  .Icrsey  and  on  the  Atlanti(! 
>liiires  generally,  although  probably  more  common  a  short  distance  out  at  sea.  It 
occurs  as  a  migrant,  in  the  fall,  in  the  interior,  on  the  Western  lakes  and  rivers  ;  but 
its  iippearance  is  only  occasional,  and  the  iiistory  of  its  distribution  is  but  ini))erfectly 
known.  Audul)on  met  with  it  on  the  Ohio,  near  Louisville,  in  LSOcS.  It  was  then 
late  in  October,  and  the  l)irds  were  in  their  winter  ]ilumage.  They  seem  to  have  been 
singularly  abundant  at  that  time  —  so  nuudi  so,  tluit  he  shot  seventeen  at  a  single 
discharge.  The  same  author  nu-ntions  that  in  September,  1831,  —  being  about  si.xty 
iiiih's  outside  of  Nantucket  —  he  passed  through  an  extensive  bank  of  sea-weed,  on 
wliieli  Inuidreds  of  this  sjtecies  were  walking  about  as  unconcernedly  as  if  on  land. 
Their  flight  he  deseril)es  as  rapid,  and  not  unlike  that  of  the  Red-backed  Sandpiper 
{I'vl  ill  11(1  iinwricfUKi). 

Mr.  H.  W.  Elliott  noticed  tins  species  as  being  iit  certain  times  rather  more  abun- 
diuit  than  L.  /oixitiis  anunig  the  Prybilof  Islands;  yet  he  had  no  reason  to  believe 
tliat  it  l)red  there.  Like  that  bird,  it  was  seen  by  the  marshy  margins  of  the  lakelets, 
solitary  or  paired,  but  never  in  Hocks.  The  earliest  arrivals  oecur  in  June,  and  it 
reappears  in  the  greate.st  number  about  the  loth  of  August;  by  the  oth  of  October 
all  liave  left. 

Mr.  IJoardman  is  (piite  positive  that  a  few  of  this  species  breed  on  the  St.  Croix 
Kiver  every  season.  On  one  occasion,  in  company  with  Mr.  Kisder,  near  Princeton, 
ill  tile  last  of  June,  he  canu'  upon  sonu'  y<mng  birds  already  hatched  out  and  running 
about,  and  one  of  them  was  killed  with  a  tishing-pole.  This  was  in  the  neighborhood 
of  (irand  Lake,  about  sixty  miles  north  of  Calais,  Me. 

Tliis  bird  has  not  —  so  far  as  known  —  been  found  abundant  on  the  Pacific  coa.st. 
l>r.  CoojH'r  mentions  only  a  single  si)eeimen,  which  was  shot  near  San  Francisco  by 
.Mr.  Hepburn  ;  but  he  did  not  meet  with  any  south  of  that  place. 

y\r.  Dresser  sjieaks  of  having  received  twenty  eggs  of  this  bird  taken  at  Egedes- 
niiiidc  and  Upernavik.  (Treenland.  Sonic  had  a  ])ale  greenish  gray,  or  sea-green 
gnnuid  color,  and  Avere  covered  with  purplish-lirown  underlying  shell-markings  and 
very  clearly  defined  blackish-brown  surface  spots,  which  at  the  larger  end  were 
almost  confluent.     They  varied  in  size  from  .8")  l)y  1.07  inches  to  .88  by  1.27  inches. 

This  species  was  found  breeding  on  the  Arctic  coast  of  North  America  by  ilr. 
ilacFarlane.     It  was  nu't  with  in  Franklin  Bay,  on  the  4th  and  5th  of  July,  and  five 

VOL.  I.  —  42 


r 


■:i 


w 


; 


1 


i  .1 


5  i 


330 


PR.KCOCIAL  OUALLATOUES  —  LIMICOL.Ii. 


individiiuls  and  two  nests  wore  oljtuinctl.  Tho  nests  are  said  to  have  boon  ])reci,silv 
similar  to  tliost?  of  A.  Inlmtiis  —  nicro  depressions  in  tlie  j,'ronnd,  witli  hardly  any 
linin}<  exeejit  a  few  dry  leavt-s.  One  nest  —  found  on  tiie  Itii  — contained  three  e;,';,'>. 
whieh  were  perfectly  fresh.  The  other  —  taken  on  the  oth  —  contained  fouregj,'s,  in 
which  were  l»nt  slij^htly  develoiied  endiiyos. 

The  egt,'s  of  this  Hpecies  found  liy  Mr.  .MacFarlane  on  an  island  in  Franklin  I'.ay. 
on  the  Anrtie  coast,  measure  l..'i(l  inches  in  leni,'th  hy  .87  of  an  inch  in  Im-adlli. 
Their  gro\ind-eolor  is  greenish  drab,  marked  with  lilotches  of  a  varying  intensity  dl 
sepia-brown,  larger,  more  conHuent,  and  deeper  in  tint  on  the  obtuse  end.  The  small- 
est spe(umens  of  this  egg  measure  .iS,**  by  l.l."i,  and  one  «'gg  is  .*.<()  in  breadth. 


Geni's  LOBIPES,  C'lrviER. 

Lobipes,  "Cvv,  Rt-g.  Aiiiin.  1817"  (typi',  Trinija  lininrbunii,  Linn.,  =  T.  lobata,  LitJN.). 
Chak.    Siniilur  to  Pkularopug,  but  bill  Hubulato,  and  the  nostrils  strictly  basal. 


L.  hbatits. 


If 


ii^i 


Lobipes  lobatus. 

TEE   NOHTHEBN   PHALABOFE. 

Tringa  lobata,  LiVN.  S.  N.  ed.  10,  I.  1758,  148  ;  wl.  12,  I.  1706,  249  (based  on  Edw.  pi.  308). 
Tringa  hupcvborca,  LiNN.  S.  N.  ed.  12,  17()ii,  241)  (Imscd  on  Faun.  Siiec.  17!)  ;  Emv.  143 ;  AVii.i,.  27i' ; 

Hay,  \^1.  ~  Phahmijim  ciii'irux,  I5i;iss.  Oni.  VI.  15). 
Phalaropua  hyperboirus  (male),  L.\tii.  Ind.   Oiii.   II.   17W,  775  (oxcl.  syn.   supposed  female  =  /'. 

/((/ifrtWit.v).  —  Nirrr.  Man.  II.  1834,  239.  —Arn.  Oni.  liiog.  III.  183,5,  118  ;  V.  1839,  .WS,  il. 

215. —  Cash,  in  Hainl's  li.  X.  Am.  1858,  70G.  —  lUiitD,  Cat.  N.  Am.  H.  1859,  no.  520. 
Lobipes  hypcrbotrus,  Cuv.  liej,'.  .\nim.  I.  cd.  1829,  532.  —  AliD.  Synop.  1839,  240  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1!<1J. 

295,  pi.   340.  —  Coi-Ks.   Key,    1872.   248;  Check   List,   1873,   no.   410;  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  Cu3  : 

B.  N.  W.  1874,  409.  —  ItiiKiW.  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1882,  no.  564. 
Tringa  fusca,  Omel.  S.  X.  L  ii.  1788,  675. 
Phahiropus  rnficoUis,  Pai.I,.  Zoog.  IJosso-As.  1 1.  1826,  203. 
Phalitropus  cinevasccus,  I'At.l,.  t.  e.  204. 
Phalaropiis  cinmus,  Mkyi'.I!  &  Woi.k,  Taseli.  II.  1810,  417. 
Phalaropus  angnslirostriK,  Xatm.  Vlig.  Dentseld.  VIII.  1836,  240,  pi.  205. 
"  Phalaropus  aiuttralis,  Tf.mm.  &  Bi-."  (Sciilwiki,). 
Plialaropim  Willinwitii,  Sim.m.  Linn.  Trans.  VIII.  264. 

Had.  Northern  portions  of  the  northern  hemisphere  ;  breeding  very  far  north,  and  not  pene- 
trating far  within  the  tropics  in  winter  ;  chiefly,  but  not  .strictly,  maritime.  In  America,  reconlcil 
from  the  following  southern  localities:  Bennudas  ;  Dueiiaa,  Guatemala;  Isthmus  of  Tebuan- 
tepec. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult :  Above,  dark  plumbeous,  the  back  striped  with  ochraceous ;  wings  dusky, 
the  greater  coverts  widely  tipped  with  white  ;  lower  parts  chiefly  white,  the  neck  with  more  or 


niALAROPOniD.E  —  TIIK   IMIALAUOrKS       LOIIIPKS. 


331 


|.  >i  nilouH.  Fimali;  witli  tliu  xitU's  ul  tlit-  lut^k  ami  JiikuIuiii  niiiroMii  riniiiiiiutii-nit'otiH,  t)iu  |iluiu- 
licKiis  iiliDVc  |im'i'  anil  ciiiitiimiiuM.  Mali;  willi  llic  rnrinis  iciiiliiicil  iliiclly  to  tlif  HiiU'.i  at  the  iicck, 
ilu'  jti;,Miluiii  lii'iiif,'  mixfil  wliite  and  j,'rayi.-<li,  linked  willi  MilonH  ;  iilnnilicons  aliovi;  iliiUcr  and  less 
I'.iiilinuouH  tlian  in  tlie  IVnialc.  Vdiiini,  jifn'  jilinnuiji  :  < 'iitwn  ]iliinilii'<ms-diiHky,  witlioi' wiiliont 
-livakfi;  liaik  and  ,ica|(nlais  Maik,  di>liniily  slivakcd  with  linll'  nr  inliiacciius  ;  win},'s  as  in  adnll, 
ImiI  middle  lovui'ts  liordfrcd  willi  Imll'  nv  \vliili.->li.  l-'uicla'ad,  sniira-aiiiicular  siri|n'.  Imvs,  ami 
l.iwiT  paitu  wliito,  the  Ju},'uluni  and  sidi'.-*  <d'  lin^axt  KoinctiiiU's  ruiH'iiMfd  with  dull  biowniwli  ;  atiririi- 
lai>dii!<ky.     IhWHij  youiKj :  Above,  l)i'i>,'lit  tawny,  llic  iiinip  with  lliivu  jianillel  Hlriiius  ol  lilatk, 


V5 


(•mjosin;;  two  of  li^ditcr  fiilvouH  than  llm  f,'ro\ind-tolor  ;  crown  coveivd  by  a  tvian^^jular  patch  of 
niiitlli'd  darkiT  l)i'own,  bounded  iircgnlaily  with  blackish  ;  a  black  linu  over  cars,  not  rcachinf,'  to 
tlic  eye ;  throat  and  rest  of  heud  lif^lit  tiiwny  fiilvoiw  ;  rest  of  lower  parts  white,  bccoiuinj,'  },'rayi.ih 
pdstcriorly. 

Ttital  Icnjitli,  about  7.(K>  iucliesi  ;  winj,',  4.(H)-4.4.") ;  culnien,  .H()-.!)() ;  tar.sus,  .75-. 85  ;  middle 

tllC,   .li.')-.""). 

'I'lu'ie  is  no  .specimen  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection  repicsciitin;,' the  winter  ])luma^'e  of  tliis 
.species;  but  this  stage  is  thus  described  by  Naumann,  in  "Die  Vo;,'el  Deut.schlands  "  (Vol.  V'lII. 
pp.  :i4l.  -dl't)  :  "  The  winter  plumage,  whiidi  they  take  after  the  young  plumage,  seldom  aiijiears  in 
lull,  and  such  young  birds  are  yet  inoidting  when  another,  the  spring  moulting,  sets  in.  Ev(!n  old 
liirds  are  scldoni  found  in  full  winter  plumage,  because  the  autumnal  moulting  goes  on  very  slowly, 
Tlif  few  new  featlier.s  which  are  often  found  in  tho.si'  killed  in  late  autumn  .seem  to  have  been  over- 
liMikecl,  since  a  de.scrijjtion  of  them  can  nowhere  be  found,  although  they  appear  ([uite  dilferent  from 
those  of  the  young,  luid  even  of  the  sunnner  ]dumage.  I  have  a  specimen  in  which  almost  the  whole 
liliiniage  has  been  renewed,  and  which,  therefore,  has  almost  (;omi)letely  taken  its  winter  jjlumage. 
It  i~  strikingly  dilferent  from  the  other  plumages.  The  forelie;id,  a  stripe  over  the  eye  extending 
tliMUgh  the  temjdes,  bridles,  chin,  throat,  clie(.-ks  (mostly),  foreneck,  breast,  and  belly  to  tbe  tail 
piuc  white  ;  the  crown  gray,  with  bluish-white  .scales  with  black  .stri])es  on  shafts  ;  a  little  spot 
before  the  eye  black  ;  a  slri|(  under  the  eye,  somewhat  more  extendeil  over  the  auricular  region, 
blaiki.sh  and  whitish  gray  mingled  ;  the  hind  neck  light  Idni.sh  gray,  with  a  few  somewhat  darker 
spots  ;  the  sides  of  the  juguluni  clouded  with  )>alc  gray,  with  a  yellowisli-brown  wash  ;  upper  back, 
slioulders,  and  hinder  wing- feathers  gray,  toward  the  roots  of  the  feathei-s  darkest,  approaching 
M.ukish  brown,  with  black  shafts  and  broad  bluish-white  borders,  by  which  the  wlude  gains  the 
(i|ipc,irance  of  being  deep  gray,  with  grayish-white  .scales.  The  middle  tail-feathers  also  have  dull 
white  borders,  and  are,  besides,  like  the  U])per  tail-covert.s,  rump,  or  lower  back,  blackish  brown- 
gray;  the  latter,  however,  with  only  a  few  light  borders  to  the  feathers.  All  the  rest  is  like  tlio 
vdiiiig  ]>lumage,  but  with  the  wing-coverts  .somewhat  lighter,  in  old  birds  intermixed  with  feathera 
tile  color  of  the  shoulder-feathei's  (.scapulars)." 

I'^xamples  vary  considerably  in  the  clearness  and  sharp  definition  of  the  colors,  even  those  in 
the  down  dilfering  much  in  this  respect,  some  being  pale  yellowi.sh,  and  others  deep  rusty  fulvous ; 
the  latter  e.xtreme  being  represented  by  a  .s[)ecimen  from  the  region  of  Hudson's  Bay,  the  former 
by  examples  from  the  Prybilof  Islands,  Alaska.  As,  however,  several  from  the  latter  locality  vary 
among  themselves,  the  diflerence  is  perhaps  jutrely  individual. 


^' 


ii 


;i|  'rf  ;  ■  m  j 


332 


PR.KCOClAr.  (il(AI,L.\T()KKS  —  LIMU'dL.t:. 


:i . 


■ 


1  '^  "*■ 

1  •  '■ 

'  > 

1    '    ' 

,;     ' 

U 

ifli 


Tlii.s  sjH'cifH,  kiiDWii  iiiiiiiiiK  writers  liotli  ;i.s  llic  (jniv  iiutl  us  tli«'  Ut'il-ncckcd  I'liiila 
rope  —  tlic  (iiif  iiiiiuf  liiiviii^,'  Im'ch  siiKKi'^^tt'il  I))'  its  wiiitta-  pliiiiuim',  th(!  otliiT  liy  flir 
l)ri>,'lit  coloi's  wliicli  iiilniii  its  suiiiiiifr  dn-ss  —  is  foiiiiunii  tu  iMitlicuutimMits,  liri-fiiin,' 
in  the  liij^li  .Victic  ir'^idiis  nl  Asiii,  Hiiin|ic.  mnl  Aiiicricii  in  ijir  cuily  siiimmT,  iiml 
from  Au^rust  to  tlic  latter  pint  ul  .May  wiiiidfriii;,'  irrt-Kuliirly  ovit  h  laiKc  jtortiori  ul 
the  iKirtlifni  licinisplit'ii'. 

Mr.  It.  .Swiiilidi'  iiii'iitiinis  luiviiii,'  prdcnrcd  H])fciiiicns  of  (Ids  Itird  in  Novi'iidior 
lu'ur  Apf's  Hill,  in  Knrninsa.  It  was  sitting'  and  tloatini,',  uashin;4  ilsdl'  in  a  iittlr 
stream,  and  its  niovenients  ai'c  s)ioken  ol'  as  lieinj,'  Itntli  pleasing  and  ^'raeelul.  Ai 
Tanisay.  .March  11.  he  pmenred  three  others  I'roni  a  tioek  which  was  teedin;.f  on  tin' 
shoals  of  the  livr;  niid  he  afterward  met  with  this  species  on  the  island  of  iiainaii. 
A,s  he  was  leavin;^  lliini,'-pe,  fonr  of  liiese  birds  tlew  toward  tlie  .sliip  and  .sat  Hoatin.; 
on  the  water  close  to  Iiim'.  Ife  alterward.  .\piil  I,  on  the  shore  of  the  liUncliou 
I'eidnsnla,  saw  another,  which  he  seeniccl.  \  single  s)ieeimcn  is  said  ("  Ibis."  I,S(i7. 
J).  IG!))  to  have  iieen  taken  liy  Mr.  Wallace  in  one  of  tiie  Arm  Islands.  The  natuml- 
ists  of  I'erry's  I''..\|)edition  to  .lapaii  prociirc<l  specimens  ol' this  hii'd  from  the  Islinii! 
of  Ni|ihon. 

Althoni,'h  a  northern  hiiil  in  its  Itreedin;,',  thi.-'  species  makes  its  appe.'tr.mce  ni 
warmer  rcji^ions  immediately  upon  the  (dose  of  its  season  of  reproihietion  Mr.  Sahiii 
met  with  fonr  of  this  species  at  Dnefias,  in  (inutemala.  in  Aujj;nst.  '..S.'t',).  They  had 
apparently  hnt  just  ai'rived.  and  were  swimmin,!^  slowly  aliont  {)„  the  lake.  |)ickin',f  at 
the  weeds,  and  showint;  the  usnal  alisence  of  timidity  peculiar  to  these  birds. 

Middendorff  speaks  of  this  species  as  iiein^'  abundant  iu  Siberia,  and  iiadudes  it  in 
liis  list  of  those  birds  widcii  penetrate  to  the  exti'cnu'  north.  \'on  lleuj,din  found  it 
at  the  bei,dnidnj;  of  September  on  Nova  Zendda,  already  dressed  in  its  autumnal  plu- 
mage ;  also  on  Wayj^atz  Island,  w  here  it  w  as  leathered  iu  family  parties  of  six  or  moic 
on  shallow  fresh-water  poids.  Mr.  ('.  \V.  Shepherd  found  it  breeding  in  great  inunbcrs 
on  the  small  islands  in  the  Lake  (d  My-vatu,  in  the  north  (d'  lc(daud.  The  young 
birds  —  "tiny  little  pieces  of  aninuited  wool"  —  were  very  beautiful  ;  and  the  old 
birds  were  so  tame  that  they  were  caught  in  the  landing-net  like  butterflies,  as  tlicy 
tiew  anmnd,  while  the  hens  .sat  still,  l)rooding  their  litth'  ones  within  a  few  feet 
of  him. 

I'rofessor  Ts'ewton  also  mentions  finding  this  bii'd  very  common  all  over  Iccdand. 
on  all  the  ponds  and  lakes,  arriving  Lite  in  May,  and  at  once  iteginning  the  duties  (d 
niditication.  On  one  occasion,  in  the  nnnith  of  dune,  he  saw  a  Hock  of  at  least  a 
hnndred  sitting  on  the  surf,  between  the  breaking  waves  and  the  shore. 

Although  ^Ir.  Wheelwright  found  this  species  far  more  common  in  Seandinavia 
than  the  fii/!riir!iis,  he  does  not  think  that  they  breed  anywhere  excepting  in  the 
Lapland  fell-valleys.  They  breed  commonly  at  (^)ui(dviok.  The  egg.s.  four  in  mindier. 
he  describes  as  being  of  a  i)ale  (dive-green  ecdor,  and  covered  with  large  and  small 
blaci  ''"own  sjiots.  He  found  imt  little  difference  between  the  eggs  of  this  specio 
and  tiiosc  of  t\n'  fidirariiin,  except  that  the  latter  are  slightly  larger. 

Yarrell  states  that  this  bird  is  nuudi  less  rare  in  England  than  the  lied  (d'  the 
same  species;  but  the  latter  is  in(n'e  ecnnmon  in  the  northern  islands  of  Se(jtlaiid. 
Mr.  Salmon,  who  visited  the  Orkm^ys  in  tlie  snmmer  of  1831,  says  of  this  bird,  as 
quoted  by  Yarr(dl :  "This  beautiful  little  bird  a|)i>eared  to  be  very  tame ;  although 
we  shot  two  pair,  those  that  were  .swimming  aliout  did  not  take  the  least  notice  el 
the  report  of  the  gun ;  and  they  seemed  to  be  much  attached  to  each  other,  for  when 
one  of  them  flew  to  a  short  distance,  the  other  directly  fcdlowed ;  and  while  1  held  a 
female  that  was  wounded,  in  my  hand,  its  mate  came  and  fluttered  before  ray  face, 


rnALAUui'onin.K  -  tuk  vuw.wun'KH  —  LoniPKs, 


83;j 


\rtcr  Hoini'  little  (litlirtilty,  we  were  rortuiiiitc  in  tiinlinn  tlicir  iitsts,  wliicli  wen* 
l>lai  Til  ill  small  tiit'tH  of  ^niKH.  iiinl  wi'ir  .liiuiit  tin'  si/.t'  ot'  tliut  of  II  Titlark,  hut  miii!h 
i|('('|ii'i'.  Tlii'y  liail  lint  just  I'diiiiui'iio'il  la,viiiK<  •liiiir  l<(,  as  we  foiinil  Imt  (Uic  nr  two 
f^-^'s  ill  a  iii'st,  ami  tlii'ir  miiiiln'r  is  tniii'." 

Nilssoii  also  mi'iitioiis  this  liini  visiting  Swcdfii  and  Norway,  iiiid  states  that  a  fi'W 
iciiiMiii  to  hi'i'rd  (111  the  margins  of  fn'sh-water  lakfs;  Imt  tin'  Ki'''ut.('r  part  k<»  tiirtlirr 
imitli.  Mi:  \V.  I'roctor  visited  leeland  in  the  summer  of  l-S.'J",  and  states  that  ho 
loiiiid  it  hreediii^  on  little  hilloeks  in  tho  marshes.  The  youii}^'  liinls  left  the  nest  as 
sniiii  as  hatched.  <  hi  llie  a|i|ir(>ai'h  (d  dan.i^ei.  the  old  liinl  runs  amoiif^  the  ui|uati<! 
|il;iiils,  s|ireadin,i,'  her  wind's  and  enmiteileitiii!,'  lameni'ss.  As  soon  as  she  has  siie- 
nrded  ill  attract  ill;,'  the  enemy  away  Inim  her  youn^;,  siie  soars  upward  to  a  ,t,'''*'"t 
liii;,'iil.  then  desciMids  Very  rapidly,  making'  a  noise  with  her  will^'s,  the  motions  of 
which  ill   her  upward  tli!,'lit  are  also  .somewhat  remarkahle.     On   returning'  to  the 

i;r(iiiiid  she  calls  her  youii<,'  to'^'ether  with  a  | iiliar  cry,  and  ^'jithers  them  under  lu-r 

alter  the  manner  of  the  domestic  ileii. 

Tiiis  I'lialarojie  is  found  on  the  I'acitic  coast  at  Vancouver  Islaiul,  where  Mr.  K. 
|!iiiuiic  mentions  its  lu'cseiice.  Dr.  Cooper  states  that  in  winter  it  migrates  south  of 
Caliiiirnia.  not  htdii;^  common  lieyniid  iMoiiterey.  lie  procured  a  single  specimen 
soiitii  of  San  Die^ro,  wliicli  had  heeii  killed,  May  1.  hy  flying,' against  the  liKhtiiou.se. 
At  .\h)iiterey  he  noticed  its  arrival,  apiiareiitly  Irom  the  nioiiiitaius,  ahout  Septemlier 
].■»;  and  lie  saw  this  hird  otf  San  Kraucisco  Hay  in  tJuiU!,  when  it  may  have  heeii 
nesting'  amoii^  the  ('oast  iJaiiKcs. 

Tliis  sjiecies  is  also  mentioned  hy  lieiuhardt  as  occurring  in  Greenlaml ;  and  ( 'aptain 
ISlakiston  received  specimens  of  it  from  Hudson's  Itay  and  (Ircat  J'lear  Lake;  Mr.  Koss 
also  found  it  on  the  Mackenzie  IJiver,  althou;.,di  it  is  not  common  there. 

.Major  Weihlerlinrn  records  the  taking  of  two  specimens  of  this  liird  in  Ik'r- 
luuda ;  one  was  found  di-ad.  March  21.  ISfS,  suji])oseil  to  Jiave  heen  killed  hy  Hying 
a.uaiiist  the  iron  lighthouse  during  the  night;  the  other  was  found  the  '' -ilowiug  day, 
swiiiuuing  ill  Hamilton  Water,  and  was  kiUed  with  a  stick.  Mr.  Ilurdis  mentions  a 
tliird,  taken  .March  8,  IxriL';  this  one  he  kiUed  with  liis  walking-stick. 

Mr.  Uoardiiiau  informs  me  that  this  sjiecies  is  found  ahout  l'a,s.sama(|UO(hly  ISay  all 
the  summer,  and  that  it  undoubtedly  breeds  there  iu  the  spring  and  fall.  It  is  geu- 
crally  known  as  the  ".Sea  Goose,"  from  the  jieculiar  manner  in  which  it  sits  on  the 
water.     Its  food  appears  to  be  Crustacea  and  marine  insects. 

Mr.  Harold  Herrick  also  states  that  these  birds  may  be  .seeii  in  large  numbers  all 
the  summer  on  the  "  Ki])lings,"  about  eight  miles  from  Grand  .Meiian,  wliere  they 
congregate  to  feed  on  the  shrimps  and  aniinahnihe  tliat  drift  in  the  eddies  matle  liy  the 
advancing  and  receding  tide.  They  do  not  ap]»roach  the  shore  except  when  driven 
ill  i»y  storms,  but  ;ire  represented  as  being  very  tame. 

Rieliardson  states  that  they  In'ced  on  all  the  Arctic;  coasts  of  America,  and  only 
resort  to  the  shores  of  Hudson's  May  in  the  autumn,  freiiucnting  sh.ady  ponds,  in  which 
ihcy  swim  with  ease  and  elegance,  their  attitudes  resembling  those  of  the  Common 
Teal;  and  like  that  bird  eimtinnally  diitping  tlieir  bills  into  the  water,  picking  up 
tiic  small  insects  which  constitute  their  food. 

(Jiraud,  in  his  "  Mirds  of  Long  Island."  mentions  having  seen  several  specimens  of 
tliis  bird  that  had  betn  procured  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  where  it  is  regarded 
as  very  rare,  as  it  is  also  on  fiOiig  Island.  He  met  with  one  on  the  inner  beach  the 
latter  part  of  June,  in  company  with  a  party  of  small  Sandpipers.  It  was  very 
gentle,  and  sh  'd  no  disjiosition  to  take  wing,  even  when  lie  came  (piite  near.  Tliis 
proved  to  be  s.     mug  male  of  tliat  year,  and  its  stouiacli  contained  particles  of  shells 


■m 


334 


riLWDClAl.  Ull.VM.AioUKM—  LIMIC<»I,.K. 


n 


*    ;i 


*  I 


:,}• 


! 

1 

i 

if 

ft* 

lii 


iiiid  miiiit.  Tliis  N|M>picH  is  iiitr(><iu*>nt  in  tlic  iiiiildli-  dirttrirt,  ami  is  rart>ly  mM>ti  nuiiiIi 
ttf  Ni'w  N'ork.  (liiuiid  Htativs.  ou  tiir  aiitimrits  (d'  I'lidcssm-  Ituird,  that,  cxaiiiidcs  n| 
tlds  l'lialiir<)|ii>  have  twiir  Ihtii  tai<cii  near  CailiHlf,  I'a. 

S(ii'(Miiifii.s  III  this  I'liaiai'Dpf  arc  urcasiinialiv  tai<*'it  iu>ai'  ItoHtnii,  as  \vt  II  as  on 
various  iitlici'  |Mii'liniis  id'  tin'  New  I'ai^daiid  cuasl  ;  ixit  it  dnrs  not  a|i|ii'ar  to  lit-  loin 
iiioii  oil  ui'  iii'ai'  till'  laiiil.  It  also  orriiis  as  au  irii'^idai  ami  iidi'n|ii<'iit  laiKiaiit,  Imili 
in  Hpi'iiiK  and  tall,  near  l<akt>  KoskonouK, 

A  small  tlmk  of  tiii'Sf  liirds  was  sfi-n  on  tlic  west  coast  of  (liccnlaml.  in  latitmli' 
7\'\  in  .lane,  on  Tarn's  first  vova.uc  ;  and  I{oss,  in  the  Appendix  to  the  "'I'hird  Vny. 
ap'."  nicniions  thai  a  small  tlock  alighted  under  the  lec  ol  the  ship  daring' a  stniie^r 
hrceze,  and  were  so  tearless  as  to  approach  within  a  lew  yards,  feeding,'  on  siii;il| 
Hhrimps,  which  were  seen  in  ;,'rcatr  nnndicis.  At  that  time  the  ship  was  at  least  si\i\ 
ndles  Irom  the  nearest  land.  These  birds  were  alterward  lonml  hrecdin;,'  on  the 
AVhalcHsh  Islands;  lait  noiu'  were  m'cii  after  h-uviiiK  (irccniand. 

According'  to  the  ohservations  of  Mr.  I,.  Knndien,  this  species  arrives  in  Cnndier- 
land  in  thine  in  lar^e  flocks,  but  is  not  so  ciuiimoii  HHfii/i'itirtus  ;  and  he  states  lli;it 
lie  has  seen  the  htlmtiin  as  far  south  and  farther  north,  and  nearly  as  far  trnin 
land  as  that  Hpecics ;  hut  this  is  true  only  of  a  few  individuals.  It  seems  more  IhihI 
of  the  shore,  hreedinj,'  |)lentiliilly  on  the  islands  in  Disco  liay.  It  is  less  hic^m- 
riou.s  than_/W//'/n'//M,  and  prefers  small  hays  to  the  open  sea.  This  bird  ali^;hts  eii 
till!  drift-ice,  and  feeds  by  juiiipinj,'  into  the  water  after  food,  where  the /»///>(*/•/».« 
Would  have  aliKhtt'd  in  the  water  in  the  first  jilace. 

From  the  ilcniidcd  condition  of  the  breasts  of  the  males  id'  this  species  which  have 
been  taken  diiiiiif^  the  breediii<,'-season,  there  is  ^'ood  rciison  to  believe  that,  like  ihe 
Wilson's  I'lialaropc,  the  males  id'  this  spci'ies  do  their  full  share  of  tin'  labors  nf 
iiiculiatioii. 

Mr.  Elliott  found  a  few  stray  couples  brpcding  upon  the  I'rybihd'  Islands,  nest  in;,' 
around  the  margins  of  the  ponds;  and  he  secured  several  newly  hatched  young  binls, 
whiidi  were  very  jji-etty  and  interesting.  The  down  of  the  head,  neck,  and  upiier 
])arts  is  a  rich  brownisli  ytdlow.  variegated  with  i)row'nish  black,  the  crown  being  nj 
this  color  mi.xed  with  yellow,  with  a  long  stri[)e  extending  down  the  back,  flanked 
with  one  over  isieli  hip,  another  across  the  rump,  and  a  shoulder-spot  on  eaidi  sidr. 
The  under  i)arts  are  grayish  silvery  white.  When  startled  or  solicitous  I'lU'  the  saldy 
of  its  young,  the  parent  bird  utters  a  succession  of  sonorous  tweets,  (juickly  repeated, 
with  long  intervals  of  silence. 

Mr.  Audubon,  who  found  birds  of  this  species  quite  lunnevous  in  the  I?ay  of  Fuiidy, 
and  afterward  met  with  them  in  Labrador,  regarded  them  as  being  somewhat  shy. 
They  procured  their  food  on  the  water,  on  which  they  alight  like  Ducks,  and  tloat 
with  all  the  buoyancy  of  a  CJull.  They  walk  about  upon  masses  of  Boating  seaweed 
as  unconcernedly  as  if  on  land.  Their  notes  are  said  to  resemble  the  syllables  tinrt- 
tirret-tivevf,  and  are  sliari>  and  clear.  Their  flight  is  like  that  of  the  Common  .'^nip|■. 
At  the  approach  of  an  enemy  they  close  u]»  their  ranks  and  fly  in  a  body,  so  that  num- 
bers may  be  killed  at  one  shot.  Audubon  has  met  with  these  l)irds  in  Uirge  flocks  at 
a  distance  of  more  than  a  hundred  miles  from  land. 

In  Labrador  this  Phalarope  occurred  only  in  small  parties  of  a  few  pair,  .and  were 
always  iii  the  immediate  vicinity  of  fresh-water  ponds,  near  which  they  breed.  Tlieii' 
nest  is  descrilied  as  a  hollow  scooped  out  among  the  herbage,  lined  with  a  few  bits  el 
dry  grass  and  moss.  The  eggs  were  always  four,  are  said  to  average  1.1!)  inches  li,\ 
.88,  to  be  pointed  at  the  smaller  end,  and  with  the  ground-color  of  a  deep  dull  bull. 
irregularly  marked  with  blotches  of  a  dark  reddish  brown.     The  birds  showed  great 


in 

11 

, 

IMIALAROPoDIDiB  —  THK  I'lI.VLAROl'KM  -  8TK(»AN()Pl'8. 


835 


liinls. 

lllPlifC 

•iiif;  111 

sidr. 
iifi'ty 

)Clltl'll. 

FiiikIv. 
lat  sliv. 
ii.l  H.iiii 

;   tiro  I- 

Siii|»'. 

lit  iniin- 

ot'ks  at 

1(1  wciv 

bits  III 
•hos  liy 
ill  bull. 
il  gruat 


,iM\it't>  for  the  HiilVty  "f  their  I'^CK".  liniiiiiiK  or  niiuiiiiK  with  I'xtt'iiili-il  vviiiKs,  utturiiiK 
a  i'l'fhlc  iinil  iiii'laiM'luiiy  imtt*.  Tin-  ynun^  h>iivi>  tlii>  in'st  sliurtly  utter  they  ure 
iiati'lieil,  anil  run  alter  tiieii'  |iaretit.s  over  the  moss  ami  almi.^'  the  eil^'es  of  the  small 
|iiiiiiU.     They  hail  all  ileparleil  hy  the  lie^'iiiiiiii^' ul'  AuKHst. 

Mr.  MaeKarlane  loiiiid  tluH  Mpecies  ijreediiij,'  in  ^reat  almmhuiee  in  the  Aictie 
rei,'inns  thrmixh  whieh  he  pasHeil,  linni  the  nlj,'"'  nl  the  wtMidcd  emintiy  tn  the 
.slmres  til  the  Aietie  Sea.  Ill  niiiie  than  titty  in.stame.s  in  which  he  made  note.s  id' 
il>  nest.«t  and  e>,'^,'.s,  he  round  the  I'oriiier  to  Im-  mere  depressions  in  the  jjronnd  lined 
w  ith  a  lew  dried  leaves  uiid  gras.ses,  and  in  almost  every  instance  placed  near  the  ed^'es 
(il  filial!  iininls;  the  iiiimbei'  of  the  ej,'|,'s  was  almost  invariably  four.  The  nests  were 
.sii'ii  li'iiiii  llie  I7lh  ol  .liiiie  iiiilil  into  •Inly,  and  in  several  instames  perfectly  fresh 
c;,';,'s  were  Iniind  as  late  as  .Inly  .">.  They  were  tolerably  numerous  in  the  wooded 
niMiitiy.  were  also  louiid  in  the  Uarreiis  wherever  there  were  small  lakes,  and  were 
iiiil  less  frcipieiitly  seen  at  the  very  ed(,'e  of  the  Arctic  Sea  and  on  the  island,^  off  thy 
I'nast.  Sometimes  the  birds  permitted  the  near  a|ipi'oach  id'  man  without  any  noise 
(H  special  manifestations  of  uneasiness;  but  at  other  times  both  |iarents  would  make 
(,'rcat  oiitcrii'S,  and  tly  frnni  tree  to  tree  in  order  to  draw  the  intrudei'  away  from  the 
nest. 

The  e>,'>;s  of  this  species  average  l.K*  inches  in  leii^dh  by  .SO  of  an  inch  in  breadth. 
Tlicir  j,'round-color  is  a  t,'rcenisli  drab.  'I'he  spots  are  much  liner  and  more  numerous 
tliaii  in  the  cf^j^s  of  the  j'n/lnirlii.i,  and  are  of  a  sepia-brown.  They  are  pyrii'orm  in 
shape,  and  miudi  smaller  than  those  of  the  IJed  I'lialarope.  Their  nests  were  found 
li\  Mr.  Lockhart  i|U!te  common  on  the  Vukon.  These  cj,'ns,  collected  in  gi'cat  nuni- 
licrs  at  various  iioints  on  both  the  N'ukon  and  .Vndcison  rivers,  exhibit  Ljreat  variations. 
The  ^Mouiiil-eolor  ran},'es  from  the  darkest  olive-green  to  biuwnisli  olive,  drab  of  va- 
riipiis  shades,  to  butf,  and  more  rarely  to  a  stoiic-gray.  The  spots  also  vary  in  si/c  and 
ill  llicir  distribution,  but  are  usually  very  iiumcrous,  and  often  continent;  tiiey  vary 
ill  tlicir  shinies  from  a  bistre  so  dark  as  to  be  nlmost  black,  to  chocolate-brown,  and 
even  lighter  sluuh's. 

Gknus  STEGANOPUS,  Vikiu.ot. 

Sliijunopus,  Vir.ii.i.,  I'liif.  Jlrth.  IS'JU,  1100  (typf,  I'hclnropus  lubutiis,  \Vii.s.,  =  7'.  U'ilsoni,  Sauise). 
//nl^iHii/liix,  lloNAI'.  Syiiiip.  1N1!S,  ;il2. 

CuAU.  bill  sleiidur  anil  suVmlatL',  with  Htrii-tly  Imsal  nostrils,  as  in  f.uhlpm ;  wch  bctwueii 
iiiiii-r  mill  iiiiildlc  toes  mil  rcucliiiig  to  scfimil  joint,  tliu  lateral  iiu'inbraiie  of  all  the  toes  iiiir- 
iiAv  anil  scarcely  scallo])CMl. 

Steganopus  Wilson! . 

WILBOK'8  FHAIABOPE. 

!  Ti-iiifia  (jhicidlh,  Omf.i..  S.  N.  I.  ii.  178S,  »i".')  (baswl  on  Plain  I'lialarope,  Penn.  Aret.  Zool.  II. 

178".,  V.>:,,  110.  41.'-. ;   I.ATH.  Syiiop.  V.  17:»). 
riiiilaniinii  lolmliis,  "  biNN."  Wii.s.  Am.  Oni.  I.K.  182,'.,  72,  pi.  73,  fig.  3  (not  of  laxx.). 
I'li'iliini/iiis  inimiii,  SAUixr.,  App.  Fiankl.  Jouni.  182.'»,  Ct»l.  —  Hw.  &  Hicii,  V.  15.  A.  II.  ISSl,  405, 

1.1.  C!i.  —  Ni-TT.  Man.  II.  1834,  24."..  —  An>.  Oiii.  Biog,  III.  1835,  4U0,  pi.  254.  —  Cass,  in  Itainrs 

Ii.  X.  Am.  185S,  7ii5.  —  Baikd,  Cat.  X.  Am.  U.  1859,  no.  51t». 
I'hnluroiHis  (IIoloiMUuit)  U'ihuiii,  lioNAi-.  .'^yimp.  1828,  342,  no.  279.  —  NcTT.  Mnn.  II.  1834,  245. 
fMbipes  JVihiHii,  An..  .Synop.  IS-IH,  241  ;  I?.  Am.  V.  1842,  299,  ).l.  341. 
Slegampiis  Wilmini,  Cocks,   Iliis,  Apr.  ISfia,  158;   Kt-y,  1872,  248;  Clicck  List,  1873,  no.  409;   2il 

ed.  1882,  no.  002;  IJ.  N.  W.  1874,  407.  —  Kiuuw.  Noiu.  N.  Am.  15.  1882,  no.  505. 


^1 


336 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  -  LIMICOLiE. 


Phalaropiia  freiiatus,  ViEiii.  Oiil.  Ois.  11.  IbliS,  178,  Jil.  271. 

Phnlaropiis  stnwiliuhiliis,  \Va(ji..  Isis,  1831,  .523. 

Phci/arnpiis  JimhriiiJiis,  Tkmm.  I'l.  <'ul.  V.  pi.  270. 

Lobijks  iitamun,  .lAitii.  k  .Sf.i.hy,  III.  Orii.  1.  pl.  10. 

"  StigiiiKipil.i  trlciihn;  Vll.ll.l.."  (ColKs). 

lAibiiMH  iintaretU'UH,  l,i:.ss.  (Jul,  Fkazkh,  1'.  Z.  ."<.  1843,  118). 

Hah.  TfiniHTiitf  Nortli  America  in  j,'t'iiL'ral,  but  ihii'lly  the  interior  portiDiis  ;  rare  aloii;,'  lla 
Atlantic  coast,  ami  not  recorded  lioin  tlu;  Pacilic  slojie  of  Calitbrnia,  Oreyon,  or  Washiiij^ton  Teiii- 
tory.  North  t(j  Kasterii  ()re>,'oii,  the  Saskatchewan,  Nova  Scotia,  anil  Maine  ;  south,  in  niij^raliuiw, 
to  Brazil  and  I'ata^junia  (('hnpat  Valley). 

Sp.  Chau.  All  lilt  fvinale  in  summer:  Foreiiead  and  crown  pale  pearl-grny,  the  former  with  u 
blackish  line  on  eacii  side  ;  occiput  and  nape  white,  chanf^ini.'  to  plumbeous  f,May  on  the  back  iiiid 
scapulars.  Striiie  on  the  side  of  the  head  (chielly  back  oi  the  eye),  and  continued  down  tlie  >iilc 
of  the  neck,  dee])  black.  ciianj;ing  on  the  lower  part  of  the  neck  into  rich  dark  chestnut  — iliis 
extending;  backward  more  interruptedly  on  each  side  of  the  interscapular  region  ;  outer  sca]iuliirs 
marked  with  a  similar  stri])e.  A  short  stripe  above  the  lores  and  eyes  (not  reachinj,'  the  liill), 
cheeks,  chin,  and  throat  piu'e  white  ;  foreneck  and  juguluiu  soft  bully  cinnamon,  deepest  laterally 


fiWi 


and  posteriorly,  and  fading  gradually  into  creamy  buff  on  the  breast  ;  remaining  lower  parts  wliitc 
Wings  brownish  gray,  the  coverts  and  tertials  bordered  with  paler;  rump  brownisli  gray,  ujiiicr 
tail-coverts  pure  white.  Adult  mak  in  numiner :  .'^midler  and  much  duller  than  the  female,  with 
the  beautiful  markings  of  the  latter  but  faintly  indicated.  Adult  and  ijoumj  in  wintir  :  Aliove,  cnn- 
tinuous  light  ash-gray  ;  ui)per  tail-coverts,  superciliary  stripe,  and  lower  parts  white,  the  juguhiia 
and  sides  of  breast  tinged  faintly  with  ])ale  asliy.  ynunij,  Jimt  ji/innitiji  :  Crown,  back,  and  scapu- 
lars blackish  dusky,  the  feathers  bordered  conspicuously  with  bud".  U})per  tail-coverts,  superciliiiiN 
stripe,  and  lower  parts  white,  the  neck  tinged  with  buff.  Dnvnij  ijounij:  Prevailing  color  briglii 
tawny  fulvous,  paler  beneath,  the  abdomen  nearly  white  ;  occiput  and  na])e  with  a  distinct  median 
streak  of  black,  on  the  former  branching  laterally  into  two  narrower,  somewhat  zigzag  lines  ;  lowi  r 
back  and  nnnp  witli  three  broad  black  stripes  ;  Hanks  with  a  black  spot,  and  caudal  region  crus-cd 
by  a  wide  subterminal  bar  of  the  same. 

Mule:  Wing,  4.75-4.S(l ;  culmen,  1.2.');  tarsus.  1.20-1.2.');  miildle  toe,  .90.     Fenmk :  Wing, 
5.20-5.30;  culmen.  1.30-1.35  ;  tarsus,  1.30-1.35  ;  middle  toe,  .»0-l.(Kt. 


The  habits  of  this  cxclusivt'ly  American  I'halaro])*',  and  to  some  extent  its  geo- 
grapliical  distribution,  liavc  oontinncd.  until  vovy  recently,  to  be  impert'ectly  ascer- 
tained. It  was  known  to  AVilson  by  oidy  a  single  specimen,  all  record  of  which  has 
been  lost.  Even  .Vndubon  apjiears  to  have  met  with  very  few  of  this  si)ecies.  ami 
to  have  gathered  but  little  information  as  to  its  habits.  It  is  now  known  to  be  In 
far  more  common  in  the  interior  than  near  the  coast,  to  breed  in  Northern  Illinois. 
Iowa,  Wisconsin.  Dakota,  and  Oregon,  and  thence  northward  into  the  British  pos- 
sessions to  an  unascertained  extent.    It  is  also  abundant  in  Utah,  but  does  not  ai)iii'ai' 


PHALAROPODID^  —  THE  PFIALAROPES  —  STErrAXOPUS. 


337 


iluii^;  llu 
m  TiMii- 
igrutiuiis. 

er  with  ii 
biiek  ami 
II  till!  si(k' 
lilt  — this 
scainilar^ 
till'  I'ill), 
t  latevally 


parts  white. 

amy,  \\y\<i-y 
lualf,  wiili 
Ahovf,  f'lii- 
IL'  ju'^'uhuii 
ami  siNiiiu- 
uin'iriliaiv 

color  l>ri;Jii 
iiK't  im-iliaii 
iiu'n  ;  lowir 
liioii  cio>Mtl 


k:  ^Vill!-^ 


idfii 


■nt  its  i;t'o- 

t'ctly  asci'v- 

whicli  hiis 

jn'oit^s,  ami 

vu  to  be  liy 

vn  IlUiiois, 

U'itish  l«'s- 

iiot  appeal' 


\' 


to  liiivt'  hpcn  found  on  the  Pacific  coast.  During  tlic  winter  months  it  occurs  in 
(liiiitcniala  an.l  in  Mexico,  Init  to  what  extent  we  have  no  certain  inl'orination. 

More  recently  it  leis  been  ascertained  to  be  a  common  resiih'iit  in  the  more  sontli- 
nii  portions  of  South  America.  .Mr.  il.  Jhirnford,  in  liis  account  of  the  birds  observed 
iiv  him  in  the  Cliupat  VaUey  of  Pataf^tmia.  mentions  this  species  as  beinj,'  quite  com- 
iiioii  in  that  re,<,'ion,  where  he  saw  it  swimminj,'  tjraceftdly  in  tlie  still  pools  formed 
liv  the  eddies  of  the  river,  and  in  nearly  all  the  adjacent  stagnant  ditches.  The  birds 
were  usually  seen  in  pairs. 

(';iptain  Uendire  regards  this  l)ir(l  as  being  moderately  common  in  Eastern  Oregon 
(luring  the  breeding-season,  at  which  time  it  associates  with  the  Willets,  whiidi  it 
iiscnd)les  in  its  own  actions  when  any  one  approaches  its  nesting-place.  Mr.  Ntdson 
iiii'iitions  this  species  as  a  very  common  summer  resident  in  the  mar.shes  of  Northern 
Illinois,  arriving  about  the  nnddle  of  .May,  and  remaining  until  into  August.  It  nests 
fioiu  about  tlu'  L'oth  of  May  until  late  iu  June. 

Mr.  A.  li.  Kumlien,  in  "Field  and  Forest,"  duly,  1S7(),  supplies  some  interesting 
notes  relative  to  the  very  remiirkable  and  eccentric  ways  of  this  bird.  In  its  mode 
ol  living  it  is  (pnte  ditferent  from  most  Waders;  and  one  very  peculiar  feature  in 
its  habits  is  that  the  male  attends  to  the  duties  of  incubation  almost  entirely  alone. 
while  his  nuudi  nu)rc  richly  dressed  mate  idly  gambols  <m  the  shore.  Unlike  most 
hirds,  the  female  of  this  species  makes  tlu-  advances  to  the  male  during  the  jiairing 
si'Msini,  and  it  is  (piite  connnon  to  see  two  females  pursuing  one  male.  Mr.  Kumlien 
hiis  invariably  found  the  naked  and  wrinkled  belly,  (diaraeteristic  of  the  incubating 
hiid,  present  in  the  male,  but  never  in  the  fenude.  Neither  does  the  female  evince 
the  distress  shown  by  the  nude  when  the  nest  is  approached,  the  latter  licing  (piite 
reckless  of  danger,  while  his  mate  will  not  conu'  within  gunshot.  The  nest  is  de- 
st  led  as  being  a  flat,  loosely-constructtid  affair,  liuilt  in  a  tussock  of  grass,  seldom 
in  I  he  immediate  vicinity  of  ojien  wiiter,  but  usually  in  the  adjoining  grassy  marshes, 
in  one  instaiu^e  a  nest  was  found,  four  n.iles  from  the  nearest  sheet  of  water,  in  a 
small  slough  on  a  Idgh  ])rairie.  Mr.  Kumlien  speaks  of  this  species  iis  being  remark- 
ably ([uiet  and  still.  Tins  oidy  note  he  had  ever  heard  it  utter  was  a  weak  misal 
ijuack  repeated  six  or  seven  times  in  (piick  siu-cession ;  this  is  usually  done  by  the 
nude  at  the  time  when  the  nest  is  ap])roa(du'd.  The  young  are  conducted  to  the  shore 
soon  after  they  are  hatcdied,  and  when  surprised  will  take  to  the  water  ami  swim  and 
(live  with  great  ease.  They  are  fnlly  tiedged  by  the  last  of  July,  congregating  in  con- 
siderable flocks  at  that  time. 

I'rofessor  T.  Kumlien  wrote  me  in  ISfiO  that  this  species,  whicdi  before  that 
period  had  been  om>  of  the  rarest  of  birds  —  only  two  or  three  having  l)een  noticed 
in  iis  many  or  more  years  —  had  becomt*  (pnte  jdentifid,  moving  in  large  flocks.  The}- 
arrive  .May  4,  and  are  at  first  very  shy.  b\it  btd'ore  leaving  beconu'  as  tame  as  the 
beast  Sandpiper.  He  often  wattdied  their  movements  from  a  distance  of  not  more 
than  six  or  eight  feet.  From  the  facts  that  there  was  not  one  male  to  eight  females, 
that  they  nuived  in  flocks,  and  that  at  the  sanu'  tinu'  the  females  had  eggs  full-sized 
in  their  ovaries,  ho  was  led  to  sus])ect  that  they  were  judyganums.  He  has  sine(> 
written  me  that  this  sjjccies  is  now  found  more  or  less  comnumly  each  season  near 
bake  Koskonong.  A  few'  remain  there  to  breed,  but  the  greater  jiortion  pass  throngh 
to  more  northern  regions  in  the  latter  jtart  of  May.  The  young  begin  to  appear  in 
advance  of  their  parents  in  August.  In  the  sunnner  of  187.'{  this  species  occiirn-d 
there  in  nnusnal  nnmbers.  The  young  birds  becanu'  very  uumennis  a.s  early  as  the 
middle  of  July,  but  gradually  gri'W  less  abundant  toward  the  15th  of  Angiist.  IMr. 
Ivnndien  Avas  of  opinion  that  only  a  very  few  of  the  yttung  birds  cuuld  have  been 

VOL.  I.  —  43 


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338 


PR.ECOCIAL  GRALLATORES  —  LIMICOL.E. 


niised  in  that  iiinnodiate  vicinity;  and  it  was  a  partioulaily  noticeable  fact  timt 
there  were  few  or  no  ohl  birds  to  be  seen.  In  one  Hoek  of  two  innuh'.'d  or  nioiv 
he  observed  only  a  single  old  l)ird.  lie  conjectured  at  the  time  that  the  ItarL•llt^ 
might  be  engaged  in  raising  a  second  brood  ;  but  none  were  seen  at  any  later  iiciind 
in  that  season.  Mr.  Kundien  has  met  with  this  species  every  year  for  more  tiimi 
thirty  years.  His  attention  was  tirst  called  to  it  by  the  peculiar  manner  in  whicli  it 
carries  its  neck,  which  bulges  out  and  presents  a  singular  appearance,  during  thr 
breeding-season,  or  al)out  the  last  of  .May.  At  this  time  the  birds  were  fighting,  nm- 
niug  against  one  another,  and  uttering  their  i)eculiar  grunting  notes.  Tlu-y  arrive 
in  Wisconsin  from  the  -Ith  to  the  middle  of  May,  and  leave  early  in  the  fall,  •khh' 
having  been  noticed  after  the  tirst  frost.  Those  that  conu'  to  the  lake  in  spring  ilo 
not  all  stay.  They  do  not  arrive  in  flocks,  like  the  Trlnr/ir,  but  are  more  scattered, 
and  select  l)y  preference  certain  places  in  which  they  remain.  He  has  never  imt 
with  them  at  any  great  distance  from  the  lake,  and  has  every  evidence,  except  actually 
finding  their  nests,  that  they  l)reed  in  the  marshes  not  far  from  it.  It  is  not  sliy. 
liefore  pairing,  this  bird  keeps  in  small  companies,  associating  with  small  TruHjii: 
Kildeer,  etc.  He  has  never  iu)ticcd  it  swimming,  except  wlien  wtmndcd,  and  then  ii 
swims  like  a  Duck,  nodding  its  head  the  while.  Jle  has  never  known  it  to  dive,  luit 
it  often  wades  up  to  its  belly  in  the  shallow  water,  its  iioti'  —  particuhirly  during 
the  breeding-season  —  is  a  siugulai'  low  grunting,  which  is  not  easily  descrilied.  In 
fiying  it  lifts  its  wings  higher  than  the  S[)()tted  Sandpiper  and  some  of  the  sniiil! 
Tvhujir.  In  the  spring  of  1S7.'>  it  was  not  more  numerous  than  nsual,  but  from  the 
last  of  .lune  to  the  last  of  .\ugiist  it  was  in  unusual  lunnbers,  nearly  all  of  I  hem 
young. 

Mr.  (rcorge  O.Welch,  of  Lynn,  Mass.,  informs  nu'  that  he  has  occasionally  met 
with  single  Inrds  ol'  this  species,  but  regards  this  as  something  very  unusual.  In 
May,  1.S74,  he  procured  a  tine  speciuieu  —  a  male  —  in  Naliant.  It  was  in  its  lull 
summer  dress,  and  his  attention  was  called  to  it  liy  its  very  singidar  proceeilin-s. 
The  bird  was  on  the  ground  at  the  edge  of  a  small  brackish  pool,  every  now  ami 
then  springing  up  into  the  air,  and  —  as  was  afterward  ascertained  —  catching  small 
dipterous  insects.  This  it  did  as  dexterously  and  as  ra])itlly  as  the  iiu)st  ex]iert 
Fly-catcher.  .Mr.  Batty  writes  me  that  it  is  .seen  on  Long  Island  occasionally.  Imr 
that  it  is  very  rare  there,  as  well  as  in  Northern  New  Jersey,  where  it  is  called  the 
"  Xeedle-l)ill  Sni]).'.'" 

Mr.  Audubon,  in  his  account  of  this  sju'cies,  chums  to  have  met  with  it  along  th" 
wliole  ea.stern  coast  from  IJoston  to  New  Jersey ;  but  this  prol)ably  was  a  mistake. 
It  is  certainly  (pute  a  rare  bird  in  that  region.  Mr.  Audubon  also  states  that  he  saw 
it  in  Kentucky,  as  well  as  :ii  other  ]iarts  of  the  Tnited  States,  in  .lune,  ISL'lt.  he 
received  a  pair  which  had  ju.st  l»een  killed  by  the  tishermen  with  whom  he  was  stay- 
ing. These  had  ai-ted  as  if  nesting,  and  their  appearance  seemed  also  to  iudirate 
this;  l)ut  their  nest  could  not  l)e  found.  .Vbcmt  the  same  period  his  son  i)rocured  twe 
specimens  killed  (m  the  rocks  at  the  Hapids  of  the  Ohio  l)elow  Louisville.  Late  in 
the  summer  of  1SL*4  three  were  ol)tained  near  lUiffalo  f'reek  on  Lake  Krie ;  Kd\v;inl 
Harris  also  jn'ocured  one  near  New  York,  and  John  Uethnne  cme  near  IJoston.  i'lie 
birds  obtained  near  Lake  Kiie  were  feeding  around  the  borders  and  in  the  shalhiws 
of  a  pond  of  small  extent.  When  first  seen  they  were  mistaken  for  Yellowsliaidis, 
so  much  did  their  movements  re.-iemble  those  of  that  species.  They  waded  in  the 
water  np  to  their  bodies.  ]  icking  for  food  right  and  left,  and  performing  all  tlieir 
movements  with  vivacity  and  ideganee.  They  kejit  (dosely  together,  and  occasion- 
ally raised  their  wings  for  a  few  moments,  as  if  ai>[)rehensive  of  getting  into  too 


PHALAROPODID.K  —  THE   PIIALAROPES  —  STEGANOPUS. 


339 


(liM^p  wat«n",  and  l)oiiij,'  ol)lij,'i'<l  to  fly,  aii<l  seemod  to  prefer  flying  to  swimming.  Tlioy 
wi'H'  not  lioanl  to  utter  a  note.  In  their  stoniaehs  small  worms  and  fragments  of 
viTV  ilflii'ate  shells  wtu'e  found.  The  liirds  seen  at  the  l{a[ii(ls  of  the  Ohio  flew  in 
till'  manner  of  tiie  ("omnion  Sniiie,  jiroeecding  at  flrst  in  an  undulating  or  zigzag  line, 
Imt  more  steadily  alti'r  rcaeiiini;-  a  ei-rtain  tdevatitm. 

Mr.  Salvin  found  in  the  eoUeetion  of  Don  Vineente  (Jonstaueia  a  sjjeeimen  of  this 
I'haiarojie  whieh  had  l)een  ol)tained  ne.ar  the  City  of  CJuatenuda,  and  Swainson  states 
tliat  it  is  nut  uncommon  (m  tiie  Itnrders  of  the  lakes  adjoining  the  City  of  Mexieo, 
tidui  wiienee  he  received  s])ccimens  of  both  adult  aiul  young.  .Mr.  Di'esser  mentions 
llial  in  ScptcndM-r,  in  travelling  from  lirownville  to  San  Antonio,  he  saw  what  he 
liad  no  doulit  was  a  liird  of  this  species,  and  on  the  4th  of  .fuly,  18()4,  he  t.iot  a  pair 
(III  some  flooded  land  near  San  Antonio.  ^Ir.  J.  .\.  Allen  found  these  birds  abun- 
dant in  the  Valley  of  (ireat  Salt  Lake,  and  they  continiu'd  so  into  September,  llo 
considers  this  one  of  the  most  charai-teristie  species  of  that  region,  wliero  it  is  a  suni- 
iihT  resident,  lireeding  in  great  nund-ers  on  the  islands  anrl  .shores  of  Salt  Lake.  Mr. 
i;iil,L;\vay  met  with  the  Wilson  I'halarope  in  May  at  I'yramid  Lake  in  Xevada,  and 
auain  saw  it  in  .hine  in  the  ponds  lu'ar  the  Kiver  .lonhm  in  ('tali.  It  has  been 
iioiieed  iu  September  on  the  Cohnado  Uiver;  and  Dr.  Cooper  thence  infers  that  this 
may  lie  the  species  observed  iiy  him  during  the  summer  among  the  lakes  (d'  the  Cas- 
cade Hange.  This  s]>ecies  has  l)een  observed  about  the  rpi>er  Missouri  in  the  breed- 
ing .season,  and  on  the  Arkansas  Hiver  between  Forts  Larned  and  Lyons.  It  has  also 
lireii  met  with  in  the  sunuuer  iu  various  parts  of  Minnesota  and  Dakota. 

Kicliardson  states  that  this  I'lialarope  breeds  on  the  Saskatchewan  Plains  ;  but  it 
was  not  met  with  by  him  beyond  the  ii~>th  jiarallel,  nor  were  any  seen  on  the  coast 
ol  Hudson's  l>ay.  lie  adds  that  this  bird  lays  two  or  three  eggs  among  the  grass 
ciii  tlie  mai'gins  of  small  lakes.  The  eggs  are  very  obtuse  at  one  end  and  taper 
iimch  at  the  other,  and  have  a  ground-Cidor  intermediate  lietween  yellowish  gray  and 
cream-yellow,  interspersed  with  roundish  s])ots  and  a  few  larger  blotches  of  umber 
111  own.  most  crowded  at  the  obtuse  end.  The  eggs  measured  1,;>7  inches  in  length  by 
.'.II  of  an  iuidi  in  breadth. 

Specimens  of  this  Phalarf)pe  were  shot  by  Mr.  William  IJrewster  at  Kye  Reach  in 
tiie  summer  of  1.S7L'.  (hraud  m»>ntions  it  as  of  occasional  occiuTenoe  at  Egg  Harbor, 
New  ib-rsey,  as  well  as  on  Long  Island. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  pyriform  in  shajie,  the  ground  varying  from  a  light 
fawn-coloreil  draii  to  a  deep  rufous  drab.  Tlie  sjiots  are  of  a  dark  bistre,  of  a  varying 
iiiti'iisitv,  and  very  generally  di.striliuted.  The  sjiecimens  in  the  Smithsoijian  Col- 
lection were  ]»rocured  from  different  jioints  in  Iowa,  from  I^tah  and  North-  ru  Illi- 
niijs.  My  own  are  from  Northern  Illinois  and  from  .Minnesota.  j\lr.  Kennicott  found 
ii  lireeding  in  the  Calumet  marshes  in  Illinois,  near  Lake  Michigan.  Mv.  15.  V.  (Joss, 
who  priK'ured  the  eggs  fi'om  ^liuuesota.  writes  me  that  it  breeds  quite  commoidy  on 
111  irshes,  and  generally  near  water.  The  nest  is  almost  always  cm  huunnoeks,  (pute 
deeply  excavated,  ami  lined  with  dry  grasses.  One  was  found  on  a  platform  raised 
aliove  the  shallow  water. 


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340 


I'U^UUCIAL   iHtALLATOUES  —  LLMICOL.E. 


Family   KI'X'rHVIKOSTIUD.E.  — Tiik  Avocets  and  Stilts. 

The  lii'vnrr trout ridiv,  in  aiUliticm  to  tlu'  featuivs  already  mL'UtinnL'd  (see  p.  lOS), 
are  characterized  hy  the  excessive  length  of  the  h'ys,  with  very  hiii},'  slender  nei  k 
and  snhiilate,  elimjiated  Itill.  The  plumage  has  the  same  dense,  soft  character  a> 
that  of  the  J'/uilarojiodula;  Fidicimr,  and  Loiiiiipamm. 

The  threi'  kuuwn  genera,  only  two  of  which  occur  in  America,  differ  as  follows  :  — 

A.  lliml  tciu  invsciit. 

1.  Reourvirostra.     Aiiti'iior  toi-.s  all  wl'1)Ikm1  ;  Ijill  lecurveil. 

B.  lliml  tiH-  Wiintiiiu. 

■1.  Cladorhynchus.'     Toes  all  wcbljcd  ;  l)ili  perfectly  straight,  excessively  depressed  ;  tarsus 

liiit  little  if  any  Ioniser  than  bill. 
;{.  HimautopuB.     X(»  welj   between  inner  ami    middle  toes,  and  web   between   onter  ami 

middle  tdis  nuite  small  ;   bill   very  sli,i;litly  recurved   from  the   middle,  cylindrical   m 

scarcely  dei)ressed  ;  tarsus  much  liinner  than  the  bill. 


Genus   REOURVIROSTRA,   Lixnveus. 

Jli'f It rvi rostra,  LiNN.  .Syst.  Nat.  cd.  10,  I.  1758,  liil  (tyiio  J{.  iivocctta,  L.). 

Char.  lliml  toe  rudimentary,  but  distinct ;  anterior  toes  united  to  the  claws  by  a  nuuh 
emar^^inateil  membrane.  IJill  depressed,  decidedly  recurved,  extended  into  a  fine  point,  whicj]  is 
slightly  decurved.     Tail  covered  by  the  winj,'s. 


R.  americana. 

The  species  of  Avocet  are  few  in  nundier,  there  Ww^  one  jKculiar  to  North  America,  Souili 
America,  Australia,  and  Eurojie,  respectively.  The  two  Americun  species  may  be  distinguislad 
us  follows  :  — 

>  Cladorhynchus,  G.  R.  Guay,  Gen.  U.  III.  1840,  577,  \\.  155,  fig.  1  (type,  Lcplorhynchtis pcdoraUs. 
Di:  Bus). 


RECURVIROSTRIDJ:  -  the  AVOCETS  —  RECURVIRdSTRA. 


341 


1,  R.  amerioana.    Outer  scnpulai-H,  ruiup,  and  upper  tail-coverts,  tibo  part  of  secoudaries  and 
"iviiter  winj,'-C(>vertH,  white,  at  all  aj^es.     Hub.    North  and  Middle  America. 
■2.  R.  andina.'     No  white  whatever  on  ujtper  parts,  except  Lead  and  neck.     Jlab.   Andett  ol' 


Cliili. 


RecurviroBtra  americana. 


AMEKICAN  AVOCET. 


Eicurvirostra  nmerkfUKi,  Uyiv.L.  S.  X.  I.  17»S,  i>i»a.  —  Wilson,  Am.  Oiii.  VIl.  1813,  126,  pi.  tl;!, 
lijr.  ii.  _  SvTi:  .Mull.  11.  ls:U,  7.1.  -  Arn.  Urn.  Hio<,'.  IV.  1838,  168,  pi.  318  ;  .Syiiop.  18;j!t, 
2;V2;  lliids  Am.  V1.1S13,  24,  pi.  3:.3.  —  IS.uia.,  iSiids  X.  Am.  18,-i8,  703;  (at.  X.  Am.  1!. 
l»y.<,  no.  r.17.  —  <'oi-Ks,  Key,  1H72,  U7  ;  <'link  List,  1873,  no.  407;  2d  cd.  1882,  no.  tfOO.  — 
HiDow.  N'oiii.  N.  Am.  H.  1881,  no.  560. 

lia-iinirmlni  mriihitlii/is.  Via.  Zool.  Jour.  IV.  1820,  356  ;  Zool.  Voy.  Blos.som,  1839,  28,  pi.  12.— 
C.VSSIN,  iUustr.  r>.  t'al.  Te.\.  etc.  1855,  232,  pi.  40  (=  winter  pliunage  I). 

II.VB.  Teuiperute  North  America;  north  to  the  Sa.ikatchewnn  atid  Orent  Slave  Lake,  south 
(ill  winter)  to  Guatemala,  Culia,  and  Jaiuaicii.  Much  rarer  in  the  Easterti  than  in  the  We.stern 
I'l'dvinco. 

Si'.  t'HAR.  Win},'s  (except  secondaries,  terminal  half  of  {{rcatcr  coverts,  and  inner  secondarie."*), 
iiiiicr  scapulars,  and  adjoinin,;,' leathers  of  the  back,  hrownish  lilack  ;  lower  parts,  rump,  outer  .scaj)- 
iilais,  and  middle  of  the  hack  white;  tail  asliy  white  or  pale  ashy.  Ailiilf  in  nmnmcr :  Head, 
luck,  and  lueast,  lij^lit  cinnamon,  liecomiii;,'  white  around  the  hill  and  fadin;,'  jiradually  into  the 
while  of  the   body.     Tulials  brownish  gray.     Adult  (and  ijoiukj)  in  winter:  Head,  neck,  and 


/t^-"-- 


breast,  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  pale  blui.sh  gray,  especially  on  crown  and  nape.  Yovng: 
Priiiiiiries  slij^htly  tipjied  with  whitish  ;  scaimlai's  and  feathers  of  back  tippeil  or  transversely 
iiioitled  with  pale  fulvous  or  liulf.  Crown  dull  grayish  ;  nape  tinged  with  light  rufous.  Total 
Icii.uth,  about  IT.tK)  to  18.75  inches  ;  extent,  3().(H>  to  IJti.lM) ;  Wing,  8.5()-9.(Xl ;  culmen,  3.-i(>-3.()5  ; 
tarsus,  :j.7()-3.8() ;  middle  toe,  l.()()-1.7t>.     Bill  deep  black  ;  iris  umber-brown  ;  legs  and  feet  ashy 

blue. 

The  intensity  of  the  cinnamon-color  on  the  head  and  neck  varies  with  the  individual;  some- 
times there  is  a  dusky  gray  suffusion  around  the  eye,  this  lieing  especially  characteristic  of  younger 

binls. 


The  American  Avoeet  is  a  bird  of  iircifiilar  or  occasional  appearance  in  various 
liortions  of  North  America,  tintl  is  found  in  most  of  the  Southern  States  in  greater  or 
li'ss  abundance  during  the  winter  months,  breeding  in  numerous  U)calities  along  the 
.Vtlautic  coast  as  far  nortli  as  Long  Island,  and  also,  under  favoring  circumstances, 
tliidughout  the  interior,  at  least  as  far  south  as  Southwestern  Texas.     It  is  abundant 

'  P'cnrviroslra  andina,  Piiilifim  &  La.ndbeck,  Wiegm,  Arth.  1863,  131,  —  Harti.vo,  Ibis,  1874, 
257,  pi.  9. 


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342 


PU-K(;()("IAIi  (JI{AI,r,AT(»RKS  —  LIMICOL.E. 


in  Salt  Lako  Valley,  and  to  tho  north  as  tar  as  the  Saskatclipwan  Kiver.  Exaniiilcs 
were  procured  at  Tort  liiw  l)y  Mr.  Clarkt".  at  I'ort  Ivcsolution  l>y  .Mr.  Ijockhart,  and 
on  I'oiivv  liivcr  by  Mr.  Kos.s. 

Mr.  Salvin  nu't  with  it  in  ditt'eront  ])art8  of  (Jiiatoniala,  tindin^  it  conunon  at  Cliia- 
pani  and  about  the  n('ij,'lib()rin},'  lagoons  on  tlu'  racitic  coast.  Tliu  liirds  of  this  spt^cifs 
which  he  saw  did  not  have  tlie  rust-colored  necks  and  heads  of  nortliern  si)ecinieu.s, 
but  all  were  white  in  these  jiarts. 

Oidy  a  single  excanijjh?  is  known  to  have  been  taken  as  far  to  the  northeast  a»  Point 
Lei)reanx,  on  the  l>iiy  of  Fundy.  and  it  is  a  very  rare  bird  in  New  Kngland.  Mr. 
Hoss  speaks  of  it  as  licing  very  rare  on  the  Mackenzie.  Captain  Ulakiston  met  with 
it  on  the  shores  of  the  shallow  lakea  in  the  ^'alley  of  the  Saskatchewan,  where  la- 
found  it  feeding  on  insects  and  small  fresh-water  crustacea.  llichardson  gives  a 
similar  account  of  this  liird,  having  d'ound  its  stomach  tilled  with  fragnn-nts  of 
Crustacea  and  gravel.  Jle  sjieaks  of  it  as  lieing  very  noisy,  uttering  cries  of  distress. 
and  flying  al)out  the  heads  of  those  who  invade  its  haunt.s. 

In  Utah  it  is  generally  known  as  the  "  White  Snipe,"  and  was  there  met  witli  liy 
!Mr.  Allen,  esi)ecially  in  Salt  Lake  Valley.  In  September  it  was  still  very  abundant, 
and  was  regarch'd  as  being  highly  characteristic  of  that  region,  where  it  was  one  ol 
the  most  common  .summer  residents,  breeding  (m  the  shores  and  islands  of  the  laisc 
Flocks  of  many  thousands  of  this  s])ecies  were  seen  at  the  mouth  of  the  Weber  IJivir. 
Mr.  Uidgway  also  found  it  abundant  in  spring  and  summer  about  the  numerous  alka- 
line ponds  and  lakes  of  the  Great  Hasin,  breeding  in  those  localities  in  company  witli 
the  Stilt  (IlhiHiiifo/iiiti  itii'.firdHits). 

Mr.  Henshaw  also  mentions  it  as  a  common  sumnu'r  resident  in  Utah  and  Cdln- 
rado,  and  as  still  more  abundant  during  the  migrations.  It  lives  in  summer  on  tin- 
borders  of  .all  the  lakes  and  jtonds  of  any  considerable  size.  In  seeking  food  it  resorts 
to  the  water  itself,  and  not  to  marshes  or  bogs.  Its  long  legs  are  specially  adapted  to 
the  purposes  of  wading,  and  its  elongated  bill  and  neck  allow  it  to  jiick  up  the  insects 
on  the  bottom  of  the  shallow  j)ools,  or  the  larviK  that  are  swinnuing  about.  Where 
it  has  not  bei-n  molested  it  is  i)erfe('tly  tanu'  and  unsuspicious,  and  contimii>s  its 
graceful  motions  with  entire  unconcern  while  subjected  to  a  close  scrutiny.  15ut  in 
parts  of  Utah  it  had  learned  to  dread  man  as  its  enemy,  and  baffled  all  his  efforts. 
On  the  21st  of  Jinie  it  was  found  in  great  nund)ers  on  some  alkaline  lakes  northwest 
of  Fort  Garland,  in  Southern  Colorado.  As  Mr.  Henshaw  visited  one  pond  alter 
another,  he  was  met  everywhere  by  troops  of  the  old  birds,  which  flew  in  wide  circles 
about  his  head,  while  the  shores  resounded  with  their  harsh  cries.  He  shot  several ; 
but  the  others  still  contiimed  their  nuuueuvrings,  merely  wideinng  their  course.  The 
death  of  their  companions  seemed  to  excite  little  apprehension,  although  they  ocia- 
sionally  flew  close  to  the  body  of  one  which  had  fallen,  or  alighted  beside  it,  as  if 
trying  to  comprehend  its  fate.  Where  the  water  wa-  sutticiently  deep  to  allow  nt' 
swimming,  they  alighted  freely  on  the  surface,  and  moved  bueyantly  about  in  a 
graceful  and  pleasing  manner.  The  crops  of  those  examined  were  filled  with  the 
larvip  of  some  water  insect.  A  single  set  of  four  eggs  was  found,  placed  in  a  sliglit 
hollow  made  for  the  purpose,  and  lined  with  weeda. 

Mr.  Moore  met  with  a  single  individual  of  this  species  in  Florida.  It  was  alone, 
standing  on  a  sand-spit  in  a  bay  near  the  sea.  Its  diet  had  been  exclusively  fish, 
sixteen  of  which  were  within  the  throat  and  oesophagus,  and  no  other  food  was  found. 
The  fish  were  from  seven  to  fifteen  sixteenths  of  an  inch  in  length. 

On  Long  Island  Giraud  found  this  species  less  frequent  than  the  Stilt,  and  not 
generally  known  to  hunters.    It  frequented  shallow  pools  in  the  salt-marshes,  and 


-TTT. 


RECUKV'OSTRIILK  —  THE  AVOCETS  —  UECl'RVIRDSTRA. 


343 


wiis  somotinu's  scon  wadiuj,'  hrpast-deep  in  jmrsuit  of  its  food.  H(f  fouiul  a  few  breed- 
iiii,'  ui'ar  KkK  Hiii'l»<>i',  N.  .f.,  wlicvo  they  arn  known  as  ■•  I{liiP-stockinj,'s,"  from  the 
(iild'' of  tlii'ir  lt'j,'s.  Tlifir  nests  were  Imilt  anions  thick  tufts  of  f,M'ass,  usually  near 
;i  |i(>(>I  (if  shallow  water,  in  California  Dr.  Cooper  found  the  Avocet  rather  rare  in 
till' southern  part.  One  which  had  Immmi  killed  at  San  Diego  lato  in  Xovoniber  was 
iv^arded  as  a  f,'reat  curiosity.  Jt  is  more  common  in  the  central  re},Mon  of  the  State 
ill  the  winter,  and  is  frei^uently  l)rouj,dit  to  market.  Dr.  Cooper  shot  individuals  in 
tlie  riatte  l{e,t,'ion  in  August,  and  thinks  that  some  breed  in  the  northeastern  corner 
of  the  State  of  t'alil'ornia. 

in  Wilson's  day  this  bird  was  called  by  the  inhabitants  of  Ca))e  May  '•  the  Lawyer," 
lidiii  its  perpetual  clamor.  It  was  foinid  associated  with  the  Stilt  on  the  salt-nuirshes 
ol  New  .lirsey,  on  the  L'Oth  of  May,  and  was  flying  around  the  shallow  pools  uttering 
till'  sharii  notes  of  r/!r/,--i/!r/,-r/!r/,;  alighting  on  the  marsh  or  in  the  water,  fluttering 
its  wings,  and  keei)ing  up  a  continual  cry.  A  iii'st  was  found  built  among  the  thick 
tiitts  of  grass,  at  a  small  distani'e  from  one  of  the  pools,  and  was  made  of  small  twigs 
(il  a  seaside  shrub,  dry  grass,  and  seaweed,  and  raised  to  tlm  height  of  several  inches. 
Till'  eggs,  which  were  four  in  ninnber,  he  descrilies  as  being  of  a  dvdl  olive  color, 
iiiiirkcd  with  large  irregular  blotches  of  bhu^k,  and  with  others  of  a  fainter  tint,  lie 
iidcls  that  this  species  arrives  at  Cape  .May  kite  in  April,  rears  its  young,  and  leave.s 
tor  the  south  early  in  October. 

.Ml'.  Audubon  found  a  number  of  Avocets  breeding  near  Vincennes,  Indiana,  in 
.liinc.  1S14.  Their  nests  were  on  an  island  in  a  large  shaUow  ]»oud.  At  his  apitroach 
the  birds  kept  uj)  a  constant  noise,  remained  on  the  wing,  and  at  times  dived  through 
the  air  toward  him.  There  were  three  nests  with  eggs,  besides  a  female  with  her 
brood,  on  tlu'  island.  He  ol)served  that  this  bird  on  alighting  keeps  its  wings  raised 
until  it  has  fairly  settled.  If  in  the  water,  it  stands  a  few  minutes  balancing  its  head 
iiiiil  neck,  and  then  stalks  about  in  seandi  of  food,  sometimes  nuuiiug  for  it,  ami  oeca- 
siniially  swimming,  or  wading  up  to  its  i)reast,  with  its  wings  partially  raised.  In 
iVeding  these  birds  remain  separ.ated  from  each  other,  although  occasionally  meeting 
ill  their  flights,  and  are  silent,  but  apparently  not  on  unfriendly  terms  with  their 
fellows.  In  searching  for  their  food  they  move  their  heads  to  and  fro  sideways 
wliilf  the  liill  is  passing  through  the  soft  iiuid,  and  when  the  water  is  deej)  they  im- 
iiu'ise  the  whole  head  and  part  of  the  neek.  i\  pursuit  of  acpuitie  in.sects  they  seize 
their  prey  by  thrusting  the  lower  niandilile  iieneath  it,  the  other  being  raised  above 
tlir  surface.  This  bird  is  also  expert  in  catching  flying  insects,  Avhich  it  pursues 
with  partially  expanded  wings. 

On  ap])r()achiiig  one  of  the  nests  on  whieli  a  female  was  sitting,  the  latter  scram- 
blcil  off,  running,  tumbling,  and  at  last  rising  on  wing,  floundering  hither  and  thither 
tivi'r  the  pt)()l,  now  lying  on  the  surface  as  if  ready  to  die,  and  now  limiiing,  as  if  to 
invite  the  intruder  to  pursue  her.  All  the  Avocets  left  their  nests  and  flew  directly 
iit  him,  except  the  one  with  the  lour  young  birds,  who  betook  herself  to  the  water  and 
wailed  off,  followed  by  her  brood.  The  latter  swam  as  well  as  young  ducklings  of 
the  same  size.  The  nests  were  placeil  in  the  tallest  grass,  and  were  entirely  com- 
posed of  this  material,  but  of  another  year's  growth.  The  inner  nest  was  five  inches 
wide  and  lined  with  tine  prairie  grass,  about  two  inches  in  depth,  over  a  bed  about 
ail  inch  and  a  half  thick.     The  eggs  in  each  instance  were  four  in  nundjer. 

Audubon  describes  the  Avocet's  flight  as  similar  to  that  of  the  Stilt,  the  bird 
passing  through  the  air  as  if  moving  to  a  great  distance,  v.  ith  an  easy,  swift,  continued 
flight,  the  legs  and  neck  fully  extended.  When  nbinging  toward  an  intruder  it 
moves  downward,  ami  passes  by  the  person  v.itli  ,  'ed  of  an  arrow. 


a44 


PR.ECOCIAL  O.vALLATORES  —  LIMICOLiE. 


t  i 


t 


On  several  oreaaions  ^[^.  Salvin  notipcd  that  tli<>  birds  of  this  species  seen  at  Chiii- 
pam  were  swinuiiiuK.  and  were  most  indiistriouH  feeders,  their  Itills  l)einK  eonstantlv 
at  work,  and  admirably  adapted  fur  pickiuK  the  most  minute  object  from  the  surfaic 
of  the  water. 

Mr.  Dresser  often  saw  Avoccts  at  the  town-la^'oon  near  Matamoras,  generally 
findinj,'  them  in  families  of  Hve  or  six,  .some  of  tlie  yoiinj,'  birds  bein^  oidy  just  alile 
to  Hy.  They  were  not  sliy,  init  canu'  to  a  sliallow  part  of  the  lagoon  close  to  the 
houses,  and  waih'd  alon^.  moving  tiu-ir  heads  from  side  to  side  with  [x-rfeet  ref,'idarity, 
reminding'  one  of  a  i>arty  of  mowers,  not  K"J'>n  '»  i"'  ''V"  I'l'tS  but  one  being  sli},ditly 
behind  and  to  the  side  of  tlie  other.  Towards  August  tliey  had  liectnue  much  nunc 
abundant.  In  .May  and  .lune,  \HM,  M\:  Dres.ser  .saw  several  pairs  on  (Jalvestnn 
Island,  and  was  told  tliat  tlu^y  breed  on  Molivar  I'oint,  and  on  the  islands  outside  ol 
the  IJrazos,  and  St.  Louis  Pass. 

Mr.  Aiken  mentions  the  occurrence  of  this  species  in  Colorado.  Ca|)tain  Iiendire 
foiuid  it  an  aluuidant  summer  resident  in  the  lower  valleys  of  Southeastern  ( >regon.  liut 
not  in  the  higher  regions  of  tlie  lUue  Mountains  anywhere  above  an  altitude  of  |..stMi 
feet.  It  breeds  on  .Malheur  Lake  and  tlie  swampy  siu)res  of  Sj'lvia's  Hiver.  .Mr. 
Nelson  speaks  of  it  as  very  abundant  on  Salt  Lake,  where  it  Ireipiented  tlie  shore  iiy 
hundreds.  One  which  he  had  wounded  tried  to  escape  by  diving  and  swimming  short 
distances  uiuh'r  the  water.  ]h:  Merrill  mentions  it  as  i)eing  common  during  the 
winter  in  tiie  Uio  (Jrande  Hegion,  where  a  few  remaint'd  to  Inced. 

Mr.  llenshaw  saw  on  Santa  Cruz  Island,  Califoruia,  several  which  had  paired,  and 
were  probal)iy  lireeding.  They  lived  on  the  beaches,  picking  up  sea-slugs  and  small 
crustaceans  from  the  surface  of  the  water. 

Eggs  of  this  species  (S.  I.  No.  L'{(>.S",»)  found  by  Mr.  Hidgway  in  an  alkaline  deposit 
at  Soda  Lake,  near  Carson  Desert,  .June  '2H,  ISOS,  measure  l.H~}  by  l.J3()  im-hes.  Their 
grcmnd-color  is  a  light  rufous  drab,  over  which  are  jirofusely  distributed  blotches  of 
irregular  shape  and  size,  the  colors  being  a  eondjinatiou  of  sejua-brown  and  liistrc 
The  eggs  are  oboval  in  shai)e.  with  one  end  more  pointed  than  the  other.  Another 
set  (S.  I.  \o.  l.'(-14I)  from  Carrington  Island,  in  (Ircat  Salt  Lake,  June,  1SG9,  measure 
2.08  by  L40  inches.  Their  ground-<'olor  is  a  dark  drab,  lightly  tinged  with  olivaceous, 
and  spotted  with  dark  blotches  exclusively  of  bistre. 


ill 


GEifus  HIMANTOFUS,  Brisson. 

Himanfopus,  Biuhs.  Orn.  V.  1700,  .33  (type,  Charadriits  himaiUopus,  LiNN.). 

Char.  Hind  tne  wiuUing  ;  outer  and  miilillc  toes  coniipcted  nt  the  base  by  a  short  web  ;  tin' 
inner  toe  completely  separated  from  tliu  niitltlle.  Bill  Kubiilate,  deeper  tha..  broad,  slightly  up- 
turned towanl  the  end.  Legs  excessively  lengthened,  the  bare  ]iart  of  the  tibia  about  half  as  Idiii; 
as  the  tarsus,  wliieli  greatly  exceeds  tlie  hill  in  length,  the  latter  being  nearly  twice  the  lengtli  nf 
the  middle  toe. 

The  Stilts  have  much  tli(!  same  range  as  the  Avocets,  but  the  species  are  more  numerous,  tin  if 
Ijeing  at  the  present  time  alxmt  seven  recognized  by  authorities.  Like  Recurrr rostra,  the  nciiiw 
Himantopm  is  represented  in  America  hy  two  very  distinct  sjiecies,  the  one  belonging  to  Noitli, 
Central,  and  Northern  South  America  ;  the  other  peculiar  to  the  more  southern  portions  of  the 
Southern  Continent.     Thev  differ  as  follows  :  — 


1.  H.  mexioanus.    White  of  the  forehead  not  extending  over  the  crown, 
continuous  with  that  of  the  back. 


Black  of  the  nape 


RKCrRVIIlORTian.K  -  THE  HTILTS  -  HIMANTOPl'S. 


345 


2.  B.  braslllenBls.'  Wliito  of  tlit-  forflioml  i-xtt'ii<lin^'  luick  to  mid  int'lixliiiK  the  ocri]mt. 
Black  uf  tliu  iiii|)(!  HuparatiMl  fniiii  tliul  uf  tUu  luuk  liy  ii  uidu  wLitu  l)ur  uuroitH  lowt-r  |)urt 
of  iLt'  nupe. 


I» 


//.  Mexicanua. 


HimantopuB  mexicanus. 

AMBBICAN  BLACK-HECKED  VULT 

C'harndriua  mexicanus,  Mri.i.Ki;,  S.  N.  Sii|i|il.  177ti,  117. 

Ilimiiniopnn  mcvicaniis,  OisD,  cd.  AVii.so:,  VII.  1824,  .'rJ.  --  Bosap.  ( 'oiiip.  List,  1838,  54.  —  Riuow. 

Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  .'.07.  —  Couks,  'h\  Clicck  List,  188-.',  no.  COl. 
Vharailrins  himuntupus,  Laiii.  Ind.  Oni.  II.  17!I0,  741  (pint). 
Rcmrvifostrn  himantopus,  Wii.s   Am.  Orn.  VIL  1813,  48,  pi.  58,  lig.  2. 

'  IIlMAXTOl'irs   nilA.SILIEN.SIs. 

I  Ifiiiiiiiitdpiin  wiiiniiinis,  ViKlLL.  Noiiv.  Diet.  X.  1817,  42  (based  on  Zanciido,  Azaka,  Apiint. 

III.  1805,  29!)?). 
" Himanlupus  nigrkollin,"  ArtT.  (Soiitliorn  South  American  ivfei-ences  j  nee  ViEiLu). 


//.  brasilietuU, 

Hirmntopus  brasiliensis,  BiiEiiM,  Vbg.  Deutschl.  1831,  684.  —  ScL.  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  454 
(fig.  of  head). 
Hab.    South  Brazil,  Buenos  Ayre.s,  and  ChilL 
VOL.  I.  —  44 


340 


I'U.KCOCIAI,   (lltAM.AIOIiKS  -  I.l.MIC  tI,.K. 


/liiiKiiitiiinis  iiiijiio'l/i.i,  ViKii.r,.  Niiiiv.  Dirt,  X.  1N17,  lii.  -Nnr.  .Man.  II.  l.tiJI,  8.  -  Ani.  nm, 
IMotf.  IV.  ls:i8,  :!I7.  pi.  :!•.;»  .Syimp.  18^11,  •.'.•.;! ;  IlinU  Am.  VI.  l.Ma,  yi.  pi.  :in».  —  U.\ii;i.. 
IHnU  N.  Am.  18."i8,  7(il  ;  (at.  N.  Am.  II.  IS.'.lt,  m).  il8.  —  ti)iEN,  Ki-y,  1872,  'H7  ;  Cli.vk 
l.i.M,  lS7.i,  II...  108  ;  Ilii.U  N.  W.  I,s7l,  Id'.'. 

UiiiisHkiIih  iiiijrifiitlis,  tAiiAN.  ill  .SiliDiiil..  (iiiiiiiiii,  111,  1S47,  758. 

.\liu-n>liirniiH  iiiijrii-ollis,  (IrM.i..  .1.  I'.  <•.  18.">ii,  I'J'.'. 

Ilhiiiiiil'ijiiis  liiiciinis,  ViKii.i..  N.  I>.  X.  1817,  1-  (.M.\ii>i). 

II.Mi,  Till'  will. if  i.r  tciuptTatf  Xmlii  .Viiicriiii,  Middle  Aiiicri.'a,  mid  Ni.rllirni  S..utli  Amniia 
Hi.ulli  til  Pciii  aiiil  r.i'ii/il  ;  (ialii|.a;;..>  ;  Wol  [iidic-i  in  j^t'iii'iai,  and  Itrniiiiilas  ;  n.irlii,  .m  the 
Atliintic  niaHt.  Ii.  .Maine.  Mi.i'e  ^'eiieialiy  diKtriiiiUed  and  inure  aliundaiit  in  tlie  WcMteiii  lliiin  in 
tlie  I'ilstein  I'liivinre. 

Si'.  ('ii.Mt.  .li/(//^  iniilf:  Forehead,  a  larj,'e  |.ii.st(iciilar  wpi.t,  lores,  entire  lower  jtartH,  rump,  uml 
upper  tail-eovertx,  wliite.  Iteiiiainder  III'  tile  lieail,  wiiole  nape,  l.ai'k,  Mra[.nlars,  and  wiii;,'^  (li.iili 
siirlaceH),  ^'loMiy  l.laek,  with  a  >4i'ei'nisli  l.lne  lelleriion.  Tail  pale  ^'rayi.'^h.  Itill  l.lark  ;  iiiHi'iim- 
soii ;  lej,'.t  and  leet  lake-red  (tr  Iwaiitiriil  io«e-pink  in  lil'e,  yellowish  in  the  dried  skin.     Adult  J'ninih: : 


' 


■     ' 


!^illlihu•  til  tile  male,  but  hack  and  scapulars  ln'ownish  slate,  and  the  hlack  ol'  other  pi.rli.iiis 
duller.  Yoiiiiij,finil  iihiiiuiif :  .Siniilai  In  the  adult  leinale,  hut  the  leathers  of  the  hack,  the  siiipu- 
lars,  and  terlials  hi.rdered  with  hiiiror.lull  whitish,  tli.'  hlack  of  the  head  and  nape  linely  iiiiiIiImI 
with  the  .same,  liutniij  ijinuuj :  Almve  li..;lit  rulvous-j,'rayish-,  inotlled  with  dusky,  the  hack  iind 
rtinip  relieved  hy  He  vera!  lai>,'e  l.lack  l.lotches.  I  feiul,  neck,  und  lower  parts  rulvous-whilish,  ihc 
crown,  occi]. lit,  and  nape  ^'layish,  the  crown  with  a  mesial  Mack  xlreuk,  the  occiput  witli  ci)ai>c 
spots  of  the  same. 

Total  len>,'tll,  ahout    14  to   l.")..-)()  inches;  extent,  27  to  30;   wiiij;,  H..'i(l-!MHl  ;   ciilmeti,  nl t 

2..')0  ;  tarsus,  4.(K» ;  middle  tnc,  l.;J7.  liill  deep  black  ;  iris  rosy  carmine  ;  lef,'s  and  feet  line  in-e- 
piiik  or  delicate  pale  lake-red  (in  lil'e). 

Adult  specimens  in  lii}^h  lu'eedin-^'-phiumge  sometimes  have  the  while  of  the  breast,  etc.,  tin;,'ril 
with  soft  creamy  pink. 

Tlic  Stilt  appfars  to  be  a  oomiiioii  species  throughout  aoai'ly  the  whole  of  tlie 
Uiiitt'il  States,  I'l'diii  tlie  Athnitie  tn  tlie  I'lu-ilic  ;  iimre.  :iliiiii(liiiit  in  tlie  Wt'steni  inn! 
(Suit'  States,  and  less  freipieiit  in  the  iimrc  Ndrtlieni  and  Kasteni.  It  oecurs  uei  a- 
sionally  near  Calais,  Imt,  aeeonliiig  to  Mr.  Ihiardnian.  is  very  fare.  Sever;il  individual 
birds  hav(^  lieon  taken  at  Cirand  .Menaii;  and  occasional  instances  of  its  caidiire  ni;ii' 
Hostoii  are  known.  Mr.  lioardnian  also  met  with  it  in  Florida,  where  it  was  t'oiind  to  he 
most  numerous  toward  the  end  of  Afarcli.  It  occurs  in  most  of  the  West  India  Islamic. 
in  >b'xico,  and  in  Central  and  South  America.  ]Slr.  Salvin  found  it  on  the  J'acilie 
coast  of  Guatcnnila,  and  also  .saw  a  single  individual  wliiidi  liad  l)een  procured  inai' 
the  modern  City  of  (Jiiatcinala.  .Mr.  K.  Newton  mentions  the  Stilt  as  being  w. H 
known  by  name  to  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  St.  Croix,  although  rarely  seen.     Thougli 


^1 


nECl'UVIUOSTUTD.K  —  TIIK  STILTS    -  UIMAN'Tol'l'S. 


847 


(if    tlH' 
tflll  illlll 
luVS  (ici;i- 

■idividual 

luro  mar 

luitl  to  !>•' 

Islimas, 

[l-Pll   lliMl' 

Tlu>ii:4l> 


iiiii  ('(iimiuiii,  it  is  ii  it';,Miliii'  vi.sitaiit.  iiiid  is  iiossilils  a  ri'sidnit.  Aii'drdin^,'  tn  I,('(». 
t:iiid,  it  i.s  I'DUiid  ill  'I'riiiidiid,  and,  iilllioii^'ii  lint  colitiiioii,  is  siiplMisrd  to  \>f  n-sidciit 
ill  tliiit  island.  Mr.  C  W .  W  viill,  (••liiis,"  1.S7I)  niciitidiis  lindiiij;  it  wading  in  the 
.•ilialluws  (tf  a  laj^iiun  lu'ar  ('ii'iia','a,  in  (  nloiuliia,  S.  A. 

A  siii.i,di' t'xaiiiidt'  nl  till'  Stilt  is  rccordt'd  liy  .Major  Wt'ddcrliiirn  as  liaviii^,' liccn 
>liiit  in  hiTiiiiida,  .liinc  o,  isri.'!.  |>r.  Ilcrlandifr  (MSS.)  rites  this  siiccics  as  inlialiit- 
iii;-  laaisliy  iilaci's  mi  llic  littoral  plains  (d'  tin-  (iiilf  ol  .Mexico,  in  Texas.  'I'aniaiilipas. 
ihe  vieinity  <d'  Tamiiieo.  and  oii  the  slioies  of  Lake  'l'ania.|na  and  'I'lixpan,  in  the 
Slate  of  N'eia  ('ill/.     It  is  there  kimwii  liy  the  trivial  name  of  '/VA///A(. 

|)r,  ( 'ooipei' noticed  a  nii^^'ialin,'.;  tlock  at  l''ort  .Mojave,  on  tlie  1st  id'  May,  IHCil  ;  and 
III!  the  iL'lh  ol'  .May,  LS(ii{,  ohtaiiied  the  tiist  one  seen  at  Santa  liarliara.  lieiiee  he 
iiihrs  that  it  always  arrives  t'roin  the  south  about  that  time.  It  is  rare  on  the  I'aeitii- 
coast,  hut  iiii;,nates  tliidii.i,di  the  interior,  and  seeiii.s  to  pr«d'er  the  I'resh-water  streams 
ami  marshes,  reedin.:,'  aloiii^  their  shores.  Speeimi'Ms  have  lieeii  procured  near  the 
llocky  .Moiintaiiis ;  Imt  it  is  everywhere  rare  in  Caliiornia. 

.\ccording  to  (iiraiid,  this  species  is  loiind  on  liOiig  Island,  liiit  is  not  couiiuon  ; 
ami  it  is  this  hird,  and  not  the  .Vvoeet.  which  is  Ihe  ••  Lawyer"  of  liiinters.  On  the 
sia-i'uast  ol'  New  .liTsey,  where  it  arrives  Irom  the  south  in  the  latter  part  ol'  .\pril, 
it  is  more  common.  Ilirdsid'  this  species  associate  in  small  parties,  and  resort  to  the 
sliallow  ponds  on  the  iiieailows  in  the  vicinity  ol'  the  sea-<'oast,  where  they  wade  in 
pursuit  of  aipiatie  insects  and  minute  shelllish.  Occasionally  a  lew  straj,'j;lers  may 
h '  seen  loileiiii^'  alioiii  the  pools  on  the  soiitheni  shore  of  Long  islaml ;  Imt  these  are 
usii  illy  solitary  individuals,  and  such  are  said  to  he  infreqiu'iit.  This  liird  is  very 
lanly  exposed  for  sale  in  New  Y'ork  luarketM,  and  is  not  known  to  liieed  on  Long 
I.-.laiid. 

Ill  Utah,  liotli  this  species  and  the  Avocet  are  known  as  the  '•  White  Snijie."  Mr. 
Alli'ii  found  both  species  in  Septemhor.  in  the  valley  of  the  (Jreat  Salt  Lake,  and 
(piite  ahundaiit,  both  species  being  charaeteristie  id'  that  region,  where  both  arn 
siiiiimer  residents,  anil  breed  on  the  shores  and  islands  of  tlu'  lake  i!i  great 
aiiinidanci-. 

.Mr.  Widgway  met  with  this  bird  in  the  spring  and  summer  mojitlis  near  the  alka- 
line lakes  and  ]ioiiils  id'  the  (ireat  liasin,  inhabiting  the  same  localities  with  the 
Avocet.  and  being  its  almost  constant  eomjianion.  In  the  southeastern  portion  of 
( >regi(ii  ('ai>taiii  IJeudire  found  it  assoeiatt'd  with  the  Avocet,  and  l'iTi]ueiitiug  the 
same  localities,  but  not  so  common.     It  also  breeds  in  that  region. 

.Mr.  Moore  writes  that  he  has  seen  but  two  pairs  of  this  s])ecie.s,  on  Sarasota  Hay, 
ill  I'lorida,  (luring  a  residence  of  two  summers,  or  from  February  to  XovemlH'r  in  two 
I'liiisciMitive  years.  The  lirst  pair  seen  was  .luiie  1!).  1S7(>,  and  the  second  A])ril  0, 
1S71.';  the  latter  in  a  pond  two  miles  iroiii  the  Uay  in  company  with  Totunns 
j/'iri'pcs. 

On  the  coast  id'  (Juatemala,  as  observed  by  Mr.  Salvin.  the  Stilts  were  wading 
iiiioiit  near  the  shore,  pecking  at  the  surface  of  the  water;  they  were  in  great  num- 
licis,  but  all  in  small  flocks.  .Mr.  K.  Newton,  who  observed  it  in  a  lagoon  on  the 
.south  side  of  the  Island  of  St.  Croix,  also  mentions  its  occurring  in  small  flocks  of 
tliiee  or  f(mr.  These  were  wading  mid-leg  deep  in  its  shallow  water,  and  were 
ipiite  regardless  of  the  ap|iroacli  of  the  boat,  but  walked  .slowly  about,  s(mietiines 
picking  up  insects  from  the  surface  of  the  water,  at  others  dipping  their  bills  into 
it  and,  then  stojiiiing,  with  their  heads  on  one  side,  as  if  listening,  or  looking  intently 
into  the  water.  Leotandsiieaks  of  them  as  usually  occurring  in  ]mm  in  Trinidad,  on 
the  borders  of  partially  dried  pools.     I'erched  upon  their  long  legs,  they  move  with 


348 


PR.TinMMAL  URAM.ATortKM-  MMiniL.K. 


mIow  stt'pM,  iiM  if  iiu'iiMuriiiK  tin-  k>'*i»i>iI<  <"'  "■"*  '*  tViuliil  nl  iiijiiiiiiK  tlii-ir  Imij;  and 
Hlfiulfr  liiiihs.     Tlii'ii'  ery  is  (U'HciilH'd  as  Im-Imk  Icrlili'  ami  nuiI. 

Wilsnii.  wlio  liail  a  kihmI  (i|i|M)rtimity  U>v  oltscrviiiK  tin-  lialiits  ol'  tliis  hird  on  fh.. 
st-a-roant  ol'  New  .Iciscy,  statrs  tlial  it  anives  tliiif.  alxnit  tlit-  L'.'itli  id  Ajtiil.  in  Nhiidl 
Hocks  of  twenty  or  thirty.  snUlividinK  into  snuillfr  parties,  assoeiatin^  ilminK  'li'' 
remainder  of  tlie  season  in  small  companies  (d  two  or  tlirec  pairs.  It  inlialiits  tlir 
upper  portions  of  the  salt-marshes  near  the  uplands,  w  in-re  are  numerous  shallmv 
po(ds  alxive  all  hut  tin-  hi^'hest  tides.  These  poolti  uhound  with  minute  sludlli>li, 
iKpiiitie  inseets,  with  the  larva-,  e^^'s,  and  spawn  of  various  fiu-nis  of  nnirim-  life;  imd 
upon  these  the  Stilt  ihietly  leeils.  A  small  party  (d  a  dozen  or  incu'e  usually  niidM' 
their  stay  in  the  thick  j,'rass  in  the  vicinity  (d'  suidi  localities,  and  there  con.stinrt 
their  nests.  These  are  at  first  sli|.,ditly  formed  (d  a  Hinall  <|uantity  of  dry  k*">>\ 
hardly  cnou^di  to  keep  the  c^'i^s  from  the  damp  f^round.  As  incuiiation  f^oes  on.  ilic 
nest  is  increased  liy  the  addition  of  dry  twij^s,  roots  of  the  salt-^rass,  seawei'd,  imd 
various  other  sulistanees.  until  iiuite  a  hiilky  nest  is  fornu'd.  'I"he  e^^'s  are  usually 
four  in  numher,  and  ih-scrihed  liy  him  as  of  a  dark  yellowish  (day-color,  thickly 
marked  with  lar^fc  blotcdics  (d'  Itlai  k.  They  are  (dtcn  jdaccd  within  fifteen  ny  twenty 
yards  of  catdi  other,  and  in  the  little  colony  the  ^'reatest  harmony  appears  to  prcvaU. 
While  the  females  are  sittinj,',  their  imites  are  usually  feeding'  in  the  adjoining 
marshes;  lint  if  any  peisoii  jipproaches  their  nests,  they  all  cidlect  in  the  air.  fl,\iii,\' 
with  their  lonj?  lef,'s  extcmled  hehind  them,  and  keep  up  a  continued  yidpin^,'  nutc 
of  r/!r/c<'l!rl--tf!r/,:  At  the  same  time  they  droo]i  their  win^s,  stand  with  their  lc.;s 
half-hent  and  trendilin;^'.  as  if  nnalile  to  keep  tliemsidves  ereid.  and  lialancing  their 
bodies  with  ^,'reat  ditliculty.  These  mano'uvrcs  arc  uniloid)teilly  desi^,'ned  to  turn  tlic 
attention  <d'  the  intruder  from  their  ej,'j,'s  to  themselves.  If  in  wadin;;  this  iiinl 
( liances  to  yet  into  the  water  In-yond  its  depth,  it  can  swim  a  short  distance  as  ui  11 
as  the  Avocet.  It  is  known  to  .liMsey  Inuitcrs  liy  tlu'  names  of  <'Tilt.''  '•Stilt." 
and  " Lou^'slianks."  It  occasion;d]y  visits  the  ujdands.  and  wades  in  fresh-wati  !■ 
ponds  in  seandi  of  food,  wliicdi  it  scoops  up  very  dexterously  with  its  (hdieattdy-fornicd 
hill,  the  extremities  of  which  arc  soft,  and  ]irovi(h'd  with  tine  nervous  luemhrancs, 
enahlinj,'  it  to  detect  its  food  at  once.  The  .Stilt  raises  onjy  a  single  hrood,  and  departs 
south  I'arl}'  in  Septend)cr. 

According  to  Audid»on.  a  few  of  this  sjiecies  winter  in  J^ouisiana  ;ind  in  Florida, 
hut  the  greater  jiortion  jtrocpcd  beyond  our  soutliern  limits.  In  1S.'57  this  binl  made 
its  first  appearance  near  (lalvestou  in  April,  in  .small  flocks  of  seven  or  eight,  keeiMii;,' 
near  the  small,  shallow,  brackish  jtonds  wlierc  it  sought  its  food;  it  is  then  more  shy 
than  while  breeding,  and  \itters  a  whistling  cry  different  from  its  notes  of  di.strcss 
when  nesting.  It  iiie.s  in  a  rapid  manner,  with  regular  Ijoats  of  the  wings  and  with 
extended  neck  and  legs,  and  walks  with  a  tirm  gait,  the  staggering  mentioned  h,v 
Wilson  a.s  noticed  when  breeding  Ixung  simulated,  and  not  re.al.  This  species  is  not 
common  along  th<'  shores  of  the  Carolinas.  Its  food  is  said  to  consist  of  insects, 
small  Crustacea,  worms,  the  young  fry  of  fishes,  ami  the  small  Libelluhe, 

The  Stilt  probably  breeds  in  all  the  (iulf  States,  in  favorable  situations.  Dresser 
noticed  it  at  Matamoras  in  July.  On  the  L'd  of  dune,  18fi4.  he  saw  two  jiairs  on 
Galveston  Island;  and  on  the  4th  of  July,  after  a  lieaNy  fall  of  rain,  this  bird  all  nt 
once  appeared  in  abundance  in  the  flooded  lands  near  San  Antonio.  Dr.  Merrill,  wlm 
had  a  still  better  opportunity  of  observing  its  habits  in  the  same  region,  speaks  of  if 
as  being  both  common  and  resident  there.  It  breeds  in  the  marshes  in  May,  makin.; 
its  nests  on  wet  grassy  flats,  and  laying  three  or  four  eggs.  The  nests  Avere  platform^ 
of  straAV  and  grass,  often  wet,  and  barely  keeping  the  eggs  out  of  the  water.     The 


RKCUIlVtR(>.STI{II>.K       TIIK  STIMS  -  HIMANTOPtlS. 


349 


iiviTiiKi*  Hizu  of  the  luttfi-  WiiH  l.T.j  hy  I.IU;  th«>  i'Xti-ciiH>H  wuro  1.88  hy  l.'St,  iiiitl  IXA) 
I IV  1. 10. 

Twii  Ki'ts  (tf  till-  t'KjjH  of  tills  s|it'rl('s  (S.  I.  No.  717  Jiiul  fUl.'i) — niic  ri'iiin  Mutniiio- 
ra.H,  Mi'xifti,  piiiciiri'tl  Ity  Lii-iiiiiiaiil  Cuiirli,  ilic  (itln-r  liy  l)r.  \Viinlt'iii:iiiii  iil  Calcii- 
HiiMi  I'liHH,  liii,  —  iiifUHiirn  1.7<t  Ity  l.ljo  iiiclifH,  niid  lmvi>  a  KroiUKUolur  ul  dark  ilnil), 
Mnni'  with  ii  nit'niiH,  iitiii'i'.s  with  an  nlivao'iiiis,  tiii^'*'.  Iti  other  i'xaiii|ili's  tiii.si' 
Nliadi'H  art'  iiioif  or  less  iiitfiniin^jlcd,  and  llu-y  arc  .spotti'd  and  iilotihi'd  with  a  dark 
lii'.tro  hardly  distin^Mii.shaiilc  Ironi  iilai-k. 

.\ii  I'KK  ill  my  caliiin't,  collected  iiy  .Mr.  N.  W.  Ili.shop  on  the  Pampas  of  S(tntli 
.Vhierica,  lielonniiif,'  to  the  southern  species  (II.  Ill-null liitsis),  nicasuri's  !,S0  liy  l..'{0 
inches,  lint,  except  in  its  larj,'»'r  mIzc,  i.s  not  appreciuldy  dillcreiit  liom  Iho  e^,'^^s  ul' 
the  North  Amcrleaii  Hpfcit'tt. 


i-wat(  r 
tiirnicd 
liraiics, 
departs 

•'lorida, 

d    UKuli' 

ceepiiii; 
lore  sliv 

distress 
md  willi 
oned  I'V 

's  is  net 

insects, 


Dresser 
j)airs  en 
rd  all  at 
rill,  wli'> 
ks  of  it 
makin',' 
hltfornl^ 


^vl 


^IW 


l'\ 


1.     r- 

'Ml 


.li 


I  4 


Order     ALECTORIDES. 


CRANES,   KAILS,  ETC. 


TllK  Alfdoruhs  are  a  tdleranly  well-defined  fTroup  of  limls,  related  somcwliai 
closely  to  the  Limivolo,  l»ut  very  diHtiiiet  from  the  Iftroilium's,  to  wliidi  soiiir 
of  tho  forms  (more  esjtecially  the  Criiida)  bear  a  teleological  resemlilaiiee.  Tyjiiiid 
Families  of  this  Order  are  the  (ri-nida'  (Cranes),  Annnifkc  (Conrlans),  and  Jitillliln 
(Kails),  all  represented  in  North  An.eriea.  In  addition  to  these  Families,  Smith 
America  possesses  several  others  v'lich  have  been  placed  here,  l)ut  wliethi  r 
ri^'Iitly  or  not,  we  cannot  say.  These  extralimital  families  are  the  £iiri/pi/yi<lo  (Sim 
Hitterns),  Ilrliornif/iidir,  Cdriauiiihr  (Cariamas),  and  IWtphiidcv  (Trumpeters). 

Tlie  typical  mcndters  of  the  ;,'r(iup  are  pra'cocial  and  i)tilopa'dic. 

The  i'amilies  of  this  Order  which  come  within  the  .scope  of  the  present  Wdik 
are  the  followiii'' :  — 


A»  Si/c  small  or  incdiiiin  ;  liciiil  ixunmlly  IV-atlicrcd  or  with  a  frontal  sliicld  ;  iiiiilcllo  toe  ikmiIv 
as  Imi^'  us  ilic  tarsus;  hallux  wull  ilcvfjopccl  (nearly  a.s  loii^'  as  thu  lirst  juinl  of  ilu' 
nii'ldlc  tof),  ni-arly  incuniliont.    (Itnlli.) 

Rallidse.  Si/.r  niotlinni  to  very  small  ;  outer  primary  lon^or  than  tho  si.\th,  very  liroaii  ; 
sen  Hill  nearly  or  ((uili!  ei|ual  to  the  lon^'est.  Ikeetrices  almost  ruilimuntarv,  soft,  neai  iv 
hiililen  by  the  coverts.  IJili  not  curved  to  one  side  at  ti|)  (usually  shorter  tlian  ilie 
tarsus). 

Aramidae.  Si/e  medium  or  rather  larj,'e  ;  outer  ]irimiiry  shorter  tlmii  seventh,  the  iiiii'  !■ 
wid)  very  narrow,  exeejit  at  end  ;  second  ((uill  much  shorter  than  the  li)nj,'est  (lillli) 
Rectrices  wtdl  ilevidoiied,  firm,  twelve  ill  nuniher.  Hill  curved  to  one  sicU'  at  tip,  eipi  il 
to  or  loiif^er  than  the  tarsus ;  inner  secondaries  broad,  renchin.i,'  to  end  of  primaries,  tluii 
webs  ])aitially  ilecomi)osed. 
B.  Si/e  laip'  ;  head  partly  naked  (exc'i  •  yoiinj;),  or  with  ornamental  plumes  ;  middle  toe 
less  than  half  the  tarsus  ;  hallux  si....,i,  much  elevated.     {Units.) 

Qruidae.    [<  "haractera  a.s  nbove.] 


Fam'lv    RALLTD^E. — TiiK   Il.viL.s,  Gallixclks,  and  Coot.s. 


Chau.  Small  or  medium  sized  wadinfj  or  swimmiiif;  birds,  with  coiniircsstd 
body,  very  jono  toes,  whirl,  are  sometimes  (in  the  Coots)  lobed  alony  the  edyes, 
short,  rounded,  concave  wings,  and  very  muscular  thighs. 

Tlie  brief  diagnosis  given  above  is  sufHcieiit  to  distingui.sli  the  itails,  of  wliatcvi  r 
sul»-fiiiuily.  from  the  C(uiilai',s  and  Cranes,  tludr  (mly  near  allies.  The  typical  Hails 
(liiiUiiKv)  are  of  very  small  to  medium  size,  tho  typical  genus,  Tinthis.  being  cliar- 
actf  Ized  particularly  by  a  lengthened  slender  bill,  while  other  genera,  as  I'onann 


1^ 


RALLID.E  -  THE  HAILS  —  RALLUS. 


351 


liioiiil  : 

luailv 

mil  till' 


c  mil'  I 
(liliii) 


IS,  llifii 


;iii(l  rVcf,  have  this  member  comparatively  short  ami  thick.  The  (Joots  and  (lalliimles 
liiive  tiie  base  of  the  culmeii  coiitimit'd  iiiniii  the  tdrchcnil.  wiicre  it  widens  out  into  a 
iiKiic  or  h'ss  <^ilil)(ms  or  expanded  phite  ^n^  'nintiil  sliieid.  'I'iie  Coots,  however,  are 
peculiar  in  having'  the  toes  fringed  with  scalloped  Haps  or  lateral  lolii's. 

'Die   three   siilvlaniilic'S   of   Itullidw  oceiirring   in   "^"rth   America   may  be  tlius 
(listiiij,'uished  :  — 

Rallinae.     Xe    fntiital   process  ;   toes   withuut  lateral  lobes  ;  size  varialile  ;  liili   sunu'liinuH 

liiiiili  cli)iij,'ati'd. 
OalliuulinsB.     A  fnmtal  jirocess,  as  in  Fitliviinf ;  toes  without  lateral  lulies  ;  si/.c  lar^ic. 
Fulicinae.     A  frontal  jn'ocess,  as  in  (lallinulime  ;   toes  with  u  lateral  IoIkmI  niaiv'in  ;   si/.e 

lai^'c. 

The  several  sul)-families  havinj,'  thus  been  detined,  the  North  Anu-riean  genera 
may  lie  characterized  as  follows  :  — 

Sni-FAMii.v    liAl.lilN.K.  —  Tin.  TiiiK  liAiLs. 

A.    l'>ill  slender,  ei|Ual  to  or  longer  lliaii  the  tai-sus. 

1.  Rallus.     [Cliararters  as  iiliove.  ] 

O.     liill  sliiiit,  Hot  iiKHv  than  twn  lliiids  tlie  taisiis  (usually  imirh  less), 

2.  Porzana.     MiiMIe  toe  alinnl  ei|iial  to  nr  ^liMlllly  longer  than  tarsus  ;  liase  of  gonys  nut 

forming  a  deeiileil  angle  ;  niiilille  of  cuhnen  deciileiUy  depressed  or  coiicavo. 
;{,  Crex.     Miildle  toe  shorter  than  tarsus  ;  liase  of  gonys  forming  a  decidi-d  inii;le  ;  inicldle  of 
euUiiell  scarcely  aiijireeialily  de|iressed. 

Siii-KAMii.Y   OAliLIXl'LlN'yE.  —Tin;  (iAii.iMi.is. 

4.  lonornis.  N'nstril  small,  oval  ;  middle  toe  shorter  than  tarsus  ;  tc  es  without  trace  of 
lateral  nienihrane  ;  inner  iiosterlor  face  of  tar.ais  with   a  sin^de  low  nf  large  i|nailratu 

scutella'. 

r>.  Oallinula.  Nostril  elongated,  slit-like  ;  middle  toe  longer  than  tarsus  ;  toes  with  a 
deciiled  indication  of  lateral  memhraiie  ;  inner  posterior  face  uf  taisus  cuveied  with 
several  irregular  rows  of  small  hexagonal  scales. 

Srii-KAMii.v   I'TI.ICIX.K.  — Tin;  Coors. 

(i.  Fulica.  Nostrils,  and  pi'o]ioi'lionatc  length  of  toes  and  tarsus,  as  in  ilnllltiiiln  ;  toes 
liordered  with  a  very  wide,  scallojied,  lateral  niemhrane  ;  inner  po.-teiior  face  of  tarsu» 
covered  with  small  scah's,  as  in  (IhIIIhkIk.^ 


lldle  le 


edge: 


Gexi's  rallus,   Lix.v.tu's. 

Ji'dhia,  Linn.  S.  N.  cd.  Id,  ]7.kS,  1.'.:? ;  cd.  I'.',  17t!ti,  261  (type,  li.  aqvatkus,  Li.vx.). 

''iiAR.  Bill  longer  than  the  head,  rather  slender,  compressed  ;  upjier  mai.ilildo  slightly  curved  ; 
iiosiiils  in  a  long  ^;roove,  and  with  .'i  large  memhraiie  ;  wings  short  ;  tertiary  ipiills  lon;_'.  frei|iiiiiiiy 
1oiil;i'1' than  the  |)rimaries;  fail  very  shori  ;  legs  moderate,  tarsus  siiorter  than  the  midille  toe,  mid 
CHViicd  on  all  sides  with  transverse  scales  ;  toes  long  and  rather  sleiidi'r  ;  inner  toe  rather  shorter 
tli;Mi  llie  outer  ;  hind  toe  short  and  weak. 

This  genus  contains  numerous  species,  inhaliiting  all  the  temperate  countries  of  the  world,  and 
viiy  -iinilar  in  their  hahits,  and  lVe.,iientIy  in  ap|iearance.  'I'heir  long  toes  enalile  them  to  run 
ovir  ;iiid  (limb  amongst  aipiatic  jdaiits  wiih  ;^reat  facility. 

'  A  .South  AiiiPiican  iif'wwn,  Puriilnirinps,  Pri'iiKiiAN,  l«'lon«iiig  to  tlif  fodlinnliiin;,  is  inmh  like  (Jnl- 
///o'/.(,  (lit  lins  the  lateral  iiiaij;iii  to  the  Iocs  iiiorc  dccidodly  ilcvel()|ied,  tin  u'oiiy-  very  short,  and  much 
a.si'  -Mliiif;  tcrniiiially,  the  culineii  very  straight,  mid  the  fn  ntal  shield  small  and  very  iiointed. 


r.r-TTT 


ALECTORIDES. 


i 

i 


Ssmopsis  of  the  North  American  Species. 

<'oM.  CliAK.  Aliovr,  (ilivr  of  iisliy,  witli  iiKii'i'  or  Il-ss  tlistiiict  liroiitl  liiii^'itinliiml  HtriiHs  df 
iliirktT ;  Ih'iiciiIIi.  riiiicolorcil  aiilcriuily.  viiiif^iiilcd  with  luiw  on  the  llmiks  iiiul  rrissiuii.  I!rcii~i 
iiKiii'  or  liss  icdilisli  ;  Ihiiiks  mill  c  ri»iiiii  willi  lnuwii  aiul  white  IninnvtMitt'  Iwit* ;  a  !-ii|iialonil  li,'lii 
slripi'.     Wiu^'-i'ovi-Tls  usually  luoif  iul'f.-<fi'Hl  than  back. 

A>    Size  laip-  (win^;  luoiv  tliaii  5  imlus). 

u.     Axillais  aud  llankiilusky.  with  wiilt-  white  luu-s  (liars  alioul    15  of  an  inch  wide  on  flank-) 

1.   R.  elegana.     Hack  and  m  m|iu1uis  iKliracenus-nlivc  or  yellowish  drali,  shar]ily  and  rons]ii(  u- 

ously  sirijpcd  Willi  Mack  :  l.icasi  dccit  cinnainon.     Win;,',  ").!»(Mi.HU;  ciilnicn,  :!.H>-l'."i1i  ; 

least  dipth  of  Mil,  .i'i'-.:j."> ;  laivus.  I,!mi-l'.  |o  ;  nii<l<lle  toe,  l."(t-iM(>.     Huh.  Fresh-wal.i 

inai'shes  of  hlasifin  Noiih  America. 


K.  •■Ifiiam. 


h.     Axillus  and  liniiij;  of  wiie^r  dark  Ihoh  n,  narrowly  liarrcd  with  white  ;  Hanks  dark  limwii 
disiiiii'tly  lutrrecl  with  liniii  white  and  Macki^ii,  lh<'  hars  of  the  former  aliont  .ii,')  .07  di  .111 
inch  wide. 
■2    R  Beldingi.     .\lic)ve,  dee|i  olive-lnown.  di«tinilly  liiit  not  sharply -Iriixil  with  lii-owni'li 
hhii'k  ;  l>rea.st,  etc.,  rich  cinnamon,     Wiiii,',  .'i,7l) ;  tail,  :!..*iii ;  ciilineii,  :/ l.'t ;  le.'i>i  deptli 
of  hill,  .W);  tarsus,   l.'.i:^  :  middle  tm',   l.so.     /Af/<.  Ciilf  of  (.'alil'orniii  (Kspiriln  S:iiii>> 
Island). 
r.     A.\illars  and  tianks  Itrowni^h  ;,'ray,  with  narrow  while  liars  (liars  alioiit    jo  of  an  inch  wide 
on  Hanks). 
'.\.   R.  obaoletiu.     Hack  and  -ca|iidars  i;rayish  olive,  iniljsiinctly  stri|ie<l  with  dii-ky  ;  lucust 
deep  cinnamon,     Win^',  (i  l(i-(i.(iit  ;  ciilmeii,   J  l'.'i-:^..iI)  ;    least   depth   of  hill,  .;l:>-.:i.'i; 
tarsus,  :2  Id  J.J.'i ;  middle  toe,  2.(N)-:2.,'i.     Ilnh.  Sall-waler  marshes  of  ( 'alifornia. 
1.   R.  longiroatria.     itack   aiid    scapulars  hrownish   ^ray  or  ashy,  oli>-oIetely  >-tri|.'d    with 
ln'owii  (ill  (iiilf  coast  spei'imeii^  disliiicily  stiiped  wIlli  dii-ky)  ;  lireasi  pale  hiilf  (in  (inlt 
coast  specimens  ilnll  cinnamon).     Win;.',  ."i.L'(i-(i.(Hi;  culnieii,  2.o,')-J.riU ;  least  vieptli  el 
hill,  .^-l-.'Xi ;  tarsus.    I.kVuMu;   middle  toe,  I.T'i-iJ  (H).      //nh.   .Salt-water  marshe-  n| 
Eiistern  I'liiletl  .Stales,  West   Indies,  and  Niirtheiu.tern  South  .Vinerica. 
B.     Size  small  (wiii'„'  h-^  than  •..'"id  jnrhe«). 

5,   R.  virginianua.     Similar  to  7/.  i/ct/diM,  Imt  rather  nmre  deeply  colored,     /Mi.  N'oith  and 
Miiltlle  .Vnierica. 


RALLID.E  —  THE  RAILS  —  RALLL'S. 


353 


crepUanH, 

IS  12,  it;o, 

K.V,  lbr>', 

—  KllHJW. 


Rallns  elegans. 

THX  KIXG  BAIL;  GREAT  RED-BBEASTED  BAIL. 

II.  elegans. 

Jliilliis  crepiliDUi,  \Vii.«  Am.  Orii.  VII.  ISIS,  |>l.  &2,  ««.  •-*  (lif,'.  'mt  not  Joscr.     Not  7;. 

UMEI,.).  -C)  Ai,I,KX,  Hull.  .Mils.  Cniiip.  Z.H)I.  Ill,  1872,  1S2  (Cleat  Suit  l.iiku,  I'tali 
i:,illi(.i.l,;i(ias,  An.,  (trii.    llii.«.    III.   IbS.'i,  27,  I'l.  203;  Syiio]..  isy.t,  21.^  ;  II.   .\iii.  V. 

pi.  :i(i!i.       HaiiiI),   H.  N.  Ami.  1858,  746;  Cut.  X.  Am.  IS.  l^.V.t,  iic.  6r.2.  —  t'liiKs, 

273;  I'li.ik  Mm.   1n7:{,  no.  4(Ji5 ;  2a  tid.  1S82,  no.  070;  lUiiU  N.  W.   1874,  D;tr. 

Noni.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  .'■tin. 

/(.  tenulroBtrU. 

liiilliiKfl>'ii<iii»,  viir.  timnnmtrin,  L.vwii.  Am.  Nut.  Feb.  1874,  111  (City  of  Mexico).  —  HirniW.  Bull. 
Nutt.  Orii.  <'lul),  V.  no.  :»,  .luly,  188ii,  \AV, 

lI.Mi.  FicHli-watt'i'  nmr.ilicH  of  ilic  Hiistvi-n  I'ruvinix-  of  tlio  Uiiiluil  Stuti;s,  north,  (•a.-<imlly,  to 
M  i-siiliii^ftls,  Muiuf,  mill  Cuiiailii  Wfil,  rt;4iiliirly  to  the  MidtlK'  Stuti-.s  ami  Nortliiiii  Illinois; 
wc>l  to  Kansas  ((JiiMt  Salt  l,:iki',  .\i.i.KX  ?-).  l{c|plafeil  in  the  salt-niarslifs  aloii;,'  tlu'  Atlantic 
ainl  (iulf  coasts  liy  it'picM'nlalivi'  roiiiis  i>f  //.  tniiijlnmlfiii. 

Sv.  Cii.Mi.  All  nil :  Aliiivi',  Vfllowish  olivi-  or  (K-limceous-dial",  very  conspicuously  lunl  sliai|ily 
>iri|iiMl  wiili  l.l.ick  ;  ciown  il  iik  lonwii  ;  a  mi  j  mil  oral  >livak  of  lnnwiiisli  wliitu,  continufil  to  the 
ui'.i{iiii  ill  a  lii'ciaili'i'  stri|ii-  of  liiowni'li  ^'lay  ;  luit-s  ami  >iil>orlijtal  r('}{ioii  lir<i\viii.--l:  ;.'ia\  nriluU 
l>rnwiiisli ;  cliin  ami  tlu'oat   wliitc  ;  iciiiaiiKli'r  <if  licad  and  neck,  including;  jii^'uluni  and  liica>t, 


liiiiwtii-li 

r.l-t    d.-plll 

rim  Siiiii" 
inch  wi.lc 
vV  ;  liii;i-l 

1.  .;12-.:!-'! 
lia. 

ij,.d    «'lll 

IV  (ill  (lair 

It  dcptll  >'l 

liaifln-  "I 

ISoHli  aii'l 


li-iit  ciiinaiiion  ;  Hanks  and  sidi-s  dark  lirownisji  mljlackisli  ilunky,  liarn-d  with  white,  the  white 
K.iis  aveiiiyin^' alioiil  .|(>-.|.'i  of  an  inch  in  width,  the  iiiteis|iaces  more  tlitiii  twice  as  wide  ;  crissiini 
iiii\t'i|  dusky  and  white,  the  lateral  feathers  almost  iiiiinaciilale  white  ;  middle  of  the  alidoiiieii 
roiisideralily  li^'liler  than  the  hreast,  sonieliini'M  i|uile  white  ;  axillars  and  lining;  of  the  wiii^'  Hiniilar 
to  the  tiaiik'i.  lull  white  hars  narrower,  and  less  distinct.  Wiiivi-coveits  ru^ly  liiownish,  soinetinies 
iiicMiiiii'.'  to  i'liestnut,aiid  not  infn  i|iieiitly  iimie  or  le>^  liaricil  with  reddish  white  ;  teilials  wirlely 
-iiipecl,  like  the  Nca)iulai's  ;  renii^cN  plain  iimherlu'own  ;  lectrices  raw-iinilH'r,  with  a  dusky  medial 
-liipe.  "  Lower  niandilile  and  ed>;es  of  upper  liiowni^ii  yellow  ;  rid'.je  of  upper,  and  lips  of  hoth. 
deep  hrown  ;  iris  lirij,dil  leil  ;  feel  yellowisji  liriiwn.  tinned  with  olive  ;  claws  of  the  same  color'' 
(Ai  oriiDN).  Ihi'i'iifi  jiiiiiiiii:  riiiroriii  ;,dossv  Mack;  hill  dusky,  llie  end.  and  iniumph''  wide 
hand  near  the  hase  (eiiclosiiij,'  the  nostiil).  pale  yellowish  or  whitish  (in  the  skin)  ;  lej;s  a:i'!  feet 
hiiiwiiish  (in  skill). 

Tulal  len^'th.  ahout  17  inches;  win,',  r».!H>-(;  ><(l ;  culineii,  2.1i-2.f)0;  depth  of  hill  in  midille, 
.•.!7-.;ri ;  tarsus,  2.20-2.10;  middle  |oe,  l.>.o-2.1<». 

'I'liu  individual  variation  in  this  Hpeeies  U  very  considerahle,  hoth  as  re;^'aiils  ('(duration  ami  the 
piciporlioiis  ;  hut  it   may  always  he  readily  distinguished  from  the  allied  forms  hy  the  character.s 


'  May  piissililv  Im-  il.  nhmihlii.i. 

'*  Nu  N|icciiiiens  tivuii ;  muy  |iuii.,ilily  he  obsolelus. 


Vol.  I. 


a:> 


;  .] 
n  I 

i 


«i 


r 


a54 


ALKCTOIIIDES. 


pointed  oiu  in  tlu'  uliovi-  Kynoi^is  tlic  vitv  r(iiis|iicuiius,  sliarply-di'tint'il,  ami  liroad  Muck  stripes 
alpiivc,  uiHin  an  (iiJiivy-ljriiwn  or  vullci\visli-()livait.otis  j;ii)un(l-iiili)r,  ciiniliinL'il  witli  the  linnaiiinii 
liii'ast  and  dark  Hanks,  licinj,'  tliu  pnmiint'nt  distinulivi'  IVatmvs.  Tlu;  ciiiet'  variation  in  coloi- 
I'onsists  in  the  dcyivu  of  asliint'ss  on  tiie  side  of  the  lieud  (some  exanii>les  l)einj,'  distinctly  asliy,  a> 
in  most  specimens  of  Vu  lnuyirMtriii  cnpititiin),  iiiul  in  the  precise  »luule  of  the  {^round-color  of  tli>' 
upper  parts  (which,  however,  is  never  asjiy). 

The  only  extraliniital  Npeciniens  we  have  seen  ari'  one  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  in  the  collec- 
tion of  Mr.  tieor),'e  N.  Lawrence,  and  one  from  the  Valley  of  Mexico  in  the  National  Museinn. 
These  aie  so  dilTerent  in  many  respects  from  the  common  North  American  hird  as  to  lie  enlillcl 
to  at  least  sul)->[iccilic  separation.  Ctimpared  with  true  </<';(((/(«,  the  di>tinctive  chamcters  of  the 
Mexican  nice  are  as  follows  :  — 

(I.  elegans.  Flanks  and  sides  dusky  hrownish,  widely  and  disiint  ly  harred  with  pure  while. 
Wiiij;,  .">.!»( m;.,S(»;  culniei:,  i'.  Ii*-i'..")(» ;  least  depth  of  hill,  .:i7-.:i.'i  ;  tai-sus,  ■2.-2{)-iAO  ;  mid.lle  In,.. 
1.8()-:i.  10.     //nil.   Fresh-water  marslii.  of  Ka.stern  North  America. 

li.  tenuirostris.  Flanks  and  sides  reddish  umlier,  narrowly  and  indistinctly  harred  wiili 
reddish  while  and  dilute  cinnamon  ;  hreasi  and  neck  more  deejily  and  unil'orndy  cinnamon  lliaii 
iu  iliyiiim.  Winu,  .">.!»(•;  cidinen,  :i.(i(»-:i.l(t ;  least  depth  of  hill,  .i'^  ;  tarsus,  l.W»-I.!»0  ;  middle 
toe,  1.7().     f/itl).  Mexico  (Ma/atlan  and  Cily  of  Mexico). 

The  accompanying,'  li;,'ui-e  of  the  liill  of  tuiiilroMris  is  taken  from  the  type  wpecimen  in  Mi. 

Luwn-nce's  C(dlection. 


RiiUiis  rh'ijiinn  ti'iiiiirnsfrin. 


Till'  ilistinetion  iM'twccii  the  in'csciit  .s]M'cii's  ami  tlic  ludrc  connnoii  Clappcv  Hail 
t'litiivly  t'sciipcd  tin-  iiotii-c  nf  Wilsnn  iuid  Niittall.  iiltlum,t,'li  the  fornicr  luii.st  umpies- 
tioiiiilily  liavi'  inct  with  tlif  r/i'i/mis  in  the  Dflawari'  uiarsht's  —  in  his  ilrscriptioii  oi  the 
rrr/t!finis  apparently  cDnfoumlino:  the  manners  (d'  tlif  two  species.  The  (listinctness  of 
i/ri/inis  as  a  siiceies  and  suuic  id'  its  peculiarities  were  lirst  inaile  kiinwn  to  the  pulilic 
Ity  Mr.  .Vuilnlion.  his  attt'iitioii  liuviiij,'  Ween  called  to  the  snhject  hy  I'r.  •hdiii  Uaeh- 
inan.  .\lth(in.i,di  .Vudnlton  sjieaks  (d'  liavino;  met  with  a  sinj^le  indiviiliial  of  tiiis 
species  in  Keiitnid^y.  he  sccius  to  have  rri^ai'dcd  it  as  an  cxidnsividy  sontiu'rn  species 
juid  as  hi'liif,'  cnnlinctl  to  the  fresli-wattT  marshes  of  tiic  Simtlicrn  States,  and  not  lo 
have  been  awiire  how  cuniniun  it  is  in  the  low  laiitls  of  all  the  Northwestern  States, 
ranijinu  <'ven  as  far  as  Nortliein  W'isciuisin  and  .Minnesota.  lOveii  now  lunch  remains 
to  lie  learned  as  to  its  ooneral  aWiindaiwe  in  Ihesi'  States,  the  dates  of  its  appearance 
and  departure. 

Mr.  Uri'sser  foiiml  it  pretty  common  in  S(Mitlieni  Texas,  on  the  I'.razos  and  Colo- 
rado rivers,  and  also  occasionally  on  (lalveston  Island. 

(iiraiid  did  not  nu'ct  with  any  speeiniens  id'  this  Itail  in  the  luarshos  of  T.om;,' 
Island.  Itnt  nientiiuis  tin-  timlini,'  a  sinj^le  specimen,  taken  at  Willianisluirj,',  now  in 
the  cal)inet  of  ,dr.  Lawrem-e;  ami  he  rt'<.^ai'ded  it  as  liein,!.;  e.vtrenndy  rare  in  that 
re<,'ion.  .Mr.  .1.  II.  Itatty.  however,  informs  me  tli.it  iu'  has  loinnl  strai,'i,ders  (d' tiiis 
spi'cies  in  all  parts  of  honf;  Island,  as  wtdl  as  in  the  meadows  of  New  frcrsoy  betwei  u 
Jersey  City  and  Newark,  where  it  breeds,  lie  liu.s  al.so  taken  a  siiif^le  hik'(  imen  ne;ir 
West  liaven,  Coim. 


RALLin.K  —  THK   UAIL8   -  RALLUS. 


355 


Mr.  Lewis  states  that  it  is  well  known  ti)  the  Delaware  Jtail-shooters  as  the  '•  Kin>,'- 
Kiiil."  It  tie(iuents  the  fresh-water  marshes  of  the  interior,  and  feeds  on  the  same 
liM)d  as  the  .Sora  Kail,  Itein^r  often  fouml  in  the  sanu^  localities  as  that  bird,  lie  met 
witii  it  in  greater  almndanet^  farther  sonth.  and  rarelv  noticed  it  north  of  the  Dela- 
ware marshes.  Its  Hesh  he  rcganls  as  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Sora.  Imt  as  not 
lii'iiij;  (jnite  so  delieate.  thon,i,'h  at  times  e(|nally  juiey  and  tender.  It  is  found  in 
Ire.di-water  marshes  oidy.  iiceordiiig  to  ids  experience,  and  was  not  met  with  on  the 
sra-lioard.  It  seems  to  have  the  same  wild  skulking  habit  of  the  Sora.  iind  its  Hight 
is  sliort  and  labored  ;  when  on<'e  raiseil  it  is  easily  shot.  When  wounded  it  can  liotii 
suim  and  dive  well,  and  conceals  itsidf  in  the  water  among  the  reeds.  .Mr.  LewLs 
siiot  one  in  duly,  on  an  iipland  marsh  in  the  nddst  of  a  thick  wood  in  .Maryland. 

Mr.  .Vudulxin  regarded  it  as  being  altt)getlier  a  fresh-water  bird,  and  coidined  to  the 
Southern  .States;  and  in  this  first  supposition  he  was  undoul)tedly  correct;  for  what 
was  supposed  to  be  exceptional  in  the  Pacific  coast  Kail  is  only  evidence  of  the 
ibstinetness  of  species;  but  he  was  in  error  in  tidnking  it  exclusively  southern. 

Tins  bird  is  abundant  ;dioui  Ohicago.  on  Lake  Koskonong,  Wis.,  in  .Minnesota, 
ami  in  other  Western  States  ;  and  we  have  no  doulit  that  the  Kail  referred  to  by 
Mr.  .Mcllwnuth  as  breeding  about  Hamilton,  Ciunida  West,  is  this  iiird.  and  not.  as 
lie  supposed,  the  i-n/>!finis.  I  saw  it  ;dtnndant  in  the  market  at  Cliieiigo  about  the  10th 
III  Ajiril  in  an  unusually  late  season.  .Mr.  d.  \.  Allen  met  with  it  in  Salt  Lake  Valley, 
\vlier<'  he  fouml  it  very  almndant. 

.Vudubon  speaks  of  it  as  an  excessividy  .shy  bird,  running  Avith  ciderity.  and  when 
caught  crying  like  tlie  Common  Fowl.  It  resides  throughout  tin- year  in  the  fresh- 
water marshes  in  the  interior  of  South  (Carolina,  (Jeorgia.  Florida.  Louisiana,  and 
Texas.  The  siiiue  author  was  infornu'd  that  this  bird  is  now  and  then  obtiuned  near 
i'iiiladelphia,  where  it  is  consiih-red  very  rare,  and  is  known  as  tic  "King  Kail." 

in  .South  Carolina,  aecoi'ding  to  Dr.  r>achman.  although  not  so  ntimcrous  as  other 
species,  it  is  not  rare  in  iavoralde  situations.  AVherevcr  tle-re  are  extensive  marshes 
liy  tlie  side  of  sluggi>'h  . '^I'eims,  this  Kail  maybe  lound  gliding  swiftly  among  the 
tangled  rank  griisses  ;ind  aquatic  weeds,  or  standing  on  the  broad  leaves  of  the  water- 
lily;  ;ind  there,  on  some  little  island  of  the  marsh,  it  builds  its  nest.  Dr.  I'.acdiman 
states  that  he  has  found  twenty  pairs  breeding  within  a  s]iace  having  a  diiimeter  of 
thirty  yards.  The  nests  were  phiced  on  the  ground  and  raised  to  the  height  of  six 
01  eight  inches  by  means  of  witiiered  WiM'ds  and  grasses,  the  numliei'  of  the  eggs 
licing  nine  or  ten.  He  found  a  few  with  eggs  aliout  the  middle  of  .March,  liut  the 
greater  number  of  these  b'.rds  begin  to  breed  about  tiie  middle  of  .\)U'il.  They 
n  pair  their  nests  from  tinw  to  time,  and  retuiii  to  them  several  years  in  succession. 
Tiic  young  —  which  iire  at  t'rst  covered  with  ji  lilack  down  —  leave  the  nest  as  .soon 
lis  they  are  hatched,  and  follow  their  parents  along  the  borders  of  streams  and  pools, 
where  they  feed  on  in.seets,  seeds,  tailpoles,  leeches,  and  small  craytisli.  Dr.  IJaeh- 
iiian  sevend  tinu's  attempted  to  domestieat<'  this  bird,  but  faih'd,  probal»ly  on  aeeonnt 
III  being  unable  to  olitain  a  suflicient  (piantity  of  suitable  food.  When  grown  it  feeds 
oil  a  variety  of  sidistanees,  including  seeds  iind  other  vegetidtle  i)roduetions.  In  its 
S^i/zard  were  found  the  seeds  of  griisses  which  grow  in  the  places  it  freipients.  On 
one  occasion  its  stomach  was  crammed  with  the  seeds  of  the  Arinnlo  frrfn  ;  and  that 
III'  another  bird  contained  a  (piantity  of  imts  which  had  evidently  been  jiieked  up  on  a 
newly-sown  field  near  the  marsh.  It  is  ii  bird  ditlicult  to  shoot,  as  it  is  not  easily 
raised,  and  In-eause  it  confines  itself  to  swampy  places,  covered  with  smilax  and  other 
hriers  and  thus  rendccd  inaeeessible.  In  seascms  (d' greiit  drought,  when  the  marshes 
hiioine  dry,  it  has  been  known  entirely  to  disappear  fnmi  the  neighborhood,  retiring 


■  -Tir  I 

Ml 


■^ 


356 


ALKCTOHIDES. 


,..„  r^ 


to  largiT  and  dooper  jjoikIs  in  interior  swaiMps.  It  has  hut  a  Hiiijjlc  hrood  in  a  Hoason. 
unli'ss  tlic  lirst  has  iM'cn  (h'strovcd.  lis  Hi},'ht  is  stronj,'('r  and  more  protracted  tiiiin 
that  of  the  rn/ilfmis,  hut  otiicrwist-  rcstMnltlinj,'  it.  When  sud(h'nly  Huslicd,  it  rises 
and  ^iH'H  oil'  witli  a  cliinl;,  its  h'),'s  dannlinK,  and  jn'oeeeds  in  a  straij,dit  line  lor  some 
distance,  after  wlneh  it  drops  anions  tliieli  gras.s  and  runs  oM  witii  wonch-rful  sjioed. 
Its  nund)er  is  not  diniinisiied  in  winter  hy  any  nii},'ratory  movement. 

Mr.  .Moore  nientinns  as  a  curious  fact  in  the  natural  liislory  of  this  species,  as  well 
as  in  that  td'  rfr/tifniis  ami  rhyhiliniiis,  an<l  the  l'nr:;<mii  tiimlhia,  that  it  is  almost 
impossilile  to  Hush  one  after  the  middle  of  NovendM-r,  in  localities  where  durinj,'  the 
two  iirevious  months  a  dozen  or  more  mif,dit  he  put  on  wiuf,'  iu  a  few  hour.s.  This 
hird  may  then  he  often  heard,  hut  not  seen,  as  ;it  other  times,  to  take  wing. 

Two  eggs  in  my  coUei-tion  (No.  To),  ohtained  in  the  Cahimet  marshes,  lUinoi.s,  hy 
Kohert  Kennicott.  have  a  grouiid-c(dor  of  a  dead  creamy  white;  they  are  marked 
quite  sparsely  with  small  spots  and  Idotches  of  a  prevalent  oval  sliape,  some  hein^'  dl 
a  purplish-slate  color,  hnt  the  larger  jiortion  heing  chirk  purplish  hrown.  Oneei,'^,' 
measures  l.Gi)  inches  in  length  hy  l.L'l)  inches  in  breadth;  the  other  I.G8  inches  hv 
1.25. 


'»   'i 


RalluB  Beldingi. 

BILOIHO'S  BAIL. 

Rallita  Hrliihigi,  Kmow.  I'loc.  U.  S.  Nut.  Mug.  Vol.  6, 1882,  348. 

HAn.     Es])iritu  Santo  Island,  (lulfof  Calirornia. 

Chah.  .Most  rosi'iidilinj,'  It.  itnjiuiii.  lait  darker  and  richer  colored  throii>{hout,  the  sides  iiml 
Hanks  with  the  white  hars  imuli  narrower,  and  marked  also  with  very  disiiiut  bhukisli  liars. 
Size  siiialliT.  Adult  inidf  (No.  M(i4l!»,  Kspiritii  Santo  Islands,  Lower  Calirornia,  Feli.  I.  l>s:;; 
L.  UKi.nixii);  I'ileuni  and  ui>iier  half  of  nape  dark  sooty  l>rowii  or  sepia;  ground-color  of  oilur 
upper  parts  deep  olive-hrown  (nnieh  as  in  It.  virj/ini'ioiiw  —  deeiiledly  darker  than  in  It.  iliijitns), 
Iiroadly  slri|HMl  with  brownish  Mack,  ahout  as  in  It.  nhmilitmi ;  wing-eovert.'»  dull  cheslniU-lirown, 
tingcil  with  olive,  the  c.xteiior  feathci's  more  rusty  ;  suiiraloral  stripe  lijjht  cinnamon,  the  leailn  r< 
white  at  hast' ;  lores,  continuous  with  a  liroad  stripe  hehind  the  eye,  dull  grayish  hrown  ;  un^lt  r 
eyelid  whitish  ;  malar  rcj^'ion,  checks,  entire  foicneck,  ju^'uhun.  ami  hreast  rich  ciniianioii.  niin  li 
deeper  than  in  any  of  the  allied  forms  ;  chin  white,  throat  nn.xed  white  and  cinnamon,  the  laiii  r 
on  tips  of  the  feathers  ;  entire  sides  and  Hanks  ratln^r  dark  hair-hiown  (le>s  olivaceous  than  u]ipir 
parts),  rather  distinctly  harred  with  hlackish  and  very  sharply  harreil  with  ]ture  white,  the  hars  nf 
the  latter  color  aliont  .0.'>-,o7  of  an  ijii'h  in  width  ;  lining  of  wing  dark  lirown.  with  very  naridw 
white  liars;  anterior  and  middle  |i(a'tion  of  ciissiun  marked  nmch  like  ihe  Hanks,  the  lateral  .md 
terminal  lower  tail-coverts  piu'e  white.  Ri.^al  two  thirds  of  the  niandilde  and  posterior  ]ioition  ni 
nia.\illary  toniium  deep  orange  ;  rest  of  Mil  dark  horn-hrown,  the  end  of  the  mandihle  jialer  ;  feet 
(hirk  horn-lirown. 

Wing,  .'i.TO  inches  ;  tail,  i.M  ;  culuion,  2.15  ;  depth  of  bill  at  base,  .50  ;  in  middle,  .30  ;  tar- 
sus, l.»2;  middle  toe,  1.80 

Compared  with  speeimens  of  all  the  allied  species  and  races  of  the  geiuis.  the 
present  bird  is  instantly  distinguishable  hy  the  characters  p(dnted  out  above.  In 
iidensity  of  ccdoration  it  most  m-arly  resembles  ft.  rli't/hiitunin,  but,  ajjart  from  its 
much  larger  size,  jtresents  the  fcdlowing  differences  of  coloration-  the  side  of  tlir 
liead  below  the  eye  is  ehietly  cinnamon,  whereas  this  portion  is  in  /»'.  n'riji'iiHiuiis  very 
distinctly  ashy;  the  hreast,  etc.,  are  both  dee])er  and  redder  cinnaunm  ;  the  ground- 
color of  the  sides  and  flanks  much  ])aler  (uidform  hliiek  in  h'.  r!rf/!iiiinni.s);  the  hla<k 
stri])es  of  the  upi)er  parts  are  both  narrower  and  less  sharply  defined,  while  the  win!,'s 
are  much  less  rusty. 


UALLin.K  —  TIIK    RAILS  —  RALU'S. 


867 


Compared  witli  tlir  lar},'t'r  simmmcs  {/,'.  /niH/lni/ifris,  willi  its  ract-s,  /i.  i/ii/hvm  luul 
U.ohsoh'fiiK),  it  is  (iiHicuit  tn  siiy  ti)  wliich  this  Itiiil  is  most  in-arly  vcliitptl.  Ntmc  of  tlu' 
luiins  of  //.  /oiii/irnsfrl.s,  Ikiwcvit.  iiccil  close  <-i)iii|iarisoii,  the  (larkcst-rdlon'd  race  of 
iliat  species  (A*.  iitiii/lnisfrlK  .infiini/iis,  from  Luuisiaiia)  having,'  liroader  blaek  stripes 
aiiil  a  very  dilfereiit  (asli->,'ray)  f,'roiiiid-<'olor  above  ;  tlie  breast,  etc.  a  very  iiiueh  (hdler 
iiiid  liKliti'i'  eiiiiiainon,  and  tiie  tiank-bars  broader  and  on  a  nniform  ^M'onnd-4'(ilor.     A*. 

(;//.s«.//7//,s  af,M'ees  liest  in  tb loration  of  ijie  npper  parts,  wbicli.  liowever.  in  all  s]ieei- 

iiii'iis  (iiicindin;;  one  from  San  (.tnentin  liay.  on  tiie  western  side  of  Lowei' Calii'ornia) 
hiive  a  lij^liter.  and  in  some  a  decidedly  j,M'ayer.  j,'rouud-color ;  but  tlie  white  Hank- 
hiirs  are  nnich  broader,  with  nnieolorcd  inteispaees.  the  breast  very  eonspicnonsly 
|i;der,  and  the  size  eonsi(lerai)ly  ;,'reater.  A',  ilitjuiis  has  also  the  iireast  paler,  the 
t,'niiind-«'olor  of  the  iipp«'r  parts  a  li;,diter  and  much  more  yellowish  (dive,  ami  the 
iilick  stripes  much  more  sharply  detined.  I'lion  tlie  whole.  I  see  no  other  way  than 
1(1  consider  the  specimen  in  (piestion  as  representing;  a  very  distinct  species  or  local 
nice,  whicdi  i  take  },'reat  pleasure  in  nandng  after  its  collector. 

[NoTK.  —  Since  the  iibovo  was  written,  tin-  Nulidnal  Museum  lia>  rcrcivi'd  two  iidditional  »\wv\- 
imiis.  a  uiali'  luuf  a  fciualc.  cipllcctccl  liy  .Mr.  licldiu^'  at  bu  i'az  in  .lanuarv,  \xx',\.  Tlicsc  af,'rce 
I'liisi'ly  with  the  type,  from    Ksjiiritu  .Saut'i  Island,  thus  fully  cslalilisliin^'  the  validity  of  the 

f-]iei'iu».J 

Rallus  obsoletuB. 

THE  CAUFOBNIA  CLAPPER  RAIL. 

?  RalhiH  flrf/nns,  t.'oor.  k  .SrcKi..  I'aiitic  K.  It.  l{f|i.  .Ml.  ii.  18«(»,  24(1  (Wnshington  Terr.). 
Jlalliis  rlniniiH,  var.  ohmi/ct lis,  Uinfiw.  Am.  Nut.  VIII.  Is74,  111.  — Couks,  t'litck  List,  A|iii.l873,137, 

no.  4<iti  ((. 
Hii/Ziis  ilifjiiiis,  1).  iibsiiHiis,  Ciiris,  Itirds  N.  W.  1>>74,  "ilt.'i. 
i;nllii.H  dIisuIcIiis,  KiiMiw.  bull.  Null.  Hm.  I'luli.  V.  no.  :t.  ,liily,  18H0,  ]:»l»;  Xoin   N,  Am.  B.  1881, 

no.  .'iTo. 
l{iiHilH  liiiigirdslris  nhsuhlils.  Cocks,  Cliock  List,  ill  cd.  18S"J,  no.  (574. 


Il.\u.  Salt-marshes  of  the  Pacilic  coast,  siatlh  to  San  (^ucntiu  Hay,  Lower  ('aliforniii,  luuth  to 
AViisliinjrtoti  Territoiy  (?). 

Sp.  ("hau.  Ailiilf :  Above,  grayish  olivaccons,  indistinitly  stri]«'<l  with  Lrownisli  black  ;  crown 
aiiil  n.i|ic  browid.sli  dusky  ;  a  llj,'lit  Lrown  sn|iralorul  stripe  ;  lores  and  snliorbital  re^^ion  dusky 
liinwiiisli  ;  chin  and  throat  white  ;  rest  o!'  head  imd  lUM'k,  with  jn^nilum  and  breast,  lij,'ht  ciima- 
niiiii,  as  in  It.  iliijiniii :  Hanks  and  sides  |,'i'ayi?)i  brown,  with  narrow  Lars  of  wjiito  (bars  about 
.iis-.jo  ol'  an  inch  wide,  tiic  intcrsjiaccs  .-Jo  to  ..'lo)  ;  .ixillars  and  lininj,'  nl'  winj;  siindar,  but  darker, 
the  white  bars  narrower ;  anal  rcj;ion  and  middle  of  alHlonicn  ]>lain  jialc  bulf;  i^'issiiin  brown  or 
diKky,  barreil  with  white,  the  lateral  feathers  neatly  itninaculate  white.  Win;^'-co verts  umber- 
liiiiwn  ;  reinijics  |dain  dusky  ;  rcctriccs  j,'iayisli  idi\c,  obsolcttdy  dusky  centrally.  Ihnniij  ijimiuj : 
Uniform  j^'lossy  Mack  ;  bill  Link  and  whili^Ii  (the  latter  on  end  and  around  nostril). 

Total  '.clioth,  about  I7.0(l-IK(H1  iiiclies  ;  win^-.  (;.40-(i.(iO  ;  cullneli,  2.2.'>-2  .'iO  ;  loa.st  depth  of 
l.ill  (tlii(aio|i  middle),  .:i2-.:i.') ;  tarsu.s,  -LW-l-lh;  iniddle  toe,  i>.(K>-2.1.5. 

The  Salt-water  Marsh-hen  of  the  Pacific  coa.-^t  differs  t'roni  that  of  the  Atlantic  seaboaid  in  the 
iimri!  olivaccms  upper  jiarts,  with  vi'iy  tli.stinct  dusky  stri|)cs,  and  decided  ciniiiunon-color  of  the 
lifcast,  ill  which  rospect.s  it  approaches  the  Fresh-water  species  (/»'.  elfijunii),  the  reseiiibLmce  to 
which  is  so  ^;roat  in  tlit^  last  respect  that  the  bird  was  oii;,'inally  described  as  a  vai'iety  of  It.  tkijnns. 
'flic  colors  and  inarkinos  of  the  llauks,  liowever,  as  well  as  its  jieculiiir  habitat,  ])rove  its  ivlatioii- 
sliip  to  be  rather  with  U.  hnginiKtriii.  We  here  treat  it  ns  an  independent  species,  for  the  reason 
tliiit  it  is  isolated  (ieo^^rnphicMlly  from  any  of  the  races  of  It.  lomjirostria,  while  it  may  also  always 
1m'  di.stinguished  by  its  peculiar  colors  and  proiiortiona. 


358 


ALKCTOniDKa 


I 


i 


III  till'  •*  Aincricuii  Naturalist"  Inr  Kclniiaiv.  IS7I.  Mr.  l;i(l},'\vay  calls  iittcntinn 
for  tin*  Hrst  tiiiif  to  what  li<'  iImii  niiitiiilcitMl  a  I'arilic  varittv  "t  A*,  iht/iiim.  \\, 
ii(»\v  reminds  it  as  a  pioiialilv  ppod  ami  ilistiiict  siucii's.  'I'lic  tv[tc  was  taki'ii  liy  !>i. 
Siicklt'V  ill  San  l''raiirisi(>  in  Marcli.  l.s.">7. 

Litth'  in  kiKiwii  as  to  its  (listiiirtivc  manners  or  lialiits.  Witii  rf>,'ar(l  tn  this  foiih 
we  liavf  lint  lew  nolfs  t'rnin  aiiv  nl'  tlic  writers  mi  the  liinis  ot  tlir  Pacifir  coaKt.  ami 
all  tlicsc  well'  written  with  the  Iteliel  that  the  liinl  rel'ened  to  iiy  them  was  really 
the  A*,  c/it/iiiis.  Dr.  ('oo|iei'.  in  his  maniiseii|it  notes,  makes  im  ntion  ol  this  s|M'cies  as 
havinj,'  heeii  met  with  \<\  himsell';  ami  enusidi  rin^i;  it  to  lie  the  Hii|i|iose(|  Fresh-water 
Kiii^'  iiail.  he  expresses  his  surprise  at  timiiii!,'  it  liy  no  means  eonfine.l  to  the  Iresl,. 
water  marshes.  The  same  writer  also  mentions  liaviii;^  heanl  the  notes  ol'  JInils 
in  tlie  Colorado  and  Mojave  valleys;  these  may  possihly  have  lieeii  individuals  nl 
the  \'ir!,nnia  itaii.  'IMie  season  of  the  year  was  the  wiii'er  and  early  spring.  Sinn' 
then  he  has  louiid  this  species  common  on  the  eoast.  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  :in 
lar  north  as  San  Francisco,  lie  lonnd  it  iieiiuentin^'  inditt'crently  lioth  the  >:iit 
iiiai'shes  ami  the  fresh  ;  luit  it  coneeuls  itsell'  so  completely,  that  it  can  he  very  ranly 
ohtained,  or  even  seen,  except  when  started  In  a  doi:. 

Dr.  ('iio|)er  once  loiiml  one  of  tiicse  liirds  concealed  in  a  hole  amoii),'  some  riM-k 
Hand;  and  instead  ol'  makin;^  lor  the  marshes,  it  Hew  out  to  mm  ami  settled  niioii  the 
water.  At  San  I'edro,  dniiiii;  the  extremely  hi,i;h  tides  ol  .Inly,  the  same  ohserM-r 
jirociired  sevcial  examples  ol  tliis  species.  'I'licy  were  all  younj,'  liirds.  but  liilly 
m'owii.  They  had  lieen  driven  Irom  the  marshy  islamis  liy  the  overflow,  and  wen- 
tloatiiij;  alioiit  perched  nptm  pieces  ol'  wo<iil.  waiting'  lor  the  waters  to  snliside.  They 
seemed  to  Ite  perreetly  liewildered.  and  could  hardly  he  iniliicc(l  to  take  to  tiij,'ht.  In 
another  part  of  his  manuscript  i)r.  Cooper  dwells  upon  the  fact  —  iinlooked  lor  li\ 
him  —  that  this  bird  certainly  I'reipu'nts  lioth  lirackish  water  and  salt-marshes. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  also  makes  mention  of  havinj;  met  with  a  liail,  supposed  at  the 
time  to  lie  H.  iliijinis,  in  the  \'alley  of  (.Jreat  Salt  i.aki' ;  hut  this  may  have  been. ami 
probably  was.  the  present  spircies.     Whatever  it  was.  he  found  it  very  abundant  there. 

Inder  the  name  of  Hnlliin  vli'ijiniit,  Mr.  Ileiishaw  refers  to  this  species  iis  iHiie,' 
common  in  certain  marshy  spots  {•\{\^{'  to  the  sea  at  Santa  Harbara.  and  as  retiriie.' 
duriiij,'  the  day  into  the  beds  of  tall  rusiies.  which  serve  to  screen  it  Iroiii  all  eiieiiiiis 
as  well  as  from  the  j,'lariin,'  sUn.  !>y  the  lirst  of  .Inly  the  youii(^  \v«'re  out  and  able 
to  accompany  their  parents  in  search  of  food.  'I'hese  birds  be^aii  to  be  active  about 
sunset,  heraldini,'  the  approach  of  dusk  by  loud  outcries;  but  they  were  not  eiitiivly 
(|uiet  duriiifj:  the  day.  Immiij^  jtrobably  forced  to  fora^'c  more  or  K'ss  at  that  time  in 
order  to  satisfy  the  luiiij,'er  of  their  yoiiii},'. 


RalluB  longiroBtris. 

THE  OIA?FES   BAIL. 

II.   longirostris. 
lialliu  Inngiroslri.i,  I5(i!iii.  Talil.   I'.  K.  U^:!  (IkimiI  on  Mfi-  «  /imij  hn;  de  Cayenne,  Burr.  PI.  Kul. 

84U). 
Hal/us  cru.sniroslris,  I,awk.  Ann.  bye.  N.  Y.  X.  Fili.  18'11,  in  text  (baliiii). 

b.  crepitans. 

Rnllus  errpilnna,  ftMKi,.  .S.  \.  I.  ii.  1788,  7i:(  (Imsi'il  on  ('laiip,r  Pitll,  Pknn.  Arot.  Ziml.  II.  I'Sl. 
no.  407).  — Wii.K<>N,  Am.  (iiii.  VII.  lS];t,  \V1  (.Ir.s.r.  Im'  not  tlio  li^jniv  :).—  Xiri.  Man.  II 
1834,  201.-  An>.  Orii.  IJiofj.  111.  ISlt.'i,  -iUl,  (il.  -214  :  .Syiiop.  ]».!!•.  '.Jl-i  ;  B.  Am.  V.  1S42,  1'- 
pi.  310.    -  Haiku,  U.  X.  Am.  18.".s,  747  ;  <'at.  X.  Am.  H.  )85!",  no.  553. 


RALMD.K  -  TIIK   RAILS  —  HALU'S. 


359 


Jlii/liis  liiiitiirti^lrh  rri/iiiiiiii,  Itiimw.    Hull.   Niitt.  *Uu.  •  liili,    \'.   im.  M,  July,  18/)0,  HO  j  Noin.  N. 

Am.  II.  IhHl,  no.  r>*I.       Cuikh,  (.luck  Li-,!,  Jil  nl.  IsS'J,  iii).  1173. 
/,'r(//i/«  'iiiKjinmlris  (iiir  jloiiii. ),  «'iii»>,   K>.v,   l"*?.',  'J/H  ;  (lurk  l.i»l,   ls7^,  .10.  405;  11.  N.  \\. 

1874,  u:i(l  (.'xil.  syii.  |.t.), 

<'.  aaturatua. 
ItiilhiH  liimjiriish-is  Hiiiiii-dliis,  "IIknsiiaw,  .\|S.  '    liiiuiw.  Dull.    .Nutt.  drn.  ('lul>,   V.  mo.  !I,  .luly, 

!»»(»,  110;  Noiii.  .N.  .\iu.  II.  iHhj.  II".  .'.71  ".  —  CniTEM,  ('hi'ck  LimI,  2'1  cil.  In.hJ,  no.  (17.'i. 

(/.   oarlbieua. 

/l(il/i(ii  i-fijiilmiH  i\ui\  11.  IniKjirmlrin,  An  I',  (all  \Vf.t  linliiiii  ii'rcroiii'i's). 

Hii/lii.i  luiKjiraslriM  ini-iliii  iiH,  KiiMiw.  Hull.  Nutt.  (»rii.  C'lul>,  V.  ii<,.  a,  .luly,  18S0,  Ho. 

II All.  Sull-walt-r  iiiai'^hc^  of  liic  Atiaiitii:  unci  (iull  icmsts  of  tlif  L'liitoil  Stutiv,  north  — 
I'li^uiiliy  to  .MMssm'liiisctt.-i,  ri'j^'ularly  Ik  Cuiiin'i'tifiit  i  Wrsl  lii(liu.4,  uml  (.'on.st  of  Noi'tiiiTii  Soulli 
Aiiicricii,  III  l!i'ii/il.  Tin'  ;4ni;;ni|iliiiiil  racfs  liniiiccj  a-.  rcilInwM  :  /dik/i'ciw/im  to  Nuitlifiii  Suiitli 
Aiiii'iii  a  (( 'awMiiii'  to  I  tall  ill)  ;  vnfiliirun  to  tlii'  Wc-t  IiulicH  ;  mlnrndu  to  Ihc  (iull'  iciasl  til'  tlut 
I'liiic'cl  .Siati'M  (liiiiiisiaiia  to  Klnriiia),  aixl  i-fi}tiliin»  to  llic  .Vtlantic  (•ou>l  ol'tlu'  I'liiteil  Stntrn. 

Sr.  CiiAU.  Ailiill  :  .Mmvc,  oliviui'cUH-Kiay,  or  Muni'tinii  .t  even  a^liy,  usually  viiy  olisolfti-iy 
-iiii«cl,  soiiiciiiiios  uiiironii,  liiil,  iiioiT  raifly  (ninri'  j;riii'rally  in  .Houllii'rn  ^iiciinii'iis),  ^tripfcl  with 
olivaivoiiH  or  ovuii  (lii«ky  ;  crown  ami  im|H'  iiniroriii  lirown  or  duMky  ;  a  lirownixh  wliiti-  sniirajoral 
>lii|i('  ;  side  of  ihf  Inad  rliidly  ^iiayi^li  (^ipiiuliuus  iiicliniii;.;  to  asliy),  iliirktir  on  tlu'  loivs,  and 


H.  timi/iroKlrii  crepilann. 


iK'cciiuiii;.'  |iali-  ciniuinioii  or  liiitl'  on  the  nial.ir  ir^^ion  ;  chin  and  tliroal  white  ;  rest  of  the  neck, 
wlih  ju^^ulnni  and  lireast,  |iide  cinnaiiion-liiitr,  olivaceoiiM-liuH',  or,  in>>re  rarely,  dull  ciiinaiiion, 
tiii.;icl  will)  olive  ;  Hanks  and  sides  |i,ile  o|i\aceciu-L;r.iy  cir  lirowi.isli  slate,  liaried  willi  while  (as 
ill  ■■i:<iililH,i)  ;  a.xillais  and  liiiiii;;  "(  the  win;,'  •.iniilar,  liiil  inme  naiiciwly  Inured  witii  white  ;  anal 
iv-iiii  ami  middle  of  theulidonieii  jilaiii  li;^lii  liiilf,  ^{rayi^li,  or  dusky,  barred  with  \>liite  centrally, 
|i|aiii  while  laterally.  \Viii;_'-ici\iii^  ii«iiall\  more  hrowii  than  other  ii|>]Mr  parts;  reiuij,'es  plain 
iniilMf.     Iiiiiniij  iiiiiiini:   ll.Xiiclly  like  that  of  //.  ilmniK  and  It.  iilwihlii^. 

Total  length,  iilioiil  I  ».(m>-|.-,.(m»  inches;  wiiiL,',  o.  I(M!.(H)  j  cnlineii,  i>.l(i-i'.l.") ;  least  depth  of 
hill  (r,iroU;,'li  middle).  .i-l-.iA  ;  tarsus,  l.s.-|-i'.  Ki  ;  micldle  toe,  l.7*»  :2.<Ml. 

I'lill  lii'ciwiiish  (nearly  the  color  of  the  siipraloral  <tiipe).  tin-  iip]iei'  half  of  the  niiiNilla  dusky; 
iii-  law-umhur  lirown  ;  loj^'s  and  feet  vi-ry  similar  in  color  to  outer  wehs  of  primaries  (manuscript 
Holes  on  fresh  specimens  killed  in  .Inly  on  Vir;,'iiiia  coast).  Accoi-ilint;  to  AiDriKix,,  the  fresh 
colors  of  specimens  examined  liy  him  were  as  I'lllows  ;  '•  !,ower  inandiMe  and  ed^jes  of  upjier 
y'.'lliiwisli  liiown  ;  rid|,'e  of  upper  and  tips  of  liodi  deep  luown;  iris  pule  yellow;  feet  p»ile  liviil 
^'IMV,  liii^^ed  with  oran;^e  alioiil  the  tiliio-tarsal  Joint  ;  claws  dusky." 

Utiltiu  li)niiiivnli-in  is  liy  far  the  most  varialile  of  the  North  American  s])ocies  of  the  jjonus,  the 
vaiiiiiioiis  noted  ill  a  lar^je  series  hein;:  idainly  local  or  ;;eo;;ra|)hical  to  a  very  lai|;e  di  tjree,  Imt  also 
iiicli\  idual  to  a  consideralile  extent.  Kxamides  from  the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  I'nited  .States  (New 
Yolk  to  North  Carolina)  are  the  palest-colored,  the  npix-r  parts  liein>»  fro(|uently  plain  ),'rayish,  tho 


^11 


■f' 


ilil 


i! 


. 


f  ? 


Hi- 


3G() 


ALKCTOUIUKS. 


Hli'i|)v«  (oliviic't'tiiiH,  not  iliinky)  vitv  fiiiiil,  or  i-vi-n  HiitiictiiiifN  i|uiti*  nlMoli-ti-  ;  ilit*  bri'iiHt  iivarlv  or 
•  |iiitr  wliiti-  I'l'iilriillv,  willi  It  vnv  lU-iiilcil  ii^li-;;iiiv  wii-*!!  iiitikh  tin-  jii^iiliini.  S|H'riiii('iiff  |'|,,|,| 
liiiMi«iiiiiik  mill  Wc-icrn  Floiiiln  hit  >|iiiii'  ilillrii'iii,  Iwiiij;  vt-rv  il.iikl\  ihIipmmI,  ilir  -iii|wH  iiIh.\. 
liMinl  itiiil  (liNtiiii't,  (lui«k,v  Mutk  <>ii  Aii  axli-tfiiiy  kidiiikI  ;  tin-  limiNt  ilciiiU'il  lintiaiiiini,  lif,'liti  i  <  i  n- 
ti'iillv.  NVi'hI  liuliiiii  nkiii*  ii>r  »liii'li  ilii'i'c  i"  it  ruiiniili'i'itMi'  iiiiiitlN'i'  licl'iiri'  ii'-)  mi'  ninii'  liki'  iliii»i> 
lirHl  ili'ni  riU'il  itlmvt',  Imt  liii\r  lli>'  ii|i|'t'i  |iiti'l<  ilinliiirll,\  <tii|>ril  with  ilt'('|i  uliviti  I'mi^  m  i.iw- 
iiiiilH'f  liriiwii,  lli(.>  lirciint  Ix-iii);  I'lilittnl  itlM)iil  tin-  »itiiii'  iim  in  tin-  Atliinli<'  Stati-n  K|H'rinirn<.  It  U 
cxirnliti^ly  |iriiliiili|i'  iliiil  till'  ;^i'n^'rii|i|iir  itii|iiii'l  III  llii-M'  xmiatiiHi'*  will  In'  iiiiilirtin'il  liy  nmri' 
t'Xlrii'ivi'  "I'lics,  tliu.1  r^litlill-'iiin^,  aliiun  «itli  llir  tnic  liiiiiiiiimlriii  (:^" iritiminiitliin,''  I^AWit.),  Imir 
wi'li-himkfil  "rliinulie  "  nicu»,  wliicli  nmy  In-  ililintil  an  rnllnwi.  :  — 

fi.  longirostrla.  Aliovc,  iiliM'-^'ia.\,ili'<iinrtly  "tii|)i'ii  tvitli  vantlyki'-lnnwii  ;  luiant  ili't'|>  luiir 
III'  |Mili'  riiiiiminm.  <'iiImii-ii,  I  1M>-2. I();  lia^l  >li'|>tii  i>t'  liill.  .:i.'i-. lO;  win^',  ri.-jo-.'t.rto;  laiMi^ 
I  "J-I.N.'t  ;  miiliUf  toe,  l.7'».     llnh.     N'oitlurn  iiia'<l  orSiiiilli  Aimiira  (('iiycniii;  Id  litliia). 


A',  tiiiniirimtrii. 

h.  orepltana.  Al><>vi-,  mIi-ki'h>,  tlic  i>lri|H'>  u-imlly  nlisnli-tt' ;  il' iliHtinct,  li^^lil  iilivarri>ii>,  aii<i 
nut  wi'll  ilrliiiril  :  lii'<'a-<t  liiitr,  iMtii'i  (ii-iiitlly  wliiii'ili)  n'litrally,  ami  >liail*-il  with  ^ray  mru^* 
till'  jiiv'iiliiiii.  Ciiliiii'ii.  iMr-j.:.ii ;  Ii'UnI  i|i'|>iIi  nj  lijll.  .L'J-.;i^  ;  taiMis  l>5-J.|(t;  iiiiilijlr  ini-. 
l.7(i--'<Mi.     l/((li.     Sall-wati'i' nim>ht'>,  Allaiilii  riiii-l  riiilril  Stali'-^. 

<'.  oaribaeua.  Culnr-i  i>t  /niiiiininlrlH,  ('nlnirii.  ■2.\2~'^.'>*>  \  Irast  ili'|it1i  nl'  liill,  .l'.'i-.:iii  ;  tmsii-'. 
l.»:i-LMn  ;  nii'lilli' ti»'.  l.>'i>-|.!(ri.     Iliih.    \\\m  Imlii's. 

il.  MituratuB.  Aliiivi'.  nlivc-v'i'ay  m-  a>liy  limailly  Mtripftl  witji  hrownish  Mark  ;  hii'iot  <liill 
i'Imiiuiiiou.  Ciihiii'ii,  2.I(»-J.  I.'i  ;  Ii'mM  ili'|ilii  uf  liili.  .-Ji.'-.iiK  ;  lai-ms,  l.!»,"i-:i.<M( ;  uiiilillc  luf,  l.T'i- 
1  H(i.     //"/i.     liniiisjaiia. 

Tlii>  ('lii|i|M'r  Itiiil  of  tIn'Soiitli  Atliiiitic  iiii<l  (liilf  Kt'^'ioii  lins  a  smufwliat  i-cstrirtiil 
i'aiij,'t'  witliiii  llif  I'liiti'il  Sfati's.  It  is  cdntiin'il  to  llif  sca-lmai'd.  and  is  ioiiiid  mily  iis 
far  tu  lln'  iiortli  as  Lmi!,'  Island  Sumnl.  a  lew,  arccti'dim,'  to  Dr.  W'tod.  hifi'diii','  in 
Soiitlu'iii  Comu'ctiiMit.  lint  laiciv  stiii^';,'liiij,'  laitln'r  inntli.  Altiii}^  tin' Athiiif if  iiml 
till' (iiilf  foasts  il  is  si'i-n  as  lar  as  the  .Mississipiii.  and  pfulialily  Ih'VuiiiI  tu  .Mcxirn; 
lint  it  is  not  j,'ivt'ii  liy  Mr.  Jlrcssrv  as  a  liiid  ol'  Texas,  and  I  am  nut  awaiv  nt  any 
int'iitioii  III' it  a.H  having  Ih'i'M  initiiM-d  in  .Mi'xiin  nr  in  ri-ntial  Aiiii'iira.  It  has  nut. 
HO  far  iiH  1  am  awai-c,  Im-i-ii  si'cii  on  tin-  I'ai'itir  riia.st,  nor  aiivwlicii'  in  tlir  intiiinr. 
«'X('i']itinKtliat  it  is  incntiniicd  liy  Mf.  Mrlhvraitli  as  liavini,'lM'i'n  found  in  tlio  viciniiy 
of  llaniilton.  <  Mitaiii  ;  lint  lir  jirolialiiy  niistonk  tin-  Itnlhis  ilfijinin  for  it.  Ito('rnr>  in 
nioMtof  till'  West  India  Island.s.  l»rjM'din),'alMindantly  in  ('iilia..raiiiaira,  Santo  l)oniin.:n. 
and  otlirr  iHlands.  lint  it  is  not  nii'iitioni-d  as  havint;  Ih'i'ii  notici'd  in  1't'niinda. 

I'rofi'ssor  Ni'wton  stati's  that  it  is  tonnd  in  St.  Cioi.x.  wlii'ir  it  is  vi-iy  local, 
fro(|U('ntinj,'  a  laif,'t'  lapion  in  the  south  of  the  island,  ami  W\\\<i  tln-ii'  (|iiiti'  nnmt'iims 
ami  lircrdiiiL'.  Tin*  liiids  wi-ri'  very  noisy.  i'S]ii'('ially  in  tlii'  I'vcniiif,';  and  wlirii  a 
mill  was  liri'd  near  tlirir  liannts.  tiii'ir  ontrrii's  coiild  ln'  heard  on  every  side.  Tiny 
were  very  shy,  anil  not  easily  shot.  as.  on  liein^;  a|i|iroaelieil,  they  were  seen  ninniii.i.' 
aorosrt  the  shallow  water,  or  hopiiiiif,'  from  root  to  root  of  the  mangroves,  lookinj;  Iil<<' 


li|^ 


RAI.LID.K  -  Till-:   ItAFI.S  -  UAI.Ll'S. 


8«;l 


•ni't'iiu".  mill 


.su  lauiiy  I'utH,  ami  tukitiK  ii-Iiiki'  iiiiioii^  tlu*  tliii-kfst  ot  tlif  IhisId'h,  not  slmwiiiK  tliciii- 
Mi'lvt'H  iiri  litii)(  iiH  tlicri*  WHS  any  u|i|iai'riit  ilaiiKcr.  An  adult,  siifciiacn  and  a  youn^' 
liinl  t't'ciMitly  liatrlii'd  ui'ic  dlitaiiii'd  Jaly  I'l.  'I'ln-  .stoniaili  ol  tin-  toiiafi'  rontaini'd 
;i  |iipiti(»n  (d  a  riali  and  a  h\v  shells.  Tlii-  yoiiiiK  Itird  wan  coniiilettdy  idntlifd  in 
liliu'k  down  witli  a  ^rt-i-nisli  ^'lo.ss. 

Lt'-otaiid  ){iv<-s  this  as  onr  ot  tiit*  most  rommon  l>irds  of  Trinidad,  and  as  lirin^ 
l>v  tar  till'  most  ainindaiit  (d  tiic  Itails.  It  is  always  toiind  anions  tli<'  nian^'iovcs, 
iiiid  iM'Vcr  It'avcs  tin'  iiuidcr  ot  tlic  mm.  As  it  movt-s  it  always  iiolds  its  li<-ad  ficct 
iiiiil  its  tail  idi'vutt'd,  IVar  rather  ilian  pridt*  sirming  to  lir  tli<'  moving;  nuisf  of  thfso 
jiositioMs.  It  always  secnis  a|>|in'ln'iisi\i'  of  daiij<cr,  stoppinj,'  every  moment  to  waleh 
iiiid  to  listen,  and  if  seriously  threatened  eoncealinK  itself  hehind  a  iaannrove-fliim|), 
or  taking' to  HiKht.  it  then  lowers  Um  iiead,  extends  its  neek  hori/ontally,  and  starts 
off  with  the  rapidity  «d  an  arrow.  When  nothing;  appears  to  distiirh  it  or  to  attrait 
its  uttention,  it  seems  to  manliest  sportive  inipuLes,  utteriii),'  its  very  peeidiar  rollinj; 
ery.  Other  liinls  take  up  and  repeat  the  refrain,  until  the  whole  swamp  resounds 
willi  the  clamor,  whieli  may  he  heard  to  a  ^reat  distanee.  This  l)ird  will  responil 
icidily  to  a  deioy-ery,  and  is  not  fri;,ditened  at  the  .slight  of  the  hunter  if  tin'  latter 
keeps  motionless;  in  this  way  it  may  he  readily  ohtained.  It  is  mmdi  hunted  lor,  as 
a!tli(iu>,di  its  tlesh  is  not  of  the  nieest  (piality,  it  is  eonsid«'rt'd  fairly  nood. 

In  many  parts  of  the  eountry  this  lard  is  generally  known  as  the  '•  .Meadow-hen." 
It  is  es>entially  a  southern  speeies,  resident  thnaiKhoiit  the  year  south  (d  the  I'oto- 
niae,  hardly  known  Iteyond  Loni,'  Island,  ami  rare  even  there,  (iiraud  states  that  it 
is.  however,  ahundant  on  the  sea-eoast  (d'  New  .lersey.  and  that  in  some  sea.sons  it 
cHiiirs  in  eonsideralile  mindiers  nu  the  salt-marshes  ahaiy;  tlu'  south  shore  of  I-oni< 
island,  whieh  it  readies  aliout  the  \s\.  nf  .May.  remaininj;  until  the  latter  part  of 
Septendier,  and  a  few  eoutiuuin.!:;  e\en  as  late  as  Oetolier. 

1  am.  however,  informed  Ity  .Mr.  .1.  II.  Uatty  that,  having'  lor  sonn-  tinn'  suspeeted 
tli.it  this  speeies  remains  on  \,\.\w^  Island  durin.L;  the  winter,  he  ohtained  positive  evi- 
diiice  of  the  fact  in  at  least  one  —  perhaps  exceptional  —  instance.  On  the  Ith  of 
I'lliniary,  lH7.">,  havin,\'  hcen  informed  that  a  ••  .Mea(hiw-hen "  had  heen  .seen  on  a 
iici,'lilM>rin,y;  creeli,  he  proceeded  to  the  place  with  his  ^{un  and  dog,  and  procurt'd  tho 
hini,  whiidi  |iioved  to  lie  a  line  adult  male. 

This  species  is  said  to  he  contineil  almost  e?itindy  to  low  wet  marshes,  hidinj^  in 
tlic  reeds  and  I'ank  j^rass.  It  can  sidilom  he  seen  llyiu},',  and  seems  when  pursiicd  to 
ilcpcnd  for  escape  on  its  power  of  runninj,'.  Its  speed  is  very  rapid,  and  with  its 
tliin  compressed  hody  it  is  aide  to  pass  ihroiii,di  the  j,'rass  so  <pnckly  that  it  is  soon 
nut  of  si^dit  and  dan^'cr.  In  l.ou'^'  Island  it  hreeds  in  the  latter  part  of  .May,  placing' 
tlic  nest  on  the  meadows,  and  usually  hiiildin;,'  it  so  hi',di  that  it  ma_\  he  readily  <lis- 
c(p\cn'd.  This  is  attriliuted  In  the  damrei-  from  lii,i,di  tides.  The  e,i,'j^i  are  esteemed 
a  '.;reat  delicacy  and  are  much  si>u;;hl  alter,  Ihe  uuiiiImt  found  in  a  nest  Indng  u.snally 
ten,  of  a  jiale  clay-colnr.  tiiidy  dotted   ujth  piirph         t  in  making?  a  short  excursion 

in  the  water  this  liird  In mcs  suddenly  alarnn'd,  it  instantly  disappears  hy  divinj,', 

or  if  near  the  hank,  hy  hidiny:  in  the  ;^'rass.  Jf  far  from  the  shore  it  will  cdiny  to  the 
roots  of  tin'  >,'rass,  where  it  will  sometimes  icmain  a  surprisinj,dy  long  whih'.  It  is 
lint  usually  pursued  hy  sportsmen  except  when  the  meadows  are  ovcrtlowed  hy  the 
miusual  high  tides,  which  occur  idtcr  the  wind  has  heen  hlowing  heavily  from  the 
.southeast.  Hunters  take  advantage  of  these  occasions,  and  pushing  a  skill'  over  the 
sunken  meaihiws,  drive  the  Kails  from  their  retreats,  often  ohtaining  them  in  large 
tiiniiliers.  .\s  this  hird  is  slow  in  its  flight  ami  moves  in  a  straight  line,  it  heeomes 
an  easy  mark  wdieii  there  is  nothing  to  ohstruct  the  sight,  and  may  he  very  readily 
vol..  I.  —  40 


^^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


2? 


A 


1.0 

l^|2.8 

Hi  m 

Si  us. 

tii. 

■Uuu 

US 

I.I 

1.25 

ill  '-^ 

|l.6 

V 


r 


/ 


o 


/ 


/A 


^4^ 


) 

i 

1 

i 

1 

i' 

111 


•    A 

'■'   i) 


362 


ALECTORIDES. 


taken.  Its  food  consists  of  .small  crabs  and  other  minute  crustaceans.  In  tlic 
latter  part  of  the  season  it  lu'coiiies  very  I'at,  ac(|uires  a  tine  flavor,  and  is  highly 
esteemed  l)y  many  as  food.  Mr.  Lewis,  on  tlic  other  hand  ('•American  Sportsman," 
p.  221'),  maintains  that  tlie  Hesh  of  this  bird  is  universally  insipid,  dry,  and  sedgy.  Uv 
also  speaks  of  it  as  being  very  shy  and  secret  in  its  habits,  and  states  that  he  has  nut 
met  with  it  excei)t  along  tlie  salt-marshes  of  thti  sea-sliore  and  the  mouths  of  large 
rivers,  lie  occasionally  found  it  numerous  in  tin;  brackish  fens  of  Long  Island,  l)iit 
has  noticed  it  as  Ijeing  especially  abundant  along  the  shores  of  New  Jersey  and  Dela- 
ware. It  arrives  from  the  south  about  tlu;  middle  of  April,  and  its  presence  is  so(jii 
made  known  by  its  very  ])eculiar  cry  or  cackle,  similar  to  the  well-known  notes  of  the 
Common  Guinea-fowl.  Even  when  these  liirds  are  most  abundant  in  the  marshes  few 
of  them  are  to  be  seen. 

This  bird  begins  to  lay  about  the  close  of  ^lay ;  the  nest  being  simple,  but  artfidly 
contrived  for  conceahaent,  and  having  the  long  grass  twisted  and  plaited  over  it  ii: 
the  form  of  an  arch,  so  that  when  tiie  ol)servcr  is  inexperienced  the  eggs  are  effeit- 
ually  concealed.  The  usual  nund)er  of  these  is  eight  or  ten,  but  there  are  sometimes 
as  many  as  fifteen.  The  egg  of  this  l)ird  is  regarded  as  a  great  delicacy,  and  is 
eagerly  sought  for.  Sonu'timcs  the  marshes  on  which  this  bird  breeds  are  overiloweil. 
in  consecpience  of  the  long  prevalenc^e  of  easterly  gales,  and  the  eggs  destroyed  in 
immense  numbers.  To  flush  it  being  almost  imjjossible,  the  only  way  to  obtain  it 
is  to  hunt  it  on  the  marshes  in  a  light  boat  during  the  i)revalence  of  a  high  tide.  The 
flight  of  this  bird  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Sora  Kail,  although  even  more  slow  and 
labored,  and  it  is  easily  brought  down  when  on  the  wing. 

On  the  coast  of  the  Carolinas  this  si)ecies  breeds  in  great  numbers,  some  remaining 
nearly  all  the  year;  but  in  winter  it  occurs  in  smaller  numbers,  and  occasionally,  dur- 
ing the  coldest  weather,  disappears  altogether.  The  number  of  its  eggs  is  rarely  more 
than  seven,  and  in  South  ('arolina  they  are  laid  as  early  as  the  2oth  of  April;  but. 
owing,  perhaps,  to  the  nests  being  so  often  robbed,  fresh  eggs  are  found  through 
June.     Two  broods  are  usually  raised  in  one  season. 

In  Jamaica  this  bird  is  known  as  the  "  Alangrove-hen,"  it  being  so  named  with 
reference  to  its  api)earance,  habits,  and  haunts.  It  is  said  by  Mr.  Hill  to  rand>le 
about  with  its  callow  brood,  like  a  hen  and  chickens.  At  low  water  it  visits  the  un- 
covered flats,  and  searches  for  small  crabs.  Worms,  shell-flsh,  insects,  and  Crustacea 
are  its  animal  food,  and  the  seeds  and  shoots  of  aquatic  plants  form  the  vegetable 
portion  of  its  nourishment.  As  this  bird  has  much  of  the  character  of  the  GalUiwceo; 
and  as  the  young  are  able  to  run  and  feed  themselves  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched, 
these  are,  when  half  grown,  as  heli)less  on  the  wing  as  half-fledged  ]iordtry.  At  this 
age,  when  feeding  on  the  shoals,  they  can  l)e  run  down  with  great  facility,  and  are 
said  to  be  delicious  eating. 

Wilson  states  that  the  eggs  of  this  bird  are  a  great  delicacy,  far  surpassing  in  his 
opinion  those  of  the  domestic  hen.  So  abundant  were  the  nests  of  this  Rail,  ai'cord- 
ing  to  his  observations,  that  he  has  known  twelve  hundred  of  their  eggs  to  be  collected 
by  one  man  in  a  single  day.  Wilson  also  mentions  that  on  several  occasions,  when 
an  unusually  high  tide  had  flooded  the  marshes  on  which  these  birds  were  breeding, 
he  has  found  the  dead  bodies  of  the  females,  who  had  perished  on  their  nests, 
strewed  along  the  shore  —  proving  how  strong  are  the  ties  of  maternal  affection  in 
this  species.  He  also  states  that  it  has  a  covered  pathway  through  the  marshes, 
under  the  matted  grasses,  through  which  this  bird  runs  in  the  manner  of  rats,  and 
by  which  it  esca])es  observation. 

Its  cries  are  said  by  Audubon  to  resemble  the  syllables  euc-cuc-ciic-cuc-cu-cahOrchhit. 


RALLID.E  —  THE  RAILS  —  RALLUS. 


363 


the  first  of  these  notes  being  extremely  loud  and  ra2)id,  and  the  later  ones  lower  and 
inotracted.  The  bird  seems  to  jjossess  the  powers  of  ventrilot^uism,  so  that  it  often 
iippi'ars  niueh  nearer  than  it  really  is. 

In  South  Carolina,  during  the  month  of  Uetober  and  later,  it  is  hunted  at  high 
tide,  in  the  same  manner  as  is  practised  near  Philadelphia  in  hunting  the  Sora  Hail, 
and  numy  are  thus  obtained.     This  can  only  be  done  during  high  water. 

Mr.  ^loore  states  that  \n',  has  measured,  in  one  instance,  the  footjirints  of  the 
Cla[iper  Kail,  made  on  a  smooth  sandbar,  and  found  the  interval  between  them,  for 
several  steps,  nineteen  inches.  These  nuist  have  been  impressed  when  the  bird  was 
running  at  its  utmost  speed.  Even  then  the  extent  is  surprising,  when  the  length  of 
llic  tarsus  is  borne  in  mind,  this  being  onl}'  li.To  inches.  The  largest  stride  of  a 
Canada  Crane  is  only  19.50  inches.  The  interval  between  the  footi)rints  of  the  (Jreat 
nine  Heron,  in  its  widest  step,  is  19.87  inches.  An  egg  with  the  shell  formed  was 
I'ound  in  one  of  these  birds  June  (!tli ;  and  live  young  l)irds,  only  a  few  days  old,  were 
seen  Aug.  4,  1873. 

The  ground-eolor  of  the  eggs  of  this  species  is  usually  a  pale  cream,  but  miudi 
deeper  than  that  of  Ji.  eh'//iiiis.  The  nuirkings  are  also  much  more  numerous  than 
in  those  of  the  latter,  but  essentially  of  the  s;une  tints  —  dark  ])urplish  brown  and  a 
lighter  purplish  slate.  Two  eggs  in  my  collection  (Xo.  77),  from  South  Carolina, 
taken  by  ])r.  Uachman,  measure  :  one  1.00  inches  in  length  by  1.17  in  breadth,  the 
otiier  1.70  by  l.L'O. 

The  eggs  exhibit  grefit  variations  in  size  and  shape,  the  largest  measuring  1.80  by 
1.10  inches,  the  smallest  1.50  by  1.05,  the  most  oblong  l.CJO  by  1.00,  etc.  The  ground- 
color varies  from  a  jiale  buff  to  a  dirty  white.  All  are  marked  —  more  or  less 
siiarsely  —  with  spots  and  blotches  of  reddish  brown  and  obscure  lilac  and  slate. 


-cCihu-i'iih'i- 


Rallus  virginianus. 

THE  VIBGINIA  BAIL;  LITTLE  BED-BBEASTED  BAIL. 

Rallus  virginianns,  LiNX.  S.  N.  1.  1766,  263  (ba.sod  on  Cati'.sii.  70  ;  Uris.s.  V.  17ii).  — WiLS.  Am. 

Orn.  VII.  1813,  lO'.t,  i-l.  62,  l\g.  1.  —  Nrrr.  Man.  II.  1834,  20j  ;  Aim.  Oni.  Biog.  III.  1835, 

41  ;  V.   1839,  573,  \A.  205  ;  1!.  Am.  V.   1842,  174,  pi.  311.  —  IJAinn,  15.  N.  Am.  1858,  748  ; 

Cat.  N.  Am.  H.  1850,  no.  554.  —  CofF.s,  Key,  1872,  273;  CliCLk  List,   1873,  no.  467;  2cl  ed. 

1882,  no.  677  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  536.  —  Ridgw.  Bull.  Nutt.  Oni.  Club,  V.  no.  3,  1880,  140  j 

Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  572. 
liitUus  aquatlcus,  vnr.  /3,  Lath.  Ind.  Oni.  II.  1790,  755. 
llallus  limicola,  Vikill.  Ency.  Jli'th.  1823,  1059. 

Hab.  The  whole  of  temperate  North  America  as  far  as  the  British  Provinces,  south  to  Guate- 
mala and  Cuba  ;  occasionally  winters  almost  at  the  novtliern  limit  of  its  range.^ 

Sp.  Char.  Adult:  A  miniature  of  7i'.  clcrjawt,  but  more  deeply  colored.  Above,  olivaceous, 
lipiivily  striped  witli  black  ;  wing-coverts  clicstnut-rufous  ;  reniiges  plain  dusky  ;  crown  and  nape 
dusky,  sometimes  uniform,  usually  indistinctly  streaked  with  olive  ;  a  brownish-white  supraloral 
line ;  side  of  head  uniform  plumbeous  (sometimes  obscured  with  a  brownish  wash)  ;  malar  region, 
fmi'neck,  jngulum,  breast,  sides,  and  abdomen,  sometimes  throat  also,  cinnamon,  the  middle  of  the 
belly  lighter  (sometimes  whitish)  ;  flanks  (not  sides)  and  axillars  dusky,  barred  with  white ; 
lining  of  wing  dusky,  the  feathers  tipped  and  bordered  with  white.  Downy  young :  Glossy  black  ; 
bill  scarlet  or  orange-red  in  life  (whitish  or  pale  yellowish  in  the  .skin),  slightly  marked  with 
blacki.sh  in  front  of  the  nostril  and  on  ba.se  of  mandible.  Young  {first  plumage)  :  "Top  and  sides 
ol'  head,  neck  behind,  back  anteriorly,  rump,  breast,  and  sides,  dull  dead  black.    Interscapular 

'  A  specimen  was  sent  by  Captain  Bondire  to  the  National  Museum  from  Walla  Walla,  Washington 
Territory,  which  was  sliot  there  Jan.  IC,  1879,  when  the  snow  was  more  than  a  foot  deep  I 


364 


ALECTORIDES. 


region  black,  with  a  few  of  the  feathers  iiiar^'iiifil  witli  brownish  nlivi'.  Wing-coverts  and  \v\nf^< 
nearly  as  in  ailult,  a  little  (liillcr  .iikI  (hirkcr,  iierhai)s.  Suiiurciliary  line  obscure  ashy.  Tlnoiii 
ashy  white,  finely  siiotted  with  Maik.  Central  ref,'i()U  of  lower  breast  and  abdomen,  with  a  few  cif 
the  feathers  nn  the  sides,  tiii},'ed  with  wliite.  Anal  rej^ion-and  crissuni  ihdl  reddish  eliestnut.  In 
my  cabinet,  from  f'ambri(l},'e,  Mass.,  August,  1875.  Several  otlii'r  s|)('ciniens  of  corresiionding  iij^'cs 
a},'ree  closely  with  the  one  above  describwl.  A  male,  however  i('anibridj,'e,  Auj,'.  9,  IfS"")),  dillVrs 
inhavin<5a  faint  reddisli  wash  over  the  white  on  the  breast  and  abdomen"  (Brewkteu,  Bull,  Nutt. 
Orn.  Club,  .Tan.  187!),  p.  45). 

Total  len^'th,  about  7.50  inclies  ;  wing,  ;j.!)()-4.25  ;  culmen,  1.45-l.(i(t  ;  tarsus,  1.3(t-l.4() ;  mid- 
dle toe,  1.20-1.40.  "  Bill  dark  brown,  the  lower  mandible  and  edges  of  upper  yellowish  brown  ; 
iris  bright  red  ;  feet  yellowish  brown  tinged  with  olive  ;  claws  more  dusky"  (Auuubon). 

This  sjjccies  is  very  mucli  like  R.  rligans  in  miniature,  being  exceedingly  similar  to  that  species 
in  coloration.    Close  examination,  however,  reveals  several  important  differences,  the  more  obvious 


of  which  are  the  following  :  the  whole  plumage  is  darker  ;  the  sides  of  the  head  more  unifornily 
and  distinctly  plumbeous  ;  the  sides  and  abdomen  are  cinnamon,  like  the  breast,  instead  of  being 
respectively  barreil,  like  the  flanks,  and  plain  buff  or  whitisli  ;  the  lining  of  the  wing  is  not  barreil 
like  the  flanks,  but  has  dusky  and  white  irregularly  mixed,  the  latter  color  being  on  the  border 
and  tips  of  the  featliers.  There  is  apparently  more  of  individual  variation  in  this  than  in  any 
of  the  larger  species,  scarcely  two  examples  being  closely  alike.  The  chin  and  throat  niiiy  be 
distinctly  white,  or  the  cinnamon  may  extend  forward  entirely  to  the  bill  ;  .some  specimens  iiiive 
the  lores  decidedly  dusky,  othei's,  clear  plumbeous,  like  the  auriculars  ;  the  crissum  is  sonu'tinies 
plain  cinnamon,  the  concealed  bases  of  the  feathers  dusky,  but  oftener  is  white,  tinged  with  cinna- 
mon. One  example  (an  adult  male,  Xo.  84077,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus ,  Riverdale,  111,,  May  3,  E.  W. 
Nelson)  has  the  flanks  dark  lirown,  witli  the  bars  nearly  obsolete.  No.  7057  (National  Museinu 
Collection),  from  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  also  an  adult  male,  collected  May  (i  (\V.  S.  Wood),  has  the  lower 
parts  dull  grayish  brown,  browner  on  the  breast,  almost  slaty  on  the  abdomen  and  tibiae.  There 
seems  to  be  no  geographical  variation,  however,  notwithstanding  the  exten.sive  range  of  the  species, 
specimens  from  ("Uiatemala,  Mazatlan,  Sonora,  California,  and  Washington  TeiTitory  being  cpiite 
identical  with  others  from  the  Eastern  United  States. 

The  Virginia  Rail  has  the  most  extended  distribution  of  any  of  this  family,  being 
foitnd,  at  certain  seasons,  throughout  the  entire  United  States,  from  Florida  to  tlie 
extreme  eastern  limits  of  Elaine,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  tlie  Pacific.  It  occurs  in 
great  numbers  in  Canada,  especially  in  the  western  portion,  and  has  been  found 
breeding  as  far  north  as  Big  Island  by  ^Fr.  B.  Ivoss.  It  is  also  very  abundant  in  Illi- 
nois, Michigan,  Wisconsin,  and  others  of  the  Western  and  Northwestern  States.  It 
is  a  winter  resident  of  Cuba,  but  is  not  known  to  breed  there ;  nor  is  it  given  by 
either  Gosse  or  Marsh  as  being  foitnd  in  Jamaica.  In  Central  America  it  appears  to 
be  rare,  only  a  single  specimen  being  on  record  as  noticed  there ;  this  is  mentioned 
by  Salvin  as  having  been  taken  ;it  Antigua,  in  Guatemala,  in  September,  1859.  on 
one  of  the  cochineal  plantations.     This  species  is  abundant  in  the  winter  months  in 


RALLTD.E  —  THE  RAILS  —  RALLUS. 


365 


may  be 
linens  have 
sometimes 
ith  ciima- 
3,  E.  W. 
^lusi'iiin 
the  lower 
..     There 
e  species, 
uiiig  (iiiite 


Uy,  being 
ida  to  tlie 
occiii's  in 
;en  fmuul 
.nt  in  Uli- 
tates.     It 
given  by 
ippeavs  to 
uentionctl 
1859.  on 
nontbs  in 


(liffpvpnt  parts  of  Mexico.  It  was  obtained  near  Matamoras,  in  August,  by  Mr.  Dres- 
ser ;  and  is  given  by  Dr.  Heerniann  as  occurring  at  San  Antonio.  A  single  specimen 
oi'  tliis  bird  has  been  taken  in  IJcrnuida.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  found  this  s[)ecie«  very 
common  in  the  marshes  and  low  lands  in  the  Valley  of  (treat  .Salt  Lake;  and  Mr. 
Kidgway  mentions  having  seen  two  or  three  individuals  in  the  vicinity  of  I'yramid 
Lake,  among  the  sedges  on  the  banks  of  the  sloughs  and  ponds.  It  is  only  ])artially 
migratory  in  the  wiiitei',  even  in  phuu's  where  the  winter  is  (juite  severe.  A  specimen 
was  taken  by  Captain  Hendire  near  I'ort  ^Valla  Walla,  Jan.  .'{.  1S79. 

Although  Dr.  Cooper  never  obtained  any  himself,  he  states  that  this  bird  is  found 
tliroughout  the  marshes  of  California,  chieHy  those  of  the  interior,  and  as  far  to  the 
nortli  at  least  as  Cape  Flattery.  It  is  undoubtedly  resident  in  California  throughout 
the  year,  as  Dr.  Suckley  obtained  a  specimen  near  tlie  Straits  of  Fuca  in  January. 

iMr.  Boardman  informs  me  that  it  is  found  as  far  east  as  Calais,  and  even  breeds 
in  tiiat  neighborhood,  although  it  is  not  common.  It  was  once  cpiite  abundant  in  the 
vicinity  of  IJoston  in  all  our  marshes  and  fresh-water  meadows,  and  more  especially 
(in  the  margins  of  brooks.  In  June,  18.'i7,  I  discovered  a  nest  crontaining  ten  eggs 
witliin  the  present  limits  of  Hoston,  and  only  a  few  rods  from  a  recently-constructed 
I'aih'oad  track.  Mr.  Allen  included  it  among  the  l)irds  of  Western  Massachusetts, 
Imt  did  not  regard  it  as  being  of  common  occurrence  there.  On  May  IG,  1859, 
Mr.  Frederick  Ware  found  a  nest,  with  nine  eggs,  in  the  Fresh  Pond  marshes.  West 
Cambridge. 

Although  found  sparingly  present,  diu'ing  the  bi'eeding-season,  along  our  entire 
Atlantic  coast,  from  Charleston,  S.  C,  to  Eastport,  it  is  far  more  almndant  in  the 
fresh-water  meadows  of  the  interior.  On  Long  Island,  according  to  Giraud,  it  is 
known  to  hunters  and  si)ortsmen  by  the  name  of  the  '•  Fresh-water  ]\Iarsh-hen '"  or 
"Mud-hen."  It  is  there  only  found  in  low  situations,  usually  selecting  the  reedy 
margins  of  watercourses  and  rivulets.  Giraud  also  met  with  it  on  the  low  salt- 
umrshes  along  the  sea-coast.  In  its  habits,  as  well  as  in  its  plumage,  it  bears  a  greater 
resemblance  to  liallus  eler/ans  than  it  does  to  E.  r  cjntans.  With  all  the  movements, 
actions,  and  manners  of  the  former  its  own  are  very  much  in  unison.  Hiding,  as  it 
does,  among  reeds  and  rushes,  it  escapes  observation,  except  on  the  part  of  tliose  who 
are  familiar  with  its  habits. 

Like  all  of  this  family,  the  Virginia  Kail  is  very  reluctant  to  take  wing,  and  when 
pursued  by  dogs  it  trusts  to  its  legs  until  they  cease  to  be  sufficient.  It  runs  with 
great  swiftness,  and  is  capable  of  continuing  a  very  rapid  and  irregidar  course  through 
the  close  grass  for  some  time.  Unless  followed  by  a  very  active  dog.  it  is  always 
able  successfully  to  evade  pur.suit  without  ex[)osing  itself  to  the  sportsman's  gun. 

It  is  not  often  observed  on  the  Avater,  yet  it  c^an  swim  and  dive  very  well  Avhen 
driven  to  this  element  for  safety.  It  seems  to  prefer  wet  ground,  or  water  so  shallow 
tiiat  it  can  wade  through  without  being  obliged  to  swim.  The  food  of  this  species  is 
sii.d  to  consist  of  aquatic  insects,  worms,  snails,  and  the  seeds  of  various  kinds  of 
grasses  that  grow  on  marshy  ground  and  in  the  low  fresh-water  meadows  which  it 
f'reipients.  The  flesh  of  this  bird  is  not  ])articularly  delicate,  yet  it  is  frequently 
brought  to  the  New  York  market  in  the  month  of  April. 

WUson  speaks  of  it  as  far  less  numerous  than  the  Common  Eail  in  New  Jersey, 
though  frequently  seen  along  the  borders  of  salt-marshes,  as  well  as  among  the 
meadows  on  the  banks  of  the  larger  rivers.  He  met  with  it  on  the  Barrens  of  Ken- 
tucky, but  was  told  by  the  inhabitants  that  it  Avas  seen  in  wet  places  only  in  the 
si)ring,  going  north  during  the  breeding-season.  It  feeds  less  on  vegetable  and  more 
on  animal  food  than  the  Common  Sora,  and  on  this  account  its  flesh  is  much  inferior 


366 


alectoridp:s. 


i 


m^ 


to  that  of  tliis  species.  In  Wilson's  tinu'  it  was  known  as  the  "Fresh-water  .Mnd- 
hen,"  because  it  freijnented  only  tliost;  jiivrts  of  the  salt-marsh  where  fresli-water 
springs  rose  thronj^li  the  hoi^s  in  the  salt-nuirslics.  In  sncli  places  these  birds  bnild 
thi'ir  lu'sts ;  and  one  ol  these,  which  was  .si-en  by  him,  is  desc.'ribed  as  beinj,'  placed  in 
the  bottom  of  a  tnft  of  grass  in  the  midst  of  an  ahnost  impenetrable  (luagniire,  and  as 
composed  altogether  of  old  wet  grass  and  rnshes.  The  eggs  had  been  Honted  out  of 
the  nest  by  an  extraordinarily  high  tide,  and  l;iy  scattered  about.  The  female  still 
lingered  ai)out  the  sjiot,  and  suliered  herself  to  be  taken  by  hand,  and  during  the  few- 
hours  she  was  detained  hiid  an  egg  exactly  like  the  others.  Wilson  descril)es  tln' 
o'^in;  as  being  shai)eil  like  that  of  the  Honn'stic  lien,  and  as  nu'asuring  l.L'O  inches  in 
length  by  less  than  half  an  inch  in  breadth;  it  is  of  a  dirty  white  or  pale  cri'aiii- 
color,  sprinkled  with  specks  of  reddish  and  i)ale  purple,  most  luunerous  near  the  gretit 
end.  This  bird  was  su^jposed  to  begin  to  lay  early  in  May,  and  to  raise  two  broods 
in  a  season,  as  in  the  month  of  .Inly  ^Fr.  Ord  brought  to  Wilson  several  young  only  a 
few  days  old,  which  had  been  caught  on  the  borders  of  the  Delaware.  The  parents  had 
shown  great  solicitude  for  their  safety.  The  young  birds  were  covered  with  tine  down, 
and  were  wholly  black,  except  a  white  spot  on  the  bill.  They  had  a  sliort  [liping 
note.  Owing  to  its  secretive  habits,  this  bird  can  rarely  be  seen.  It  stands  and  runs 
with  its  tail  erect,  which  it  jerks  whenever  it  nnn'es  ;  it  tties  only  to  a  short  distance, 
with  its  legs  hanging  down.     The  moment  it  alights  it  runs  off  with  great  speed. 

Muttall,  who  heard  the  notes  of  the  male  of  this  species  on  the  Charles  Jtiver 
marshes,  describes  it  as  a  guttural  croaking  cull,  like  the  noise  of  a  wat(dinian's  rattle. 
sounding  like  r^^H-^-M^-^W//;.  The  young  have  a  slender  cry  oi  peejj-jieep  ;  and  tlic 
fenuile,  when  startled,  utters  a  sharp  squeaking  scream,  Avhieh  seems  nuieh  neaicr 
than  it  really  is,  and  so\iiuls  like  lceek-l;rr];-l;clc. 

Audubon  states  that  these  birds  winter  in  Lower  Louisiana,  Florida,  Georgia,  and 
the  Carolinas,  remaining  in  the  Western  States  later  in  the  fall  than  farther  east ;  liut 
a  large  proportion  retire  after  the  first  severe  frosts.  He  met  with  them  on  the  St. 
John's  River,  in  New  Brunswick  —  where,  however,  they  are  very  rare;  and  he  also 
remarks  that  he  found  them  breeding  in  ^Eareh  near  New  Orleans ;  in  Kentucky  in 
April;  and  a  little  later  iu\ar  Vin(!ennes,  in  Illinois. 

Wilson  evidently  makes  a  mistake  in  regard  to  the  breadth  of  the  egg  of  this  spe- 
cies, meaning  doubtless  an  inch,  and  not  half  an  inch.  An  egg  (Xo.  210)  in  my 
collection,  from  Calumet  marshes,  Illinois,  identified  by  Mr.  Eobert  Kennicott, 
measures  1.28  inches  in  length  by  .9(5  of  an  inch  in  breadth;  and  two  (Xo.  1271) 
measure  each  1.30  inches  by  exactly  1  inch  iu  breadth.  The  ground-color  in  these 
is  a  creaniy  white.  The  markings  are  generally  very  nuieh  scattered,  except  about 
the  larger  end,  where  they  are  crf)wded  together,  but  nowhere  continent;  these  mark- 
ings are  small  blotches  of  a  bright  brownish  red,  and  there  are  also  slightly  larger 
and  fainter  ones  of  a  purplish  lilac.  The  markings  vary  in  size  in  the  different  eggs. 
In  shape  the  egg  is  a  rounded  oval,  one  end  much  more  tapering  than  the  other.  'J'iic 
usual  number  of  its  eggs  is  nine,  never  more  than  this,  and  very  rarely  less. 

Genus  FORZANA,  Vieillot. 

Porzana,  Vieill.  Analyse,  1816,  (jl  type,  liallus  porzaiia,  Linn. — Cass,  in  Bnii'd's  B.   N.  \n\. 

1858,  748. 
OHygometi a.  Leach,  Syst.  Cat.  1810,  34.  —  Ohay,  Oen.  B.  IIL  1846,  593  (type,  Ealhis  porzann. 

Linn.). 
CrcciscHs,  Caban.  Jour,  fiir  Orn.  IS.IO,  428  (type,  Halites  jamaiccnsis,  Gmel.). 
Cotiirnici'ps,  BoxAi'.  "  Conipt.  licnd.  XLIIL  1856,  599"  {ty[)e,  Fulica  HMcboraccnsis,  Gmel.). 


RALLID.E  —  THE  RAILS  —  PORZANA. 


307 


V  Mud- 
h-watcv 

is  Imilil 
lacod  ill 
,  and  as 
I  out  of 
iiU'  Ktill 
the  lew 
ibcs  till' 
lu'lics  in 
('  f  veil  111- 

]W  'r,n'Cilt 

o  broods 
ig  only  a 
.'onts  liad 
lU'  down, 
rt  piiiin;-,' 
and  runs 
distaui'C, 
peed. 
Ips  Uivi'V 
n's  ratlti'. 
;  and  tlio 
i;h  ncan'v 

n-gia,  and 
past;  I  lilt 
on  the  St. 
id  ho  also 
ntnt'ky  in 

this  spc- 

>)  in  my 
vonnicott, 

^o.  I'-'Tl) 
in  these 
pt  about 
so  niark- 

tly  hu'i^iT 
cnt  C!j:;j,'s. 

thor.    The 


B.  N.  Am. 
Jmel.). 


Char.  Bill  Hhorter  than  the  head,  coniprcssud,  .straight  ;  nostrils  in  a  wide  j,'ro()Ve,  with  u  large 
nu'iiihriuiu  ;  winj,'s  moderate  ,  iiriniaries  longer  than  terlials ;  tail  short  ;  legs  rather  robust,  the 
l;u<iis  about  the  length  of  the  middle  toe  ;  toes  long,  tin;  inner  one  slightly  shorter  than  the  outer. 
( Ifiieriil  form  compressed  and  slender. 

This  genu.s  contains  very  numerous  species,  inhabiting  both  tumperatu  and  tropical  regions,  fru- 
iiucnting  marshea  and  borders  of  rivers.  In  the  spring  and  autumn  several  species  migrate  in  largo 
numbers. 

The  geuus  as  here  ccnsidered  probably  retpiii'es  subdivision. 


4. 


P.  Carolina. 

Wo  have  not  at  hand  the  required  material  for  defining  the  exact  limits  of  the  genus  Porzana,  so 
far  as  its  American  representatives  are  concerned.  Without,  therefore,  considering  any  of  the 
e.-ctraliinital  species,  it  may  sullice  to  say  that  of  the  three  which  pr(ip(,'rly  belong  to  North  Amer- 
ica, one  (P.  Carolina)  is  a  very  near  relative  of  the  type  of  the  genus  (/'.  m<(rni:tta  of  Europe  and 
(Ircenland),  while  the  other  two  are  ])erhaj)s  sutiiciently  different  to  justify  generic  separation. 
The  species  which  occur  in  North  America  are  lour  in  mnnber,  including  one  which  is  merely  a 
straggler  to  Greenland  from  the  Palu;arctic  Region.     They  may  be  distinguished  as  follows  :  — 

Above,  russet-olive,  with  l)lack  blotches  and  irregular,  partly  longitudinal,  streaks  of  white. 
(/'())';.(i»a.) 

1.  P.  maruetta.  Neck  and  lireast  olive,  speckled  with  white;  (lanks  brown,  narrowly  and 
irregularly  barred  whh  white.  Wing,  4.20-4.40  inches  ;  culmen,  .68-.72  ;  tarsus,  1.20- 
1.30;  middle  toe,  1.2.')- 1. IS.').     Hah.    Palicarctic  Region  ;  casual  in  Oreenland. 

2.  P.  Carolina.  Neck  and  breast  without  white  specks  ;  throat  blackisli,  and  sides  of  head 
and  neck  plumbeous  in  adult ;  throat  white,  sides  of  head  and  neck,  with  jugulum  and 
breast,  fulvous-olive,  in  young  ;  Hanks  broadly  liarred  with  white  and  slate-c(dor.  Wing, 
4.15-4.30  inches;  culmen,  .75-90;  tarsus,  1.25-1.35  ;  middle  toe,  1.3t)-1.45.  Hah. 
North  America. 

Above,  ochraceous,  with  broad  black  stripes  and  narrow  transverse  white  bars  ;  secondaries 
white,  forming  a  conspicuous  patch  on  the  extended  wing.     (^Cotuniicopis.) 

3.  P.  noveboracenais.  Head,  neck,  and  breast  ochraceous  ;  tlanks  dusky,  barred  with 
whitish  ;  cri.ssum  cinnamon  ;  lining  of  wing  and  axillars  white.  Wing,  3.00-3.G0  inches  ; 
culmen,  ..50-.(jO;  tarsus,  .05-1.00  ;  middle  toe,  .90-1. (K).    Hah.  Ea.stern  North  America. 

Above,  blackish  brown,  speckled  with  white.     (Cncisms.) 

4.  P.  jamaJceusia.  Najie  dusky  chestnut  or  sepia-brown;  lower  parts  slate-color  or  dark 
plumbeous  (the  throat  sometimes  whitish),  the  posterior  portions  narrowly  barred  with 
white. 

a.  jamaicensis.  Back  speckled  with  white.  Wing,  2.95-3.20  inches  ;  culmen,  .50-.60; 
depth  of  bill  through  lia.se,  .2()-.25  ;  tarsus,  .85-.90  ;  middle  toe,  .85-.95.  Hah.  Warm- 
temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  the  United  States  to  Chili. 
cotiirnicuhts.  Back  without  white  specks.  Wing,  2.50  inches  ;  culmen,  .60  ;  depth 
of  bill  through  base,  .15  ;  tarsus,  .75  ;  middle  toe,  .85.  Hab.  Farallon  Islands,  coast 
of  California. 


B. 


C. 


3. 


« 


iiaj 


i! 


368  ALECTOIIIDES. 


Forzana  maruetta. 

THE  EUKOFEAN  SPOTTED  OEAXB. 

Rallus  porzam,  Linn.  S.  N.  til.  12,  1.  17tiU,  2tl2. 

Crex ponaait,  Jenyns,  Man.  liiit.  Vi'it.  An.  isa.'i,  218.  —  Nau.m.  Vijg.  Dcutsclil.  IX.  1838,  523,  \A. 

237.  —  MAcdiLi,.  Man.  11.  114  ;  Hist,  liiit.  U.  IV.  1852,  035. 
Oitij'ioinctm  immnut,  ^VV-VU.   Cieii.    Zoul.    Xll.   223.  —  boNAI'.    Conip.    List,  1838,  53.  —  Keys,  i 

BI.A.S.  AViib.   Vm\:  07.  — tliiAY,  (ieii.  11.   111.    5U3  ;  Cut.  Brit.  13.  1S(J3,   171).  —  liEi.sii.  Ibis, 

]S()1,  12  ((livrniiinil). 
Oalliiuila  macii/dt'i,  IIiieh.m,  Vtig.  Di'Utschl.  Is31,  008. 
Ga/linulapniicltilii,  Huehm,  t.  i'.  Oyi»,  pi.  30,  liy.  3. 
Orti/fjomelra  maruelfu,  Leacii,  Syat.  Cat.  1816,  34. 
Purzuiia  iiKtntiilii,  (iiiAY,   List  (!cn.  B.  1841,  91.  —  KiDOW.  Proe.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  3,  188U, 

201,  222  ;  N'oni.  X.  Am.  li.  1881,  no.  573.  —  Col'k.s,  C'hi'ck  List,  2il  eil.  1882,  no.  078. 
SputleU  Cmh;  YAitii,  Brit.  B.  td.  2,  III.  i>7,  lig.  ;  cd.  3,  III.  114,  lig. 

Had.    Pulioaictie  Kl'^Iou  ;  oeeas^ioual  lu  Greenlunil  (cf.  Reinharut,  "Ibis,"  1861,  p.  122). 

Sp.  Chak.  Aihdt :  Abovo,  russut-brown,  relieved  bv  obloii}^  sfiots  of  black  and  irregular,  mostly 
longitudinal,  streak.s  of  white  ;  crown  streaked  with  black,  but  without  a  median  longitudinal  stripe 
of  this  color,  as  in  P.  mroliiut  ;  a  wide  superciliary  stripe,  malar  region,  chin,  and  throat,  soft  mouse- 
gray  ;  lower  half  of  lores  dusky,  upper  half  ihill  whitish  ;  auriculars,  neck,  and  jugulum  li;;lit 


'ilili 


hair-brown,  irregularly  speckled  with  wliite  ;  abdomen  \\hiti.sh  ;  sides  and  flank.s  brown,  bar 
with  >vhite  :  crissum,  plain  creamy  bull',     Youny:  Similar  to  the  above,  but  superciliary  str 
finely  speckled  with  white,  the  malar  region,  chili,  and  throat  whitish,  si)eckled  with  brown, 
breast  and  belly  washed  with  pale  butt'. 

AVing,  about  4.25-4.5(1 ;  culmen,  .08-. 72;  tarsus,  1.2(1-1.30;  middle  toe,  1.25-1.35.     Bill"r 
dish  yellow,  brighter  at  the  base,"  iris  reddish  brown,  feet  yellowish  green  (Macuillivray). 

Tills  species  is  about  the  size  of  the  Common"  Sora"of  North  America  (Porr.ana  caroliuti), 
resembles  it  very  closely  in  coloration,  the  upper  parts  being  almost  precisely  similar.     It  may 
immediately  distinguished,  however,  by  the  white  speckling  of  the  neck  and  breast,  and  the  stiva 
crown,  characteristic  of  all  stages,  and  in  the  adult  plumage  having  no  black  on  tlie  lores 
throat. 


the 


lIliL 
■  l.U 

kcd 
111 


The  "Spotted  Crake"  of  England,  or  "Porzane  Maronette"  of  the  French,  is. 
according  to  M.  Gerbe,  a  bird  common  in  the  greater  part  of  Europe,  Asia,  ami 
Afri(!a,  and  more  especially  in  the  warmer  portions  of  that  region.  It  is  a  bird  of 
the  old  continent,  and  has  no  other  claim  to  a  place  in  our  fauna  than  its  occasional 
presence  in  Greenland.  Gerbe  says  that  it  is  not  rare  in  any  ])art  of  France,  not  even 
the  more  northerly,  -where  it  usually  arrives  in  ^March.  and  from  which  it  departs  in 


RALLID.E  —  THE   RAIL8  —  TORZAXA. 


369 


liai'V  stripu 
brown,  llit^ 

Bill "  iv.l- 
Iuay). 

\roUHii),  and 

It  may  ^'^ 

tlio  sti'i^akod 

hie  lorts  iiv 


freiK'li,  is. 
I  Asia,  ami 
a  bird  of 
loccasioiuil 
\  not  even 
idepui'ts  in 


ScptoinlKT  iiud  Oftoboi',  tli()Uf,'li  ii  few  icniaiu  later.  It  is  saiil  to  ho  especially  eom- 
nioii  in  Italy,  in  Sicily,  aiiil  in  tlic  Houtliern  jioitiou  of  Jiiissia,  but  to  be  very  rare  in 
lldUiind.  Acconliuy  to  .M,  Itmitclit',  as  (jiiutt'd  l)y  (Icibc,  it  breeds  in  immense  nnm- 
lii'is  in  the  marslics  of  Saint-Lament  du  I'ont,  near  (ireiioliK".  Its  nest  is  said  to  he  a 
strn('t\ire  loosely  woven  ol  coarse  weeds,  but  so  constructed  as  to  be  raised  or  depressed 
liv  tlie  rise  or  tall  of  water. 

Tiie  number  of  the  ej,'gs  varies  from  ei},dit  to  tw(dve.  These,  are  slii^'btly  oblonj,'  in 
>liape,  of  a  lirij^dit  clear  yellowish  brown,  covered  witli  numerous  very  line  points, 
with  scattered  blotches  of  varying  size,  some  small  and  round,  others  larger,  and 
viuying  in  sliapc,  but  always  <piite  distinct  in  their  coloring.  These  markings,  .scat- 
tered over  most  of  tluj  egg,  but  chietiy  grouped  about  its  larger  end,  an;  of  two  kinds, 
one  deep  violet-gray,  others  either  a  reddish  or  a  blackisli  shade  of  inown.  Tliey  are 
siud  to  measure  from  1.34  to  l.;J8  inches  in  length,  and  from  .'J4  to  .US  of  an  inch  in 
lireailtli. 

Tile  liird  is  said  to  have  habits  very  similar  to  those  of  the  European  Water  liail, 
tiv(|iienting,  like  tliat  bird,  ficsli-watei'  marsiies  and  tlie  margins  of  Avater  covered 
with  ruslies  and  coarse  reeds.  It  feeds  on  insects,  snails,  small  rcjitiles,  and  mpiatii' 
plants.  Its  Hesh  in  tlie  autumn,  when  it  is  fat,  is  of  very  tine  flavor,  and  hardly 
iiiieiior  to  that  of  the  Land-Uail. 

In  (Ireat  Uritain,  according  to  Yarrcll,  this  bird  is  a  suimuer  visitor,  arriving  in 
England  by  the  1  Ith  of  March,  and  remaining  as  late  as  the  2.')d  of  October.  In 
e.\ce])tional  instances  iiulivubuils  liave  been  taken  as  late  as  November,  and  once 
even  in  .Fanuary.  It  is.  as  a  sjiecies.  much  less  numerous  than  the  Land-Kail,  and  is 
more  a([uatic  in  its  habits.  It  frecpieiits  the  sides  of  streams  and  lakes,  concealing 
itself  among  the  thick  reeds,  and  seldom  leaves  its  seciu'e  jiosition  among  the  luxu- 
riant vegetiition  of  marshy  gi'ounds,  nidess  driven  out  by  the  aid  of  a  trained  dog. 
Its  body  is  compressible,  enabling  it  to  make  its  way  tluough  the  tliick  herbage  with 
facility.  Its  toes — whl(di  are,  long  in  ]ini])ortion  to  the  size  of  the  bird  —  afford  it  a 
linn  footing  over  nmd  or  wei'ds,  and  also  enable  it  to  swim  with  I'ase.  It  is  more 
abundant  in  the  maritime  portions  of  England  than  elsewhere,  and  breeds  in  considcr- 
alile  numbers  in  the  nuirshes  of  Norfolk.  It  also  hreeds  in  other  jiarts  of  England, 
wiiere  it  can  find  suitable  localities,  and  is  more  common  in  the  fall  than  at  any  other 
tiiae.  It  feeds  on  worms,  atpiatic  insects,  and  slugs,  as  well  as  on  soft  vegetable 
.substances.     When  kept  in  confinement  it  readily  eats  bread  and  milk  or  worms. 

This  bird  occasionally,  but  rarely,  visits  Sweden  in  the  summer.  It  has  been 
taken  at  Tunis,  and  near  Smyrna  in  the  winter,  and  during  its  migrations  in  the 
islands  of  the  Mediterranean. 

It  breeds  in  such  marshes  as  are  overgrown  with  reeds  and  sedges,  its  nest  being 
Iniilt  on  the  wet  ground,  usually  near  the  edge  of  the  water,  and  formed  of  coarse 
aquatic  plants  lined  on  the  inside  with  liner  materials.  The  young  are  at  first  covered 
witii  a  black  down,  and  are  said  to  take  to  the  water  with  readiness  as  soon  as  they 
are  out  of  the  shell.  Yarrcll  describes  the  egg  as  being  of  a  iiale  reddish  white, 
spotted  and  speckled  with  a  dark  reddish  brown,  and  measiu'ing  l.'Jo  inches  in  length 
by  .87  of  an  inch  in  breadth.  Three  eggs  in  my  own  cabinet  (No,  1390)  —  collected 
in  France  by  Dr.  James  Trudeau  —  are  oblong  and  oval  in  shape,  of  nearly  equal 
size  at  either  end.  The  ground-color  is  a  light  butf  or  dark  cream-color,  with  a 
rodilish  or  a  yellowish  tinge,  sjiotted  irregularly  with  rounded  and  scattered  marking.s 
of  a  deep  brownish  red.  These  are  of  varying  sizes,  sbapes,  and  shades,  a  few  as  if 
washed  with  the  groinid-color  diluted,  and  exhibit  a  shade  of  slate  and  lavender.  They 
vary  in  length  from  1.30  to  1.35  inches,  and  in  breadth  from  .94  to  .99  of  an  inch. 
vol,.  I.  —  4" 


■jrjr 


If 


I;! 


I!  i 


370  ALKCTUUIDKS. 


r^orzana  Carolina. 

THE  CAROLINA  BAIL;  80RA  RAIL. 

Jialliin  airoliuii.i,  Us\.  H.  N.  I.  cd.  Id,  I.  17.18,  If.:)  ;  rd.  V>,  I.  17(10,  203. —Sw.  i  Ukjii.  !•'.  15.  A 
II.  isyi,  4ii;!.  —  .\ii>.  (»ni.  Ilio;,'.  III.  l.s:).'i,  li.'.l  ;  V.  l,s;i!t,  i,7->,  pi.  -J.):). 

A'"//».v  {Cirr)  niruliiiin,   UciNAl'.  Olis.  Wils,  IMlM,  Ho.  '^3(1.  -    NllT.   .Mall.   11.  Ks:i  I,  '2W. 

Oi'tijgDiniti-ii  oint/iiiii,  Uns.w.  ('miip.  list,  1838,  53.  —  Aiii.  Syiiop.  183U,  21;!  ;  II.  .\iii.  V.  181-2,  1 1.', 

]il.  3(10. 
Por-Miui  caroliiiii,  ("a.ss.  in  Uniid's  H.  N.  Am.  IH'jS,  7-41*.  —  H.vuiii,  fat.  X.  Am.  15.  185'.t,  no.  ri,"."). — 

C(iri:s,  Ki.y,  1^72,  273  ;  Clicck  List,  1S73,  no.  Ids  ;  2(1  cd.  1.S82,  no.  07!';  liiids  N.  W.  1871, 

638.  —  liiiKiw.  Nom.  N.  Am.  II.  1H81,  no.  57-1. 
JialluH  stiiliiliiii,  ViKit.i,.  Kiif.  iMi'tli.  1823,  1071. 

Had.  TIk;  wIidIi'  of  ti'iuiiuratt!  Xortli  AniL'iicii,  Ixit  most  coiiinu)!!  in  tlu'  L^ilsIltii  ProvincL' ; 
West  IndiL's  ill  j,'cU('nil ;  wlmli!  of  MidiUf  AiiK'iioa,  soiitli  to  New  (Jraiiaila  and  Wiiuziiela  ;  uci'i- 
dfiital  ill  GiueiiliUiil  and  Eur()iJ(;  ;  liuriniidas  (nuiueruuH  in  mii,'i'atiuiis),  Bii;i:d»  uhiuliy  in  tbi; 
nurtliern  part  of  its  raii),'L'. 

Sp,  f'HAii.  Aihilf :  Aljovf,  lirij,'lit  olivf-lirown,  witli  lonj^itudinal  spots  of  lilai.k,  sonio  of  tin; 
feuthors  fd^ud  witli  wliito  ;  top  of  hoad  with  a  liroail  lon^'itiidinal  stiipo  of  Idack  j  iiiitcvior  por- 
tion of  head,  with  chin  and  throut,  black  ;  sides  of  licad  and  neck  (e.vcupt  as  dcscril)c<l),  jii^'M- 
luiu,  and  breast  light  plumbeous  ;  abdomen  white  ;  anal  ic^'ion  and  cri.ssum  creamy  white  or  pale 


*   '. 


buff ;  flanks  .sharply  barred  with  white  and  slate-color.  Young :  Similar,  but  lores  and  superciliary 
stripe  brownish,  the  chin  and  throat  whitish ;  rest  of  neck,  with  Ju>;ulum  and  breast,  li;,'lit  brown- 
ish. Bill  <;reenish  yellow  (more  oranye,  especially  at  base,  in  summer  adults)  ;  iris  bnnvn ;  le;;., 
and  feet  greenish.  "JJuintij  staijn  —  chick  a  few  days  cdd  :  Bill  short,  e.vceedingly  com]))essed,  lii^li 
at  base,  rapidly  tapering,  the  tip  deflected.  The  whole  body  densely  covered  with  dull  black 
clown,  beyond  whicli  are  produced  abundant  long,  glossy,  black  hair-like  filaments.  Upon  tlie 
throat  is  a  tuft  of  stiff,  coarse  bristle-like  feathers  of  a  bright  orange-c(dor.  These  are  directed 
forward,  and  give  the  bird  a  most  singular  appearance.  (From  a  specimen  in  my  cabinet  collected 
at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  June  21,  1874.)  This  liird,  although  the  only  specimen  of  the  kin<l  now  at 
band,  is  one  of  a  large  brood  which  was  attended  by  the  female  parent.  Several  of  the  otlnr> 
were  distinctly  seen  and  closely  examined  at  the  time.  All  had  a  similar  orange  tuft  upon  llic 
throat."  [Bhkwster,  in  "  Bull.  Xutt.  Orn.  Club,"  January,  1879,  p.  48.] 

The  most  abundant  and  most  univei'.sally  known  bird  of  its  genus  inhabiting  the  United  States, 
and  variously  known  as  "the  Rail,"  "Sora,"  or  "Ortolan,"  according  to  locality.  It  is  especially 
numerous  along  the  creeks  and  rivers  on  the  Atlantic  during  the  autumnal  migration,  when  exclu- 
sions for  obtaining  it  are  a  favorite  amusement  of  our  guimera  and  spoi'tsmen.  It  a]ipears  to  inhabit 
the  entire  temperate  regions  of  North  America.  There  is  apparently  little,  if  any.  geographical 
variation  noticeable  in  a  large  series  of  specimens,  and  the  jirincipal  individual  variation  consists 
in  the  extent  of  the  black  on  the  throat,  which  in  some  examples  extends  back  as  far  as  the  middle 
of  the  abdomen. 

The  Common  Sora  Kail,  so  abundant  in  the  eastern  portion  of  tlie  IMidiUe  States 
during  its  migrations,  and  so  familiar  to  all  the  sportsmen  of  the  Delaware,  ajipears 


RAI.LID.E  —  THE  RAILS  —  PORZANA. 


371 


111  liavo  a  very  cxtcmlt'd  (listrihiition.  Paring'  tho  wintt>r  it  ia  found  in  fiivomblo 
l(ic;ilitit'S  tlirouKluiut  Cfiitml  America,  iMcxicu,  and  tiic  cxtrtMUi'  southern  portions  of 
I  lie  I'nited  States,  and  in  tlie  sunuiier  it  extends  its  niinrations  as  far  nortli  as  lati- 
liule  (>L'''.  it  was  found  at  Fort  Hesohition,  Moosu  Fort,  Fort  Kae,  and  on  tiie  Red 
lliver. 

3Ir.  Salvin  states  tliat  it  is  tlie  only  Kail  found  about  tiie  Lake  of  Dueilas,  in 
(iuateniala.  where  it  is  nii^riitory,  li-avinj,'  tliat  district  on  the  apjiroadi  of  summer. 
Mr.  Skinner  also  oiitained  specimens  in  the  district  of  Vera  I'az.  A  sinj,de  l»ird  of 
this  species  —  a  femide  —  wiis  tiiken  alive  at  St.  Croix;  and  this  was  the  only  instance 
111  its  occurrence  which  c;ime  to  the  kn(iwledi,'e  of  Mr.  Kdward  Newton.  Li'otand 
includes  this  Hail  amonj,'  tlic  visitants  of  Trinidad,  where  it  is  only  a  bird  of  ])as.s- 
iij^'c,  arrivin,!,'  in  Dccendx'r  or  .liinnary,  and  leaving  in  April.  It  is  met  with  very 
nirely,  and  extdusively  in  overflowed  districts  and  meadow-lands  not  far  from  the 
.si'ii-sliore.  It  is  a  visitant  also  of  Cuba,  where  it  is  not  known  to  breed.  It  is  lueu- 
tioned  by  Mr.  (los.se  as  being  probaltly  a  regidar  winter  visitant  of  .Jamaica,  two 
specimens  having  l)epn  taken  there  at  different  times.  Mv.  March  al.so  gives  it  as  a 
hinl  of  that  island,  and  thinks  that  it  is  found  there  at  all  seasons  and  in  all  waters, 
Irish  or  salt.  He  has  never  met  with  its  eggs.  Uoth  Mr.  liraco  and  Mr.  Moore  note 
its  presence  in  the  Hahamas  in  winter. 

Its  movements  and  the  irregular  character  of  its  visits  to  Bernuula  are  interesting 
features  in  its  history.  MajiU"  .1.  \V.  Wedderbnrn  ("Naturalist  in  licrunida,"  p.  4r») 
states  that  it  regularly  visits  licrmuda,  arriving  early  in  Septend)er.  The  first  speci- 
men, obtained  Sei)t.  .*!,  1S47,  was  settling  on  a  branch  of  a  niaugrove-tree  —  a  very 
uinisual  action  for  tliis  species,  as  it  very  rarely  alights  on  a  lind),  and  this  one  was 
liiui'  feet  from  the  ground.  A  few  remained  throughout  th(>  winter.  In  October, 
]S4t),  it  arrived  in  inunense  nund)evs,  and  one  was  killed  January  17,  and  another 
April  20.  J.  L.  Mnrdis,  in  some  supplementary  notes  (\).  8L')  added  to  Major  Wed- 
(lcrl)urn's  paper,  states  that  however  heavy  and  sluggish  this  l)ird  may  appear  when 
disturbed  in  its  marshy  I'etreat,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  possesses  great  strength 
lit  wing;  and  the  fact  that  it  never  fails  to  visit  Bermuda  in  its  great  southern  migra- 
tions is  siitficient  proof  of  its  jxiwcrs  of  flight.  .\  single  in.stanee  was  noted  of  its 
lii'iiig  met  with  as  early  as  August  '2-1.  In  .September  it  had  become  rather  numer- 
ous, l)ut  were  more  alnnidant  in  October  than  at  any  other  time.  In  some  seasons 
these  birds  all  disa])i)eared  about  the  end  of  October,  while  in  others  a  few  remained 
to  the  25th  of  November,  and  some  even  beyond  that  time.  In  1841)  and  the  three 
following  years  this  bird  visiti'd  ]]ermuda  in  its  s])ring  migriitions,  appearing  in 
the  latter  part  of  February,  and  remaining  through  the  months  of  March  and  April. 
'fell  specimens  were  shot  and  three  taken  alive,  louring  a  southwest  gale  which  pre- 
vaile(l  on  the  Dtli  of  October,  184!),  thousands  of  this  bird  suddenly  appeared  in  the 
marshes  of  Bermuda,  and  on  the  29tli  of  the  same  month  not  one  of  this  species  was 
to  be  seen.  The  whole  immense  flight  Iiad  departed  on  some  unexplained  journey. 
This  departure  could  not  have  been  occasioned  by  any  want  of  food,  for  the  marshes 
\vcn>  abundantly  supplied,  and  the  ]n'evailing  temperature  was  between  70°  and  80° 
Fahrenheit.  Jlr.  Hnrdis  states  that  this  bird  is  also  found  in  its  migrations  in  the 
Island  of  Barbadoes.  .and  thinks  that  there  is  little  cause  to  doubt  that  the  rivers 
ami  marshes  of  South  America  are  its  southern  haunts  during  the  winter  months. 
It  is  very  fat  when  it  arrives  in  the  Bermudas  —  evidently  a  provision  of  nature  to 
sustain  it  in  its  long  and  arduous  flight  from  one  region  to  some  distant  point,  as  it 
probably  traverses  the  Atlantic  Ocean  for  thirty  or  thirty-five  degrees  of  latitude 
without  food. 


i 

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Wi 


?  ■ 

I  tin 


372 


AhECToUIDES. 


JSt'iiiliiirdt  rctiiius  thin  spcrics  iiiikhi^,'  tlic  liirds  of  (irt'ciiliiinl  on  tln'  sticn^tli  ol  n 
hIu^'I*'  Npfciiiti'U  ohtuiiu'il  lit  Siikki  rtn|)|icii,  (  h't.  <t,  IKL'.'t.  Sir  iltilm  lUcliiinlMuii  Hpciiks 
III'  this  spccii'H  us  iii'iii^'  ('iiiiininii  in  tin*  Imii'  ('oiintiics,  in  tlir  .siinLiiu'i'  season,  up  U, 
tilt'  (ILM  paralli'l.  It  is  partiriilaily  aliundunt  on  tiic  siiorcs  of  tlic  small  lakes  wliidi 
skirt  tlie  plains  of  tlu'  Sask.iteiiewan. 

Afr.  noiirilnian  int'ornis  nie  that  he  hi^  t'onnil  this  Itail  in  the  neii^hliorhooil  ni 
Calais,  Me.,  where  it  is  known  to  iireed,  ami  where  it  is  mueh  more  eomnion  than  the 
ViriLjinia  Itail.  it  lireeds  in  all  llie  marshes  alon^,'  the  iiorders  ol  the  mimeroiis  inlets 
and  rivers  on  the  southern  shores  of  Maine,  and  I  have  I'oiuid  it  cspiM-ially  abundant 
on  the  Sheepseot  and  Oamariseotta  rivers.  I'rolessor  Verrill  mentions  it  as  a  sum- 
iner  visitant  in  ( (xt'ord  County,  lint  as  not  oeeurrin.y;  thi're  in  very  threat  luindierN. 
Mr.  .\llen  speaks  of  it  as  arrivin;.,'  near  Sprin,i,'tieid.  .Mass.,  in  April,  remainiiii^  until 
Movendier,  liri'edin}^  and  lieeomiuj,'  ipiite  common  in  Septemlier  and  (>etoliei'.  'i'|ii. 
wame  naturalist  also  mentions  it  as  common  in  (i-eat  Salt  Lake  N'alley.  .Mr.  IJidLrway 
mentions  it  as  lieinj,'  inimerous  in  the  maishes  aluMit  Pyramid  and  (Jreat  Salt  Lakes; 
and  the  sanu'  was  true  of  jtnliy  N'alley  and  the  vieiidty  of  Parley ',s  Park,  and  in  fail 
in  all  the  localities  of  a  similar  character  throu,!.,diout  the  entires  extent  of  his  route  in 
tiu>  (Jreat  P>asin.  Mr.  Dresser  found  this  siieeies  not  uncommon  near  San  Antonio 
in  the  nuinths  of  Septendier.  Octolier.  and  Noveiultcr. 

Aceordiuf,'  to  tlic  ol),scrvations  of  (iirand.  it  is  not  common  in  Lon^  Ishmd,  thou^ii 
luiw  and  then  to  lie  nu't  with  alon.i,'  the  shruliliy  hanks  of  creeks,  and  is  also  some- 
times  observed  on  the  salt-mai'shes.  In  the  vicinity  of  New  ^'ork  City  it  is  not, 
knoAvn  to  occur  in  any  f,'reat  nundiers,  oidy  a  few  halting,'  in  their  northern  migra- 
tions on  wet  and  miry  places  covered  with  tall  j^i'ass  and  rushes,  it  is  very  abun- 
dant in  the  early  part  of  Septendier  alonj,'  the  reedy  nuir^,dn  of  the  llaekensack  llivir. 
where  it  is  hunted  in  the  same  manner  as  the  ••('lap]ier  Kail."  It  is  exceedinf,dy  timiil 
and  retiring,  seeking,'  seclusion  among  the  lank  grass.  At  low  water  it  can  very  larely 
he  detected,  as  it  hides  so  (dostdy  among  tlie  tall  water-plants;  iind  but  for  its  .shrill 
sliort  notes  its  ])resenct>  would  not  be  suspected.  In  eonseipiencc  of  this  peculiarity 
of  its  habits,  the  sportsman'.s  excursions  are  regulated  by  the  state  of  the  tide,  and 
his  visits  are  timed  so  as  to  enable  him  to  be  on  the  sjiot  some  time  bid'ore  the  tiilc 
is  in.  Seated  in  a  light  skiff,  ;uded  by  a  ])erson  .skilleil  in  the  sport,  who  jiushcs 
a.long  the  boat  and  forces  the  Kails  from  thoir  itlaces  of  concealment,  he  is  often 
enabled  to  fliish  and  to  shoot  a  large  nund)er.  The  bird  is  driven  from  its  place  of 
ooncealiuent,  the  rushes  no  longer  affording  it  any  ]iroteetion.  ami  it  is  compelled  to 
rise  as  the  boat  apiivoaches.  As  it  always  sjirings  up  at  a  short  distance,  and  its  tligiit 
is  feeble,  it  is  easily  shot.  The  Sora  is  very  sensitive  to  cold,  and  is  not  to  be  nut 
with  in  these  marshes  after  the  first  sharp  frost.  In  the  spring,  during  its  northern 
migrations,  it  makes  a  short  stoj)  to  recruit  in  its  favorite  marshes,  but  continues  its 
journey  Avith  oidy  a  very  brief  (Uday.  Its  favorite  food  is  wild  oats,  from  wliidi 
its  flesh  derives  a  very  delicate  flavor.  In  tlu;  autumn  it  becomes  very  fat,  and  is 
then  much  sought  for  by  epicures.  AVhen  driven  in  the  fall  to  warmer  sbelter  by  an 
early  frost,  it  will,  on  the  reeurrence  of  nnlder  weather,  often  return  to  its  favorite 
feeding-grounds.     It  leaves  New  Jersey  early  in  October. 

"Doughty's  Cabinet  of  Natural  Hi.story"  (1.  p.  208)  gives  an  interesting  account 
of  the  manner  of  hunting  this  bird  on  the  marshes  of  the  Delaware.  Early  in  August, 
when  the  reeds  have  attained  their  full  growth,  the  Sora  Kail  re-sorts  to  them  in  great 
numbers  to  feed  on  the  seeds,  of  which  it  is  very  fond.  This  reed  (the  Zhnnhi  chin/- 
losa  of  Miehaux)  grows  up  from  the  soft  nniddy  shores  of  the  tide-water,  where  the 
surface  is  alternately  bare  and  covered  with  four  or  five  feet  of  water,  and  attains 


RAF.MD.K  -  TIIK   RAILS  -  PMIJZANA. 


87;} 


a  liciKlit  (iT  ten  fci't,  rovrriii),'  triuts  ol'  niiuiy  iirics  in  cxti'iit.  I  lie  stalks  ^'luwiii^' 
so  clost'ly  t()},'t'tLt'V  that  a  Imat,  fXir|itinn  at  lii^,'li  waliT.  can  liaidly  make  its  way 
tlir(ni;,'li  tlii'ia,  The  srcil  of  tliis  jilaiil  is  Imi;,'  ami  slciidtT,  wliitc  in  cdldr.  sweet  tn 
the  taste,  anil  veiy  nntritinus.  \\  hen  the  reeds  are  in  irnil  the  Uails  in  ^'leat  nnni- 
iiei's  take  iMissession  (d'  them.  At  this  season  a  |iers()?i  walkiii;,'  ahai^'  the  iianks  of 
the  river  may  liear  their  eries  in  every  direelinn,  IC  a  stone  is  thrown  anion^'  the 
reeds  there  is  a  j,'eneral  onlery  and  a  reiterated  /:iik-/.ii /,-/,■  ii/,\  like  tin'  seream  (d'  a 
(iaiiiea-Cowl.  Any  sudden  noise  prodnees  the  same  ei't'eet.  None  id  the  lards.  Iiow- 
e\er.  eaii  he  seen  exeejit  at  hii,di-\\aler  ;  and  when  the  tide  is  low  tlie\  kei'|i  secreted, 
and  a  man  may  walk  where  there  are  hundreds  of  iheni  without  seein]L,f  a  siuj^le  one, 

On  its  first  airival  tins  liiid  is  veiy  lean;  hut  as  the  seeds  ripen  it-  iapidl\  latleus, 
and  I'roui  thel'tlth  <d'  Septendier  to  the  middle  ol  <>ctolier  is  in  excellent  condition. 
The  usual  mode  id' shoot ini;  it  on  the  Didaware  is  as  alreadv  descrihed  idr  the  llacken- 
sack  Iviver  and  marshes.  The  sportsman  reipiires  a  li]i;ht  skill',  a  stout  and  expe- 
rienced hoatman,  and  a  pole  iil'teen  I'eet  in  lenf,'th,  thickened  at  the  lower  end.  .\liout 
two  hour.s  hel'ore  hi,i,di-wati'i'  the  hunter  ami  his  c(Uupanion  enter  the  reeds,  and  each 
takes  his  post,  the  lornH'r  staudin;,,'  in  the  how,  the  latter  on  the  stern-seat,  jaishinj,' 
the  skill  steadily  throuj^h  the  leeds.  'i'he  Hails  I'ise,  one  by  one.  as  the  hoat  is  moved 
alony;.  and  only  at  a  .short  distajice  in  trout  id'  it.  I'ladi  liird  is  instantly  shot  down, 
the  hoatnuin  keepinj^  his  eye  on  the  spot  where  the  hird  tell,  directing' the  boat  for- 
ward, and  collectin;,'  the  ^imw  while  the  hunter  is  reloadin.i:;.  in  this  manner  the 
sjiurt  is  carried  on;  the  boat  heiuj,'  pushed  .steadily  throuj,di  the  reeds,  the  birds  an^ 
tlushcd  and  shot,  the  Ininter  alternatidy  loadin}(  and  tiriiif;,  and  the  iissi.stant  pushing 
the  skiff  and  ]>iekin^'  up  the  fallen  i,'ame.  This  is  contiinied  until  an  hour  or  two 
alter  hi^di  water,  when  they  are  compelled  hy  the  fall  of  the  tide  to  retire.  In  these 
cM'ursions  it  is  not  uncommon  for  an  active  and  expert,  marksman  to  kill  from  a 
hundred  to  a  hundred  and  fifty  iiails  in  a  sin;,de  tide.  .\s  two  bii'ds  rarely,  if  ever, 
lise  toi^ether.  each  must  be  shot.  sin,i;ly. 

The  flight  of  the  Sora  Uail  among  the  reeds  is  usually  low,  and,  sludtpv  being 
abundant,  is  rarely  extended  to  more  than  iifty  or  a  hundred  yards.  When  winged, 
and  mnnjnred  in  its  legs,  it  dives  and  swims  with  great  I'apidity.  aiul  is  siddom  seen 
a^ain.  On  such  occasions  it  has  been  found  clinging  with  its  feet  to  the  I'eeds,  under 
the  water,  or  skulking  under  the  floating  vegetation  with  its  bill  just  above  tlu'  sur- 
face. This  bird  is  apparently  weak  and  delicate,  in  everything  exce])t  its  legs;  but 
these  jOTssess  great  vigor;  and  its  body  being  remaikid)ly  thin,  it  is  able  to  jiass 
readily  between  the  veeds.  Though  its  tiight  seems  fecdde,  yet  it  occasionally  rises 
to  a  considerable  height,  stretcdu's  its  legs  out  behind  it,  and  liies  nii)i(lly  ivcross  the 
|)claware  where  it  is  more  than  a  mile  wide, 

in  N'irginia,  along  the  shores  of  the  Iviver  .bnues.  in  the  tide-water  regions,  this 
Hail  is  found  in  the  fall  in  jirodigious  ininibers  ;  ami  there  it  is  usually  taken  at 
night,  and  in  a  different  maniu'r,  A  kind  of  ii'ou  grate  is  iixed  on  the  top  of  a  stout 
pole,  whiidi  is  placed,  like  a  mast,  in  a  small  canoe,  and  tilled  with  sonui  light  com- 
bustible. The  man  who  manages  the  ranoe  i.s  provided  with  ,a  paddle  ten  or  twidve 
IVct  in  length,  and,  about  an  hour  before  high-water,  enters  the  reeds.  The  space 
lor  a  considerable  extent  around  is  well  lighted,  the  birds  are  bewildered,  and  as 
they  appear  are  knocked  down  with  the  i)adille.  In  this  manner  from  twenty 
to  eighty  dozen  have  been  killed  by  three  lu'groes  in  the  short  space  of  three 
hours, 

T''his  lirflK  is  freciiiently  met  with  at  sea  b(>tween  our  shores  and  the  West  India 
Islands.     Mr.  Lewis,  in  the  "American  Sportsnum,"  refers  to  a  living  example  taken 


fr-  [I 


!     f 


i\ 


1.* 


■;!',» 


mw 


\m 


374 


ALECTORIDES. 


on  the  ship  " Michaol  Annelo,"  duiiiij,'  a  voyngc  from  Liverpool,  in  May,  1851.     Tlii' 
nearest  land  was  Cape  !Sal)l(',  thvcf  hundred  miles  distant. 

The  sensiti.cness  of  tliis  bird  to  cold,  and  its  immediate  departure  iij)(»n  the  tirst 
severe  frost,  render  its  niovemeuts  variable,  and  dependent  on  the  season.  It  usiiidl\ 
leaves  the  Middle  States  in  October,  but  in  favorable  seasons  remains  m\ieh  latei'. 
In  184()  the  fall  was  a  remarkably  mihl  one,  and  the  Soras  eontinued  abundant  f>ii 
the  Delaware  Hiver  until  tlie  last  of  Novend)er. 

Captain  Uendire  mentions  this  bird  as  being  present  in  Eastern  Oregon  during  llic 
breeding-season;  but  how  abundantly  he  was  not  able  to  ascertain.  He  only  iint 
with  it  on  four  occasions.  .Mr.  tJosse  informs  me  that  it  breeds  in  great  nunibeis  in 
the  wet  marslu'S  of  Wisconsin,  that  its  nest  is  constructed  of  dry  grasses,  and  tliat 
this  is  sometimes  jtartly  arched  over,  but  more  frequently  under  broken-down  grasses 
or  weeds.  The  eggs  —  as  he  states  —  are  seven  or  eight  in  number,  and  occasionally 
even  more.  A  nest  found  in  Lynn.  Mass.,  by  !Mr.  ^loon,  contained  lune  egg.s.  and  tliis 
is  said  to  be  the  common  numlu'r. 

Mr.  E.  AV.  Nelson,  Avho  earefuUy  studied  the  habits  of  this  Kail  in  Xorthcni 
Illinois,  gives  the  1st  of  Alay  as  the  date  of  its  arrival,  and  October  as  that  of  its 
departure.  He  states  that  it  nests  along  the  borders  of  prairie  sloughs  and  marshes, 
depositing  from  eight  to  fourteen  eggs,  and  that  its  nest  may  often  be  discovered  iit 
a  distance  by  the  apjiearance  of  the  svu'rounding  grass,  the  blatles  of  which  are  in 
many  eases  interwoven  over  the  nest,  as  if  to  shield  the  bird  from  the  tierce  rays  ot 
the  sun  —  felt  on  the  marshes  with  redoubled  force.  The  nests  are  sometimes  built  on 
solitary  tussocks  growing  in  the  water,  but  their  usual  position  is  in  the  soft  dense 
grass  growing  close  to  the  edge  of  the  slough,  and  rarely  in  that  which  is  over  eiglit 
inches  high.  The  nest  is  a  thick  matted  platform  of  soft  marsh-grasses,  with  a  slight 
depression  for  the  eggs. 

In  Wilson's  day  the  history  of  this  Kail  was  very  imperfectly  known,  and  some  of 
the  information  in  regard  to  its  habits  accepted  by  him  as  true  was  without  doubt 
incorrect.  This  is  especially  the  case  in  that  which  relates  to  its  breeding,  all  ot 
which  really  had  reference  to  the  Virginia  Kail,  and  not  to  this  l)ird.  I  believe  tliat 
this  Kail  does  not  breed  anywhere  south  of  the  4l'd  ))arallel.  and  that  it  is  very 
rare  there,  excu'pt  in  the  Northwestern  States.  It  breeds  from  about  this  i)arallc]  to 
the  ()2d,  in  favorable  places,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  racitii^  coast.  The  breeding  of 
this  bird  was  not  known  to  Wilson,  Audubon,  or  Nuttall,  and  the  young  and  eggs 
referred  to  by  the  tirst  two  belong  to  another  sjiecies ;  Dr.  r>achman's  notice  of  a 
nest  found  on  the  Hudson  has  reference,  however,  to  this  bird. 

The  Sora  breeds  in  fresh-water  marshes,  on  small  dry  or  elevated  tussocks,  and 
in  the  middle  of  tufts  of  coarse  herbage.  Its  nest  is  usually  a  mere  collection  of 
decayed  rushes  and  coarse  grass  loosely  aggregated,  and  not  admitting  of  removal  as 
a  nest.  The  eggs  are  from  seven  to  twelve  in  number.  Instead  of  the  creamy-white 
ground  of  the  Virginia  Rail,  this  egg  has  one  of  a  light  dralwolor.  The  marking's 
are  spots  of  a  roundish  shape,  and  are  all  of  a  uniform  dark  rufous  tint.  The  form 
of  the  egg  is  also  quite  different,  it  being  oblong  oval,  ecpial  at  either  end,  and  <linci- 
ing  from  that  oi  Halhis  virgin lanus  in  all  respects,  and  in  so  marked  a  manner  as  to 
l)e  at  once  distinguishable  from  it.  No.  5,%,  from  Concord,  Mass.,  measures  1.38  by 
.88  inches,  and  is  remarkably  oblong.  Two  eggs  (No.  1272)  obtained  by  Mr.  Goss  in 
Minnesota  are  much  more  rounded,  and  have  the  larger  end  more  obtuse.  Thesis 
measure,  one  1.18  by  .90  inches,  the  other  1.15  by  .91  inches. 


RALLID.E  —  THE  KAILS  —  PORZANA. 


375 


)1.     Th.' 

the  livst 
t  usually 
ich  lali'v. 
ndant  on 

uviug  tlic 
only  nil  I 
lUulit'i's  ill 
,  and  tlial 
>-n  grasses 
casionally 
<,  and  tliis 

Nortlit'vn 
;hat  of  its 
il  nnuslics. 
leovPiH'd  lit 
I  ich  avf  iu 
vpo  rays  i>t' 
les  built  I  111 

soft  dense 
;  over  t'iiiht 
itli  a  slight 

,nd  some  of 
lout  doulit 
ing.  all  of 
liove  that 
it  is  very 
parallel  to 
n-eeding  of 
and  eggs 

notice  of  a 

^socks,  and 
dlection  of 
removal  as 
eamy-whito 
e  markings 
The  i'oni> 
and  diftVv- 
annev  as  to 
res  1.38  hy 
ilr.  Goss  in 
ise.     These 


Porzana  noveboracensis. 

THE    LITTLE    YELLOW    BAIL. 

Fitlicn  noveboracensis,  Umkl.  S,  N.  I.  ii.  178!!,  7ul. 

Urli/joinclra  nuvebunicciinin,  Siki'iikns,  Sliaw's  (Ifii.  Zuol.  XII.  1S'21,  22'J.  —  AUD.  Syiiop.  1839,  "JIS  ; 

15.  Am.  V.  1S42,  15-.',  \<l  307. 
J!iillu.i  niivcbomeciisis,    Honai'.  .Sjicir.  t'diiii).   1S-J7,  -IVl  ;  Am.  Oin.  IV,  183'J,  13t),  jil. '27,  lig.  2. — 

NUTT.  Mau.  II.  1834,  215.  —  S\v.  &  Uku.  V.  I!.  A.  II.  1831,  4U2.  —  Aii>.  Oiii.  IJiu;,'.  IV.  1838, 

251,  pi.  329. 
Punana  7iovebori(irusln,  C.v.ss.  in  liainl's   ii.  N.  Am.  18')8,  750.  —  liAiiin,  <'iit.  N.  .\m.   U.  185!),  no. 

557. —  <  ones,  Kry,  1872,  274  ;  <  heik  List,  187;!,  no.  40'J  ;  2d  cd.  1SS2,  no.  (JSO  ;  Birds  N.  W. 

1874,  53!t.  —  liiniiw.  Xoni.  N.  Am.  Ii.  I8bl,  no.  575. 
I'tnlu  JIuilsuniat,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  II.  17!»U,  C55. 

Jldllus  I'lijicullis,  VlKII.l,.  Noiiv.  Diet.  X.WIII.  ISl'J,  .550;  (!id.  Ois.  1834,  108,  pi.  260. 
"  Pdrzitiia jamaiceim'ii  (')"  (fiioi),  1>iim;\v.  Oiii.  4atli  I'ur.  Kxp.  1877,  til3  (XeViida  and  Utah).' 

IIau.  Eusterii  Xortli  America,  north  to  Hudson's  Hay,  and  Nova  Scotia,  west  to  Utah  and 
XuvaiUi.     No  e.\traliinital  record  except  Ciilia  and  the  Bermudas. 

Si>.  Chak.  Adult :  Vullowisli  oduaceiiiis,  very  glos.sy  ul)ove,  where  broadly  stri])ed  with  black, 
tliu  lilack  intursectud  by  narrow  bars  of  wjiiti'  :  belly  whitish  ;  Hanks  dusky,  narrowly  barred  with 


wiiite  ,  crissum  light  cimiamon  ;  axillars,  lining  of  wing,  and  exposed  portion  of  secondaries,  white. 
'•  I'.iU  greenish  black,  with  the  base  dull  yellowisli  oiange ;  iris  hazel  ;  feet  and  claws  light  flesh- 
cnjoi"  (Aluuhon).  Total  length,  about  ().(M)  inches  ;  wing,  3.00-3.50  ;  culmen,  .50-.55  ;  tarsus, 
.!)U-l,00  ;  middle  toe,  .90. 

Tlure  is  a  considerable  range  of  indiviilual  vaiiation,  both  in  size  and  markings,  even  among 
spciiniens  from  tlie  sane'  locality. 

The  specific  habits  and  distribution  of  this  bird  are  imperfectly  known.  It  has 
bei'U  found  in  various  localities  along  the  Atlantic  coast  as  far  to  the  eastward  as 
New  IJrnnswick,  it  is  known  to  breed  iu  Xorthern  Illinois,  wliere  its  nests  and  eggs 
luive  been  taken,  and  it  also  occurs  (Ui  the  I'acitic  coast,  probably  in  at  least  e(pial 
abundance.  As  it  is  also  found  in  Southwestern  l'e.\as.  we  naturally  infer  that  it 
has  a  very  general  distribution  over  the  entire  Tnited  States,  from  the  Gulf  shore  to 
Canada,  and  probably  farther  north,  and  from  the  eastern  to  the  western  coasts. 
Tliat  it  is  anywhere  abuiulant  cannot  bi'  jiositively  stated,  although  it  might  be  so, 
siiuc  its  small  size  and  skulking  habits  might  prevent  its  being  seen,  even  when 
lavseiit  in  considerable  numbers. 

Mr.  Dresser  M'as  informed  by  Dr.  Heennann  that  this  bird  is  not  uncommon  at 
iliteheU's  Lake,  near  Sail  Antonio.     As  when  the  forunn'  visited  that  locality  the 

'  Till!  small  Hail  ivfcnvd,  with  j^rcat  licsitatioii,  by  Mr.  Kidgway  to  P.  Jtvnaiceiisis,  in  his  "Ornithol- 
ogy of  tlie  Fortieth  Parallel,"  \i.  613,  was  undoubtedly  this  sju'cies,  which  is  the  only  quo  showing  white 
iildiiL,'  the  hinder  margin  of  the  wins  —  a  peculiarity  noted  in  the  birds  observed.  The  apparently 
"blickish  color"  was  due  to  imperfect  opportunity  of  observation. 


t 


T^ 


^•T^^W'^',  ■■  :- 


■y!(5 


t     i 


11 1 


m 


\m. 


I 


1 


I*  <  ■ 
m 


lijfl 


376 


ALECTORIDES. 


liikc  \v;is  nearly  dried  up.  ho  did  not  succeed  in  findiuf,'  it,  althout;]i  told  !)y  hunters 
who  resort  then;  tiiat  at  sonic  seasons  it  is  quite  al)undant.  Mr.  iJoardman  inl'ornis 
me  that  this  Ifail  occasioniiiiy  occurs  in  the  nci,nlii)(U'h(j(id  of  Calais,  ami  that  oni' 
specimen  was  received  l)y  iiim  wliicii  liad  Ih'cu  talvcn  in  the  I>ay  ol'  Fnndy.  He 
rejjardd  its  appearance  in  tliat  section  ol'  tlie  country  as  being  a  rather  uncommoii 
occurrence.  It  is  not  known  to  breed  tiu're,  and  its  presence  has  oidy  been  noticed 
in  the  fall.  It  is  occasionally  luiticed  also  in  ^Massachusetts.  A  single  specimen 
Avas  taken  in  Newton  by  Mr.  Maynard.  Sei)t.  <S,  18li8,  in  a  dry  and  ojien  field;  ami 
I  am  infornu'd  by  Mr.  I'urdie  that  another  was  procured  in  the  marshes  ol' Canton, 
Mass.,  Oct.  ir..  1.S71.'. 

.Mr.  (Jirauil  was  of  o])inion,  that  although  the  i'ellow-brea.sted  J{ail  is  selilom 
met  with  on  Long  Island,  it  is  far  from  being  so  rare  in  that  locality  as  has  been  .sii]i- 
posed.  Its  hal)it  of  skulking  among  the  tall  grass  and  reeds  whicli  overgrow  certain 
wet  and  seldom-fre([nented  marslies,  as  well  as  its  unwillingness  to  take  wing, 
explain  its  sup])oscd  scarcity  when  actmdly  jjresent  in  abundance. 

llichardson,  although  lie  did  not  meet  with  it  in  the  Arctii'  Region  himself,  ami 
could  not  learn  any  particulars  in  regard  to  its  habits  or  the  extent  of  its  migrations, 
(luotes  from  the  manuscrijit  notes  of  Ilutchins  a  notit.'c  of  it,  written  in  1777,  men- 
tioning it  as  an  inhabitant  of  the  nnirshes  on  the  coast  of  Uud.son's  liay,  near  the 
efflux  of  the  Iiiver  Severn,  from  the  nn(hlle  of  .May  to  the  end  of  Septendier.  It 
never  flies,  he  adds,  altove  sixty  yards  at  a  time,  but  runs  with  great  rapidity  among 
the  long  grass  near  the  .shores.  In  the  morning  and  evening  it  utters  a  note  wliirli 
resembles  the  striking  together  of  a  Hint  and  steel.  At  other  times  it  makes  a  shriek- 
ing noise.  He  also  adds  —  l)ut  in  this  he  is  evidently  misinfornuid  —  that  it  builds 
no  nest,  dcjiositing  sixteen  /ifrfni/i/  icliltc  rj/i/.s  among  the  glass.  Its  eggs  nvc  known 
not  to  be  white,  and  in  Illinois  its  nest  resembles  the  ordinary  loosely  constructed 
one  of  this  family. 

Dr.  CtHijier  writes  that  he  is  indtdited  to  Mr.  Mathew.son  for  authority  to  add  tins 
species  to  the  fauna  of  the  Pacific  coast.  The  latter  obtained  several  sjiecimens  oi'  it 
at  Martinez  in  autiimn,  and  afterward  other  oliscrvers  met  with  it  in  the  winter. 
It  seemed  to  lie  not  uncommon  there,  and  to  be  a  resident  s])eci(?s. 

The  Trince  of  Musignano  iditaincd  a  specimen  of  this  bird  in  the  New  "^'evk 
market,  in  February.  ISlJO.  and  regardeil  it  as  an  Arctic  species.  This  opinion  .Mr. 
Audul)on  was  not  iiadined  to  accejit,  stating  it  to  be  a  constant  resident  of  Florida. 
as  well  as  of  the  lowt-r  portion  of  Louisiana,  where  he  has  found  it  at  all  .seasons; 
.and  he  regarded  its  presence  in  midwinter  near  New  York  as  accidental.  Jn  tlic 
neighborhood  of  New  f)ileans  it  is  said  to  l)e  common  in  all  the  deserted  savaniiiis 
covered  with  tldck.  lons''  grass,  among  pools  of  sjiallow  water.  There  its  sharp  and 
(iurious  notes  were  he;ir<l  many  times  in  the  course  of  the  day.  These;  sounds  conic 
uiion  the  ear  so  as  to  induce  the  listener  to  iKdicve  the  bird  to  be  nui(di  nearer  than 
it  really  is.  In  Fhu'ida  Audulion  found  this  s])ecies  even  more  abundant  than  it  was 
in  Louisiana,  and  he  met  with  it  both  on  the  niidnland  and  on  several  of  the  Keys  — 
where,  as  he  .states,  it  begins  to  breed  in  .Marcdi.  In  the  neighborhood  of  Xew  <  >i- 
leans  it  is  said  to  breed  at  the  same  ])eriod.  T)v.  P)ac,liman  has  found  this  bird  mar 
Charleston,  >S.  C. ;  and  ]\Ir.  .\uduboii  met  with  it  near  \'incennes,  on  the  Wabash,  in 
summ(>r,  where  it  had  yoniv ,  'iroods.  At  Silver  Springs,  in  East  Florida,  the  latter 
had  a  good  oiiportunity  of  observing  the  habits  of  this  Kail,  along  the  .'uargins  of 
lakes  and  swampy  bayous.  He  noticed  that  it  followed  the  nuxrgins  of  the  muddy 
shores  Avith  nu-asured  ste])s,  until,  attracted  by  some  object,  it  would  suddenly 
jerk  its  tail  upward  ;ind  disappear  for  the  moment.     It  was  so  unsuspicious,  that  at 


RALLIDvE  —  THK  RAILS  —  PORZANA. 


377 


times  he  could  iipproaeli  it  within  a  few  yards,  when  it  woidd  only  rise  more  erect,  gaze 
at  him  for  a  uujmeiit,  and  then  resume  its  oeeujjation.  lie  was  told  that  the  best  way 
til  ol)tain  a  shot  at  tliis  l)iril  is  to  lie  coueealeil  near  an  ojiening,  and  (!all  it  out  of  cover 
liv  imitating  its  notes  ;  when,  being  very  pugnacious,  it  comes  to  the  open  s]iaee  and  is 
easily  shot.  Its  Hesli  is  said  t(j  lie  delicate  and  savory,  its  Hight  is  described  as  being 
swift,  and  more  protracteil  tliau  that  of  most  of  the  Kails. 

Mr.  Audid)on  describes  tiie  nest  of  this  bird  as  being  similar  to  that  of  llalhis 
i/i'ijuns  ;  but  as  he  mentions  that  tiio  eggs  an;  white,  and  that  the  nt  st  resembles  that 
of  the  Common  (^hiail,  we  cannot  receive  his  account  as  altogether  reliable. 

Dr.  James  Trudeau,  as  ([uoted  by  ^fr.  Audubon,  states  that  this  Kail  winters  in 
till'  Southern  States,  arriving  in  Louisiana  about  the  eud  of  October  or  the  beginning 
of  Novend)er,  and  that  it  is  common  in  marsluts  in  the  vicinity  of  woods.  It  is  with 
(lilficidty  forc'cd  to  fly,  and  even  when  ]Mirsued  by  a  dog  it  will  only  rise  when  ai)par- 
ciitly  just  on  the  point  of  being  caught.  Sonu'  of  this  species  nest  in  Louisiana; 
others  migrate*  northward  about  the  beginning  of  March.  Dr.  Tnidcau  has  seen  them 
ill  Salem,  X.  J.,  about  tlie  end  of  Ajiril,  a  few  remaining  there. 

^Ir.  Xuttall  mentions  that  in  the  nu-adows  of  AVest  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and  in 
(itiicr  w(*t  marsh-lands  rartdy  visittnl  by  man,  lu*  has  occasionally  nu't  with  this  bird. 
One  was  brought  to  him  hite  in  autumn  that  had  been  surprised  while  feeding  on 
insects  by  the  margin  of  a  small  pool  overgrown  with  the  leaves  of  the  water-lily  ; 
without  attempting  either  to  swim  or  to  fly,  it  darted  nimbly  over  the  floating  leaves. 
W'iien  wounih'd  it  can  swim  and  dive  witli  great  skill.  "Sir.  Ives  informed  Mr.  Xuttall 
tliat  it  is  frequently  nu't  with,  in  the  fall,  in  the  marshes  in  the  vicinity  of  .Salem, 
Mass.  Mr.  X'uttall  also  mentions  that,  having  spent  the  night  of  Oct.  (!.  l.S.'Jl,  in  a 
lodge  on  the  borders  of  I'resh  Pond,  he  heard,  about  sunrise,  the  i'ellow-ljreasted 
Kails  begin  to  stir  among  the  reeds.  As  soon  as  awake,  they  called  out,  in  an  abrupt 
and  cackling  cry,  h-rik-Icrel;  kreh,  kre/:,  ktik  Ic'kh.  This  note,  apiiarently  from  young 
birds,  was  answered  in  a  lower  and  soothing  tone.  These  uncouth  and  guttural  notes 
resembled  in  sound  the  croaking  of  the  tree-frog.  These  birds  were  2'i'<'hably  a 
migrating  brood  from  the  north.  I>y  the  first  of  X'ovember  this  ea"kliug  ceases,  and 
ill  all  probability  the  whole  liave  jiassed  fartlier  south. 

Three  eggs  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection  (\o.  "OoT).  from  Winnebago,  in  X'orth- 
crii  Illinois,  measure  respectively,  l.OS  inches  by  .80,  1.12  l)y  .S2,  1.12  l)y  .80.  They 
aic  of  oval  shape,  one  end  slightly  more  tapering  than  the  other.  Their  ground-(!olor 
is  a  very  deep  buff,  and  one  set  of  markings  —  which  are  almost  entirely  confined  to 
tlie  larger  end — consists  of  Idotehes  of  pale  diluted  jmrplish  brown;  these  are  over- 
lain liy  a  dense  sprinkling  of  tine  dottings  of  a  rusty  lirown. 


Porzana  jamaicensis. 

THE   LITTLE   BLACK   BAIL. 

a.  jamaicensis. 

Rail ns  jamaicensis,  Gmei,.  .S.  N.  I.  ii.  17S8,  718  -  Am.  Om.  Bio;;.  IV.  1838,  S.'JO,  pi.  349. 
Ortiiijomdra  jumuiccHsis,  "  .Sria'UKS's,  .Sliaw's  (Icii.  Zool."  —  Am.  Synoii.   1839,  214;  Ii.  Am.  V. 

1842,  157,  1)1.  308. 
Pui-Miui  Jaiwdcaisis,  ('.\ss.  in  liniiil's  15.  X.  .\iii.  IS.'iS,  749.  —  RaiiM),  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  18.59,  no.  556. 

—  Coi;i;s,  Key,  1872,  247  ;  C'lierk  I,ist,  1873,  no.  470  ;  2a  (.-d.  1882,  no.  flSl  ;  Birds  N.  \V.  1874, 

539.  —  ItiiKiw.  Xoni.  X.  Am.  B.  18S1,  no.  576. 
Cre,cj)i/gma:ii,  Black wia.L,  Bivw.sti'i's  .(oui-.  VI.  1832,  77. 
Orlij(jometm  chilnisis,  Boxap.  Coiniit.  HiMid.  .XI, III.  599. 
ItiiHus  salinusi,  PrriLiri'i,  Wiogm.  Ardiiv,  1867,  262. 
•'  Oallinula  salinasi,  PlilL.  Cut.  1869,  38." 
VOL.  I.  —  48 


I  \ 


m 


I  ) 


378 


ALECTORIDKH. 


h.   coturniculuB.  —  FABALLON  BAIL. 


['iirzanaJamaicni/iiSfVar.culunticuliis,  "  lUiiiD  MS."  —  liiuiiw.  Am.  Nat.  VIII.  Fi-b.  1874,  111. 
ruruoiajamakciisis,  h.  eutuniicii/iin,  Col'K.s,  liilils  N,  W.  \SH,  u4(). 

PomiHu  jtuiKiiecii.si.i  cultiniiculus,  liiixiW.  I'loc.  U.  S.  Nut.  Mils.  Vol.  3,  1881,  202,  222;  Num.  N. 
Am.  I!.  1881,  no.  57ti  '/.  —  I'm  i.s,  (■hetk  List,  2(1  nl.  1SS2,  no.  tJ82. 

Had.  Tcniiic'iiitc  North  America,  north  to  MassiiclmsL'tt.-<,  Noitheni  Illinois  (hivciliii;;),  Kaii- 
•sas,  ()ri'i,'on,  and  Caliloriiia  ;  tiouth  thi'ou;,'h  Wi'sU'iii  South  America  to  C'iiili  ;  ('iiha  ;  .Jamaica  ; 
liermiidas.     Tlie  race  cotunticiilun  coiidned  to  the  Farallon  Islands,  Caliloriiia. 

Sr.  Cii.vn.  .Smaller  than  P.  twiubontcciisis,  and  tiie  smallest  of  North  American  Ittilliil'i. 
Adult  :  Head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  dark  iiliimheoiis  or  slate-color,  darkest,  and  olten  nearly  Mack. 


P,  janmiccnsis. 

on  the  pileum  ;  abdomen  and  crisstim  bro\vni»ii  black,  marked  with  transverse  bni-s  of  white  ;  iiajic 
.and  back  dark  chestnut  or  reddisli  sepia-brown,  the  other  upper  parts  brownish  black,  witli  sinali 
dot.s  and  irref,'ular  transverse  bars  of  white  ;  piimaries  immaculate  dusky,  or  with  small  spiit>  df 
white.  Yiiumj  :  Similar,  but  lower  ])aifs  dull  asjiy,  the  throat  inclining,' to  white,  and  thecinun 
tinged  with  reddish  brown.     Doinui  iiomiii :  "  l']iitirely  bluish  black"  (Cassin).     Bill  black  :  \n< 


P.  jantakensis  cotiirnkulus. 


inm 


red;  "feet  bright  yellowish  ffiveii "  (Audi'Uon  i).     Totid  len>;th,  about  5.00  inches  ;  win^,' r^riii- 
S.^O;  culmen,  .50-.G()  ;  tarsus,  .8r)-.90  ;  middle  toe,  .S()-l.()(». 

Several  Cliilian  s])eciniens  in  the  collection  of  the  V.  S.  National  ^Museum  appear  to  be  e.\;ully 
like  specimens  from  the  United  States.  A  fine  adult  from  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  in  ^Ir.  Hensliaw's 
collection,  also  agrees  minutely  with  eastern  specimens  and  those  from  Chili,  mentioned  above  ; 
but  one  (No.  12802)  from  the  Farallon  Islands,  olf  the  coast  of  California,  differs  in  so  many  ]iar- 
ticulars  that  Professor  Baird  has  described  it  as  a  distinct  local  race  (P.  cntimnculus),  witii  I  lie 
following  distinctive  characters  :  Back  without  white  specks  ;  depth  of  bill  .1.5  of  an  inch,  iiistra.l 
of  .2()-.2."),  the  culmen  being  as  long  as  the  maximum  in  true  1'.  jmiudcevsis.  The  general  size  is 
also  smaller. 


So  far  as  we  are  informed,  this  species  —  the  smallest  of  our  Xortli  Ameriiaii 
Rails  —  is  of  infrequent  occurrence  on  the  Atlantic  cocast.  Tt  is  known  to  occur  froin 
the  Delaware  marshes  about  Philadelphia  southward ;  and  is  said  to  be  more  comiiiou 

'  In  an  ndiilt  male,  killed  Jinie  6,  1879,  near  W.nshington,  D.  C,  the  fresh  colors  nf  the  "soft  parts" 
were  ns  follows  :  Bill  entirely  deep  black  ;  iris  bright  liiick-rcd  ;  legs  and  feet  brown,  much  the  same  ('(lnv 
as  the  wing-coverts. 


RALLID.K  —  THE  RAILS  —  I'ORZAXA. 


379 


in  the  West  India  Islands  than  with  us.  Its  st'cictivc  habits  and  its  cxtrcnu'ly  small 
size  favor  its  concealment,  and  explain  its  .'i])pai'ently  great  rarity,  without  necessa- 
lily  prcsuuiiui,'  it  to  he  very  uncoinnion.  since  it  may  exist  aiuindautly  without  its 
]ircsence  being  kn;)wn  or  suspected,  it  has  been  i'ound  liy  Mr.  Krider  breeding  al)out 
I'luladelphia,  and  its  eggs  have  been  obtained.  It  is  given  by  Dr.  (iuudlach  as  a  i)ird 
iilCuba,  Imt  without  positive  knowledge  as  to  its  l)reeding  on  tliat  island.  Mr.  Gosse 
states  that  a  sjx'cinu'n  of  this  s|)ecies  was  iirouglit  to  him  in  .(amaica  in  April  alive 
and  unhurt.  It  lived  in  a  cage  two  days,  but  scarccdy  ate  anytiiing.  Aitliough  once 
(ir  twice  observed  to  pick  in  tlie  nuul.  in  general  it  would  not  even  w;dk  upon  it.  It 
was  not  at  all  timid;  its  nu)tions  were  very  deliberate,  it  slowly  raised  its  large 
IVet,  and  then  set  them  down  without  making  even  a  stej).  Its  neck  \vas  usually 
drawn  in  short;  and  then  it  presented  very  litHc  of  the  ajjpearance  of  a  Rail,  but 
rather  that  of  a  Tassenne  bird.  Wlu-n  it  w.'dked,  its  neck  was  more  or  less  extended 
iiorizontally,  although  it  occasionally  lu'idled  ujt.  AVhen  standing  still,  the  throat  was 
(iltcn  ill  sliglit  vibration;  l)ut  there  was  no  Hirting  or  erection  of  the  tail.  Mr.  (Josse 
iiu't  with  these  birds  on  three  other  occasions.  In  the  latter  part  of  August,  in  the 
morasses  of  Sweet  Jviver,  several  of  them  Hew  out  from  the  low  rushes  at  his  feet, 
and  fluttering  along  for  a  few  yards  with  a  very  labored  flight,  drojjped  into  the 
dense  rush  again.  In  the  manner  of  its  flight,  and  in  its  flgure,  this  bird  greatly 
resembled  a  chicken.  It  flies,  with  its  legs  hanging  inertly  (h)wn,  with  feeble  and 
laborious  motion,  from  one  tuft  of  herbage  to  another,  whence  it  will  not  emerge  until 
ahnost  trodden  on.  Mr.  CJosse  heard  it  utter  no  sound  ;  but  Iioliiiisoii,  cpioted  by  Mr. 
(Josse,  in  describing  two  of  these  l)ir(ls  brought  to  him  in  October,  17G0,  says  their 
cry  was  very  low,  resembling  that  of  a  foot  at  a  distiMM-c.  Jle  noticed  also  their 
peculiar  flight  and  their  mode  of  srpiatting.  Several,  Robinson  adds,  were  killed 
accidentally  by  the  negroes  at  work,  as  the  bird  is  so  foolish  as  to  hide  its  head,  cock 
up  its  rump,  and  think  itself  safe.  It  is  then  easily  taken  alive.  The  negroes  in 
Clarendon  call  it  the  "Cacky-(|uaw."  from  its  cry.  It  is  also,  for  the  same  reason, 
called  the  "Kitty -go"  and  the  ",T(^'iiny-ho ''  in  Westmondand.  This  cry,  instead  of 
being  limited  to  three  syllables,  is  said  by  Mr.  Mandi  to  be  like  rhi-chi-cro-croo-nvo, 
sevi'ral  tinu's  rejjeated  in  sharp,  high-toned  notes,  so  as  to  be  audible  to  a  considerable 
distance. 

A  single  example,  agreeing  in  all  resjiects  with  others  from  Jamaica,  i,s  stated  by 
^fr.  Salvin  to  have  been  shot  by  Mr.  Fraser  near  the  Lake  of  Duenas,  in  Guatemala. 
It  is  also  known  to  occur  in  South  America  as  far  south  as  Chili, 

Mr.  Titian  R.  I'eale  informed  Audubon  that,  in  duly,  IS,'!!),  he  received  from  Dr. 
Thomas  Rowan  an  adult  and  four  of  its  young  alive,  obtained  near  I'hilathdiihia. 
Tlie  young  died  soon  after  they  were  received,  but  the  old  bird  lived  four  days.  They 
fed  sparingly  upon  Indian  meal  and  water,  and  soon  ai)peared  at  home.  The  old 
bird  proved  to  be  a  male  —  rendering  it  rather  remarkable  that  he  should  have  allowed 
liiiuself  to  be  taken  by  hand  in  trying  to  defend  his  young  brood.  ]Mr.  I'eale  had  in 
liis  museum  another  specimen,  taken  many  years  before,  caught  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Kowan,  sujjposing  the  old  bird  was  a  female,  wrote  to  !Mr. 
I'eale  :  ♦•  The  hen  flew  a  few  rods,  and  then  flew  back  to  her  young  in  an  instant,  when 
tiiey  caught  h(>r,  together  with  her  four  young  ones.''  He  adds  that  he  has  seen  the 
s;iiue  bird  in  his  meadow  every  month  of  the  year,  and  thinks  that  it  is  resident,  and 
ddcs  not  migrate  to  the  south. 

Captain  Charles  TJendire  writes  me  that  he  observed  this  Kail,  in  April,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Lake  Malheur,  in  Southeastern  Oregon ;  and  he  states  later  that  he  has 
ag;un  met  with  it,  and  that  it  \inquestionably  breeds  there. 


■  I 


iilia 


iilllKa;! 


380 


ALKCTORIDKS. 


It  has  also  beon  taken  in  the  HtTiuudas.  Major  Woddprbuni  met  with  it  in  the 
rciubroki!  Marsh,  ^'ov.  19,  1847.  Ik'  saw  aiiotiuT  in  the  sanit;  piiict-,  in  Uctober,  t\u- 
lullowinj,'  yi'ar;  a  third  soon  alter  at  the  Shiici-  J'onds ;  and  Mi:  llurdis  i)rociircil 
OUL",  Nov.  1(»,  l.Sili,  also  at  I'cniltrokt'  Marsh. 

It  has  only  recently  been  credited  with  a  New  England  residence.  Mr. .).][.  IJatty 
informs  nu'  that  he  has  taken  it  in  Connecticnt.  ile  says:  "1  have  never  taken  but 
two  of  this  species.  I  shot  them  both  in  a  I'resh-water  marsh,  several  years  ago,  at 
Ilazardville.  ("onn.  I  had  never  observed  them  before  that  tinn-.  nor  have  I  met 
with  them  since.  They  were  breeding,  as  1  saw  .several  of  their  yonng,  and  caught  one 
of  them,  which  I  examined  and  let  go  again.  This' was  in  the  latter  part  of  .Jnnc." 
It  has  since  been  recorded  by  Mr.  11.  A.  J'ludie  as  taken  at  Saybrook,  Conn.,  on  tii- 
anthority  of  Mr.  .1.  II.  Clark,  who  wrote  hi.a  that  a  neighbor  of  his,  while  mowing  at 
that  ])lace.  Jnly  lO,  liSTC),  swung  his  scythe  Mver  a  nest  of  ten  eggs  on  which  the  binl 
was  sitting,  cutting  off  the  bird's  head  and  br.'aking  all  but  foni-  of  the  eggs.  It  has 
also  recently  been  reetirded  from  Clark's  Island,  I'lynunith  Harbor,  Mass.,  where  a 
specimen  was  obtained  in  Angnst,  iSIJi*. 

Mr.  Nelson  ud'ers  to  the  Little  lUack  Kail  as  a  species  of  not  very  rare  occurrenco 
in  Northern  Illinois,  wla'i'e  it  breeds.  During  the  spring  of  1875  he  nu't  with  tiini' 
specimens  in  the  Calinnet  marshes;  the  first  was  sei-n  early  in  ^lay.  In  the  saiac 
season,  on  the  iDth  of  June.  Mr.  Nelson  states  that  .Mr.  Frank  De  Witt,  while  collect- 
ing with  him  near  the  Calumet  IJiver,  was  so  fortunate  as  to  discover  a  nest  of  this 
si)eeies  that  contained  ten  freshly  laid  eggs.  The  nest  had  been  constrncted  in  a  deep 
cni)-shaped  depressicm  in  a  perfectly  ojten  situation  on  the  border  of  a  marshy  spot. 
and  its  only  eonceahnent  was  that  furnished  by  a  few  straggling  ('nrlrcs.  It  was  com- 
l)osed  of  soft  grass-blades,  loustdy  inti'rwoven  in  a  rounded  shajic.  The  nest,  in  its 
form  and  manner  of  construction,  was  similar  to  that  of  a  .Meadow-lark.  Mr.  Nelson 
describes  it  as  having  an  inside  dejjth  of  1^.50  imdies ;  inside  diameter.  .'I.L'o;  outsiilc 
depth,  3.50 ;  outside  diameter,  4.50.  The  eggs  are  saiil  to  be  of  a  creamy  white. 
and  to  aver.age  1.00  inch  by  .81,  being  of  a  lu'arly  jterfect  oval,  and  thinly  sprinkled 
with  tine  reddish-brown  dot.s,  which  becomi'  larger  and  more  nunu'rons  toward  the 
larger  end.  Minute  shell-markings  in  the  form  of  dots  were  also  visible.  I'robably 
in  consetpu'uce  of  the  small  size  of  the  depression  in  which  the  nest  was  inclosed,  tlic 
eggs  were  in  two  layers. 

Mr.  Henshaw  states  that  this  Kail  a])iiears  to  be  as  numerous  in  California  as  in 
anj'  other  i)art  of  its  habitat.  I'rom  information  given  by  ]\Ir.  (jnd)er,  he  judges  it 
to  be  rather  (common  in  the  extensive  tide  swani])s  of  that  State.  It  has  also  liem 
found  by  Mr.  (Jruher  on  the  Farallon  Islands.  Its  small  size  and  skulking  habits,  as 
well  as  the  nature  of  its  swampy  retreat,  render  the  ])rocuring  of  specimens  dittieult. 
Mr.  Mathewson  informed  Dr.  Cooper  that  he  has  frecpiently  obtained  it  at  Martinez 
in  the  fall  and  in  winter. 

Dr.  James  Trndeau  informed  Mr.  Audidwn  that  this  species  arrives  in  Louisiana, 
in  company  with  the  Yellow-breasted  Rail,  about  the  end  of  October,  and  is  very 
common  in  marshes  in  the  vicinity  of  woods.  It  migrates  northward  in  the  begin- 
ning of  March,  and  a  great  luimber  of  this  species  are  said  to  breed  in  the  vicinity 
of  Salem,  N.  J. 

An  egg  in  my  collection,  obtained  by  Mr.  Ashmead  in  the  neighborhood  of  riiilu- 
delphia,  and  given  me  by  Mr.  Cassin  (No.  5G4),  has  a  ground-color  of  a  light  cream 
or  creamy  white,  over  which  are  generally  distributed  fine  markings  or  minute  specks 
of  a  brownish  red  ;  these  are  most  numerous  at  the  larger  end.  The  Qg^  is  oval  in 
shape,  is  tapering  at  one  end,  and  measures  1.00  inch  in  length  by  .75  in  breadth. 


il 


H 


RALLID.E  —  THE  RA1L8  — CREX 


381 


Genus   CREZ,  Ukciistein. 

CrUt  Beciist.  Xatnrf;.  Dcutschl.  IV.  ISOD,  470  (type,  0.  pmknsin,  Urvust.,^  Jiallua  era;  Link.). 

Char,  Siinilur  to  I'umnin,  but  liir;,'ur  mid  nl'  stoutiT  build,  the  middle  toe  shorter  thnn  the 
'awns,  the  culmeu  scarcel,y  di'pri'ssed  in  tiie  luiddli:  puilion,  and  the  bade  ol'  the  gouy.-  Ibvming  a 
lU'cided  angle. 


0,  pratenm, 

Crez  pratensiB. 

THE  COBN-CBAKE. 

Ralhiscrcx,  Lixx.  S.  N.  od.  10,  1758,  liyi  ;  od.  12,  I.  17C6,  261.  —  Dkoi,.  Om.  Eur.  TI.  1849,  266. 

OnlUnuln  crcx.  Lath.  Ind.  Oni.  II.  1790,  766. 

C'irx  pratcnsis,  Bkch.st.  Taschenb.  Viig.  Dcutseh.  1303,  .3;$7.  —  Naum.  Vbg.  Dcutschl.  IX.  1838,  496, 

pi.  236.  —  HoNAi'.  Coiiip.  List,  1.S38,  :>:i.  —  Keys.  &  Blas.  Wirb.  Kur.  1840,  67.  —  Macgii.l. 

Man.  II.  113  ;  Hist.  Brit.  B.  IV.  1852,  527.  —  ('As.s.  Pr.  Ac.  Xat.  Sei.  Philnd.  VII.  Jan.  1855, 

265  (New  Jersey);  in  Baiid's  B.  X.  Am.  1858,  751.  — BAiitn,  Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  558. 

—  Coi-Es,  Key,  1872,  274  ;  Clieck  List,  1873,  no.  471  ;  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  683.  —  Kidgw.  Xoni. 

X.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  577. 
Crex  hcrhnrum  and  C.  allicrps,  Buehm,  Viig.  Deutsehl.  1831,  694. 
The  Land-Jiail,  Yauk.  Brit.  B.  ed.  2,  III.  92,  fig.  ;  ed.  3,  III.  107,  fig.  ;  et  AucT. 


Had.  Palcearctic  Region,  occurring  casually  or  irregularly  in  Eastern  North  America  ;  Green- 
land ;  Bermudas. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult :  Above,  grayish  brown  or  light  drab,  conspicuously  striped  with  black  ; 
wings  reddish,  with  indistinct  white  transverse  spots  on  the  larger  coverts.  Lining  of  the  wing 
and  u.\illars,  soft  cinnamon,  the  former  edged  with  white.  Head  ash-gray,  with  an  indistinct  loral 
and  postocular  narrow  stripe  of  very  pale  drab  — the  crown  like  the  back  ;  throat,  belly,  and  anal 


;■'  > 


Iv 


3S2 


ALfc;CT()|{II)KS«. 


iij 


HiKl' 


llllli^t 


iilii 


'.  :'! 


II' 


rc^'iiiii,  wliilt!  ;  loreiicck  ami  breast  pale  iliali,  liiij,'(il  with  k^' ;  nidcs  nml  ciisHHiii  lraiisvci«ilv 
liaiulcil  with  liiiiwii  ami  wliilc.  Vinnifj :  Similar,  Ijii!  willKnil  any  •^vi\\  mi  the  licail.  Iioinm 
ijiiiniij:  riiil'iirm  dark  sdciiy  lnowii,  llic  liuail  lilackisli ;  l)ill  uiiilmiu  liiisky,  or  iiait:  lii'dwiiifli  ; 
ills  lirciwii;  li'^'i  ami  l( it  " Miiisli  licsli-folor"  in  lilu  (Macuuj.ivhav),  pale  lirowiuHJi  in  drii'cl 
skins.  Tolal  Icmj,'!!!,  al.mil  lOMKi-lO.TiO  ;  extent,  17.(M>-lS.(i(t  ;  win^,  r)."lMi.O(l  ;  eulnien, .«')-.!)( i  ; 
tarsus,  l.r)0-l.(i(»  ;  niiddlc  toe,  l.;i(». 

Till"  liiiiid-lviiil,  or  ('(irn-Ci'iikr  <if  Kiimjic,  is  ;i  I'c.miial' visitiuit  in  sunimcr  ol'  (irccn 
l;iii(l,  wlR'i't'  it  lirct'ds,  iind  is  tlicuec  ii  stnij;:^drr  to  our  J']iist('rii  Athintio  cofist.  as  i'lir 
soutii  as  \a)\\>^  Island.  Its  apiicarancc  in  New  Kni^laiid,  tiuiufr'i  jirobahly  occasional, 
liu.s  lu'vcr — that  1  am  aware  —  been  actually  detected.  It  is  credited  as  occurring'  in 
JJerniuda. 

In  (Jreat  IJritain,  aeeordin;,'  to  Varrell,  it  is  a  eoinmon  sunimer  visitor,  niakinj,'  its 
a])|)carauce  in  the  southern  counties  oi'  lOnijlanil  ilurini,'  the  last  ten  days  oi'  .\pril. 
i)ut  in  V(ukshire  and  farther  north,  not  until  the  second  week  in  May.  It  usuallv 
leaves  the  IJritish  Islands  in  October,  hut  sin},de  individuals  have  been  met  with  iis 
late  as  Deci'mln'r  ami  .lanuary.  It  is  common  in  the  valleys  in  Scotland,  and  abnn 
dant  on  the  Orkney  and  Shetland  Islands.  It  visits  Denmark,  S\ve(h'n,  and  Morway. 
^'oing  as  I'ar  north  as  the  L*'aroe  Islands  and  Iceland.  It  is  abundant  over  the  entire 
European  continent,  and  has  been  binnil  in  winter  in  Asia  Minor.  It  is  mentioned 
by  Dr.  Ueintdven  among  the  birds  oi'  Madeira,  and  its  a|i|)earani'e  has  been  noted  in 
its  sjjring  migrations  in  .Malta,  Sicily,  and  .Vlgiers.  It  is  inidmh'd  among  the  birds 
of  >.'orthorn  .\sia  in  I'allas's  ••  Zoograjdiia  Hosso-Asiatiea." 

.Major  Wedderburn  states  that  on  the  L'^tli  of  Oet(d)er,  1847,  he  shot  a  singli' 
specimen  on  the  I'endiroke  ^larsh,  llermnda.  A  notice  of  this  "ran;  occurrence  " 
was  sent  at  the  time  to  the  '•  Zixdogi.st,"  1849.  and  the  sjieeimen  given  to  .Mr.  Varrell, 
from  whose  colloetion  it  jiassed  into  that  of  C(doncd  J)nimnioiul. 

In  Europe  this  species  is  said  to  fre([>u'nt  the  long  grass  of  marshy  wator-moadows 
near  rivers,  beds  of  osiers  or  reeds,  and  titdds  of  green  grain,  where  its  ])rescnce  is  in- 
dicated by  its  creaking  note;  and  hence  one  of  its  name.s,  that  of  Corn-Crake  or  Coni- 
Creak,  by  whiidi  latter  name  it  is  known  in  Ireland.  This  note  can  be  so  nearly 
imitated  by  passing  the  tlnnnb-nail  along  the  teeth  of  a  cond),  that  the  bird  can  be 
decoj'ed  within  a  very  short  distance  by  the  sound  thus  ])ro(luced.  This  call  is  tlic 
love-note  of  the  male,  and  is  continned  until  a  mate  is  found.  After  the  season 
of  incid)ation  it  is  seldom  heard.  If  ke])t  in  continement  the  Land-Hail,  besides 
this  call-note,  utters  a  low  guttural  sound  whenever  it  is  disturbed  or  sudilenly 
alarmed. 

The  food  of  the  Covn-Crake  is  said  to  consist  of  sings,  snails,  worms,  small  lizards, 
and  insects,  with  portions  of  vegetable  matter  and  a  few  seeds.  Its  nest  is  phu;ed  on 
the  ground,  and  is  formed  of  dry  jdants.  A  field  of  green  grain,  thick  grass,  or  elovci' 
is  generally  the  situation  that  is  ehosen.  The  nundii>r  of  the  eggs  is  said  to  be  from 
seven  to  ten  ;  and  these,  in  England,  are  laid  about  the  michUe  of  June.  The  youni;. 
when  first  hatched,  are  covered  with  down,  of  a  black  e(dor,  but  soon  accpiire  their 
first  feathers,  and  are  able  to  fly  in  about  six  weeks. 

It  is  related  by  Daniel  —  as  (pioted  by  Yarrell — that  in  1808  as  some  men  were 
mowing  grass,  u])(m  a  little  island  belonging  to  the  fishing  water  of  Low  Bells,  on  the 
Tweed,  they  cut  off  the  head  of  a  (Jorn-Crake  whicdi  was  sitting  on  eleven  eggs. 
About  twenty  yards  from  the  sjjot  they  found  a  Cartridge  sitting  upon  eighteen  eggs. 
The  mowers  took  the  eggs  from  the  nest  of  tin;  Corn-Crake  and  put  them  in  that  ol 
the  Partridge.  Two  days  later  she  bi'ought  out  the  entire  brood  of  twenty-nine,  all 
of  which  were  seen  running  about  the  island.     The  Partridge  took  care  of  them  all, 


RALLID.E  -  TIIH  (iALLINTLKS  —  loNOHNIS. 


383 


misvcrM'ly 

I.  IhtiVini 

lii'c>\vni.»^li : 
It  ill  (li'iid 

II,  .H")-.!)! I  ; 

of  (irci'ii- 
iHt,  as  lur 
(•('iisii)ii:il. 
•urriiit,'  ill 

iiiikiii^'  its 
ol'  April. 
It  usuiiU.v 
ot  with  lis 
and  iilmii 

I  Nor\v;iy. 
the  iMitiiv 
iiiciitioiicil 

II  noted  111 
i\w  biids 

)t  a  sin^^lf 
•cnrri'iicc" 
Iv.  VanvU, 


;iiid  was  oliscrvcd  to  gather  her  large  i'aiiiily  under  lier  wings  withont  making  any 
distinetioii  Ix'tween  them. 

In  Enghuid  many  I.and-lfails  are  shot  liy  tlie  s]iortsmeii.  and  an;  eonsiden-d  most 
delicate  as  artirles  id'  food.  This  Itird  does  not  take  wing  very  readily,  and  Hies 
slowly,  with  its  'e"s  hanging  down,  s(ddom  going  t'urtiier  than  the  nearest  phiee  of 
sli.'lter,  and  is  rarely  Hushed  a  .-.eeond  time, 

Oeeasionally,  when  e.xpo.sed  to  dang'  rs  from  wliich  it  is  nnahhi  to  eseajie,  this  liird 
will  put  on  tiie  .semlilanee  of  death,  dis.se  narrates  a  striking  instanee,  in  whieh  a 
Ciirn-Crake  had  heen  brought  to  a  gentleman  liy  his  (h)g,  to  all  appearanee  (piite  dead, 
.^itanding  l>y  in  sUeuiie,  he  suddenly  saw  it  open  an  eye.  I  let  hen  took  it  up:  its  head 
;e4,iiii  fell,  its  h'gs  dropped  loosely,  and  it  appeared  to  lie  (piite  dead,  lie  then 
pill  it  in  his  pocket,  and  liid'ore  long  he  fidt  it  strugglini,'  to  escape,  lie  took  it  out, 
:iiiil  it  was  again  as  apparently  lifeless  as  Indore.  Having  laid  it  upon  the  ground 
and  retired  to  a  distance,  the  liird  in  a  few  minutes  warily  raised  its  head,  looked 
around,  and  ran  off  at  full  speed,  .lust  li(d'ore  these  liirds  take  their  dejiartiire,  in 
the  fall,  they  congregate   tiigether  in  large  flocks. 

The  gnmnd-eolor  of  the  egg  of  this  species,  when  fresh,  is  a  pale  reddish  white, 
spotted  and  sjieckled  with  ashy  gray  and  a  pale  red-lirown.  It  measures  —  aei'ording 
to  ^'arndl — l.")!)  inches  in  length  liy  l.l.'l  inches  in  breadth.  An  egg  in  my  collection 
(No.  1;>.S'.)) — given  me  by  J)r.  Macdiman,  and  reeiiived  from  Mr.  Doubleday  —  mi'as- 
urcs  J.oO  by  l.lO  iuidies.  lieingoviil  in  sliaiie,  onP  end  decidedly  tapering.  Its  ground 
color  is  a  light  buff  with  a  slightly  reddish  shade.  Tke  markings  are  few,  si'attered. 
and  large,  nowhere  confluent,  but  larger  and  more  numerous  at  the  obtuse  end,  and  of 
;i  rich  shade  of  dark  red,  with  a  tcMidency  to  brown.  It  is,  in  miniature,  a  fac-similu 
(il  the  eggs  of  the  common  ICuropean  tiallinule  {(lnUlnala  chloropus). 


-meadows 
■nee  is  iii- 
.e  or  Corn- 
so  nearly 
rd  can  !"■ 
call  is  the 
he  season 
il.  besides 
suddenly 

ill  lizards, 
placed  on 
,  or  clover 
o  be  from 
he  young, 
uire  their 

Imen  were 
Ills,  on  the 
Iven  eggs. 
Iteen  eggs 
lin  that  ol 
jy-nine,  all 
them  all, 


Gkxis   IONORNIS,    Ivkk  in:\i!.\(ii. 

'1  rorphi/ntht,  I5i.Yiir,  Cut.  R.  Asiut.  Sor.  ]84i",  '283  (tyin',  P.  rhhimiolnn,  Blytu). 
IiKioniin,  HiacuKNU.  Sy.st.  Av.  liS.'iii,  |i.  xxi  (tyi"',  Fiiliat  iiidi'linicti,  Linn.). 


/.  1)111  I'll  iiivii. 

'  The  interrogntion-mark  hciv  implies  the  douht  existing  as  to  whether  the  Indian  bird  is  congeneric 
with  the  American  .sjieeies.  Should  such  prove  to  be  the  case,  which  we  do  not  regard  probable,  our  bird 
woulil  stand  as  Porphyrula  martinica. 


m 


I 


.f  iiiiji  I 


^iii 


384 


Al.KCTollIDI'X 


Chah.  Siinjliir  to  Gallinnln, Imt  t'oriii  iimrt!  hU-ikIii-,  iinxtrilM  hiiuiII  iiml  nviil,  iiiiil<llt>  too  mIioHi i 
tliMii  till-  tiir-'iH,  mill  the  liM'M  wiiliiiiil  ii'iK'i'  III'  lati'ial  iiiciiiliraiiL-.  CoIhik  vitv  liikiKUoinc  (iliiilly 
o|ia<(iii'  l>lu(',  |iiir|>li',  mill  ^n-rii), 

WlR'tluT  tlic  AiiU'i'iiaii  M|H'i'ii'M,  to  wliii'li  tin'  ^'I'licrii'  iiittiii-  iulo|)t('il  uIhivi'  i'*  |iro|uTly  ii)i|ilir:ili|i', 
iii'u'  coii),'i'ii('iio  willi  tlu'  Old  Wcd'lil  s|iiTii's  (/'ii/'y/Zii/c/i)  ililnriiiiiitiiii,  lii.vni,  iii'i'  \'iK.ii.i..),  wiiidi  i* 
till!  typi'  of  Ihc  ;,'ciiiin  I'lii/iliiiiuld,  lii.viii.  is  at  |iivMcul  iiiii'i'iiaiii.  I  CI'.  I).  (1.  Ki.i.Ki'i' :  "Tin' 
(ii'iiiH  l'c)i|iliyriii  ami  its  S|wiics  ;"  Nc|iaiiit<'  |>aiii|>lili'l,  I'lmii  "Stray  FcatliiTH,"  |i|i.  l-:i(»,] 

Tlioiv  arc  two  Aiiii'iiiaii  siifcii's  nl'iliiH  hlmiih,  wliiili  clitlVr  in  ilic  rulinwiii^  iiaiticiilars  :  — 

I.  martinioa.     Lower  |iai't.s  nlaly  |iui'|>li'    in  aiiiiit,  li;{lit   luill'  in  yoiiii^'.     Win^',  (I.M(|-7.:>(i 

iiiilii>;  (iiliiicii,   I. HV-I. !),");  taiMii,  J.:J(»-:i  .'<> ;    niiii<llc  loc  (willioiit    cliiw),  L'.-T)-:.'.;!."! 

Iltih.   WainuT  iMiitrt  of  Niiitli  uiiii  Suiitii  All  ciiia  ;  Wrsl  iiiilii's. 
I.  parva.'     I.dwit  parts  ]iiiii'  wliiti'  at  all  ii;,'f.H.     Win^',  .">.(M)  inilici ;  riiliiicn,  1. 2(1;  tarMii^. 

1.7');   iiiiilillt!  tue  {irith  ilaw),   li.riu.     //,th.    Noitlicrii   Soiilli   Aiiiriita   (('ayi'iiiii,'   aii'l 

Aiim/oiiK). 

lonorniB  martinica. 

THE   PURPLE   OALLINULE, 

Fiilira  mdrliiiicii,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  I'tlii,  •Jj'.i. 

Oulliiiulii  iiiiniiiiitd,  \.Aiii.  ImUhu.   II.   17!io,  7ill».  -  Ni-rr.   Man.    II.   18;i4,  'J'21.  —  Aili.  <»in. 

nio«.  IV.  1S38,  a7,  pi.  :10.1 ;  .Syiiop,  l,H!)it,  -JKi ;  11.  Am.  V.  Isp.',  128,  pi.  31)3.  —Cans,  in  Uiiir.i's 

It.  .\.  Am.  1858,  753.  —  ll.viljo.  Cat.  N.  .\m.  11.  l.sr.'.i,  no.  .''iiH. 
rur/ilii/ri'i  iiKiiiiiu'cd,  (ios.si:,   lliids  .lain.   1817,  377.    -('on:s,   Key,  18"1',  '2'tt  ;  Chnk   List,  187:!, 

no.  473. 
T(nii)i;ii.i  murtiiiicd,  liKicii.  Av.  .><yst.  18.",3,  21.  —  liiixiw.  I'roi'.  I'.  .S.  Nat.  Mim.  Vol.  3,  1881,  2o'.', 

227  ;  Noni.  N.  Am.  B.  ISSl,  m..  .178.  —Co it ks,  Clark  List,  2.1  rd.  1HS2,  no.  (W.'i. 
Fi(/ifii.  iii(irH)iicriisis,  .fMij.  Hi-itr.  1781,12,  jil.  iii.  —  (J.MKi..  S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  7tiU. 
Ftilii'ii  Jhniiiistris,  (J.MKi..  !<.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  dH!*. 
I'lir/t/ii/i-ii)  tuL-oiiii,  Vllili.i,.  (Jal.  Ois.  II.  1825,  170. 
"  I'uiphijrin  ci/dnicii/lis,  Vir.11.1,." 

O'li/NuH/djior/iliiiriii,  Wii.s.  Am.  Orii.  l.\.  1824,  <!'.',  pi.  73. 
Por/i/ijriu  ddiiricdiiiin,  Sw.viss.  ('jassil'.  U.  II.  18;)7,  3,')7. 
Muftiiiicu  Udlliiiutc,  L.vni.  .Syiiop.  111.  i.  178,1,  2iiri,  jil.  83, 


Had.  The  wliolu  of  tropical  and  wann-tcmpiTate  America,  south  to  Brazil ;  north,  casually, 
to  Ma.s.sachu8etts,  Maine,  New  York,  Ohio,  Wisconsin,  IIlinoi.s,  and  Missouri  ;  IJerniiulas,  iiiil 
throuf^hout  West  Indies.     Not  reconled  from  any  ])art  of  the  Western  United  States. 

^    loNOKNIH    I'AKVA  (Bodd.). 

Im  FdVorite,  de  Cayenni',  V>VYV.  PI.  Knl.  897. 

Fulka  jxirv(t,  Bodd.  Tubl.  P.  K.  1783  (i'.\  PI.  Enl.  897).  —Oallinula  parva,  Scm.EO.  —Pur- 

phiiriiijidrvns,  .Soi,.  &  Sai.v.  P.  Z.  .S.  1SG8,  4C0,  fig. 
Oallimtlajlaviroslris,  Gmel.  S.  N.  L  1788,  699.  —  Gldticeslcsflamrostris,  Rekiiend.  ' 


RAM.ID.F       TMK   CAF.MN'I'I.FsS  -  IO\r»nN*rS. 


385 


Si'.  CiiAU.  All  nil :  Hciid,  iic'i  k.  mill  ln.vir  |iiirlH  nlaly  liliiixli  |iui|ilt',  ilaikir  (■■iiiuitiim'H  nuiirly 
I  111  k)  iiii  "•iiliiiiii'ii  iiml  liliiif  ;  ( ii«-iiiii  |>iiri'  while;  nii|iir  \m\\\*  luiulil  iili\c-;^iii'ii,  i  Imn^'iiij,' t" 
lai;;lit  vt'filili  rlilin-  inWiiiil  I  lie  iim|i|i'  m|  I  lie  1ii\m  r  |iiiii'.,  ilir  >ii|i's  ami  liiiiii;;  nf  wiiiK  al-u  ^'ifcniili 
I'liic;  wiiiK''  liiiK'''*'''  K'"''"  tl'i'"  liaik,  ami  .xliailnl  «iili  liiij,'lit  vcrililiT-liliu',  Kimilal  ^liiclil 
l>i'i;,'lit  Mil)'  in  lil'i'  (;.'rrriii>li  III'  iill\ari'iiii->  ill  ijiiiil  --kill-)  ;  liiil  lui^^'lit  icil,  li|i|ii'i|  wiili  yillnw  ; 
iii<  ciiiiiwiii  ;  !('Kt  aiiiMi'i't  M'llii\vi-li.  Wnnni :  AlmM'.  Ii;<lil  I'lilMiii^iiiinw  n,  liii;ini  wlili  ;,'riiiii-|i 
Hii  wiiii^M  ;  lii'iicatli.  |iai<'  riilvuiis  ur  Iniiry,  tiir  Im'IIv  wiiili^li  ;  Iroiilal  nIiii'IiI  -inalii'i'  tiinn  in  mliill, 
.lii-ky  (in  "kill'*)  ;  liill  liiill  M'llinviHJi.  Ihiuiiij  iikiiiuj:  "  I'lniii.ly  lijin  k  "  (Ai  Di  ikin).  ThImI 
l  ii-lli,  iiliiiiit  12. "ill  iiii'lii'M  ;  win>;,  7.(Kt-7.;((> ;  lulnicn  (im  Imlin;,'  Imntal  wliit'lii),  l.,s:)-|.!):( ;  liiriiiM, 

j.-'.'>-i.:.Oi  iiiiilillc  tiM',  -i/irt-iM^. 

Spi'iiiiii'iM  vary  M'liiaikalily  in  llic  m/v.  iiml  t'luiii  oi'tlu'  rniiiiMJ  plalc  In  IHI7h,'i,  Ccaia,  ISia/il, 
il  i-i  lii'iiailcr  liian  iniij^',  ami  its  iiuHiciiui'  inai';;iii  loiimlcil  :  ii->iially  il  is  liin;,'i'i'  than  ln'iniil,  aiul  its 
|i.iit('iiiii'  I'Xti'cinily  an  an;,'li'  —  Niiiin'tiini's  ariili'.  TIu'It  is  also  miirh  iliU'i'ii'mr  ainiiii;^  imliviiliials 
ill  till'  inti'iisity  III'  tiiii  I'lijiii's.  All  tlii'sc  variations  i(|i|ii'ai',  liowi'Vi'i',  ti>  In'  iiMiily  iiiili\  iiliial,  nr 
|M'iliM|is  |iai'tially  HcaHniial,  ainl  fiitii't'ly  imli'iiinilint  nf  Imality. 

Till'  I'iiiiili'  (ijilliiiuii'  is  cHSfiitiiilly  ii  sinitlirni  siH'rics,  ami  <'!iiinu'ti'riHtir  ol'  the 
sniitlicfii  ilistfiL'ts  (il  till'  liiili'il  Stiitrs,  wlicrc  it  is  I'diiml  at  all  seasons  ni'  tlic  yrar. 
il  is  iiii't  with  rriiiii  tin'  Carnliiias  suiitliward  aIniiL;  tin'  Suiithfrii  Atlantic  fnast,  and 
riiiin  l''liiiiila  III  .Mi'xii'ii  aldii.i,'  tlir  slmii's  nt  Ih"  (iiill.  It  also  (ii'cms  in  tin'  West 
imlia  islands.  Mrxirn.  and  Criitral  Anirrica,  and  dvit  a  lar^'i'  cxt-ciit  nl'  tin'  iinrtlii'in 
piirliiins  (il  Sdiilli  Aini'iica.  It  is  a  ^rcat  waiidiTrr,  nr  in  its  nii.Lti'atiniis  is  driven  liy 
ti'iupests  to  distant  jMiints.  as  stia,y;j,di'is  have  lieeii  I'oiind  ainii!,'  tlie  entire  Atlantic 
iiiast  as  I'ar  eastward  as  tin'  Itay  ol'  l''nndy.  A  lew  are  said  to  lireed  as  far  nortli  as 
rharlcstoii,  S.  <'.  Tliisltird  is  an  oeeasioiial  visitant  in  Iteriiiiida,  as  also  in  Missouri, 
llliiinis,  Wisconsin,  and  (tliio.  Mr.  (ieor^'c  A.  Itoardiiian  iiil'nrnis  me  that  a  sin^de 
iiislaiiee  ol'  the  accidental  oeciirrenee  of  this  sjieeies  came  under  his  knowlcdi,'!'  in  the 
\  iriiiity  of  Calais.  .Me.  'riie  liird  was  found  I'eedini,'  on  the  Hals  near  that  city  late  in 
tin'  summer;  and  .Mr.  William  lirewstcr  also  mentions  the  olitainin.n  a  line  s|iecimen  on 
Caiie  ("oil  in  April,  IS7l>.  Mr.  (iiraud  states  that  this  bird  is  only  of  rare  and  occa- 
sional oecurr<'nce  on  l.on.t,'  Island.  A  few  instanc  "■.  are  mentioned  in  which  it  lias 
Imiii  found  driven  out  to  sea  in  very  stmiiiy  weather.  In  one  instance  an  adult  male 
ami  female  were  met  witli  three  hundred  miles  to  the  south  and  east  of  the  I'.elize. 
Tlii'se  were  not  foniiil  toj^cther,  hut  were  met  with  foiirtei'ii  hours  ajiart.  The  lirst 
alighted  on  the  vessel.  Tlie  other,  in  an  attem|it  to  alij,dit.  fell  exhausted  into  the 
sea;  it  was,  however,  rescued ;  and  in  a  short  lime  lioth  recruited,  and  arrived  in  New 
\'ork  in  j;ood  condition.  They  were  U'{\  with  meal,  lish,  lircad,  and  various  articles 
111  diet  from  the  table.  They  were  also  furnished  with  water  for  bathinj,',  of  which 
tliry  made  tree  use.  They  a|i|iear(Ml  to  be  quite  contented  in  their  conlineiiieiit,  and 
liir  .several  months  seemed  to  enjoy  jierfect  health,  when  the  female  was  siidih'iily 
t.'d^i'U  with  cramiis  and  died,  the  male  surviving  her  but  a  few  days,  .\bont  the  tiiiu! 
Ill  the  .severe  revolviu},'  southerly  fjale  of  the  tJOtli  of  .January,  l.S7<>.  an  iinlividnal  of 
this  species  was  driven  into  the  harbor  of  Halifax,  and  was  secured.  Mr.  .1.  Matthew 
•IciMi's.  of  that  i',ity,  states  that  this  is  the  only  individual  of  the  s]tecie,s  known  to 
have  been  taken  in  Nova  Scotia.  Mr.  <'.  \V.  Wyatt  met  with  this  bird  near  Lako 
I'aturia.  in  Colombia,  South  America,  and  Mr.  Leyland  found  it  in  the  lat,'oons  near 
I'eti'ii,  in  Ontral  .\iuerica.  ^Ir.  H.  C.  Taylor  states  that  it  is  abundant  in  suitable 
localities  in  Trinidad,  and  that  he  afterward  met  with  it  in  jj^reat  numbers  at  Porto 
Ki'o.  T/'otaud  also  states  that  he  found  it  very  abundant  in  Trinidad,  whtire  it  keeps 
mostly  airong  the  rushes  and  reeds  that  cover  tlio  inundated  meadows.  At  certain 
parts  of  the  day,  especially  in  the  early  morning,  and  still  more  frequently  in  the 
iiitcrnoon,  it  comes  out  from  these  liidiiig-plaues  to  the  banks  of  the  rivers  or  the  bor- 

voL.  I.  — 49 


i> 


886 


AI,i;t  TnlMDKrt. 


m 


:lt 


iiii 


If 's 

I  ill  I- 


(loi'M  dl'  the  wiivt'H,  iiH  if  to  (liHiiliiy  tlif  fxniiiMitf  nmvr  of  its  mdVcmcntH  iiiul  tin 
lirillianrv  <>l'  its  colius.  Iaw  im  tlif  luiikoiil  I'ur  imv  <liiii^,'i'r  that  iiiav  iiii'iiacr  it,  ,ii 
till'  IcaMt  iiiiisi'  it  taiti's  tn  fli^'iit  ami  liiiji'.s  aimm;,' tlif  iiimIu'h.  It  i.s  i>nly  wlicii  it> 
|ila('*>  of  rt'ti't'at  ih  inacccHHililf  tliat  HiKlit  is  uttciuiitt'il,  its  iiiovi>iiii>iit  in  tli*'  air  iN'in^' 
lit'iivv,  titiil  Hot  wt'll  Mii.Htaiiu'ii.  Its  voici-  is  loml  ami  stmiiK.  '"'t  lias  in  it  mifliiii;; 
n-niarkalili'.  Worms,  luolliisks,  and  tlic  trait  of  various  kimis  of  a(|ii:ilii'  plants  an' 
its  food.  It  j,Mtlit'rs  si'i'ds  and  carrii's  tlimi  to  its  lirak  willi  its  daws,  and  it  aNo 
inaki's  nsi'  of  iIu'mi  in  diniJiing  to  tin'  nislics  wlicn'  tlir  walri'  is  vers  df('|p.  li  is 
not  ofti'ii  ki'|it  in  ia|iti\it\ .  Init  wlifn  tluis  cunlinrd  cndnics  its  lot  conti'iitrdly.  It, 
ficsli  is  not  considi'ri'd  piod. 

In  ifaniaii'ii  this  liird  is  known  as  the  "Sultana."  and  is  said  liv  M;'.  (iosse  to  \^r 
not  \inr(unnion  in  sonn'  of  tin-  lowland  jionds  and  marsliy  rivers.  This  author  stati-, 
that  oni't'.  in  riding,'  from  Savanna  la  .Mar  to  N(';,'ril,  lit'  saw  oni'  of  this  spfcit's  walk 
in^'  in  the  ndddh'  id'  thr  road.  On  his  ajiproai'li  thi'  liird  took  no  nmri'  notirf  of  him 
than  a  Common  I''owl  would  havi-  doni',  hut  saunti'ri'd  almut,  ]iii'kin^'  hm'  ami  tin  iv. 
ami  allowini;  him  to  loiui'  within  thri'i-  oi'  four  fci't.  At  IfUj^tli  he  niadi'  a  noisi-  aii<l 
a  suihh'ii  motion  with  ids  hand ;  t hi'  liird  onlv  half  opcnrd  its  win^  iind  ^'avr  a  little 
start,  us  !i  ('hii'k«'ii  would  hiiv*-  chini'.  Init  nt'itlu'r  ticw  nor  ran.  The  vast  morass  in  that 
ni'i},dd)orliood  ahonndi'd  with  tlu'si'  birds,  and  their  pri'siiin'  in  this  hij,diwiiy  was  a 
matter  of  daily  oeciirrenee.  Although  he  did  not  see  another  i|uiti'  so  feai'less  as  this 
one,  they  were  all  very  hold,  eonnni,'  ont  from  the  iiishes  and  stndling  aeross  the  rimd 
in  si},dit  of  pas,serH-lty. 

lie  adds  that  it  lias  little  of  tlie  aspect  of  a  (Jaliiiiule,  hut  stands  hi^dier.  and  h;i-- 
its  lej,'s  more  forward.  As  it  walks,  the  iieek  is  alteriiiitely  liriiUed  up  or  thrown 
forward,  and  its  short  Idaek-aiul-white  tail  is  eluinged  from  a  semi-erect  to  a  iierprn- 
dieidar  position,  with  a  tlirtinj,'  motion.  As  tiiis  hird  walks  over  the  tan;,ded  leaves 
and  stems  of  aipiatie  plants  restinj^  on  the  surface  of  water,  it  moves  with  ijreaf 
deliheratioii,  freipiently  standing'  still  and  looking  leisurely  on  either  side,  W  leu 
\u'.\)t  in  eonfineiiient  it  soon  heconies  ipiite  tame,  and  feeds  ea).;erly  on  the  seeds  d 
the  f/tifriis  si)n//nnii,  DV  (luinea  corn.  It  is  sometimes  spoken  of  as  the  ••  i'lantiiin 
Coot,"  from  its  fondness  for  that  fi'uit,  and  the  "Carpenter  Coot,"  from  the  noise  tlie 
bird  makes  when  it  breaks  the  shells  of  wutcr-isntiils  against  pieces  of  timber,  wiii(  h 
is  supposed  to  resemble  that  of  a  carpenter  at  woi'k. 

On  the  Mississippi,  aceoriling  to  Audubon,  this  species  is  rarely  I'ound  above 
.Memiiliis.  and  even  there  it  is  rare;  but  between  Natdie/  and  the  mouth  of  the  rivei' 
it  is  decidedly  abundant.  As  soon  as  its  yoiinj,' are  hatdied.  it  retires  with  them  1m 
the  tall  t.;rass  of  the  savannas  bonlerin^'  the  lakes  and  bayous,  wliei'e  it  remain^ 
until  Se})tember;  and  at  this  tinu'  it  has  a  delicate  whistliut;- note,  rescmbliii!;- tli:il 
of  the  Bhu'-winf,'ed  Teal.  At  the  ai)proaeh  of  winter  this  bird  returns  to  the  borilei> 
of  ponds  and  rivers,  and  becomes  more  shy  and  vi,i,dlant.  usually  moviujj;  in  the  nijjlit- 
time  and  feedin<,'  by  day.  It  breeds  iit  a  remarkably  early  jieriod  oi  the  year  —  ;ie- 
eordiuj,'  to  Audubon,  as  early  as  February,  The  calls  of  the  jiarent  bird  to  its  younu 
are  almost  incessant  dnrin}?  the  entire  night,  and  aie  elicited  by  any  unusual  noise ; 
indeed,  so  intent  is  it  on  the  weltare  of  its  jjvogeny,  that  it  will  allo\,-  itself  to  be 
caught  while  thus  oceuiiied. 

The  nest,  according  to  Au(lubon'.s  observations,  is  generally  placed  among  a  species 
of  rush  which  is  green  at  all  seasons,  round,  very  jiithy,  rarely  more  than  five  feet 
high,  and  which  grows  along  the  margins  of  ponds.  The  birds  gather  many  of  the~e 
rushes,  fa.stening  them  at  the  height  of  two  or  three  feet,  and  iilacing  the  nest  upcn 
them.    This  is  built  of  the  finest  rushes,  both  green  and  withered,  and  is  quite  as  looscl  v 


RALLin.E  —  TIIK  OALMNMLKS  —  OALLINL'LA. 


m 


4    llllll     lll> 

um-c  it.  .ii 
■  wlicii  ilH 
'  iiir  liciiiK 

it  iiiitliiii^' 

|iliuitH  nil' 
iiiil  it  iil>" 
i'Cl>.      It   is 

..(lly.      It^ 

iossi'  to  1"' 
tluir  KtutfH 
i>('il'H  \viili<- 
ti('i>  (if  liiin 
'  mill  tlii'ii'. 

;i  llilisc  illlil 
;ilVC  11  litllr 

miss  ill  that 
hwiiy  was  a 
I'li'SS  as  tliis 
)ss  the  riiml 

lev.  ami  lia> 
I  (ir  tliniwii 
lo  a  iii'iiM'ii- 
ii^'lcd  Icavis 
1  with  1,'ii'a' 
Whin 
if  st'i'ils  I'l 
I'laiitaiu 
iitiisc  till' 
lllT.  wliiih 

imud  abtivi' 
if  the  vivi  r 
ith  thi'iii  t" 
it  rciiiaiiis 
uililini,'  that 
the  honliis 
,  tilt'  iiit,'lit- 

yi'ar  — ;i'- 
(>  its  V(Min;J: 
isual  ii'ii>'' ' 

icseli  til  hi' 

lit;  a  spt'i'ii "^ 
Ian  fivo  hit 
|ny  of  tlir-i' 
nest  ui"'" 
li'  lis  loosi'ly 


iii!iiU>  UK  that  ot  till'  Coiiiiaoii  (iiillitiiih*,  it  iM'iii^  Hat,  and  hiiviiig  iiii  iiitcriial  <liiiiiu>t«T 
lit'  eight  or  till  iiirlii's,  mill  an  ciitirc  luvailih  ot  alHiiit  tittt'fii.  Thi'  i'KK>*  m*'  ><iiiil  to 
hi'  from  ti\t'  to  st'vi'ii  ill  immlii'i'  —  laii'ly  imni'  — ami  to  rrsi'inlili'  tlmsr  of  d.  ;/iil,iifii. 
riiis  ii'si'iiihlaiH'r  is  not  mtn  markrii.  Iiowi'Mt,  ami  thi'  i'>,':,'s  of  tlir  two  .sjn'rii's  niay 
always  1)1'  iraililv  ilistiiiKiiifthi.'il  mir  fiiuii  tin-  otlii'i'  hy  tlir  ili'lirncy  of  tlir  shell  of 
till'  vnu  of  this  ,s|MM'ii>s,  ami  tin-  iiiori-  |iiiikisli  liiit>  of  tin'  ^'loiiinl.  Amlniioii  ili'snihi-s 
thi'  I'KKs  as  of  a  li'^'ht  yi-llowish  k'"i>''  sjiotti'il  with  hlarkish  lirowii.  Thr  yoiiiin  '"'*J 
at  lirst  ijiiiti'  Itlark,  ami  rovi-ri'il  with  ilown.  ami  an'  fully  tlnlnril  liy  thr  Ist  of  iliiiu'. 
The  ({I'oiiml  riiliii'  of  tin'  i'KKh,  liotli  in  tin'  rolh'rtion  of  the  Sniithsonian  Iiistitn- 
timi  ami  in  my  own.  is  n|  a  li^^Iit  |iinkisli  Imif,  rovni'il  with  srattiTnl  inaikiiiKH  of 
,1  inii'lilish  slali'.  ami  tiii'si'  aii",  for  tin'  most  pai't.  small  roiimlish  s|iots.  '1"\mi  i'^fj;s 
I. No.  7'.))  in  my  I'olh'i'lion,  fioin  Mataiiioias.  I'olh't'tcd  hy  Dr.  )lt>rlanilii'i',  iiii'iisur*',  uni* 
l.7.">  iiirlit's  liy  l.L'O;  till'  otinr.  I..").S  hy  Jl'.").  Two  othrr  i'},'^,'s,  from  Louisiana  (No. 
•  iru).  iin'asiu'i',  out'.  !.7o  hy  \.'J0  indn's;  tin'  otln-r,  1.70  hy  l.L'H.  Tin-  Ki'tniml-colur  nf 
thi'  latti'i'  is  of  a  (li't'|H'r  shaih-  than  usual  of  thu  laukitih  buff  so  chuiactcristio  of  the 
i',i,'KS  of  till!  ^{I'niis  I'liriilii/rli). 


(ir.Ms  OALLINULA,   liiti.ssoN. 

ildlliaiilii,  Hiiiiis.  i»iii.  VI.  17tin,  3  (typo,  Fiilicn  chlornpun,  Linn.). 

('n.\U.  Hill  sliditi'i'  timii  lifail,  iiiini>n'ssi'il,  its  vcitiial  ontliiU'H  coiivi'X  tiTiniimlly,  strai^ilit  or 
.»li;,'lilly  coiiciivi'  i)iiiM)>iti'  thi'  iiiistiil  ;  iiii>liil  i'liiii;,'iiliil,  lnii;,'iluiliiiiil.  >lil-liki' ;  foivln'ail  cnvfn'tl 
liy  ail  I'xti'ii^iuii  lit  till'  liDiiiy  I'dvi'iiii^;  nf  tin'  lijll  (nnlinii'iitiiry  in  tlii'  yimiij,')-  .MiiMK'  toi'  Imiyor 
than  till  tarsus  ;  tucs  with  a.^ili^lit  lati'itil  iiii'iiiliraiu'  or  niiir^'iii. 

Till'  aliitvi'  rliarai'ti'rs  will  Mcrve  ri'ailily  to  ilisiin^'iiisli  tlii'  s|ipt'ii's  of  thii»  fjonus  from  thi'  nllied 
.\iari'iiaii  ;,'('iii'ni,  luiiiirni.'t  anil  I'liqihijriiiii^,  tliu  foriiirr  liaviii}{  the  nostril  fiiiull  and  ovul,  thi;  niiilille 


(/.  itnleatd. 

tiif  sliortiT  than  till'  tarsus,  and  the  toes  witlmut  trace  of  lateral  niemhrane,  while  the  l.'itter  (an 
I'Xi  lusively  South  Ameriean  {,'enus)  has  the  frontal  shield  sni.ill  and  conical,  and  is,  moreover, 
I'liiiiiiosed  of  hird.s  of  small  si/.o.  Two  Anierican  species  of  Gallhiitla  are  known,  hoth  more  nearly 
itllii'd  to  the  (1.  chluroj)us  of  Flurope  than  to  any  another  species,  hut  very  distinct  from  that,  as 
Will  as  from  each  other.     Their  distinctive  char.ictere  may  be  expressed  thus  :  — 

Tom.  Char.     Plain  dark  plumbeous,  clearer  plumbeous  beneath,  usually  tinged  with  dark  olive 


388 


ALW-TOUIDF'IS, 


:]    ■ 


''  iff 


or  Hi'pia-liinwii  atiovt'  ;  ludiul  Icm^'iluiliiiiil  xtripcs  mi  tlic  Hanks,  latonil  fcatlicrs  of  the  crisHiiiii, 
mill  ImimIit  III' till'  wiii^',  wliili'.  Itill  and  li'Diilal  hIiIi-IiI  (in  uiliilt)  l>i'i^'li(  M'iI,  ilii- eiulnf  tlic  roiniii' 
yi'llowisli  ^Mi'i'.i  ;  li';,'s  ami  I'ril  j^riiMi  (in  iil'i'),  tlu'  ui>|iL'r  jiail  of  tlii'  tiliia  sfaiirt. 

At     I'roiilal  sliiflil  luiindril  ur  iminlril  posli'iiiiiiy. 

1.  O.  cbloropiiB.*     Wiiij,',  (i.(i(i-7.iM>  iiulii's  ;   culnifii,  iinliuliii^,'  IVontal  sliiclil,    1  ")()  1.7."); 

lursiis,  l.jM>-2.<Ht;  niidiili' till',  2.-jr>.     Mark  ^,'iirnisli  tpjivi'.     //uli.    I'uJa'aiftif  lti'j,'i(iii. 
B«     Froiitiil  sliii'M  tninrati'  |H>sti'iiiirly. 

2.  O.  galeata.     Win,;,',  V).M  -7.'S>  iiiclirs  ;  liill,  Inmi  riiil  oi'  I'liiMlal  -iliii'lii,  l.7n-l.s"i  ;  liusiis, 

2. 1(i-2.;t0;  niiiiilli'  lin',  2.5(1-2.(10.  Hack,  scj'iPiilars,  anil  nini|i.  dark  si'iiia-lirown  (nunc 
iiliviiii'iius  anli'iicii'ly),  disliiiitly  dillrrriit  rnun  llir  i  dear  iilnnilinms  of  llir  lnwrr  |iarl>  ; 
lah  ral  I'lMtiii'is  of  llii'  crissiiir  "iilin  ly  imri'  wliili'.  Jlnh.  Nmlli  and  Middli',  ami  niii<  li 
of      Mill,  .Ainriica.  and  Wi'st  ii,  lirs. 

3.  O.  Oa.maui.-     WIiil;,  !).  Id  im  lii's  ;  liill,  from  I'lid  of  fronlal    siiiild,  l.'.Mi;  (ai.siis,  2.(;(i; 

middle  lor,  2. SO.  llaidi  dark  slali',  sli^diliy  linj,'('il  willi  dark  sooty  luown,  not  di.-iiiH  ll\ 
dilfi'ii'nl  from  tlic  dark  slaly  |ilnmlii'oiis  of  tlir  lower  parts  ;  lateral  feal!iei>.  of  the  rii.-Miiii 
liordered  with  lilai'ki.sh  slate.     IIkIi.    Vicinity  of  Luke  'I'iticaca,  I'eni. 

Gallinula  galeata. 

THE  FLORIDA  GALLIinTLE. 

Cir.i- fiii/iiitii,  l.Kicr.  Vevz.  DouM.  ^x•2■^,  so,  IKP.  H2(i. 

Oalliiiii/Uiiiikul,!,  Hdnac.  Am.  ( »rii.  IV.  l,s;!2.  128.  —  Nl'lT.  Miin.  II.  ISItl,  221.   -    ('.\s.s.  in  Hiiinr.s 

It.  N.  Am.  IS.IS,  7;V.'.  —  \i.\ut\>,  It.   N.  Am.  IS.O!),  no.  ^m.  -  Coi  i..s.   Key,  1S72,  27.''.  ;  (lnvk 

List,  lH7;i,  no.  172  ;  2(1  cd.  1882,  no.  (181 ;  Birds  N.  \V.  1871,  .""iJo.  -    liinow.  Noni.  N.  Anr.  I!. 

1881,  no.  rp7!". 
Gnlliiudii  chi'di-d/iii.i,   I'.owi'.    Syimii.  1828,  li.'td  (nee  L.viii. ).  -  Ai'D.  Orn.   lUog.  III.   l8:(r>,  'Mu, 

pi.  221  ;  .Synop.  18:ilt,  210  ;   I'..  Am.  V.  18  12,  l;!2,  pi.  i!()4. 

TiAit.  Tile  whole  of  tropical  and  tem|)erale  America,  north  to  Canada,  south  to  r.ra/il  and 
Chili. 

Si'.  Cii.Mi.  Atliilt :  Frontal  ])late  larj^e,  oliovale,  Irnncated  or  sli^ditly  eonve.x  po.-^leriorly,  ll.ii 
and  smootli,  or  ttuniil  mid  corriij,'ated.  liill  shorter  than  the  head,  rather  thick,  conipic»cd. 
Head,  neck,  and  entire  lower  parts  dark  idnnilieons,  with  a  Muisli  cinereous  cast,  frei|nently  ni;iily 
Mack  on  the  head  anil  neck,  and  j,'eiierally  li,i,diter  (in  antninnal  and  winter  specimens  ipiile  whid  ) 
on  the  uhilomen.  (!ri.ssum  white,  the  middle  feathers  Mack  ;  fe.ithers  of  the  Hanks  widely  ed^d 
with  wlii((',  ])rodiicini,'  liroad  stripes  ;  ed^'e  of  tlu^  win;;;  and  ed;,'e  of  outer  primary  white,  rppi  r 
])arts  dark  russet-,  or  .se])ia-hidwii,  darker  on  tlu^  rump.  Dili  and  frontal  shield  liiij,dit  scarlcl  in 
life,  the  end  of  the  former  ^'roeiiisli  yellow  or  lirij^dit  yellow  ;  iris  lirown  ;  lej^s  and  feet  yellowidi 
'.{reen,  the  joints  ashy  Mne  ;  iipjier  ]>arl  of  the  naked  tihiie  scarlet.  Yniiii(i:  Siinil.'ir,  Init  fronlal 
sliield  rudimenlary,  tiie  hill  hrownish,  )paler  at  the  tip;  the  whole  lower  parts  snifiised  wilh 
whitish,  and  the  head  mi.\ed  with  the  same,  pariicuhuly  the  throat,  wliiidi  is  soniutinies  whoilv 

'  (iAi.i.iNit.A  nii.oKoi'iT,s.     The  iMiropcan  (inllinnlc  or  Miiiirdicii. 

Fiilini  rlihro/iii.i,  LiNN.  S.  N.  imI.  10,  17r>S,  ir.2  ;  ed.  12,  17()(!,  2.''.8. 

h'li/liinil.i  ch/iini/iiis.  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  II.  1700,  770.  —  Nacm.  Viij;.  IVntscld.  l.'s'.  1S:!8,  .'.sT, 
111.  210.  -r.oNAi'.  Comp.  List,  18:!8,  .fin.  -  Ki;y.s.  k  lii..Ns.  Wiili.  Kur.  1810,  (i8. - 
Macoii.i..  Man.  II.  117.  — (iliAV,  (icn.  15.  III.  1840,  im  ;  (at.  Hril.  H.  l.S(i3,  1,80. 

Sfariiiiriilii,  ,ii'jilfiilriiiiiii/l\  liuKlIM,  N'iif,'.  Kclltschl.  ISDl,  704. 

Fiilicafitm,  (!mi-.i..  S.  N.  I.  1788,  fii»7. 

Fiiliai  MdCiihitii,  (iMKI..  t.  c.  701. 

FulieajUwipcH  aw\  F.  Jislii/iiiin,(iM\.\..  I.  c.  7o2. 

CitmmoH  anlliii\(li\  Vv.ss.  IJiit.  /nol.  II.  1812,  121,  jil.  22,  up.  tif,'.  ;  ct  Anrr. 

Mimr-hni,  Yakk.  lirir.  \\.  ed.  2,  III.  114,  lifr  ;  ed.  :i.  III.  12!",  lij,'.  ;  et  Anr. 
2  (iAl.i.iNli.A  ("Jak.mam.     (liiniian's  (lidliinilc 

Qallinula  Oarmani,  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comj*.  Zool.  IlL  July,  1876,  357  (Luke  Titicaca), 


iiinn  fiiiWIitrflitiiMriiiiiii    ---  -■^""- 


RALLID.K  — TIIK  (iALMM  I,KS  —  (iALLIXILA. 


381) 


he  ruiiiirr 


1.50   1. 7.")  ; 

*")  ;  l;usMs, 
iwii  (llldlc 

iiiiil  iiiiii  li 

isiis,  :!.<•.•  I; 
it  ili.-iiiicllv 
the  (  ri.->iuu 


wliilc.  Stript's  oil  llic  dunks  li'sr<  ilisiincl  (ir  ncavly  iilisolih'.  Puirnii  ijiminj:  (Slossy  lilack,  llic 
iiu'dial  lower  parts  riili;,'iiions  ;  lliroal  and  clucks  iiitcisi>rrM(l  with  silvery  wliilc  liaiis  ;  liill 
yi'llowi'li  (rr<l   in  life  V)  rinsscd  almiit   tlic  iniddlf  liy  a  dusky   liar. 

'I'olal  li'iiKlli,  idMiiit    Il'JM)  Id  i;t.(M)  incli.'.-  ;  exlcnt,  lio.dd  to  :>l.(i(i;  win^^,  (i.H5-7.2r>  ;  luliiii'ii 
(to  end  <ii'  I'rulilal  shield)  1.7(>-1.,S.")  ;  tar.-iis,  J.iU-ii.llU;   inlddlc  toe,  •J,M\-iXA), 


ss.  in  niiird's 
,  erri  ;  t'lM''k 
11.  N.  Am.  li. 

I.  \x\\:i,  "'■w, 


r.l-a/.il  and 

•i-iolly,  ll  il 
iiii\in's--i  '1. 

I'litly  iniolv 

(iiile  wliii< ) 
ididy  cd-.d 
ilf.  Vyyvy 
it  scarli'l  ill 

rt    yellowili 

lint    IVolllal 

illiised   willi 

lines  wli'dlv 


..\.  is;?8,  r.sr 

1840,    (i8. 
ISO. 


ti(-Hca). 


This  s|ieci(s  inucli  ii'seiiiliies  liie  Moor-hrii,  AVatci-lun.  or  (ialliiiiile  ol'  l']iir(i|ir  ((.'.  rlilnrnjiKu), 
lull  is  lai>;<'r,  has  llic  t'idiilal  shield  tiuiii'ated  instead  nl' pointed  iioslcrioily,  and  is  otherwise  did'erent. 
Il  likewise  icseinlilcs  other  exotic  .species,  particularly  <!.  (Idnniiiii  of  the  I'eruviau  Andes,  hut  is 
c|uile  distinct.  S]iccinii'iis  v.iry  a  i,'rcal  deal  in  the  size  and  slmjie  of  the  I'rontal  shield,  and  in  the 
aiiKiunI  ol'  white  oil  the  alidoiucn.  Thesis  v.iriations  are  liy  l.o  ineans  depeiuh'iil  on  locality,  how- 
ever, hut  upon  the  indiviiliial,  havini;  doiihtless  soiiu!  coiiiieetioii  with  a;;e  and  season,  tin;  white  on 
llic  alidoineii  liciiii;  more  iinukcil  on  winter  spcciiueiis. 

Tlic  liiiliits  mill  till-  tli.striliiilidii  of  ^liis  .s]M'ci(>s,  mon^  os]H'{'iiilly  the  lalfcr.  liave 
liii'ii  very  iiiiiicrlVetly  Uikiwii,  ainl  very  iiicorreetly  ,i,mv('1i.  W'ilsMi  a|)p('iirs  to  liavc 
lireii  imiiwarf  (d'  its  cxisti'iici'.  .Vinliilimi  r('i,Mnl('(l  it,  as  idciitieal  with  the  l'air()])caii 
MiiDi-hcii.  ami  as  an  cxidiisivcly  soiitlicrii  species  —  a  lew  ini.Lrriitiiij,'  to  Carolina  on 
the  east  —  and  tlmn.Ljlit  tiiat  those  I'oiinil  on  tiie  fresh  wateis  of  the  niiddie  districts 
wi'ie  only  sti'a;j;j^lers.  It  was  said  not  i,o  ascend  the  Mississip]ii  aliove  TS'atidicz,  and 
iiiit  to  ho  sciMi  in  tiie  western  eonnlry.  >;nttail.  wiiile  reeoLtni/.in,i;'  its  distiiu-tnoss  as 
a  s])eeies  i'roiM  fi.  r/i/oro/nis  ol'  iMirope.  calls  it,  the  I'Morida  (lallinnle  —  a  iiainc  ealeu- 
lalcd  to  perpetnatf  the  wroii;,'  impression  existino;  as  t(>  its  distrilml ion  —  ami  speaks 
id'  it  as  "iinkmiwn  in  Canada."  I'^veii  .Mr.  Cassin,  in  the  ninth  volume  ol'  the  "  raeifu; 
Kailroad  Keiiorts."'  assij^ns  to  it  a.  lialiitat  exidiisividy  southern,  and  eonsiders  it 
as  only  aeeidental  in  the  Middle  and  Northern  States  —  inakiii.i;' no  mentit)n  ol'  its 
aliendant  pre.senec  liotli  in  the  Northwestern  States  and  on  the  coast  of  (!aliroriiia. 
Instead  of  being  known  as  the  I'Morida  (Jallinnle.  it  deserves  the  more  compridiensive 
title  of  Anniriean  (iallimile.  It  is  alnindaid,  in  South  Anieriea  from  Panama  to  tlio 
rcj,Mon  of  the  La  I'lata.  in  the  West  India  Islands,  in  Central  America,  in  the  Southern 
dull'  States  from  South  Carolina  to  the  Mississi|)|ii.  and  jiroliably  to  Mexico,  on  tli(> 
California  (ioast,  and  in  the  re.icion  of  the  (ireat  Lakes,  both  on  the  Amorican  and 
th(!  ('anadiaii  shores. 

Professor  Newton  found  it  a  common  and  resident  sjieeies  in  St.  Croix.  While  it 
I  los(dy  resembles  the  Kuropean  r/i/Drojnis  in  its  appearanet>,  and  while  the  habits  of 
the  two  birds  a,p])ear  to  be  identieally  the  same,  their  eggs  ev(Mi  being  undistinguish- 
ahlo  from  oiteli  other,  the  tiotos  of  the  two  birds  are  very  difforont.  This  (Jalliiuile 
liroeds  in  St.  Croix  in   .\pril,  and  also  in  C!uba,  where  it  is  abundant.     Mr.  Marcli 


390 


ALECTORIDES. 


and  Mr.  (iosse  call  it  the  Scarlet-fronted  <lallinule.  It  is  conimon  in  Jamaica,  and 
nests  in  .Janiuuy,  and  even  earlier.  In  I'ebruary  }ilv.  iMareh  obtained  unfledged  young 
in  a  pond  near  Si)anisiito\vn.  It  is  said  to  lay  eigiit  eggs,  and  these  are  described  as 
having  a  elayisli-white  gnuuid  splashed  sjjursely  with  small  spots  of  sepia-brown.  I>y 
contact  with  the  damj)  nest  the  ground-color  is  not  infrequently  changed  to  dili'eri'nt 
shades  of  drab.  JNLa jor  Wedderburn  found  it  lireeding  and  not  uncommon  in  ]?ermu(hi, 
and  obtained  a  niuuberof  sjK'cinu'ns  during  his  sta}'.  Mr.  Ilurdis  speaks  of  it  as  one 
of  the  native  birds  of  the  Hernuulas,  rearing  its  young  in  pools  and  swamps,  where  tlie 
den.se  growth  of  Hags  and  .sedge  renders  its  pursuit  almost  impossible.  It  is  more 
conimon  in  ( »ctober  than  at  any  other  tinu',  ajtpearing  all  at  once  in  marslics  and 
jiouds,  wheic  for  months  jircviously  it  iiad  been  unknown  —  owing,  probiiMy,  to  an 
iuHux  of  nugrat(U'v  individuals  from  the  American  shore. 

It  is  said  by  l^cotaud  to  be  (piite  (•oiunu)n  in  Triniihul,  where  both  in  its  abode  and 
in  its  manners  it  <loes  not  ap^iear  to  l)e  different  from  tiie  inati'tnliv,  though  a  murli 
more  social  bird  than  the  latter.  Jt  hides  itself  in  the  rushes  or  takes  to  flight  at  the 
least  danger,  .sonu'times  seeking  siudter  in  the  branches  of  tlu'  mangrove-trees  whidi 
overliang  the  watt-r.  It  can  run  anu)ng  these  branches  with  astonishing  rapidity, 
occasionally  extending  its  wings,  as  if  to  preserve  its  e(pnlil)rium  or  to  avoid  losin;^- 
its  footing.  Its  flight,  which  is  ahuost  always  accompanied  by  a  harsh  cry,  is  heavy 
and  not  well  sustained,  being  apparently  retarded  by  its  claws,  which  are  always 
hanging  down.     Its  tlcsh  is  eaten,  but  is  not  regarded  as  good. 

Mr.  G.  C.  I'ayhjr  met  with  this  species  at  the  Lake  of  Yojo3-e,  and  has  no  doulit 
that  it  is  conuuou  throughout  Hontluras;  and  ]\Ir.  Salvin  nanu's  it  as  among  the  birds 
■which  freipient  the  Lake  of  Duenas.  Ouatemala —  where,  however,  it  is  not  common. 

It  is  an  occasional  visitant  along  the  Atlantic  coast,  as  far  to  the  eastward,  at  least, 
as  Calais  ;  and  a  few  occasionally  breed  in  Massachusetts.  Mr.  CJeorge  A.  Boardman 
ol)tained  a  single  specimen  of  this  bird  near  Calais,  Me.,  in  the  spring  of  1871.  An 
immature  exam]ile  of  this  species  was  shot  at  Fresh  I'ond,  Mass.,  Sept.  3,  1808,  and 
two  other  indivichials  were  seen.  The  specimen  obtained  had  without  doubt  been 
hatched  in  that  locality.  On  the  Dth  of  October,  in  the  sanu'  year,  Mr.  ];>rewster  shot 
another  example,  and  wounded  a  thii'd  in  the  sanu'  place.  He  also  met  with  an  adult 
bird  there  on  the  od  of  dune.  It  is  more  than  probable  that  straggling  pairs  of  this 
bird  occur  in  favorable  situations  iu  JMassachusetts  and  breed  there. 

Giraud  speaks  of  this  si)ecies  as  a  bird  seldom  observed  on  Long  Island,  a  few  oidy 
having  l)een  known  to  occur  on  its  south  shore,  while  one  examphs  is  recorded  as  hav- 
ing been  taken  on  Staten  Island.  Jfr.  (xiraud  refers  to  iut'ormation  received  by  letter 
from  Professor  I5aird  to  the  effect  that  this  bird  has  been  occasionally  observed  on 
the  Susquehanna  Kiver  and  its  tributaries,  where  it  was  usually  noticed  in  the  vicinity 
of  fresh-water  streams  and  ponds.  It  ajjpeared  to  be  exceedingly  timid,  to  conceal 
itself  among  the  rank  grass,  and,  like  the  Eails,  seldom  to  take  wing  except  when 
performing  its  migratiuy  flight.  When  surprised  it  runs  nimbly,  and  if  hard  presscil 
takes  to  the  water  and  swims  and  dives  well.  Its  food  consists  of  worms,  insects, 
and  various  vegetable  ])roductions  which  grow  in  low  wet  grounds.  It  was  found 
abundant  by  Dr.  Bannister  (jn  the  Parana,  among  the  reeds  of  the  lagoons. 

Mr.  Uidgway  frecpu'ntly  met  with  it  at  Sacranumto,  in  the  tule  sloughs,  in  company 
with  the  Coot,  and  mingling  its  own  guttural  noises  with  the  clucking,  boisterous 
notes  of  the  latter  species.  In  the  interior  it  was  not  seen,  although  the  Coot  was 
abundant  in  .all  the  larg(>  marshes.  According  to  Dr.  Heermann  this  species  is  not  rare 
in  the  marshes  in  the  interior  of  California,  and  Dr.  Newberry  mentions  finding  it  at 
San  Francisco.     Dr.  Cooper  did  not  meet  with  it  near  the  sea-coast. 


RALLID.E  —  THE  GALLINULES  —  GALLIXULA. 


391 


ica,  and 
(I  yoimg 
ribc'cl  as 
ni.  r.y 
liftVvfut. 
it'i'iuuda. 
it  as  out" 
lu'i'i'  the 
;  is  move 
ihcs  and 
vly,  to  an 

bode  and 
li  a  ninili 
;ht  at  the 
H'S  which 

vapidity, 
)id  h)sini; 

is  hi'avy 
l'c  always 

1  no  douht 
;  the  birds 
eounnon. 
d,  at  least. 
IJoai'dnian 
1871.  An 
l.S(;8,  and 
oubt  been 
Iwster  shot 

I  an  adult 
lii-s  of  this 

few  only 
led  as  hav- 

II  by  letter 
Lserved  on 
lie  vicinity 
Ito  eonc-eid 

pept  when 
kl  pressed 
Is,  inseets, 
Ivas  found 
pis. 
company 
boisterous 
Coot  was 
Is  not  rare 
Lling  it  at 


Mr.  Audubon  states  that  when  he  was  at  Sprint?  <Jarden  Sprin,!,'s,  in  East  Florida, 
in  the  early  p.art  of  January,  thi.s  Gallinule  was  seen  in  great  inunbcrs  on  every  bayou 
Icadinj?  toward  the  waters  of  tlm  St.  .lohii.  lie  describes  the  nest  as  Inrnied  with  more 
labur  than  art,  and  as  composed  of  a  ([uantity  of  withered  rushes  and  ]dants  woven 
into  a  circular  form.  It  was  frecjnently  from  two  to  three  iiiehes  thick  in  the  centre, 
and  surrounded  by  an  edge  or  brim  four  or  five  inches  hit,di.  If  not  disturbed  this 
bird  will  raise  at  least  two  broods  in  a  season,  using  the  same  nest,  wliich  each  time 
is  refitted.  In  Lower  Louisiana  the  nest  is  usually  ti>e  or  six  feet  from  tiie  water, 
along  the  bayous  and  ponds,  among  the  rank  weeds  which  are  so  abnn(hint  there. 
The  number  of  eggs  .seldom  exceeds  nine.  AVlien  the  (iailinule  leaves  its  nest  it 
covers  tiie  eggs,  to  protect  tiiem  from  its  numerous  enemies.  Itoth  sexes  incul)ate,  and 
the  young  follow  the  i)arent  as  soon  as  tliey  are  hatched,  the  mother  being  assiduous 
in  her  attentions  to  them.  Their  food  consists  of  grass-seeds,  Avater  insects,  worms, 
and  snails,  t(>gether  witii  which  they  swaUow  a  good  deal  of  fine  gravel.  T'hey  run 
over  the  broad  leaves  of  tiie  lilies  as  if  on  land,  and  can  dive  readily  when  neces- 
sary. On  land  this  bird  walks  like  a  Chicken,  and  may  frequently  be  seen  searching 
I'dv  worms  and  insects  among  the  grass,  which  it  nips  in  the  manner  (jf  the  common 
Domestic  Fowl. 

According  to  Mr.  G^sse,  the  (Jallinule  in  .Jamaica  is  known  as  tlie  (Joot.  while 
the  latter  is  called  the  Water-hen.  He  found  it  scarctdy  distinguislialde  from  the 
European  Moor-hen,  either  in  appearaiKU'  ov  manner,  dtdighting  in  water  where  there 
is  cover,  sometimes  a  swiftly  running  stream,  but  usually  large  jionds  where  tall  thi(dv 
liulrushes  and  masses  of  the  ginger  fern  surround  the  l)anks.  Jn  sncli  a  i)iece  (d' 
water,  early  in  tiie  morning,  or  if  the  jdace  is  unfrerpu'uted,  at  any  lumr  of  the  day, 
tlie  (Jallinule  may  be  seen  playing  on  the  surface,  and  uttering  a  loud  (diudi  at  short 
intervals  as  it  swims  to  and  fro.  When  alarmed  each  bird  sounds  the  iKjte.  Imt  in  a 
liiglier  key,  and  the  whole  flock  seeks  coiun-alment.  There  they  continue  to  call  to 
one  anotlier,  and  if  mucli  pressed  conceal  themselves  by  keeping  under  -water,  holding 
on  the  roots  of  the  rushes.  If  the  ol)server  remains  silent  and  concealed,  in  about 
iialf  an  hour  the  cluck  is  again  raised,  and  the  bird  begins  cautiously  to  re-emerge, 
and  resumes  its  occupation  at  the  margin  of  the  reeds.  One  of  this  sju'cies  which  had 
been  slightly  wounded  was  fastened  with  a  cord  attached  to  one  foot,  and  allowed  to 
swim  in  the  pools  of  lUuetield's  Kiver.  Its  first  impulse  Avas  to  dive,  and  then  to  swim 
along  about  a  foot  beneath  the  surface,  striking  out  both  with  tlie  feet  and  with  the  ex- 
panded wings.  When  thus  immersed  in  the  water,  its  whole  ])luniage  was  coated  with 
a  pellicle  of  air,  which  had  a  singular  effect.  When  it  swam  at  the  surface  only  the 
head,  neck,  and  a  part  of  tlie  liack  was  exposed.  When  iiermitted  to  do  so,  it  would 
iii'c[)  in  among  the  weeds  and  grass  at  the  margin  and  remain  motionless.  It  vas 
unwilling  to  walk  on  boards,  and  when  on  the  turf,  was  only  capaljle  of  maintaining 
a  walking  ])osture  as  long  a.s  its  motion  was  rapid.  It  is  said  to  be  abundant  in  the 
iieighliorhood  of  Hamilton,  on  Lake  Ontario,  where  —  as  31r.  Mcllwraitli  states —  it  is 
oidy  less  common  than  the  Coot.  It  breeds  abundantly  on  the  Canadian  side  op])osite 
I'ctroit,  from  whiidi  locality  I  have  received  its  eggs.  It  lirecds  commonly  m  the 
Calumet  marshes  in  Northern  Illinois,  on  Lake  Michigan,  and  is  also  abundant  in  the 
vicinity  of  Lake  Koskonong  in  Southern  Wisconsin. 

^Ir.  B.  F.  Goss  informs  me  that  this  bird  breeds  abundantly  in  the  shallow  muddy 
Hats  which  border  the  lakes  and  streams  of  Wisconsin,  and  winch,  being  covered  with 
a  thick  growtii  of  flags,  rushes,  and  aquatic  grasses,  furnish  a  suitable  home  to  tlie 
(iallinules.  There  they  build  their  nests,  rear  their  j'oung,  and  spend  the  entire  sea- 
sun.    The  nest  is  not  very  claboratidy  constructed,  being  raised  but  a  few  inches 


392 


ALECTfiRIDES. 


jibovi'  tlio  shallow  Avatov,  and  sli];'litly  Inillowcd.  'I'lic  leaves  of  the  cat-tail  flag  seem 
to  be  the  favorite  material  iiseil  in  its  cinistnietinii.  i''rom  six  to  eij,'ht  is  the  usuiil 
number  of  e},'j,'s,  and  these  are  li^Ljiit  yellowisli  brown,  sjiotted  and  si)lashed  with  dari< 
brown,  and  varying  in  length  from  1.(17  to  l.cSO  inches,  and  in  breadth  from  1.17  In 
l.LM  inciies.  AVben  driven  from  her  nest,  the  female  bird  skulks  a  short  distance 
tlirough  tiie  herbage,  and  then  with  head  erect  and  expanded  tail  sin;  walks  slowly 
away. 

Mr.  Moore  foiuid  this  s])ecies  nesting  in  Florida  on  the  L'Oth  of  April.  One  nest, 
coidaining  ten  eggs,  was  in  a  tussock  of  grass  a  few  inches  al)ove  the  water,  (piitc 
cxjiosed  from  above  and  on  all  sides,  and  was  made  of  blades  of  grass  and  lineil  with 
the  same.  The  eggs  were  taken,  and  on  the  second  day  the  nest  Avas  found  to  con- 
tain another  egg,  just  laid  ;  and  a  day  or  two  later  a  second  one  was  discovered  on  ;i 
tussock  lu-ar  l)y.      It  is  possilile  that  two  l)irds  together  laid  these  twelve  eggs. 

Another  nest  —  only  just  lieguu  when  found — was  visited  daily  till  the  young  were 
seen  to  leave  it;  this  was  on  the  I'Oth  of  iMay.  l>efore  this  nest  was  finished  an  egg 
was  laid  in  it,  and  material  was  added  after  as  many  as  three  eggs  had  been  laid,  the 
total  being  six.  The  first  was  laid  on  the  2LM  «>f  Ajnil,  and  the  sixth  on  the  .'JOtli. 
This  nest  was  (piite  unlike  the  other.  It  was  placed  in  a  close  collection  of  I'oiifr- 
clvrias,  and  was  fornu'd  almost  entindy  of  their  leaves.  Some  were  bent  down  to  form 
the  bed  of  the  nest;  others  were  l)ent  in  a  like  nuuuier  for  a  rude  canopy  over  it ; 
others  were  divided,  and  used  to  raise  the  sides  (d'  the  nest  and  to  finish  it.  Most  df 
the  materials  were  used  in  a  green  state.  The  leaves  of  this  plant  are  spongy,  and  nn 
losing  their  vitality  shrink  to  a  mere  trifle  of  their  living  bulk ;  and  this  may  have 
occasioned  the  additions  made  to  tlu;  nest. 

The  ground-color  of  the  eggs  varies  from  a  dark  cream  to  a  light  buff,  the  deptii  of 
the  coloring  being  affected  by  the  influence  of  the  materials  of  the  nest.  When  first 
laid,  and  luistained,  the  ground-color  is  a  creamy  white.  The  imirkings  are  usually 
scattered,  small,  ami  rounded,  of  liright  reddish  brown,  and  lighter  and  fainter  stains 
of  purplish  slate.  Two  specimens  of  the  egg  of  this  bird  (Xo.  Ili78)  collected  in 
^linnesota  by  Mr.  li.  F.  Goss,  are  of  oval  sliaju',  ont^  end  but  very  slightly  largiT 
than  the  other  ;  one  measures  1.80  inches  in  length  by  1.26  inches  in  breadth,  the 
other  1.70  by  1.30  inches, 

Gkms  FULICA,  Lixx.i-:u8. 
Fulka,  Link.  S.  N.  ctl.  Id,  17.'>M,  ir.-J  ;  nl  12, 1  17ti(>,  257  (typo,  F.  atra,  Lisx.). 


li. 


Char.  Very  similar  to  (UdUniili,  Imt  flic  toes  margined  by  a  broad,  deeply  scalloped  latival 
membrane.  Bill  shorter  than  the  liead,  .straight,  strong,  compressed,  and  advancing  into  tlie  I'catlicis 
of  the  forehead,  where  it  freipiently  forms  a  wide  and  somewhat  i)rojecting  frontal  jdate ;  nostrils 
in  a  groove,  with  a  large  nR'nil)rane,  near  tlie  middle  of  the  bill.  Wings  rather  short,  second  ainl 
third  quills  usually  longest  ;  tail  very  short ;  tai'sus  robust,  sliorter  than  the  middle  toe,  witli  viiv 
distin  t  transverse  scales ;  toes  long,  each  having  semicircidar  lobes,  larger  on  the  iimer  side  ;  hind 
toe  rather  long,  lol)ed. 

Almost  the  only  difl'erence  between  FhUm  and  Gallinula  consists  in  the  single  character  ol'  the 
toes,  as  pointed  out  above.  The  two  genera  aiv,  however,  (luite  distinct,  since  there  appears  to  W 
no  species  known  that  is  intermediate  in  the  character  of  the  feet. 

Leaving  out  tlie  remarkable  F.  cornvht,  Boxap.,  which  has  been  made  the  type  of  a  distinct 
genus  1  —  and  we  think  properly  so  —  there  are  knoAvn  six  American  species  of  Fulica,  whose  cbai- 

1  Lyeomia,  Bonap.  Ann.  Sc.  Nat.  ser.  4,  Zool.  I.  46  (18.')4). 


HALLIIXE  -  THE  COOTS  -  FCLrCA. 


393 


lutiTs,  trmislatLHl  from  Mi-ssrs.  Sci.atku  &.  Sai.vinV  "  Claci^  sy)t(.ii.ci/iii"  (P.  Z.  S.  l.'sds,  p.  4(!:i),  ait- 
as  tollows  :  — 

.('.  Ciissuin  Miifk  ciMitrally,  iiiixcil  with  while  lati^rally. 

Lari;t' :  lli'iul  nt'  tliu  wiii^'  hlack F.  (ji'jmitat. 

Small  :   lifiid  cit'  tlin  wiii^;  wliiti^ F.  nriliuaca. 

//.   (.'rissum  whiilly  white. 

tt".    Si'coiidaiio:!  (•(iiHiilmcil. 

Miir|,'iii  of  tlu'  Willi,'  whiti' F,  ttrmillata. 

Mai;,'iii  of  the  will;;  ((mcoloivd F.  huen^i'itjiu 

h".    Sftoiidarics  tipjji'd  with  white. 

Lai'i^'f  :  ISili  vi'lh>w F.  Uuaqttcni. 

Small  :   ISill  sipotteil  with  red F.  niiurinuia. 


I',  amerim.na. 

Thu  two  species  occurring  (one  of  them  aceideiilally)  in  North  America  differ  in  the  following 
cliaiacters  :  — 

1  F.  americana.  Lateral  and  posterior  feathers  of  evissum,  ed,!,'e  of  wins,',  and  tips  of  secondaries 
v.Iiite  ;  hill  with  a  daik-hrownish  >pot  near  end  of  each  inaiidihje,  the  frontal  shield 
ilark  brown.  Win,!,',  T.i'.VT.IiH  ;  tarsus,  i.m-->.H\ ;  middle  toe,  iAiy-iSMi.  J{,tl>.  Whole 
of  North  and  Middle  America,  and  West  Indies 
atra.  Only  the  edj,'e  of  the  wing  and  very  narrow  eilge  to  outer  ])iimarv  white ;  hill  rt-ithout 
dark  spots  near  end,  and  frontal  shield  not  conspicuously  different  in  color  from  the  hill. 
Wing,  7.7(1-8.80  ;  tarsus,  •2.-2:}--2:.\ri  ;  middle  toe,  i'.8,j-3.15.  Hah.  Paltcurctic  Region  ; 
accidental  in  Greenland. 


■2.  F. 


Fulica  americana. 

THE    AMERICAN    COOT. 

Fulica  cimcrkana,  Gmel.  S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  704.  —  Sw.  &  Hicii.  ¥.  R.  A.  II.  1831,  404.  —  Nrrr.  Man. 

II.  1834,  229. —  Arn.  Oin.  Biog.  III.  1835,  291  ;  V.  1839,  568:  Synop.  1839,  212  ;  B.  Am.  V. 

1842,  138,  pi.  305.  —  C.vss.  in  Hainl's  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  751.  —  B.mud,  Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  no. 

559.  _('ouF,s,  Key,  1872,  275  ;  Check  List,  1S73,  no.  474  ;  2d  ed,  1882,  no.  686  ;  Birds  N.  W. 

1874,  541.  —  RiDGW.  Kom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  580. 
Fulica  Wihnni,  Steimiens,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.  XII.  1824,  236. 
Fulica  atra,  Wii.s.  Am.  Orn.  IX.  1825,  01,  pi.  73,  fig.  1  (nee  LiNN.). 
VOL.  I.  —  oO 


394 


ALECT0IIIDE3. 


1^ 


Had.  Till'  wholu  of  Nortli  Atni'iica,  ^liddle  Amuiica,  iiiul  West  Imlies;  north  to  Oreeuluiul 
•and  Alaska,  soutb  to  Vera^nia  and  Trinitlad. 

Si'.  Chau.  Ailiill  :  (ii'UL'ial  color  uniform  .slatt'-color  or  slaty  pluinbeous,  tin.'  IkmuI  and  neck 
and  anterior  central  jKirtion  of  the  crissuni  lilack  ;  lateral  and  jiosterior  portions  of  the  crissiiui, 
edye  of  winj,',  and  tips  of  secondaries  white.  (In  winter,  the  belly  suJfiised  with  whitish.)  liill 
milk-white,  more  bluish  terminally,  each  numdible  with  a  spot  of  dark  brown  near  the  end,  bor- 
dered  anteriorly  with  a  more  or  less  distinct  bar  of  reddish  chestnut ;  frontal  shield  dark  chestniu- 
or  liver-ljrown,  the  culinen  just  in  front  of  this  tinned  with  greenish  yellow  ;  iris  brif,'ht  crimson  ; 
lej,'s  bright  yellowish  f,'i'een,  the  tiliiiu  tinged  liehind  and  aliove  with  orange-red  ;  toes  light  bluish 


illitl^:<:^ 


i    :   ■ 
■  .i 

gray,  tinged  with  yellowish  green  on  scutelhe  of  basal  phalanges.i  Youmj:  .Similar,  but  lower 
parts  more  gray,  and  much  sufl'used  with  whitish,  especially  on  the  throat  and  belly  ;  bill  dull 
tlesh-color,  tinged  with  olive-greenish,  the  frontal  shield  rudimentary ;  iris  brown.  Dmmy  youmj: 
Prevailing  color  blackish  plumbeous  ;  head,  neck,  and  upper  jiarts  relieved  by  numerous  cris|., 
elongated,  somewhat  filamentous  bristles,  these  sparse,  light  orange-bulf  and  white,  on  the  upinr 
parts,  but  dense  and  deep  salmon-orange  (m  the  head  and  neck,  where  the  dark  jdumbeous  dduii 
is  almost  or  quite  concealed  ;  these  colored  filaments  entirely  absent  from  the  whole  pileum.  wliitii 
is  mostly  balil  toward  the  oi'(dput,  elsewhere  covered  with  closely  appressed  black  bristles  ;  Ions 
densely  covered  with  short,  sl.imen-like,  orange-red  papillce.  Bill  orange-red,  the  tip  of  the  max- 
illa black  ;  feet  dusky  (in  skin). 

Total  length,  about  14  inches  ;  wing,  7.25-7.00  ;  culmen  (to  commencement  of  frontal  shicH), 
1.25-1.50;  tarsus,  2.(K)-2.20  ;  middle  toe,  ■2.45-2.(i5. 

The  Coiunion  Coot  of  the  North  American  f.inna  has  a  very  widely  extended 
distribution.  It  is  found  present  and  breeding  in  a  large  jiart  of  Northern  South 
America,  in  Jamaica,  ( 'uba,  and  other  West  India  Islands,  in  many  of  the  Southern 
States,  in  the  Northwestern  States,  in  the  interior  between  the  Missouri  and  tlie 
Western  Mountains,  on  the  Pacific  coast,  and  on  the  Saskatchewan  and  the  Mackenzie 
as  far  to  the  north  as  the  55th  ])arallel.  and  even  farther.  It  is  not  so  common  on 
the  Atlantic  coast,  and  is  met  with  chiefly,  or  wholly,  in  its  migrations  —  usually  in 
September.  It  is  very  abundant  in  Mexico  in  the  winter.  Two  instances  are  cited 
by  Reinhardt  of  its  having  been  taken  in  Greenland :  one  was  in  1854,  by  Mr.  Olric, 
the  governor  of  North  Greenlaml,  in  the  harbor  of  Christianshaab ;  the  other  in  tlu; 
s.ime  year,  by  Holbiill,  at  Godthaab.  It  is  an  occasional  visitant  of  Bermuda,  liicli- 
ardson,  who  met  with  it  in  the  Fur  Country,  states  that  its  habits  exactly  resemble 
those  of  the  closely  allied  Euro|)ean  Coot.  The  small  grassy  lakes  Avhich  skirt  tiie 
Saskatchewan  Plains  are  much  frequented  by  this  species.    It  was  not  met  with  near 

'  Fresh  colors  of  an  udiilt  male  killwl  at  Wheatland,  Ind.,  April  1.5,  1881. 


RALUD.E  —  THE  COOTS  -  I'TLICA. 


39t 


,o  Greeiiluuil 


HiuImoii's  liay,  nor  riirtlicr  nortli  tluin  llie  .'lAtli  puviiUi'l.  In  the  Fur  Country  it  wuh 
always  olwcivt'd  to  arrive  in  tlic  niglit-tinic.  Tlu'  crojis  of  thoHc  tliat  wurc  killed 
wore  found  to  be  lillcd  witli  line  sand.  Captain  Jilakiston  also  mentions  that  he  met 
with  this  bird  in  larj^t'  ninuiHMs  on  the  reedy  lakes  of  tlie  Saskatchewan  Valley,  in 
the  prairies  of  wliich  it  arrives  about  the  end  (d'  April.  He  noticed  that  it  has  the 
li;diit  of  making  a  shari)  rattlini;-  noise  at  ni),dit.  and  he  was  told  that  it  migrates  only 
hy  night.  Its  eggs  are  collected  in  great  nundiers  l)y  the  fur-traders;  and  on  one 
occasion  Captain  JJlakiston  went  out  on  such  an  excursion  in  a  canoe,  and  obtained 
ii  hundred  and  titty  in  a  few  hours  —  even  this  was  con.sidered  a  poor  day's  work. 
This  species  was  found  in  the  neigldxM'hood  of  Fort  Carlton  and  on  the  Mackenzie, 
hut  was  not  met  with  on  Hudson's  Jiay.  It  was  procured  at  Fort  Kesolution,  Fort 
Simpson,  IJig  Island,  Lake  Manitoba,  and  in  th<'  CJens  de  Large  iMountains. 

Mr,  Uoardman  iniorms  nu-  that  it  is  not  uncomnu)n  about  Calais,  Me.,  being  seen 
in  the  fall  and  spring;  but  it  is  not  known  to  breed  there,  and  its  ]iresence  is  ]ire- 
sumed  to  occur  only  in  its  migrations  from  more  northern  regions.  It  is  found  in 
Mas.sachusetts,  on  the  coast  only  as  a  migrant,  .so  far  as  1  am  aware.  It  is  said  by 
iMr.  Allen  to  breed  near  Springfield. 

According  to  the  observations  of  Mr.  (Jiraud,  this  bird  is  nowhere  plentiful  in  tlu; 
middle  Atlantic^  districts.  Throughout  the  sea-coast  of  Xew  Jersey,  as  well  as  on 
that  of  Long  i.slaiul,  it  is  suiticiently  frcfpient  to  be  known  to  the  hunters,  by  whom 
it  is  called  the  "Mud-hen."'  When  it  docs  occur  it  is  usually  to  be  .seen  on  low  wet 
marshes  and  on  the  necks  of  land  along  the  nuirgins  of  creeks,  which  are  thickly  cov- 
ered with  rank  grass  and  weeds,  that  afford  it  shtdter  in  the  intervals  between  the 
tides.  It  is  then  seldom  seen,  and  when  noticed  disajijjears  so  (juickly  through  the 
close  cover  that  it  is  impossible  to  pursue  it.  At  high-tiile  it  sits  on  the  drift  grass, 
or  retreats  to  higher  places  on  the  end)ankment,  awaiting  the  fall  of  the  tide  to 
rcsunu'  its  oppoituidty  of  feeding  on  the  worms,  Crustacea,  insects,  or  seeds  of  the 
various  plants  which  aliound  on  the  muddy  jdaces  it  frefpients.  In  its  hai)its  it  is 
sedentary,  and,  like  the  Kails  and  Gallinules,  to  wliich  in  nmny  resj)ects  it  has  a 
strong  resemblance,  is  averse  to  taking  wing.  Except  when  alarmed  or  suspicious 
of  dau,L,('r.  it  moves  very  leisurely  along  in  ])ursuit  of  its  food.  ANTieu  not  thus  em- 
ployed its  attitude  is  drowsy  and  listless.  If  pursued,  it  can  run  very  fast  and  swim 
and  dive  very  well,  and  if  in  danger,  with  great  rapidity,  nuiking  use  of  both  wings 
and  feet  in  swimming,  like  the  (Jallinule.  It  has  not  been  ascertained  to  breed  on 
Long  Island. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  this  bird  abundant  near  Matamoras  and  Brownville  during  the 
time  he  was  in  that  region  ;  near  San  Antonio,  late  in  the  autumn  of  ISGH,  he  also 
procured  several  specinuuis  of  it.  ^Iv.  >).  A,  Allen  found  it  common  in  May  in  East- 
ern Kansas,  where  it  was  seen  in  large  nundiers  in  the  lagoims.  ^Ir.  Hidgway  speaks 
of  it  as  excessively  abundant  and  resiih'ut  in  all  the  marshes  of  California,  as  well 
ns  thrcraghout  the  interior.  It  is  also  mentioned  by  JNlr.  1{.  Browne  as  one  of  the 
birds  of  Vancouver  Island.  Dr.  (Joojier  states  that  it  abounds  in  the  nmrshy  neighbor- 
hood of  nearly  every  ])on(l  and  stream  in  California,  and  it  is  ])robably  equally  muuer- 
ous  in  Oregon  and  Washington  Territory.  Simth  of  San  F'rancisco  it  is  known  only 
as  a  winter  visitor.  Ueing  but  rarely  shot  at  by  hunters,  it  is  remarkably  tame,  col- 
lecting in  flocks  of  hundreds  in  the  marshes  about  San  Francisco  and  other  cities,  as 
well  as  near  remote  mountain-lakes,  walking  awkwardly  about  on  their  shores,  and 
scarcely  getting  out  of  tlie  way  to  escape  the  sportsnnm,  who  thinks  it  an  unworthy 
object  of  his  skill,  as  its  flesh  is  dark  and  unpalatable.  The  young  bird,  however,  is 
said  to  be  good  eating. 


396 


ALECTOniDKS. 


'    i 

', 

i,   ' 

i 

m 


Tlip  Coot  can  swim  and  divp  with  gwiit  ease;  Init  wlicii  wtiirtiiij,'  to  fly  sniniis  tr; 
havi'  j^ri'at  (litliculty  in  risiiif,'.  at  lirst  flappiiij,'  the  water  and  almost  walking  uiiun  it 
for  soiuf  distance.  When  uiice  fairly  up  it  ciin  move  witii  eoiisi(h'ialile  swiffiiess, 
resenil)liii},'  in  this  a  (irelje  mueh  nu)re  tiian  a  iJail.  In  the  spring  it  lieeomes  (piite 
noisy,  the  floelis  making  a  kind  of  ehattering  chorus,  but  Ijeecmiing  silent  again  after 
they  have  separated  in  pairs  Utv  the  breeding-season.  A  few  breed  as  far  south  as 
Santa  Jiarbara.  wliere  Dr.  Cooper  saw  young  on  the  lOthof  May,  while  at  I'uget  Sound 
they  appear  early  in  .lune.  I)r.  Cooper  diil  not  meet  with  the  nest  of  this  species. 
lait  he  was  informed  liy  Dr.  Liel)  tiiat  it  is  eompo.sed  of  (h'y  rushes,  without  lining, 
loosely  constructed,  and  several  inches  tiiick  at  tiie  bottom.  It  is  live  inches  deep 
and  nearly  two  feet  wide,  and  sometimes  floats  among  the  rushes.  The  eggs  are  .said 
to  b^'  from  ten  to  Hfteen  in  nund)er.  greenish  yellow  in  ground-color,  sprinkh'd  witli 
snmll  lirown  spi'cks,  and  measure  U.(«>  by  l.U.")  inches. 

Tiiis  l)iril  ri'sembles  the  Hail  in  having  a  compressed  body,  and  can  nud<e  its  way 
through  tlie  dense  reeds  where  Ducks  cannot  ])ass,  and  where  the  water  is  too  deep 
for  Kails.  In  such  situations  it  spends  most  of  its  tiuu',  feeding  on  grass-seeds. 
leaves  of  a(iuati<'  plants,  small  shells,  and  insects,  collecting  mueh  of  its  food  under 
the  water.    On  tiie  land  it  can  sometimes  l)e  caught  l)y  iiaud  before  it  is  aide  to  rise. 

Examples  were  obtained  by  Mr.  Skinner  in  Central  America,  and  others  were 
observed  in  abiuuhmce  on  the  Lake  of  Duefias  by  Mr.  Salvin,  which,  from  speci- 
mens afterward  obtained,  were  ascertained  with  (iertainty  to  be  of  this  sjieeies.  It 
is  given  l)y  Leotaud  as  rare  in  Trinichul. 

Mr.  March  describes  tlie  I'ggs  of  this  species,  found  by  him  in  .lanmiea,  as  belief 
eight  or  more  in  uundu-r,  oval,  jwinted  at  one  end,  grayish  stone-cok)r,  splasiu'd  all 
over  with  small  bistre-l)rown  sjjots  and  dots.  The  ground-color  is  at  flrst  very  pale, 
but  becomes  darker  by  exposure. 

Mr.  Oosse  states  that  it  may  be  seen  at  all  hours  of  the  day  in  the  iunneuse  morass 
of  Savanna  la  Mar,  there  being  hundreds  congregated  within  an  acre.  There  they  are 
wary  to  an  excess,  the  distant  sight  of  a  man  or  tlie  snai)i)ing  of  a  dry  twig  alaruung 
the  whole  flock,  though  the  noise  of  cattle  walking  on  the  shore  has  no  su(di  tdfect. 

A  few  siiecinu'iis  of  this  bird  are  recorded  by  Major  Wedderburn  and  Mr.  Hurdis 
as  having  been  obtained  at  JJermuda,  usually  in  November  and  December,  and  in  one 
instance  on  tlu'  L'8th  of  May. 

^Ir.  Say  ol)served  it  in  the  lower  part  of  ^Missouri  Territory  ;  and  in  Long's 
Expedition  it  was  seen  in  Lake  AVinnipicpie  on  the  7th  of  June.  Mr.  Swainson 
also  obtained  specimens  on  the  Plateau  of  Mexico.  ]\Ir.  Nuttall  mentions  that  about 
the  15th  of  April,  l.s;{.'},  a  pair  took  up  their  residence  in  Fresh  I'ond,  Mass.,  and 
in  the  following  June  were  occasionally  seen,  accomjianied  by  their  young.  It  is 
probable  that  similar  occurrences  are  more  common  than  is  generally  supposed,  liar- 
tram  informed  Wilson  that  this  bird  is  resident  and  abundant  in  Florida.  Audubon, 
however,  controverts  this  statement,  believing  that  the  Coot  is  found  in  either  Louis- 
iana or  Florida  from  November  to  the  middle  of  April  only,  that  none  reuuiin  there 
after  that  period,  and  that  none  breed  there.  So  sweeping  a  conclusion  from  merely 
negative  evidence  is  somewhat  rash,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Coot  is  known  to 
breed  in  large  numbers  in  the  Island  of  Cuba  on  the  one  hand,  and  in  Texas,  and 
Tamaulipas,  Mexico,  on  the  other.  In  one  instance,  at  least,  it  has  been  found  breed- 
ing at  Monticello,  West  Florida,  from  which  place  its  egg  was  sent  me  by  Mr.  Samuel 
Pasco,  a  citizen  of  that  place. 

Mr.  Audubon  mentions  having  once  encountered  a  large  flock  of  these  birds,  several 
hundreds  in  number,  on  the  Mississippi  on  the  22d  of  March.     They  were  feeding  on 


RALIJD.E  —  THE  COOTS  —  FITLICA. 


39" 


till'  grass  of  a  Hiivaium  IxmltTiiiK  llif  rivi-r.  ITc  plainly  saw  tht'iu  nibble  tin-  tciKU'r 
grass  in  the  Hanuj  manner  as  |)()ultry.  When  Im  Hred  into  tin-  flock,  tlic  survivors, 
iiffr  running  a  few  steps,  rose  iiiid  tlew  ol't'  toward  tlie  river,  their  legs  hanging 
behind,  their  wings  pro  hieing  a  constant  whirr.  Whih'  swininiing  they  tlew  with 
ea.se.  although  not  with  aueh  speed,  and  moved  the  head  and  neck  in  unison  with 
their  feet. 

Mr.  Moore  states  that  Mr.  Audubon  was  in  error  in  sujijuising  that  this  bird  never 
dives.  It  is  not  in  the  habit  of  iniiuersing  its  entire  body;  yet  he  has  oeea.sionally 
seen  one  or  two  birds,  in  a  sipiail  of  fou-.'  or  six.  jdungo  and  remain  so  hmg  beneath 
tiie  surface  that  this  had  becomti  smooth  before  they  emerged.  This  is  freipiently 
done  by  one  individual  while  others  by  its  siiUs  are  engagi'd  in  picking  from  th»  sur- 
face. In  like  manner  the  eommon  FuHni  atnt  of  Eurojie  dives  and  brings  up  its  food 
from  the  bottom  in  a  very  skilful  manner. 

Mr.  Moore  is  of  the  opinion  that  this  bird  rarely  breeds  in  Florida.  Tt  comes  in 
tldcks  about  the  liOth  of  Sciiteiubcr,  and  often  remains  in  the  same  pond  until  its 
departure,  which  takes  plaee  between  the  last  of  ^lareh  and  the  Idth  of  Ainil.  At 
tlio  appi'oaidi  of  danger  the  Coot  does  not  sink  its  body  in  the  water,  but,  like  the 
(iallinule,  hurries  to  a  covert  by  striking  the  water  with  its  feet  and  tiying.  The 
forward  stroke  of  its  wing  is  performed  when  swimming  slowly  in  search  of  food. 
When  moving  with  its  highest  speed,  it  uses  its  feet  only,  its  head  and  neck  being 
cirried  as  steadily  as  those  of  a  DiU'k. 

Two  eggs  in  my  collection  (No.  llTo)  —  collected  in  ^linnesota  by  Mr.  B.  F.  Goss  — 
have  a  ground-color  of  a  light  grayish  bulf,  sprinkled  uniformly  with  very  minute 
specks  and  round  ilots  of  imrplish  black.  In  shape  these  eggs  are  of  an  oiilong  oval, 
tapering  at  one  end  and  rounded  slightly  at  the  other;  thes«'  measure,  one  1.85  inches 
by  1.85,  the  other  l.*,)(>  inches  by  \.'M).  A  third,  from  Lake  Koskonong,  Wis.,  is  oval  in 
shape,  the  smaller  end  being  hardly  peroei)tibly  less  than  the  other;  its  ground-color 
is  a  deei»  butf,  with  a  decided  reddish  tinge  :  the  spots,  though  small,  are  larger, 
deeper,  and  more  uniformly  rounded,  but  still  sparsely  scattered.  This  egg  (No.  78) 
measures  1.81'  inches  by  l.lio. 

A  nest  of  this  species  obtained  from  a  reedy  swamp  at  .Marysville,  Utah,  i.s  com- 
j){)sed  entirely  of  coarse  reeds.  It  is  eight  inches  high,  thirteen  inches  wide,  and 
has  a  cavity  four  inches  deep.  It  contained  ten  eggs.  Dr.  J.  C.  .Merrill  mentions 
iiaving  found  as  many  as  fourteen  eggs  in  a  single  nest.  Mr.  \S.  F.  Goss  writes  me 
tiiat  it  is  very  abundant  in  Wisconsin  in  early  spring,  and  that  later  in  the  season 
it  congregates  in  flocks,  frequenting  more  open  water.  Its  preference  is  for  shal- 
low water,  muddy  bottoms,  the  vicinity  of  reeds  and  rushes,  and  during  its  breeding- 
season  it  is  nirtdy  found  far  from  such  situations.  Its  nest  is  built  al)out  the  last  of 
May,  in  some  thick  cover,  where  the  old  growth  is  brf)ken  down,  forming  a  platform 
just  above  the  mud  or  shallow  water.  It  is  built  with  some  care,  rather  deeply  hol- 
lowed, and  composed  of  ruslus,  flag-leaves,  etc.  Eleven  eggs  have  been  found  in  a 
nest,  but  the  usual  number  is  eight  or  lune.  The  eggs  vary  in  length  from  1.75  to 
I'.lO  inches,  and  in  breadth  from  1.17  to  1.42  inches.  The  ground-color  is  dark  gray- 
ish cream,  thickly  covered  with  fine  spots  of  different  shades  of  dark  brown,  lilac,  etc. 
Its  nest  is  usually  so  carefully  concealed  that  it  is  usually  much  more  difficult  to  find 
than  that  of  the  Gallinule. 


4 


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i; 

398  ALKCTOKIDKS. 


FuUca  atra. 

THE  EUROPEAN  COOT. 

Fiilieaalni,  Linn.  S.  N.  cl.  Id,  I.  17:.!*,  l.VJ;  nl.  I'J,  1.  17rtn,  2S7.  —  Kkvm.  &  IIi.ah.  Wirl..  Kur. 
184n,  tl8.  —  Nai  M.  V('K-  P'Misdil.  IX.  Ks;ts,  ti;i,'.,  pi.  241.  -    .Siiii.kh.   Ktv.  Ciit.  mu,  lo'J. - 
.Makhi.i,.  Mini.  t»iii.  il.  11«;  IliM.  Uiil.  II.  IV.  1H.V2,  Mo.  —  UiiuiW.  Xoin.  N.  Am.  I),  issi, 
lio..'i.'*(l  ((iici-nlinul,  ,/''/'■  I'liif.  •'•  l!l.lMlAl!l>l),  -  CufK.'*,  I'linl  l,i>t,  -.M  im|.  1S82,  int.  88:i. 

Fulieii  iilnriiiKi,  Ur.iv..  Kauii.  Siut.  1»imi,  lyy,  —  hiiKiiM,  Vog.  Diutaclil.  1S31,  71lt,  |i|.  ;trt,  tig.  4. 

t'ltlieit  kucoriij;  (Imki..  S.  N.  1. 1788,  703. 

Fii/ini  irllilo/hi,  (iMii,.  t,  r.  701. 

FiiUcii  iiliilijnrii^,  \\\wms\,  Vnj,',  D.'ulsclil.  711. 

Haii.     I'lilauivtii:  lli'^'imi  in  ^^iiu'iai  ;  acciilciitai  in  (•n't'iiliiii!  (I'lnf.  ,1.  ItiaNiiAUHT). 

Si'.  ("iiAii.  Ailiilt :  llciiil  and  lurk  lilmk,  tliii*  clmn^'inn  Kriidimlly  into  very  dark  plunilieouit. 
bIiUi'  on  llic  upiicr  |uirlM,  and  to  li;,'liti'r,  more  ;,'rayi^'ll,  •'late  on  tlic  lower  snrl'acc  ;  rnnip,  po.-iti>rior 
8capular.'<,  mnl  hind  part  of  liack  niorr  oi  Icis  lini^iMJ  wiiii  ilark  oiivaicons  ;  inidcr  ?<nri'ac'i>  of  pri- 
maries Hilvcry  '^my  ;  odj,'!'  of  winj,'  and  vcrv  narrow  niar^^in  to  outer  web  of  outer  i>riniary,  white. 
Hill  (in  lili  )  pale  red  at  tiic  liase,  llie  tip  white  ;  frontal  plate  lilnisii  wiiile  ;  iris  crimson  ;  lei  I 
liini.-iji  ^,'ray  tinj,'eil  with  olive  ;  liie  hare  p.irt  of  ilic  tiliia  oran;,'e  ;  (daw^^  olivaceous  (Mac  (iil.i,ivitA\  ) 
YoKiKj:  .Similar  to  the  adult,  hut  mori-  ^^rayisii  ;  the  hill  and  frontal  plate  dull  j,'reenish  ;  the  iris 
brown,  etc.  Ihwnii  yninui :  Sooty  iilackish  above,  dark  sooty  ;,'ray  below  ;  nei'.k,  back,  and  wiii;,'s 
ornamentecl  with  tine  dull-wliile  tijanii'nts,  the  I'orcheail  ami  hues  wilii  peculiar  small,  thickened, 
nnd  soniewhat  curle(l  liorny  altaciinients  to  the  down,  of  a  pale  dull  oranj,'e-color  (perhaps  bri^'hl 
oraUj,'e  or  recldisli  in  life)  ;  itasal  half  of  bill  pale  brownish  (reddish  or  orauj^e  in  life  (),  llie 
terminal  half  ])orcelain-whiti',  lipped  with  jet-black. 

Total  len(,'th,  about  Ki.OO  inches  ;  extent  of  wind's,  22.(M) ;  wini;.  7.70-8.80;  culiuen  (iucludint; 
frontal  plate),    l."t>-2.t«);  tarsus,  U.^ri-i.'Xf  ;  middle  toe,  :i.Nj-3.1J. 


Family   A K AM ID.R  —  The  CnrnLANS. 

Arnmidw,  Mosai'.  Coiisp.  11.  IS.I,'),  lii3. 

Char.  Largo  Rail-like  hird'i,  diU'criiio  from  tin-  true  IJuils  (UnUirld)  m  thn  outer 
primary  liciiij,'  shorter  tliiiii  the  .seventh,  it.s  inner  web  greatly  narrowed,  as  if  cut 
away,  except  at  end  ;  the  elongated  hill  (about  einial  to  the  tarsus)  slightly  curvcil 
to  one  side  at  the  ti]i ;  the  inner  secondaries  well  develo]ied,  broad,  their  welis 
slightly  decomposed  ;  the  rectrices  well  developed,  firm,  and  very  distinct  from  the 
coverts. 

The  Coiirlans  are  very  closely  related  to  the  true  Hails,  and  so  far  as  the  extrrunl 
structure  is  concerned,  scarcely  dift'er  except  in  the  peculiarities  ])oiiitcd  out  above, 
none  of  which,  howevei',  seem  to  bo  shared  by  any  of  the  linlUdtv  i)rop»'r.  But  cuie 
penus  is  known,  the  characters  of  whicli  are  as  follows :  — 


Gentts  ARAMUS,   Vikillot. 

Aramus,  Vikim..  Ar.nlysc,  1816,  58  (typo,  Courliri,  Buff.,  =.irdcn  scolopaccn,  Omki..  ). 
B.  N.  Am.  18.'-.8,  fi.l?. 


BAIfll'. 


Char.    Bill  elongated,  much  compressed,  liotli  m.wdibles  decurved  and  turned  slightly  to  one 
side  at  tip.     Gony8  very  long.     Bill  of  equal  width  nearly  from  base  to  tip  ;  nostrils  pervious,  in 


i 


fff' 


AUAMID.K-TIIK  ColKLANS       AliAMIS. 


ai)!) 


'irii.  Kiir. 
4,  10'2.  ~ 
I).  1891, 

885. 

I.  ng.  *• 


.uiiilieous- 
,  j)()ittcriiir 

ic(>  (if  I'li- 
irv,  whilr. 
iisDii ;  l«'l 

ll.MVKAV). 

Ii  ;  the  UU 
mill  \vin,i;^ 
Uiicki'ucil, 
laps  liiij^lil 
lilV!). 'I'^' 

(iucluiliii;^ 


the  ontor 
as  if  oil 
y  cuvvcil 
leir  Wflis 
from  llio 


cxtcriKil 

out  aViovi'. 

Hut  out' 


.)._  Baiv.i'. 

irrhtlv  to  out' 

pervious,  i" 


ilii'  liiiHitl  t'liiirth  <it  tho  liill.  Ili'ttil  foatliiri'il  to  l>ill,  mily  tlic  tycliil^  imknl.  ]a"^h  li'ii^tliiinil ;  tihia 
liall  Imro  ;  t>>i-NUM  Imi^t'i'  thuii  iiiiililln  t)iu  ;  twi«  withutit  IminuI  nu-iiiliiaitu  :  outi-t'  lultial  rallur  loii^'i r 
liiiiii  iniii'r;  iiiiililli'  ilaw  imt  priiinatril.     'I'lic  titr-<i  aii-  lniMully  Niiilcllati'  aiiti'i'ii>i'l\ 

'I'lic   willy's  ai(^   liioail   itinl    imiiiili'il  ;  llu'  tiitial-*  i'i|iial   to  tln^   pi  iiiiaiii'H.     'I'ln'  liist  liiiiii  i» 
itcaixi'ly  luti^ur  than  ihu  IviiLh,  uiul  Hiihlakatc.     The  tail  i-*  iiuiipiiscil  ol'  lwi4vi<  li-athi'r>*. 


A.  .^ciiliijMceim. 

Two  HjiL'cies  are  at  inv-n'iit  known  to  niilurali>ls,  tuinicrly  siijipciscil  to  hv  one.  ("ahanis  wii» 
the  llr-it  to  point  out  tile  iliiri'i't"i(','s  iii'lwccn  theiu,  and  to  insist  that  thuy  wuiti  distinct,  uiid  not 
iiicivly  adidt  and  younp(.     'I'liry  ditl'iT  as  inlluws  :  — 

Com.  CiiAU.  I'li'vailiiiL;  rolup  d;Mk  liinwn,  vaiyiiij,'  Irmu  a  cliocolatu  to  an  olivaceous  shaih*  ; 
Iliad  and  net'k,  and  sduielinie!)  (in  .1. /i/iViw)  (he  liack,  win({-covei'l»,  and  lower  parts  longitu- 
ilinally  spotted  or  striped  witli  wliito  ;  reniij,'e^  and  reetriees  j,do».sed  with  purple. 

1.   A.  BOOlopacouB.'     White  niarkin;,'s  cunlined  to  the  hea<l  and  neck   (cuncealed  or  allo- 

^ictlier    wanting   on  other    iiortioiisi.      Wing,   l^.TiO-l  |.-J()    inches;    tail,  ".(iO ;   culinen, 

4.:)(>-4.70;  tarsus,   I. (il»-,').:i(l.     Jlah.   Eastern  South  America. 
•2.   A.  plctUB.     White  stripes  I'xtending  over  hack,  wing-coverts,   and  entire   lower  ]iarts, 

except  crissuni.     Wing,  ll.(K>-ia()(l ;  tail.  .'),!)(>;  culmen,  3.00-1.8(1;  tarsus,  3.5ti-5.L'(i. 

Ifiih.  West  Indies,  Florida,  and  Central  .Vnieiica. 

'  AiiAMUH  8COLorACKi;.s.     The  Scolupaceoas  Cmu'liui  ;  ISra/.ilinn  Courlau. 
Coiirlan,  on  Court iri.  Hi  ri'.  Hist.  Nat.  di.s.  VII.  IPJ. 
Lr  Coicrhin,  de  Vininim-,  Wvvv.  I'l.  Kill.  17711-1781,  jil.  848. 
Seolo/HiccoKs  Hrrnii,  I.atu.  Synnp.  III.  i.  178r>,  l(i2  (c.x  I'l.  Knl.  848). 
Anlfa  scotiijidiw,  (I.mki,.  .s.  N.  I.  ii.  178S,  tt47,  no.  87  (ex  Bi'fk.  &  Lath.  1.  c). 
Animus  scnlojmirus,  ViKii.i..  Nouv.  Uiet.  VIII.  1817,  301  ;  Oal.  Ois.  II.  134,  pi.  252.  — AuD. 

Orn.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  pi.  377  (not  the  de.scr.)  ;  H.  Aui.  V.  1842,  pi.  312  (not  the  tleser.).  — 

Baiho,  B.  N.  .Am.  18r.8,  iJ'(7  (rontnotc). 
Cumu,  AzAUA,  Apunt.  III.  18(i.''>,  202,  no.  StiO. 
Aiwmis  caritu,  Vikii.i,.  N.  D.  VIII.  1817.  300. 
IMlu/'  nr(li;ii(l,:<,  Hv\k,  Av.  Bras.  11.  1824,  72,  pi.  xci. 
liol/usijioiis,  Licnr.  Verz.  Doubl.  1823,  7i>. 
Notlmrixliua  guarauiiii,  Waoi..  Sy.st.  Av.  1827  (not  Scolopitx  gvarauna,  Linn.). 


"IF 


400 


ALE('ToI{IDKH. 


ArainuB  plotiui. 

FLORIDA  COURLAN ;  LIMFKIM. 

TnntaluH  indun  { KiihuiuiLykii  litdum),  lli>:  Cnjimj  llinl,   UuiUifuUu  iixrikltd,   H.vilTHAM, 

ArumiiH  iiiilUH,  t'lUK.H.  I'r.  A< .  Nat.  Si  i.  I'liilml.  lS7:i,:t.'i»  (rx  Uauui.  I.'.)  j  (,'link  l,i»t,  iiil 
nil.  (171.  —  Uiiiiiw.  Noiii.  N.  Am.  II.  1.H81,  no.  6»l. 

/,'"//".«  J/'!/""''"".  H'iNAi'.  .lour.  A<'.  Nut.  S.i.  I'liilml.  V.  Wi:>,  :»1  (Floiida). 

Ai<iiiii<ii.ii<j<iiil'<i-<<  Uaiiih,  H.  N.  Am.  IS.'iH,  tiri7  ;  t'ut.  N.  Am.  H.  1n'i!»,  ii<>.  4h1. 

Aiamiis  iniiliifHiciiin,  viir.  ijiijuiilnis,  (OrKM,  Kry,  1h7'J,  •j71  ;  ('link  List,  lH7a ,   KU. 

Antiims  .vohimfrKg,  HoN.M'.  Am.  Orii.  III.  \n-is,  lU.  pi.  xxvi.  (iiei'  Vii.ii.1..)  -  Nrn. 
18;u,  (W.  Aci).  Mm.  Uii'g.  IV.  Imih,  .1J3  (imt  pi.  ;t77.  wliUh  In  truu  J.  .iiu/i*/wceM«) 
IHIiU,  Jilt  ;  H.  Am.  V.  1H4'J,  iHl  (mil  [il.  ;il'J.  wliirli  U  J.  .vutlnixuvun). 

ynlli'iuiili  11.1  liii/iinl id  11.1,  C'.vii.  .1.  f.  (».  IH.'.O,   IJtl  (Culiu). 

Animus  hiihul ifl II :,  Sci,.  &  .S.vi.v.  llii»,  I.  1860,  227  {Heli/o  ami  Oiiioii,  HomluruH). 

IIau.  (hviiUT  Aiitilli's  Fiiniilii,  mill  Allnntii'  rmiHt  nf  (Viitnil  Aiiu'iiin,  Id  {[ihhIuiuh  aii<l 
Cimta  Hira  i  I'aiilir  ru/ift ). 

Si'.  Cmak,  .Ii/»//  ;  (It'iiiTiil  loliir  nlivmcim^  uiiiliii-lniiwn,  iiirh  l'L'iithi.'r  iimiki'd  ct'iitiiiliy  witii 
a  Htii|)e  of  wliiti',  tlusi"  nmikiiiK-^  liiuai  mi  the  licml  iiiiil  iiirk,  Imt  iniiili  linituli  r  mil  iiutru  or  Iuh« 
cuiinitu  ami  ovate  ini  llir  lnwiT  jiarl-,  ii|iii('r  imrl  (liliic  liark,  sra|iiilm-<,  ami  win;;  c  uvi'itf* ;  niik's. 
Hank-*,  ami  irisHiiiii  uiiiroriii  rliiiiMilali'-lniiwii,  wiilmui  siivakM  ;  iiiiiiiarii-*  ami  tail  uiiirnrni  viili 
purpliMli  chocolutf,  Willi   i)ur|t!i.''li   ri'lliTliniis  ;  uiiinT  |iiirtH  >{eu('riilly  ihdh'  ur  Iimh  ^ilu'seil   wiili 


TmviU. 

•ll.    INS'.'. 


.Mail.  II 
;  Hyiii.j., 


purplisli  bronze.  Lores,  iiinlar  re^tion,  chin,  luul  throat  dull  white,  I'aiiitly  streaked  with  lirown. 
"Bill  ^ireunisli  yellow,  dusky  tuwanl  the  end  of  lioth  nimidiMes,  hut  esiieeiaJly  the  iiiiper  ;  iii> 
ha/.el  ;  feet  leaiU^tiay  ;  cliiws  dusky  '' '  (.\ii)i'H()N).  Ymiiiij  :  Similar  to  the  adult,  hut  tlie  lnown 
duller,  the  white  uiai'kiii^js  nnich  narrower,  and  less  sharply  detined.  Doimiij  ijouuij :  "Coveieil 
with  eoawe  tufty  feathers  of  a  black  color"  (Audubon). 

Total  leii;;tii,  about  •2.'>.(M)-27.(HI  inches;  extent,  4(l.(l(>-42.(K) ;  wing,  1I.(M>-13.0() ;  ciiliiieii, 
3.50-4.75  ;  tarsus,  a.-'id-.'i.io  ;  middle  toe.  :}.;}( >-3  .")(». 

Among  more  than  fifty  specinieiiH  of  this  bird  examined,  we  find  great  variations  of  size  and 
pro|iortions ;  and  if  the  labels  arc  tn  be  credited,  this  variation  seems  i|iiite  inilei»endeiit  ol'scx. 
Young  birds  resemlile  iidulls,  but  are  duller  colored,  with  tlie  white  maikiiigs  much  narrower  and 
less  distinct.  Sevimil  examples  from  Porto  Rico  have  shorter  and  deeper  bills,  anil  are  smaller 
generally,  than  any  we  have  seen  from  Florida.  In  a  larger  series,  however,  these  difl'erences  may 
prove  not  constant.  An  examjile  from  La  Palnm,  Costa  Rica  (I'acilic  side),  collected  by  Mi. 
C.  C.  Nutting,  is  not  essentially  different  from  some  Floridan  specimens,  although  rather  mmi' 
richly  colored  than  most  of  them. 

'  III  tlie  dried  skin,  the  bill  is  mainly  dusky,  the  mamlitile  light  brownish  on  the  basul  lialf.  the 
temiiual  half  horn-color,  dusky,  or  even  glaucous  ;  tliu  legs  and  feet  black. 


AUAM[I),K  -  THK  CoritLANH  —  AUAMLrf. 


401 


,  Tiiivi'l'', 


1-.  Man.  II. 


itiiilly  witli 

mlr    111'    li-^ 

nit'oriu  I'iili 


Kvitli  brown. 

uiiiii'V ;  iii^ 

lilt  lilt'  liriiuii 

/  ;    "  CoVi'li'l 

1(10  ;    I'lllini'ii, 

lis  of  size  mill 

■udeiit  oi'si'X. 

limiTowiT  all' I 

art'  siiiiill'i 

IfliTc'iices  iiiiiv 

].,.to.l  liy  Ml. 

vatliLT  luori' 

usul  half,  tl" 


i'lic  <'iiiii'liiii,  ill  th**  Noi'tli  Aiiit>rU>uii  fiiuiui,  iiii'i  ii  rfr^tni'lnl  ilistriliutimi,  Ih-iiik 
I'liiiliiH'il  fxi'luHivcly  to  tilt*  pt'iiiiiNiilii  of  Kloriilu,  uiul  imt  Ih-iii^  known  tn  fxiHt  in  iiii> 
utlii'i'  |Mirtiiiii  iif  till'  (iiiti'il  Stiitcs.  It  ori'urN  in  Culia  I'ml  •liiMiaira,  imd  |iriilialil,\  in 
iitlh'i'M  of  the  Wrst  Imiiii  Islaiiil.s,  ami  in  |i<irtinns  uf  'rnlral  Aun-iica.  It  \n  nut 
iiicntiiinftl  liy  l/><ilaiiil  uh  ncninin^  in  'I'liniilail. 

In  Floridii,  lu'coriiin^  to  AmltilKin,  it  a|i|M>arMto  Im>  fntin-ly  i'oiitin*Ml  tn  that  MM-tioti 
iif  till*  pfninHiila  nf  I'Mmiila  kiin\Mi  a.s  tin'  I'lvi-i'^rlaili's,  ami  tlif  Nwani|i\  iMiiilrrs  nf  tlii> 
IkiViiiis  ami  la^'nniiH  i.sHiiinK'  llii'i'i'lniin.  In  ono  iii.stano'  it  in  said  tn  liavi'  Ih'oii  pni- 
I'uri'il  anions  tlif  Florida  Kcvh  Ity  Titian  l'i>ult<.  It  was  nut  nict  witli  \>\  Aiidulidn 
nil  iinv  nf  tlidSf  islands,  nur  did  In'  nntirc  it  on  any  part  (d'  tin*  roast  lii'twcm  Klmida 
.iiid  Texas.  .\iidiil)on  dcsnilit's  its  tli)<lit  as  heavy  and  of  shoit  diiratiuii,  the  eon- 
lavity  anil  shortness  id'  the  wind's,  with  the  nature  nf  the  plaees  whieh  it  inhaliits. 
iiiiderinj,'  it  slow  to  remove  from  niie  spot  tn  aimtlier  nii  win^.  it  heinn  fmind  ehiefls 
aiiiiiii^'  tall  plants,  the  rnnts  nf  which  are  lii'ipiriilly  under  water.  When  it  rises  nt 
it^  (iwn  aecnrd,  it  passes  tlirnii;,di  llie  aii  at  a  slinit  distanee  alinve  the  weeils,  with 
rej{ulai'  lieats  nf  the  will^s,  its  lieek  extended  tn  its  fllll  len|i{th.  and  its  Inli^  le^s 
ilaii^'liny:  lieiieath,  until  it  suddenly  drnps  tn  the  ^rnmid.  If  pursued,  few  birds  exeel 
It  in  speed.  It  prneeeds  liy  Iniij,'  strides,  lirst  in  a  direct  cniirse.  and  afterward  di\  ei|n- 
iiiK.  so  an  to  insure  its  safety  even  when  ehiised  by  the  liest  dnj,'s.  When  iieeidentally 
surprised,  it  rises  oliliipiely  nut  nf  its  recess,  with  the  neck  n''''iitly  lient  dnwnwai'd; 
iiid  altllnll^dl  its  le^,'s  daiij,dc  Inr  a  while,  they  arc  afterward  extended  liehind  in  the 
iiiaiiuer  nf  ilernns.  .\t  smh  limes  it  is  easily  slmt.  If  only  wnundcd.  it  is  vain  tn 
pursue  it.  Hy  the  ^'icat  lcnj,'tli  ami  cx|)an«ion  <d'  its  toes  it  is  enahled.  altlaainh  id' 
iiijisidcralile  size,  to  walk  nn  the  lunad  leaves  nf  the  .\i/iii/i/ii'ir.  It  can  s\\  iiii  w  itii 
all  the  Ijiioyancy  nf  tin'  Cnnt  and  the  (Jallinule. 

Its  ne.st  is  composed  nf  rank  weeds  matted  tn|,'etlier  and  forming,'  a  lar,y:e  mass 
with  a  depression  in  the  eentie.  This  is  placed  amnii,!,'  the  larger  tufts  of  the  tallest 
'.,'rasses  which  j^rnw  at  short  distances  I'rom  the  liayoiis.  some  of  them  influenced  liy 
llie  low  tides  of  the  (Iiilf ;  it  is  fastened  tn  the  stems  of  these  plants  in  the  same 
iiiaiiuer  as  that  of  the  Clajipcr  Itail,  and  is  |,'eiii  rally  secure  from  iniimhition.  The 
r;4i,'s  arc  usually  six  in  niimlter.  and  are  lar^'e  for  the  bird.  The  y<aiii^'  are  hatched 
out  early  in  .May,  are  covered  with  a  rather  coarse  black  down,  and  follow  their 
parents  soon  after  their  apjiearance.  This  bird  is  said  to  feed,  in  Florida,  cliietly  on 
a  lar^'e  greenish  snail  which  is  abundant  in  the  l']vcr^j;lades.  While  on  the  wiiij,'  it 
utters  a  note  said  to  be  a  sort  of  eai'klc,  like  that  of  the  Cniumnn  Hen;  but  when 
nil  the  ground  this  ery  is  much  louder,  especially  during  the  pairing-.seasnii,  or  when 
startled  by  the  report  of  a  gun.  Its  Hesh  is  regarded  as  good  eating.  The  statements 
as  to  its  ever  alighting  nu  trees  Aiidiibnii  was  inclined  tn  discredit. 

Dr.  Itryant  (I'roc.  linst<in  Xat.  Mist.  Soe.  VII.  ]>.  11)  does  not  consider  Audubon 
as  being  ipiite  accurate  in  regarding  the  Everglades  as  the  heacUiuarters  of  this  spe- 
cies. In  his  visits  to  that  portion  situated  near  Fort  Dallas,  he  did  not  meet  with 
an  individual.  He  never  found  it  either  nn  the  shallow  ]K)nds  nr  the  wet  savannas  so 
luimeroiis  in  the  neighborhood  of  Indian  River.  The  part  of  Moriila  in  which  he  saw- 
it  was  on  the  St.  John'.s  and  the  waters  connected  with  it,  between  Lake  Harney  and 
Lake  (Jeorge.  He  first  noticed  it  at  Wikiva,  and  from  there  found  it  in  great  num- 
bers as  he  descended  the  river,  wherever  the  locality  was  suited  to  its  habits,  until 
he  arrived  at  Spring  Garden  Lake,  where  it  was  more  numerous  than  at  any  locality 
previously  visited.  It  was  generally  seen  standing  on  the  edge  of  the  shore,  or  eise 
on  the  Xi/tnphew  or  other  broad-leaved  plants  able  to  support  its  weight.  He  found 
it  very  tame  and  unsuspicious  for  so  large  a  bird,  allowing  itself  to  be  approached 


VOL   I. 


51 


mr '  '? 


402 


Ai-ECTOKIDl'X 


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ill 


witliin  fjmi.sliot,  stiiiuliiif^  in  the  saiiu'  phu't'.  bobbing'  its  licail  up  and  down  like  a 
Sand|iipi'r,  On  takinj,'  wiuj,'  it  utters  a  loud  cluck,  and  if  a  tree  is  in  the  nei^ddior- 
hootl  gener.iily  aliKl'ts  on  it,  or,  if  not,  usually  alij,'lits  in  some  thick  part  of  tlir 
marsh,  and  is  not  easily  started  aj,'ain.  ih\  the  St.  .lolin's  it  I'eeds  principally  on  a 
species  oi'  .\'itlrit,  which  is  extremely  abundant,  and  also  on  the  small  unios.  Its 
ordinary  note  —  which  this  bird  seems  to  be  very  I'oud  of  uttering'  —  is  said  to  in' 
very  disa},'reeable,  and  to  reseud)le  that  t>f  the  Peacock.  ISesides  this  it  makes  ;i 
number  of  other  sounds,  all  of  the  nu)st  uidiarmonious  deseriiition.  Incnbation  is 
said  to  beijin  in  February.  The  few  nests  Dr.  liryantsaw  were  made  on  low  willows. 
In  Spriui,' (Jarden  iiake  he  saw  lour  on  one  small  island.  The  nnndier  of  ej,'^'s  is 
(inusnally  lari,'e,  lifteen  haviufij  been  taken  from  one  nest.  l''rom  the  unsuspicious 
nature  of  this  bird,  and  the  fact  that  it  betiays  its  whereabouts  liy  loud  cries.  Dr. 
liryuiit  preiUcts  its  extermination  as  soon  as  that  part  (d'   h'lorida  is  .settled. 

iMr.  rmardman  informs  uu'  that  this  biid  is  more  j,'encially  known  in  Morida  ;is 
the  "  liimpkin."  and  it  is  so  called  from  the  jteculiarity  of  its  walkiuj,'.  its  movements 
resemblinjf  the  nu)tions  (d' a  lanu'  person.  It  is  a  veiy  tame  and  unsuspicious  binl, 
and  will  not  infrc(iuently  answer  a  call,  and  thus  betray  its  position  to  the  sports- 
man. It  is  of  nocturnal  haltit,  movint;  alxud  in  the  id^ht-tinu',  and  durintij  the  hours 
of  darkness  is  nnich  more  noisy  than  in  the  daytime. 

In  damaica.  accordiufj;  to  (losse,  this  bird  is  ^'enerally  known  as  the  ''('luckiuy- 
hen,''  from  its  ordinary  note  when  nudist urln'd  in  its  solitudes,  lie  nu'utions  uu'ci- 
iuf^  one  in  Auj,'ust.  in  a  wood  on  liluelields  Peak,  where  it  was  walkinji;  at  a  little 
distance  from  him,  and  iduckinj,' deliberately,  with  a  voice  exactly  reseudiliu;^-  that  ot 
a  sauntering  Fowl.  A  i)recipitous  j,'idly  btdiiud  the  lUueHelds  aboninU'd  with  tiii> 
species,  and  in  February,  a  parching,'  drouf,dd.  havint,'  wasted  the  mountain  pools.  tiii-> 
bird  was  driven  in  numbers  to  the  s]>rin!.,'s  ^nishint,'  out  at  the  foot  of  the  luountaiu. 
He  was  infornu'd  that  it  was  in  the  habit  of  roostint^  in  the  hi.i^h  trees  in  that  nci^li- 
borhood.  and  went  one  eveninj,'  to  the  spot  to  ol)serve.  .lust  as  the  twiiiLjiit  \\:is 
fadiu},'  into  darkness,  he  bcfran  to  hear  them  sereaminfir  and  Hyiny;  around.  Tlicii' 
notes  were  souuitinies  a  series  of  shrill  screams  uttered  in  succession,  then  a  harsh 
cry,  like  hrau,  kvaii,  knniy  krvaow.  All  were  loud,  sudden,  and  startliu},'.  Sevci:il 
alij^hted  on  .a  larj^e  tree  not  far  from  him.  but  were  too  wary  for  him  to  a]ipio;i(!i 
within  gunshot;  one.  however,  was  secured  by  his  servant. 

During  the  drought  several  (d'  these  bii'ds  frecpu'iited  the  moi'asses  near  Paradise 
Hiver,  and  from  the  summit  of  a  matted  nuiss  of  eonvolvuius  covering  a  large  biisli. 
he  had  an  cjjportunity  to  see  and  to  watch  their  singular  movenu'nts.  The  tangled 
creepers  atVc.-ded  a  sujijjort  for  their  broad  feet,  and  they  stood  boldly  erect.  ;is  if 
watching,  in  an  attitude  exactly  like  that  of  an  Ibis,  though  flirting  their  tails  in  llie 
manner  of  a  Hai'  At  briid'  intervals  they  uttered  a  shoit.  sharp  so\ind.  and  some- 
times loud,  harsh  jcreams  of  /.n'noir.  When  alarmed  they  flew  lu'avily  and  slowly. 
with  their  long  legs  hanging  down,  and  with  outstretched  neck.  nud<ing  a  very  awk- 
ward appearance.  (Jo.sse  was  informed  that  they  scrat(di  and  jjick  in  the  mannci'  of 
a  Coninu)n  Fowl.  The  stonuich  of  one  that  lu(  examined  was  stuH'ed  with  siii:dl 
water-snails,  divested  of  the  shells  and  tilling  the  (I'.sophagus  almost  to  tlie  fauces, 
The  piercing  cries  uttered  at  the  ai)j)roaeh  of  night  Avere  not  heard  at  any  other  time. 
and  (luring  the  day  this  bird  eounnonly  emits  only  its  (hdiberate  ehu'king.  (ios-e 
did  not  regard  it  as  a  nocturnal  bird,  but  considered  the.se  cries  as  only  iudieative  nf 
preparations  for  repose,  as  they  soon  r(dai)se  into  silence. 

lieing  so  swift  of  foot,  this  bird,  in  Janmica.  does  not  confine  itstdf  mertdy  to  a 
few  localities,  but  ranges  the  lonely  woods  from  the  mangrove  morasses  of  the  sea- 


GIiriD.K  -  Till-;  CHANErt  -  (iRTS. 


403 


shore  ti)  I  lit'  very  tojis  of  tlie  wooded  iiioimtaiiis.     (.rosae  esteoined  it  the  best  wild-fowl 
(if  till'  cnimtry. 

I\Ir.  W.  T.  Miui'li,  of  Simnislitowii,  .laiiiaica,  furnishes  the  following  full  and 
|)iu'ticiilar  iiccouut  of  its  haltits :  — 

"Tlio  ('hii'kiii^'-hcii  iiiiiK'iirs  mmc  closely  allied  u>  the  Lainl  than  it  is  to  tlic  Water  IJirds.  It  is  found 
in  ail  |iai'ts  of  thi'  island,  and  is  now  very  i  oinnioii  in  the  lowland  distrii^lH  of  the  South  Midland  paiisheM, 
jUm'i  ;,'"">'  I'onrses,  and  near  wet,  marshy  lands.  It  is  often  seen  and  heard  in  thi'  driest  seasons  aliout  the 
;;idlies  in  the  vieinity  of  Spauishlown.  It  roosts  on  trees  anil  bleeds  on  thi' uronnd,  like  the  <  oninion 
I'nwl  —  in  the  lowlands,  usually  in  l'iii;iiiin  fenees.  It  lays  ei<;lit  or  more  I'^'^s,  and  these  measure  2\  hy 
1 !;  of  an  inch  ;  the  ^rouud-eolor  rufous,  sjilashed  at  the  lar^e  end  with  small  hiirnl-oehre  sjiots  ;  and  I 
liave  had  ej{^M  taken  from  April  to  NoveuilK'r.  Tlie  llesh  is  tender  and  well  llavored,  hut  a  strong  |ii'e.ju- 
illie  exists  a;,'aiusl  it  IVom  the  prevailinj;,  thiin;^h  I  lielieve  eiioneous,  o|iiniiin  that  it  feeds  on  snakes  and 
li/ai'ds,  I  have  never  found  in  its  stoinaih  any  ntlier  food  than  snails,  slugs,  jiortions  of  small  eralis,  and 
witiid-wmmH  {Hii//iiiiiliii  /iiiliiiiiri'i).  The  junks  of  snakes  referred  to  liy  lioliinson  were  |iiiilialily  large 
slugs.  One  of  my  eolleetois,  however,  assures  me  that  he  has  found  a  young  sniike  and  lizaiils  in  them  ; 
and  a  young  s|iortsman  lately  told  me.  in  support  of  his  assertion  that  it  does  not  eontine  itself  to  the  food 
I  have  nieiitioued,  that  whilst  liiating  up  a  gnlly-eoiuse  hi'  shot  a  White-helly  Dove,  and  that  as  soon  as 
111!'  liinl  I'll  to  the  giound,  and  notwithstanding  the  report  of  the  gun,  a  Clueking-hen  delilieiately  eaint! 
iliwii  the  hank  and  endeavon'd  to  earry  olf  the  Dove.  It  feeds  late  and  early,  and  has  lieen  eonsidered  a 
night-feeder.  I  have  often  hnird  that  the  .Inniii  are  to  he  seen  on  moonlight  nights  stalking  ahout  thi' 
water-Hashes  at  I'apage  Fort  and  (!reat  Salt  I'oud,  feeding  on  the  small  erahs  and  snails  aliouuding  at  eer- 
liin  seasons  in  those  Idealities  ;  hut  (rom  my  own  oliscrvations  I  U'lieve  the  liirds  thus  seen  were  Night 
Herons.  Aniithii  opinion  whieh  I  lielieve  to  lie  erroneotis  is,  that  it  broods  like  the  liarn-door  Fowl.  The 
liiut  of  this  hiid  does  not,  however,  seem  to  he  very  well  adapted  to  seratching  the  giound,  the  hill 
appearing  more  nsefid  in  .seeuring  and  pri'iiaring  the  I'ood  it  lives  on." 

An  oygof  this  species  in  the  Smithsonian  CoUeetion  (No.  85131)  has  a  rotindeil  oval 
shape,  one  end  Iteiii,!,'  oidy  very  slightly  less  rounded  than  the  other.  It  measures  li.'JO 
iiiihes  in  length  hy  MtTt  in  iireadth.  Its  ground-color  is  a  dark  grayish  white  with 
a  light  wash  of  sepia,  and  marked  with  a  few  scattered  blotches  of  a  darker  sejiia. 
Over  the  extreme  of  the  larger  end  these  are  more  marked  and  lainierous,  and  nearly 
cover  it.     This  egg  was  ])rociired  in  ("nba  by  Dr.  Ciiiiullach. 


Family  CRUTD/R  — Tiik  Cuanks. 

The  diagnosis  of  this  family  has  already  been  given  on  page  8,^)0.  The  species 
lire  all  of  very  largo  size,  and  inhabit  grassy  plains  its  well  as  niarshe.s.  The  bill  is 
iiKiderately  long;  the  nostrils  broad  and  ju'rviotis,  the  ntisal  groove  extending  but 
lillie  beyotid  them.  The  legs  are  long,  but  the  toes  are  short;  the  hind  too  is  very 
short  and  much  elevated,  the  ohiw  searetdy  touching  the  ground. 

The  genera  are  few  in  mimber,  Init  one,  <irns,  belonging  to  North  America. 


Gen'is  GRUS,  I'ali-as. 


Oru.%  Pam..  Mise.  /oul.  17tfti,  tJ<)  (tyjH',  Ardea  gru.i,  L.), 

('iiAR.  Bill  Iciigtlicnt'd,  straight,  tlic  upper  nmiidihlc  (inly  slightly  ilectirvcd  (it  tho  extrcino 
lip  ;  tilt!  I'oiiuuissurt'  and  other  mitliiit's  straight.  Nasiil  groove  very  large  iintl  ()|U'ii,  extending 
over  the  ho-snl  two  thirds  of  the  liill.  Nostrils  hroadly  o])en,  pervious  ;  the  anterior  extremity  half 
way  from  the  tip  of  lull  to  eye.     The  iipjM'r  half  tif  the  head  naked,  warty,  Imt  with  short  hairs. 

Legs  much  lengthened  ;  toes  short,  hartUy  mure  than  one  third  the  tarsus.     Inner  toe  rather 


'H 

W'< 

404 


ALECTORIDHS. 


loii;j!i;r,  its  claw  much  liirjjer  than  the  outer.  Hind  toe  elevated,  short.  Toes  connected  at  lia.se  l\v 
membrane.  Tarsi  jpromllv  scutcUate  antcriorlv.  Terlial.s  longer  than  itrimaries,  decurved  ;  first 
quill  not  much  shorter  than  second.     Tail  of  twelve  feathei's. 


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Synopsis  of  Species. 

A.  Adnlt  plumajje  white,  the  primaries  Idack  ;  dieeks  naked. 

1.  G.  americana.     Hill  very  tiiick,  the  ^'ony-.  siidn;^ly  convex. 

B.  .\<liilt  iiluiiia},'e  i^'r.iyisli  or  iilnmlieniis.  the  primaries  slate-color  ;  cheeks  always  feathered. 

2.  G.  canadensis.     Bill  sleiider,  lonj^er  tiiaii  mid<lle  toe  ;  j,'onys  straight. 

a.  ccniiidoi.tis.  Win;,',  I7.7.")-19.(H>  iniJies  ;  eulmeii,  :J. 00-3.70  ;  tarsus,  0.70-8.00  ;  middle  toe, 
2.80-2.!).").  Hal).  Alaska  to  New  Me.vieo  and  Texas,  lueeding  (exclusively  V)  far  north- 
ward. 

/3.  mexicnna.  Wing,  22.00  inches  ;  culnieii,  ,").(MM).0()  inches  ;  tarsus,  10.00  ;  middle  toe, 
3.50  or  more.  flnh.  Western  United  .States  and  Gulf  States  from  \Vashinf!ton  Territory 
to  Florida. 


a.  caiuidensis  mexicana. 


QxxxB  americana. 

THE    WHOOPING    CRANE. 

Arrlm  amerirnnn,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1766,  234  (liascd  on  Ei>w.  pi.  132;  PATEsn.  pi.  T.*)  ;  Briss.  V 

382).  — Wii,s.  Am.  Oni.  VIII.  1814,  20,  (il.  64,  fig.  3. 
Grus  avuricana,  Sw.  &  Rich.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  372.  — Nutt.  M.m.  II.  1834,  34.  —  Aud.  Orn.  Bioi;, 

III.  1835,  202,  pi.  226  ;  Synop.  1839,  219  ;   B.  Am.  V.  1842,  188,  pi.  313.  —  Baird,  B.  X.  .\i.i. 

1858,  654  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  18.')9,  no.  478.  —  Couf.s,  Key,  1872,  271  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  462  ; 

cd.  2,  1882,  no.  668  :  Birds  N".  W.  1874,  530.  —  Hinow.  Xoni.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  582. 
Grus  clamator,  Bartr.  Trav.  1791,  292. 
Grus  struthio,  Waoi,.  Syst.  Av.  1827,  Orus,  no.  6. 
Grus  Hoyanus,  Dudley,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.  VII.  1854,  64  (young).  —  Stimpsox,  Mem.  Chic.i.so 

Acad.  I.  1868, 129,  pi.  19. 
La  Grue  d'Aviiriquc,  BuFF.  PI.  Enl.  1770-1784,  pi.  889  (adult). 
Hoopiiig  Crane,  Forster,  Philos.  Trans.  LXII.  1772,  409,  no.  37.  —  Penx.  Arct.  Zool.  II.  1785,  442. 


GRUID.E  —  THE  CRANKS  —  G-RUS. 


405 


Hab.  The  interior  of  Nortii  America  from  Texas  and  Florida  to  the  Fur  Countries*,  and  from 
Colorado  to  Ohio  ;  south  to  Guanajuato,  Central  Mexico  V '  Formerly  found,  casually,  in  the  Atlan- 
tic States. 

Sp.  Chak.  Adult:  Whole  crown  and  occiput  covered  Ijv  a  warty  or  granulated  skin,  almost 
bare  on  the  occiput,  iiut  covered  anteriorly  by  black  hair-like  bristles  ;  the  color  of  this  skin  riil- 
(lish  in  life.  Lijres  and  malar  region,  indudiu),'  a  narrow  an].,'ular  strip  extendini,'  from  thi>  latter 
(luwn  each  side  of  tlie  tlirnat,  also  naked,  and  simihuly  bristle<l,  llie  bri>tles  deii'-fr  aiileriiuly. 
Color  entirely  pure  wiiite,  excepting,'  tlie  primaries  and  tiieir  diverts,  which  are  uniform  slate-black, 
and  a  patcli  of  plumbenus  on  the  upper  part  of  the  nape,  adjoinin;,'  tlie  bare  >kin  of  the  occiput 
mid  extendiiij,'  <lownward  for  the  distance  of  about  two  indies.  '•  P.ill  wax-yellow  ;  iris  j,'ambiij;e- 
vellow  ;  bare  skin  of  Iiead  iluU  oran^;e-((i|or  ;  lej^<  Idue-blaek."  (Sw,  iS:  Rich.  I.e.)  Yhiiikj  :  Ifcail 
'■iim]ili'tely  leathered.  General  color  white,  with  hir^;i'  patche-  heie  anci  there,  especially  above,  of 
lij,'ht  cinnamon,  the  head  an<l  neck  almost  continutmsly  of  this  color.  The  primaries  and  their 
coverts  tmiform  dull  black,  as  in  the  adult.  liill  dull  wax-yellnw,  tlie  terminal  ])ortioii  lilackish  ; 
]ci,'s  an<l  feet  blackish.  Iiinii'ilurr  :  Hare  p(irtiiiii>- i  I  liie  head  indicated  by  feathers  of  a  har>lier 
texture  and  darker  color  than  elsewhere,  (jcciipyiii;,'  the  areas  which  are  naked  in  the  fully  ailull. 
IMuinage  much  siiiMied  with  pale  cinnamon,  as  in  the  tirst  ])himii:,'e. 

Total  leuf^th,  about  52.00  inches  ;  extent,  t)2.00  ;  wiiij,',  2  J.oo  ;  culmeii.  ■).;{.')  ;  tarsus,  12.00  ; 
iniddle  toe,  4.2r>. 


The  (ireat  White  or  W'lKMipiii;^  Criiiii'  is  nearly  eoiitiiied  to  the  eentral  iiortioii  of 
\nrth  Auierica.  passiii;^  the  winter  nioiitli.s  iii  the  swamjis  of  Florida  and  'i'cxii.s. 
and  breeding,'  in  tiie  more  inirthern  porti(jns  of  the  continent.  It  breeds  in  favor- 
able localities  in  the  rej^ion  north  of  the  4.'>(l  parallcd.  some,  however,  nestiiij;  in  the 
prairies  of  Central  Illinois.  Jowa.  Minnesota,  and  Dakota.  Cajitain  lUakiston  (••Ibis," 
ISCi.'J.  J).  ll'S)  mentions  meeting;  with  this  species  at  different  times  (hiring  his  travels 
ill  tlie  interior,  tlioiii;]]  he  was  not  able  to  procure  sjieeinieiis.  Mr.  Ross  records  tlie 
lapture  of  a  single  s))eciiiien  on  Mackenzie  Kiver  —  where,  however,  the  bird  was 
ipiite  rare.  Sjieciiuens  in  the  Smithsonian  Institution  were  procured  at  Fort  Kesoln- 
tinii.  Big  Lsland.  Fort  Rae.  and  at  Salt  Kiver.  near  the  fireat  Slave  Lake. 

Heavne.  in  the  Apjieiidix  to  his  •■.luiirney  to  the  Noitliern  Ocean."  published  in 
IT'.ti').  states  that  the  Whooping  Crane  visits  Hndsoirs  liay  in  the  sjiriiig,  though  not 
ill  great  numbers.  It  was  generally  seen  only  in  pairs,  but  not  very  often,  and  was 
usually  observed  to  fitMpient  the  open  swaiiijis.  the  sides  of  rivers,  and  the  margins 
of  lakes  and  jionds,  and  to  feed  on  frogs  and  small  fishes.  It  was  esteemed  very 
good  eating.  In  breeding  it  seldom  had  more  than  two  young,  and  it  retired  south- 
ward early  in  the  fall.  lie  adds  that  its  wing-lioues  are  so  long  and  large  that  he 
has  known  them  made  successfully  into  flutes. 

Richardson  states  that  he  found  this  si)ecies  freciuenting  every  ]iart  of  the  Vuv 
Country,  though  nowhere  in  such  numbers  as  the  Urown  C'rane.  It  migrates  in  Hocks, 
and  performs  its  journeys  in  the  night,  and  at  such  an  altitude  that  its  ])assage  is 
known  only  by  tlie  ])eciiliarly  shrill  screams  whicdi  it  utters.  It  rises  from  the  ground 
with  great  difficulty,  flying  for  a  time  quite  low,  and  affording  a  fair  mark  for  the 
sportsman;  but  if  the  bird  is  liot  entirely  disabled  bv  the  shot,  it  will  flglit  with 
great  determination,  aiul  can  inflict  a  very  severe  wcuind  with  its  formidable  bill. 
Richardson  knew  of  several  instances  in  which  the  wounded  liird  had  put  the  fowler 
to  flight  and  fairly  driven  him  off  the  field.  When  fat  its  flesh  is  good  eating,  but  is 
very  inferior  to  that  of  the  Brown  Crane  (Grus  canadensis). 

Mr.  Dresser  states  that  on  his  first  visit  to  the  town  lagoon  at  IMatamoras,  in  June, 
1863,  he  saw  a  pair  of  these  Cranes,  and  subsequently  met  with  a  small  flock  of  seven 


■ 


'  Fide  Professor  A.  DitgIs,  in  epist. 


400 


ALKfTORIDES. 


.m- 


or  ei{,'ht ;  but  thosp  wero  so  wary  that  he  only  succeeded  in  shooting  two.  He  inc^uired 
of  the  Mexicans  as  to  where  they  In-ed,  and  was  infoi-nied  tliat  tiieir  eggs  could  Ik! 
proriired  at  a  lagoon  some  distance  to  the  west  of  J{ag(hul,  Jiocadel  J\io  (.Jrande.  .Mr. 
Dresser  was  not  ahlr  to  go  there,  and  was  thus  unal)le  to  test  the  accuracy  of  tiiis 
very  doid)tful  infoiniation.  On  his  return  to  Matanioras,  in  JcS(i4,  he  saw  none  at  the 
lagoons  there.  During  his  rand)les  in  Texas  he  saw  this  hird  on  only  two  or  three 
occasions  near  San  Antonio,  ami  once  at  Point  Isahel.  Jle  was  told  that  it  is  occa- 
sionally seen  on  (ialv(ston  Island,  and  at  the  mouth  of  the  Urazos  Hiver.  IVIr.  .f.  .\. 
Allen  was  informed  that  it  is  toleraldy  common  in  the  valley  of  Great  Salt  Lake, 
both  in  the  sjiring  and  in  the  fall. 

Mr.  lioardman  writes  me  that,  so  far  as  he  is  aware,  this  species  is  wholly  unknown 
on  the  coast  of  Maine ;  and  1  can  find  no  certain  evidence  that  it  has  ever  been  seen 
in  any  i)art  of  New  England.  It  is  not  given  by  Giraiul  as  a  bird  of  Long  Island, 
and  is  very  ire  on  any  part  of  the  coast  north  of  the  Chesapeake,  though  Mr.  'I'urn- 
bnll  states  that,  in  IX")",  while  at  Ueasley's  I'oint,  he  saw  three  of  this  si)ecies  olf  the 
inlet.  They  were  very  wary,  and  could  not  be  aj)proache(l.  In  W'ilsoir's  day  a  few 
appeare<l  in  the  marshes  of  Cape  May  in  Decend)er,  particularly  on  and  near  Egg 
Island,  and  lingered  in  tho.se  marshes  (hiring  the  whole  of  the  winter,  .setting  out 
northward  about  the  tinu'  the  ice  lu'oke  uj).  During  their  stay  they  wandered  about 
the  marshes  and  nuuhly  flats  near  the  sea-shore,  occasionally  sailing  from  ])lact!  to 
place  with  a  low  and  heavy  flight,  just  above  the  surface,  at  times  uttering  a  loud, 
clear,  and  i)iercing  cry,  which  might  be  heard  to  the  distance  of  two  miles.  This 
singular  cry  —  to  which  the  Whooping  Crane  owes  its  name  —  is  uttered  with  vari- 
ous modulations. 

As  Wilson  considered  the  (J.  ranndenslH  to  be  but  the  immature  bird  of  this  S]iecics, 
we  cannot  with  certainty  separate  his  statements  and  assign  each  where  it  belongs. 
He  .states  that  he  frcfiiuMitly  met  with  it  in  the  low  grounds  and  rice  plantations  of 
the  Southern  States,  noticing  it  near  the  Waccamaw  IJiver,  in  South  Carolina,  on  the 
10th  of  February,  and  in  a  jwnd  near  Louisville  on  the  L'Otli  of  .March.  The  birds 
seen  were  extreuudy  shy  and  vigilant.  They  would  sometimes  rise  spirally  in  the 
air  to  a  great  height,  the  mingled  noist  of  the  screaming,  even  when  the  flock  was 
abuost  beyond  the  reach  of  sight,  iesend)ling  that  of  a  i)ack  of  hounds  in  full  cry. 
On  these  occasions  they  flew  around  in  large  circles,  as  if  reconnoitring  the  country 
to  a  vast  extent  for  fresh  (puirters  to  feed  in.  His  information  in  regard  to  their 
breeding  must  be  rejected  as  agreeing  in  no  respect  with  the  jirestMit  reality.  Audu- 
bon also  regarded  the  imindoisls  as  identical  with  th(!  young  of  this  species,  and  lie 
gives  the  time  of  its  arrival  in  the  western  country  as  about  the  middle  of  Octolu'v 
or  first  of  Xovember,  in  flocks  of  twenty  or  thirty,  and  even  thrice  that  nund)er, 
spreading  from  the  Northwestern  States  to  the  Carolinas  and  Florida,  on  the  s(juth- 
east  to  Louisiana  and  the  countries  bordering  on  Mexico,  in  all  of  whicdi  this  Crane 
spends  the  winter,  returnnig  north  about  the  beginning  of  May.  He  found  it  on  the 
edges  of  large  jionds,  in  swanqiy  woods,  and  in  extensive  morasses.  In  its  migra- 
tions it  travels  l)oth  by  night  and  day.  He  states  that  in  the  fall,  while  the  water 
is  low  in  the  ponds,  this  bird  works  Avith  its  bill  in  the  mud  to  uncover  the  roots  ol 
the  great  water-lily,  which  when  reached  it  greedily  devours.  While  intent  upon 
this  the  bird  may  be  easily  approached.  As  soon  as  the  heavy  rains  fill  these  j)ools 
it  abandons  them,  and  resorts  to  other  jdaces.  It  is  said  to  frequent  fields  in 
which  corn,  jjcas.  sweet  potatoes,  etc.,  have  been  planted,  feeding  on  the  grain  and 
peas,  and  digging  up  and  devouring  the  potatoes.  It  also  feeds  on  water  insects, 
frogs,  reptiles,  moles,  and  field-mice.     Audubon  once  found  a  garter-snake  fifteen 


I 


iJ-L. 


GRl'ID.K  —  THE  CRANES  —  (iRTTS. 


407 


inches  long  in  the  stomacli  of  one  of  this  species,  lie  dcHcriljes  the  cries  uttered  liy 
tliis  bird  as  loud  and  piercin;,'  —  so  loud  that  they  nii}j;lit  l)e  heard  at  the  distance  of 
tliroe  miles.  The  flesh  of  the  youu},'  bird  he  sjM'iiks  of  as  bciiif,'  tender  and  juicy, 
wliih*  in  the  (d<l  birds  it  in'conies  very  dark  and  t()Ut,di,  and  is  untit  lor  the  tabic.  In 
captivity  this  Crane  is  extremely  gentle,  and  will  feed  freely  on  grain  and  otlicr 
vcgctalde  substances. 

Mr.  Audubon  kept  one,  Avhih)  he  was  in  ]>oston,  which  hail  lu'cn  taken,  wliile 
young,  on  the  Florida  coast,  a  wing  having  been  fractured  and  afterward  aiajju- 
tated.  This  bird  was  very  gentle,  and  would  suffer  him  to  caress  it  witii  the  hand. 
It  searched  the  wood-jtile  for  worms  and  grubs,  watclicd  with  the  patiei  "c  of  a  cat 
Ibr  mice,  and  would  swallow  tliem  whole,  it  also  led  on  coi'u  and  garbage  from  tlie 
kitchen.  At  tinu'S  it  would  look  upward,  and,  as  if  callin;f  to  some  acquaintance 
passing  high  in  tlie  air,  would  cry  aloud.  It  was  naturally  suspicious  of  some  lurk- 
ing danger;  and  sonu'times,  on  very  slight  occasion,  would  manifest  a  sudden  and 
causeless  alarm,  as  if  some  dreaded  enemy  were  at  hand. 

This  bird  has  never  l)een  detected  on  the  racitic^  coast,  or  west  of  the  f!reat  Plains ; 
and  as  (1.  rimii(lriis!.i  iiii'.rlnnNi  is  common  there,  this  of  itself  is  suiticient  evidence 
(if  the  difference  of  the  two  species.  Mr.  Kcnniitott  met  with  it  at  l''oit  Ilesohiti.ni, 
-May  L'O,  and  procured  a  speoinu'u.  A  nest  of  this  species,  containing  two  eggs,  was 
found  near  Salt  River,  not  far  from  Fort  He.solntion,  (Jreat  Slave  Lake,  in  1.S(I4. 
TJie  eggs  (Smithsonian  Institution,  No.  UL'SH)  measure,  one  .'i.SO  inches  by  'J.itO,  the 
otlicr  3.70  inches  by  !.'.")().  Their  gro>ind-c(dor  is  a  deep  grayish  white,  with  a  Avash- 
iiig  of  sepia,  marked  sparsely,  except  at  the  larger  end,  Avitli  bold  jjatches  of  dark 
rusty  si'pia-brown,  and  more  obscure  blotches  of  an  opaque  sepia.  These  last  are 
thinly  siuittered  over  nearly  the  whole  egg.  At  the  extreme  portion  of  the  obtuse 
end  these  markings  are  far  more  numerous,  become  continent,  and  form  an  irregular 
crown.  The  eggs  are  oval  in  sliajje,  and  a  little  more  rounded  at  one  end  than  at 
the  other. 

Grus  canadensis. 


a.   canadensis.     THE  LITTLE  BBOWN  CRANE. 

Ardea  canadensis,  Linn.  cd.  10,  I.  }7i>X,  1  fl  ;  cil.  12,  17<)t),  234  (Imseil  on  Kdwaiids,  I.  33  ;  Hinss. 

V.  385).  — Fousi.  Pliilos.  Jour.  1..XI1.  177'2,  40!)  (Scvcin  It.). 
Grus  canadensis,  Tkmm.   Miiii.  I.   1820,  p.  c. — .Sahink,  Kiaiikliii's  Jour.  685.  —  HlciiAlilis,   I'luiy's 

Second  V"oy.  353.  — Sw.  &  liicil.  F.  15.  A.  II.  1831,  373.  —  lioNAi'.  t'oMsp.  I.  1850,  08.  —  S(  I,. 

Ibis,  1860,  418  (Hudson's  \'m\).  —  lii.AKisr.  Iliis,  1863, 128  (int.  Brit.  Am.).  —  Dai.i,  &  Ha.s.nist. 

Trans.   Chicago  Acad.    I.   1869,  289  (St.  Jlicliaid's,   Alaska).  —  Tacz.  J.  f.  O.  1873,  112  (N.  E. 

Siberia).  —  CiiCEs,  Clicck  List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  060. 
0ms fused  (liart),  ViKil.l,.  N'ouv.  l)ict.  XIII.  1817,  558  (iiicludfs  both  forins). 
Orus jmliuphicit,  Waul.  Syst.  Av.  1827,  (!rus,  sp.  7  (l)asi'(]  on  KinvAuns). 
Ofusfnilcrculus,  Cass,  in  Bainl's  R.  N.  Am.  1858,  656  (==juv.  ;  Xuw  Moxioo  !).  —  Baihd,  Cut.  N. 

Am.  B.  1859,  no.  480.  —  Au.r.s,  Bull.  X.  O.  C.,  V.  1880,  123.  —  Itimsw.  ib.  187  ;  Noin.  N.  Am. 

B.  1881,  no.  584. 
Grus  fratcrcula,  Tacz.  Bull.  See.  Zool.  France,  1876,  246. 
Blue  Craue,  Foiisr.  1.  c 

Brown  Crane,  Pkn.v.  Arct.  Zool.  II.  1785,  443.  —Lath.  Synop.  III.  1785,  43. 
Little  Brown  Crane,  Ridgw.  1.  e. 
Nortlwrn  Sandldll  Crane,  Coitks,  1.  c. 

/3.   mexicana.     THE  SANDHILL  CBANE. 

Ardea  (gnis)  mexicana,  Mui.i.iai,  S.  N.  Suppl.  1776,  110  (ex  Biuss.  V.  380). 

Ardea  canadensis,  var.  /3,  Lath.  Ind.  Oni.  11.  1790,  676  (Mexico). 

Grus pratensis,  Bautu.  Travels,  1701,  144,  218  (dr.scr. ).  —  Coues,  (  iieek  Ltst,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  670. 


:-r^p_- 


l>«p< 


"P»W 


408 


ALECT0KIDE8. 


Grus/usca  (|jurt),  ViKlLL.  Nouv.  Diet.  XIII.  1817,  558  (=  "  Ardea  canadensis,  Lath.,"  aud  refers 

to  both  l'o|•|ll^). 

Olnis  canatli  iisix  (ncc  Tkm.m.  ex  Linn.),  Nirr.  Man.  II.    1834,  38.  —  Uaiud,  U.  N.  Am.  ISns,  0.15  ; 

Cut.  N.  Am.  H.  18,'.ii,  no.  479.  —  CouE.s,  Key,  1»7'2,  271  ;  C'lMM.k  List,  1873,  no.  4C3  ;  liinis  N. 

W.  1874,  532.  —  KiD(i\v.  Xoin.  X.  Am.  B.  188),  no.  583. 
Orus  avHi-iiana  (siiii|m)m'i1  younjj),  Auo.  Orn.   biog.   III.  1835,  441,  pi.  261|;  Synoi).  1839,  219  ; 

1!.  Am.  V.  1842,  188,  i.l.  314. 

IIau.  TIiu  true  G.  mnadensig,  Arctic  and  Subarctic  America,  nii^ratin^  wouth  in  winter. 
Hri'iils  in  Alaska  to  tin-  coait  at  St.  Micliacr.-i,  in  tlic  .Mackcn/ic  Hivcr  district,  alung  the  wliole  of 
the  Arctic  coa.sl,  and  otlier  parts  of  the  hif,'li  nortli,  where  entirely  replacing'  the  larj^er  G,  mt-cicuua. 
The  latter,  snutliern  half  (if  North  America  in  general,  e.xceptin;,'  the  Atlantic  seaboard  north  nl 
Florida  (ami  the  extreme  north  ?)  ;  Cuba  ;  Mexico.     Formerly  found  throughout  the  east  also. 

Sp.  C'h.vh.  Adult:  Entire  ]>ileum.  including'  lores,  covered  with  a  bare,  granulated  skin  (red- 
dish in  life),  interspei'sed  with  scattered  fine  blackish  hairs  ;  the  posterior  margin  of  this  bare  skin 


divided  medially,  on  the  occi])Ut,  by  an  angular  projection  of  the  feathers  on  the  upper  luirt  of  tlji- 
nai)e.  General  color  of  the  plumage  continuous  and  nearly  uniform  plumbeous-gray,  this  fit- 
quently  stained  or  overLiin  in  places  by  a  rusty  wash,  the  primaries  slate-colored,  with  wliitisli 
shafts.  Cheeks  and  throat  sometimes  distinctly  whitish.  Legs  and  feet  blackish  ;  bill  blackish, 
paler  at  tip  ;  iris  crimson  (  YmuKj:  Head  entii'ely  feathered.  Plumage  much  as  in  the  adult,  but 
of  a  lighter  and  more  brownish  gray,  and  always  conspicuously  stained,  especially  on  upper  parts, 
with  tawny  cinnamon  or  ferruginous. 

II    canadensis. 

Wing,  I7.r)(»-19.00  inches  ;  culmen,  2.W-X70  ;  tarsus,  «.7(>-8.00  :  middle  toe,  2.80-2.95. 

/3.    mexicana. 
Wing,  2().tK)-22.()0  inches  ;  culmen,  5.0()-6.(K) ;  tarsus,  1().0() ;  middle  toe.  3.50-4.10. 

In  this  species  there  is  a  vast  amount  of  individ\ud  variation  in  both  proportions  and  colors. 
especially  the  former,  scarcely  two  specimens  being  apiu'oxiniately  alike  in  all  their  measurements. 
As  to  cold's,  the  cheeks  and  throat  are  usually  grayish  or  light  ash-gray  ;  but  sometimes  they  are 
distinctly  white,  in  very  marked  contrast  to  the  jjlunibeous-gray  of  the  nape  — a  ])eculiarity  we  are 
inclined  to  ascribe  to  probable  greater  maturity  of  the  individual.  Besides  this  variation,  the 
plumage  is  freciuently  almo.st  entirely  devoid  of  any  ru.sty  stain,  while  again  it  is  very  highly  tinged 
with  that  color. 

The  shape  of  the  hill  also  varies  greatly,  as  does  also  the  appearance  of  the  naked  part  of  the 
head  ;  the  latter  is  sometimes  roughly  granulated  or  almost  papillose,  with  few  hairs  (as  in  N". 
8914,  Nebraska,  in  which  it  is  also  scarcely  divided  by  the  occipital  featheis),  while  again  (as  in 
No.  13440,  Utah)  it  is  densely  covered,  especially  on  the  lores,  with  black  hairs,  while  the  occipital 
feathers  form  a  deep  angle  projecting  far  into  the  naked  skin  of  the  crown. 

Although  we  h.-ive  as  yet  not  been  able  to  find  specimens  which  were  not  positively  the  one  form 
or  the  other,  we  consider  it  very  ]iiobable  that  the  two  races  distinguished  above  as  canadensis  and 
nuxicana  will  yet  be  found  to  intergrade,  since  we  have  been    wholly  unable  to  discover  any 


GRUID.K  —  THE  CRANES  —  GRUS. 


409 


(liffcrencL's  Ijctweeii  tliem  except  in  size.  In  this  conneutinn,  liowever,  the  reader  is  ref'urrcd  Id 
tliu  "  liuUetiii  of  the  NuttiiU  {)riiith.)lip),'iciil  Chih"  for  April,  1880,  p.  12;j,  and  for  July,  1H8(>,  p. 
1ST,  where  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  iiiul  Mr.  Itiilgwiiy,  respectively,  consider  them  distinct  species. 

Till'  Inrf^cr  and  bfttt'i'-known  race  of  tliu  Sandhill  Crant^  (hern  calli'd  vicrmnm) 
wliili'  having;,  to  a  lar^n'  cxtt-nt,  the  saum  di.strilnitiou  as  tlu'  anivricanti,  is  found  to 
extend  its  movements  over  a  sonu'wliat  larger  territory,  breeding  nmeh  farther  south 
tlian  the  Whoojjing  Crane,  and  being  distributed  as  far  west  as  the  I'aeifie  coast, 
where  (}.  (inierirann  is  unknown.  Where  the  two  are  found  together  this  is  ever 
tlic  more  abundant  species.  It  is  an  occasional  straggh'i  to  New  Kngland,  and  is  also 
known  to  breed  in  Cuba,  and  possibly  in  others  of  the  West  India  Islands. 

In  Southeastern  Oregini  Captain  IJendire  found  this  a  common  summer  resident, 
l)recding  abundantly  on  the  h)wlands  as  well  as  in  the  highest  mountain  valleys.  Its 
iioarse  cries  could  be  heard  almost  everywhere  in  the  vicinity  of  water  so  long  as  the 
locality  renuiined  cpiiet.  Each  i)air  ajifH-ared  to  have  a  certain  district  during  the 
breeding-season,  ami  he  lu'ver  found  two  pairs  breeding  within  half  a  nule  of  each 
otlier. 

Dr.  Cooi)er  s])eaks  of  this  spt'cies  as  descending  from  the  mf)untains  into  the  San 
.loaquin  Valley.  California,  about  Se])tember  l.'ilth.  when  the  h)W  water  enables  it  to 
oljtain  an  alnmdance  of  fish  and  other  food. 

He  also  mentions  meeting  with  two  individuals  of  this  sjiecies  among  the  nnmntains 
of  Montana,  but  none  elsewhere,  excepting  a  tame  one  near  Kort  Colville.  This  bird 
would  follow  their  horses  for  some  distance,  apparently  for  the  jileasure  of  the  racte, 
running  with  outspread  wings  until  it  had  been  pa-s.sed,  then  Hying  ahead  and  circling 
around  to  meet  them  again. 

Elsewhere  Dr.  Cooper  sj)eaks  of  this  as  being  an  abundant  species  in  Cidifornia 
(luring  the  colder  months,  some  remaining  throughout  the  summer  anu)ngthe  sumnnts 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  They  arrive  from  the  north  in  flocks  about  the  last  week  in  Sep- 
tember, and  in  the  interior  ap])arently  go  south  of  the  limits  of  C!alifornia.  as  he  lias 
seen  retunung  tlocks  passing  to  the  north,  over  the  Colorado  Valley,  about  the  13th  of 
March.  At  this  season  they  rise  from  the  ground  by  laborit)US  tla])i)ings,  circling 
iiround  higher  and  higher,  until  they  get  so  far  uj)  as  to  seem  like  tlocks  of  butterflies, 
iuid  then  gradually  nu)ve  northward;  but  most  of  these  migrations  are  done  at  night. 
Their  cry,  almost  constantly  heard  when  they  are  Hying.  J)r.  Ct)oper  states,  is  a  rattling 
sound  exactly  like  that  nunle  by  the  blocks  and  ropes  when  hoisting  sail  on  a  vessel. 
Tiicy  also  at  times  have  a  loud  whooping  cry.  lie  aihls  that  this  bird  builds  its  nest 
oil  the  ground,  in  May,  on  sonu'  elevated  spot,  among  ferns,  where  it  may  be  partly 
concealed,  and  yet  whence  the  a})proach  of  danger  can  be  jierceived.  The  young  of 
this  s])ecies  are  often  raised  from  the  nest,  becoming  very  familiar  and  amusing, 
showing  much  sagacity  and  a  disposition  *;o  join  in  play  with  their  friends.  But  as 
pets  they  sometimes  become  dangerous,  f.  juia  pro])ensity  to  use  their  sharp  bills  too 
freely,  even  pecking  at  the  eyes  of  the  children  with  whom  they  are  playing. 

The  Sandhill  Crane  feeds  on  all  the  small  animals  it  can  catch,  such  as  mice,  frogs, 
grasshoppers,  etc.,  and  probably  on  young  birds.  In  a  state  of  domestication  it  is 
omnivorous,  eating  bread  and  vegetables  also.  It  does  not  usually  frequent  the  sea- 
shore, nor  is  it  often  found  in  wet  places,  but  prefers  dry  prairies,  ploughed  tields, 
sandy  hills,  and  like  places,  and  in  this  respect  is  mdike  the  Heron  family.  It 
is  a  very  wary  bird,  and  ditticult  of  approach  within  shooting  distance,  and  can 
he  reached  only  by  stratagem.  As  food  Dr.  Cooper  regards  it  as  nearly  ecpial  to  the 
Turkey,  especially  when  young ;  and  it  is  constantly  brought  to  the  San  Francisco 
market  during  the  cooler  months. 

VOL.  I.  —  52 


m 


I 


^\ 


%  : 


lii 


410 


ALECTOUIDES. 


Dr.  Bryant  ascertainotl  positively  that  this  .species  breeds  in  I'lorida.  1 1  is  lir.si 
iniitrcssion  was  that  it  began  to  breed  about  ll,j  1st  oi'  March,  but  he  afterwanl 
ascertained  that  sonui  breed  much  earlier  than  tl  is.  On  the  JIth  of  March  a  youie,' 
liird  was  brought  to  him  which  was  already  two  '.'eet  in  height,  and  \vas  covered  witli 
down  of  a  ferruginous  color  above  and  cinereoi.s  below.  The  eyes  were  large  aii<l 
projecting,  and  the  bird  looked  like  a  niiniatare  ostrich.  The  young  remain  with 
their  jiarents  till  they  arc  fidly  grown,  and  ire  fed  for  a  long  tinu-  by  regurgitalion. 
They  (h)  not  Hy  until  they  are  as  large  as  tlunr  paivnts,  liuL  run  with  great  speed, ami 
hide  like  young  partridges.  A  nest  ftmnd  l)y  him  on  the  Uth  of  March  (contained 
two  eggs  in  which  incid)ation  had  just  commenced  ;  another  found  on  the  loth  con- 
tained two  fresh  eggs,  anil  a  third  on  the  same  day  had  two  nearly  liatched.  It  is  ;i 
very  singular  feature  in  the  history  of  this  l)ird  that  it  should  be  thus  found  breeding 
in  Cuba,  thrimgh  all  the  lower  parts  of  the  peninsula  of  Florida,  and  thence  only  seen 
in  its  migrations  between  tiiere  and  the  Northwestern  States. 

The  observations  of  Mr.  Moore  have  led  him  to  the  conclusion  that  the  migratiui.; 
inilividuals  (d'  this  species  do  not  visit  Florida  during  their  southern  .sojourn,  as  there 
is  no  increase  in  the  nundx-rs  which  are  seen  there  during  the  winter,  and  no  iiiove- 
nuMits  take  place  among  them  to  favor  this  idea.  Tin;  Florida  bii'ds  are  never  seen 
to  soar  high  in  the  air  in  Hocks  at  any  tinu'  of  the  year,  as  the  migiating  indiviihials 
may  freipiently  be  seen  to  do  iu  their  southern  winter  iiomes  in  iiouisiana,  'i'exas.  ami 
other  States.  One.  or  at  most  a  pair,  has  been  seen  moving  in  this  manner,  not 
intent  on  travel,  liut  as  if  to  take  an  airing.  When  Hushed  it  runs  three  or  four  stejis, 
and  then  ri.ses  and  soars  away,  but  without  mounting  to  the  height  of  the  pines.  Its 
notes  are  uttered  on  the  ground  in  sight  (d'  ajiiiridiended  danger.  It  can  aligiit  uii 
trees,  but  does  so  vei'y  rarely. 

Mr.  .Moori'  states,  also,  that  nests  of  this  s|)ecies  are  generally  placed  in  the  shalli'\\ 
ponds  with  which  I''lorida  abounds,  among  aipiatic  jjlants.  of  which  they  are  rornnd. 
In  one  instance  a  lai'ge  mass  of  these  plants  was  hea|)e(l  up.  constituting  a  ncsi. 
which,  when  found.  March  'J,  was  six  nv  eight  inches  above  the  water  in  its  higiir>t 
parts.  It  was  about  a  hinidred  yards  from  dry  ground,  and  in  the  nudst  of  mud  ami 
water.  It  was  within  two  hinidred  yards  of  a  travelled  I'oad.  and  in  full  view.  The 
sitting  bird  had  lowered  her  head,  and  so  remained  \intil  Mr.  Moori'  was  within  sixty 
yards,  when  she  Hew  off.  and  dropped  down  among  some  plants  not  far  distant.  The 
mate  soon  appeared,  and  continued  to  Hy  around,  but  did  not  conw  near.  The  two 
eggs  in  the  nest  lay  with  their  hnigitudinal  diameter  in  a  line  jjarallel  with  the  spimd 
cord  of  the  bird  as  she  sat  on  them,  and  were  six  in(dics  ajiart.  The  eggs  measuriMl. 
one  3.75  by  li..'>.'i.  the  other  .">.S7  by  2..")7  inches.  Other  nests  were  placed  on  tli" 
dryest  ground,  among  the  .':aw-palmettos.  and  formed  cd'  jjliable  nuiterials,  herbs, 
grasses,  and  the  like,  but  never  with  .stiff  material  or  sticks,  in  one  instance  the 
nest  was  composed  of  grasses  plucked  up  liy  the  roots,  with  much  sand  attached. 
The  entire  nest,  lining  and  all,  was  thus  made  up. 

The  young  birds  run  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched,  and  nuiy  be  seen,  when  not  laigcr 
than  a  week-old  Turkey,  moving  about  with  their  i)arents,  with  whom  they  renudn  till 
they  are  nearly  a  year  old.  Sometimes  they  are  run  down  and  taken  before  they  arc 
able  to  fly,  the  j)arents  remaining  at  a  distance,  (sxpressing  their  anxiety  by  the  utter- 
ance of  loud  and  ])eculiar  notes,  and  by  moving  about,  but  at  such  tinu's  never  attacking 
the  enemy. 

In  the  stomachs  of  those  Mr.  Aloore  dissected  he  was  never  able  to  discover  any 
animal  food  ;  but  in  those  of  two  that  were  killed  feeding  together  in  three  inches  of 
water,  he  found  masses  composed  of  the  roots  of  a  snuill  species  of  Sdyltturia.    Anotiier 


i'   I 


wr 


ORTTD.E  —  THE  CRANRS  -  r.RUS. 


411 


contiiiiu'd  sot'ds  of  an  \iiil<ii(i\vii  ])liint  iis  liir^'c  as  coftVc-hcans.  All  contiiiiit'd  moro 
or  IcHS  saiiil,  liits  oF  i|iiartz.  and  small  iirown  pcltidcs.  Wht'U  di'v  tlu'sc  materials 
woidil  woif^li  two  (inni'i's.  lOxca  vat  ions,  sufli  as  Audulxm  saw  tlicsc  liirds  making  in 
KiMituckv.  wliiMH!  they  rooted  like  lio^'s.  have  never  hecn  noticed  in  Florida,  although 
the  same  lily  roots  are  eomnion  and  abundant.  The  largest  excavations  seen  were 
not  lar>;er  than  a  oort'ee-('ti|i. 

Incid)ation  take.s  jdace  from  the  last  or  the  middle  of  February  to  the  middle  of 
JIay.  or  later. 

Mr.  Moore  describes  a  peculiar  use  by  this  bird  of  the  winj,'  in  its  tlijijht.  There 
is  an  upward  lift  or  jerk  made  suddi'idy.  The  win^;  is  now  laid  on  the  air  ^'cntly.  an<l 
suffered  to  dip  slowly  down;  then,  havinj;  reached  the  proper  ])oint,  it  is  suddenly 
flirted  ujiwards,  and  attain  laid  upon  tlie  air  —  just,  it  would  seem,  at  that  critical 
moment  when  it  is  neee.ssary  to  prevent  the  bird  from  declining,'  in  its  chosen  line 
of  Hif,dit. 

Mr.  Kidj,'way  speaks  of  iindin}^  this  species  very  abundant  in  the  marshes  of  Rnby 
Valley,  where  it  was  seen  daily,  it  was  also  ([uite  common  in  the  wet  meadows  of 
Carson  Valley,  where  a  tame  Crane,  can<,dit  v.hen  youuf;  in  the  neij,'hborinj,'  meadows, 
was  a  remarkable  and  amusinf,'  pet.  As  he  was  enterinj^  the  j^'ate,  the  bird's  eye 
quickly  detected  a  Junro  oirrfo/nis  that  had  been  partially  thrust  into  his  coat  i)Ocket; 
and  walking'  boldly  up  to  him,  the  Crane  snatched  it  out  and  deliberately  beat  it  upon 
the  i,M'ound  until  nearly  denuded  of  fe.ithers,  when  it  was  swallowed  with  ajiparent 
relish.  The  Craiu'  then  again  approached,  and  carefully  examiiu'il  Ins  person  for 
more  birds  ;  but  failing  to  find  any,  marched  away  across  the  yard  ■with  a  stiitely  sti'i). 
This  pet  wo\dd  frecpiently  walk  upon  the  jMnch,  go  uj)  to  the  window,  and  watch 
with  curiosity  and  ap])arent  interest  the  sjjorts  of  the  chihlren  in  the  house;  and 
if  any  of  them  approached  the  window  it  would  evince  its  pleasure  by  amusing 
f,'esticulati()ns. 

!Mr.  Dresser  did  not  meet  with  this  s])ecies  near  ^fatamoras  ;  but  on  his  journey 
from  IJrownville  to  San  .\ntonio  in  Seiitend)er,  liSIJ.'i,  he  ,saw  birds  of  this  species 
every  day.  During  the  winter  they  were  quite  eomnion  near  San  Antoiuo ;  but  all 
(lisai)iieare(l  toward  spring.  lie  was  told  that  they  breed  near  Galveston  and  in 
^latagordo  l>ay ;  but  this  statement  requires  confirmation. 

It  is  probable  that  much  of  the  description  of  habits  applied  by  Audubon  to  the 
Whooi)ing  (,'rane  is  e(|ually  referable  to  the  present  sjx'cies.  At  any  rate  in  one 
instance  it  is  very  evident  that  he  must  have  had  this  bird  in  view.  This  was  in 
l)ccend)er,  18^.'!,  when  his  son  went  to  Sjjring  Island,  on  the  coast  of  (Jeorgia,  and 
where  the  only  specimen  obtained  was  evidently  a  G.  mexicmia.  He  found  the 
Cranes  plentiful,  resorting  to  the  sweet-]i()tato  fields,  digging  up  their  produce  as  ex- 
]iertly  as  a  troop  of  negroes  would  have  done.  The  birds  would  walk  over  the  little 
heaps,  probing  them  in  various  parts  in  the  manner  of  a  Woodcock ;  and  whenever  a 
potato  was  found,  removing  the  soil,  and  taking  out  and  devouring  the  root.  In  this 
manner  the  flock  searched  over  the  whole  field,  gleaning  all  the  potatoes  ■which 
had  escaped  the  gatherers. 

An  egg  in  my  cabinet  (No.  652)  measures  —  as  nearly  as  can  be  estimated,  the 
smaller  end  being  wanting  —  4.00  inches  in  length  by  2.40  inches  in  breadth.  The 
ground-color  is  a  deep  washing  of  sepia-brown,  over  which  are  distributed  large 
blotches,  a  few  rounded  in  sha])e,  but  chiefly  longitudinal,  of  dark  sepia.  A  few  of 
the  Larger  blotches  are  fainter,  and  have  a  slight  tinge  of  purplish.  This  egg  was 
obtained  near  Lake  Koskonong,  Wis.  IMr.  Kumlien  received  it  on  the  1st  of  May; 
but  it  had  been  taken  three  weeks  previously,  or  about  April  10,  1851,  and  contained 


'I'll'' 
lit- 


^^Pt^  "! 


r 


412 


AI-KCTORIDES. 


im 


at  the  timo  ii  youn^,'  liird  ut'iuly  ifiuly  f<>  In-  liafrlit'il  out.  Mr.  Kuiiilit'ii  wnitc  nu' 
ill  UctoliiT,  IH.')]  :  "'riiis  ('nine,  ciillcil  Iktc  tlic  Siiiidliill  Criiiic,  i.s  lar^'cr  than  the 
({rus  rhirriii  of  IOiiro|ir.  tail  rcst'iiililfs  tliat  liird  vimv  much.  It  is  ([uiti'  coniinuii  ht'rc, 
hut  is  till'  only  Cirus  we  have.  It  has  both  thi'  cohu-  ami  the  notes  of  the  Kuropcaii 
riiicrcii.  It  is  vcu'y.shy.  Tin'  iit'oidt-  here  —  tliat  is.  tlic  Auu-ricaus  —  (;onsi(hM'  it  good 
to  efit.     It  lu'sts  in  tlic  marslics  hitf  in  Mandi  and  early  in  .Vpril." 

Another  etjg  (No.  (m,'!),  hiid  in  eonfinement  in  a  private  ),'arden  at  Niat,'ani  Kails, 
in  18."»1',  has  a  lij;ht  ,t,'ray  f,'round.  The  niarkiuga  areof  sepia,  few,  faint,  and  seattereil. 
except  about  the  larg"!'  end.  wheie  tiu'y  form  aeouHuent  pate  h.  A  few  blotches  an 
of  a  faint  innpli.sh  tint.     This  e},'^'  measures  ,'>.K0  liy  1'.  JO  incdu's. 

A  third  fi'om  rid)a  —  sent  me  by  Dr.  (Jumlhudi — was  found  by  him  anu)ng  the 
mountain  nmrshesof  that  island.  It  closely  resembles  Xo.  Gij.'{.  exce}it  that  the  spots 
are  all  (piite  small  and  rounded  in  shai)e,  and  iiowhero  confluent.  This  egg  mea.surcs 
3.72  by  :.'.;«>  iutdies. 

The  smaller  northern  form  {(>'riix  rinindnials)  Iv.ih  a  history  so  blended  •with  that  dl 
the  more  common  and  larger  raees  of  the  south,  that  it  is  now  somewhat  ditlicult  tn 
separate  that  which  pertains  es])ecially  to  each  .six-eh's.  This  bird  was  tir.st  described 
by  Mr.  Oassin  from  a  single  young  .specimen  that  had  been  obtained  in  October,  bS.").'!. 
near  7\lbu(pierque  by  Dr.  II.  li.  Mollhaiiseu.  It  was  next  mentioned  by  Mr.  !>.  11. 
Ross,  on  the  authority  of  Captain  Wakiston,  as  an  inhabitant  in  the  siunmer  of  tlic 
west  side  of  the  Rocky  .Mountains. 

Mr.  Dresser  was  confident  that  he  had  noticed  this  species  several  times  near  Sau 
Antonio  and  onco  near  the  Rio  Nueces,  and  he  regarded  it  as  a  species  of  not  uncom- 
mon occurrence  in  Southern  Texas.  He  also  claims  to  have  secured  a  single  exam])lc 
whifdi  had  been  shot  near  San  Antonio,  and  preserved  for  him  by  Dr.  Heernuinu.  It 
was  the  only  specimen  that  could  be  i)rocurcd,  as  the  birds  were  very  wary  ami 
difficult  of  approach. 

Both  Mr.  I»annister  and  aMr.  Dall  met  with  and  refer  to  individuals  belonging  to 
this  .species  which,  at  the  time,  they  supposed  to  btdong  to  the  cdnddi'iniis.  ]\lr. 
Bannister  found  it  comnnm  in  the  marshes  of  the  Island  of  St.  Michael's  and  the 
neighboring  inainland  ;  and  ^Ir.  Dall,  always  sui)i)osing  it  to  be  the  canndi'iisis. 
states  that  it  is  a  ccminion  bird  at  St.  ilichael'.s,  as  well  as  at  the  numth  of  the  Yukon 
River,  but  that  it  is  rare  in  the  interior,  an  not  often  seen  at  Xulato.  It  is  called 
by  the  Indians  "Teltintla;"  and  by  them  the  young  of  this  species  is  often  domes- 
ticated, &B  these  birds  become  very  tame,  and  eat  uj)  the  vermin  and  insects,  as  well 
as  scraps  of  food  about  their  camps.  Mr.  Dall  adds  that  the  young  are  downy  until 
their  first  moult,  when  the  red  appears  very  nuudi  as  it  does  in  the  young  Turkey. 
Mr.  Dall  obtained  the  eggs  of  this  species  June  17th  on  the  Yukon  River.  They  had 
been  laid  in  a  small  depression  in  the  sandy  beach,  without  any  attempt  at  a  nest. 
The  flesh  when  well  cooked  is  eatable,  but  to  3Ir.  Dall's  taste  is  rather  strong.  The 
fibula  of  this  bird  is  among  the  Indians  and  trappers  a  favorite  substitute  for  a  pijie- 
stem. 

Mr.  E.  Adams  ("Ibis."  1878)  mentions  the  arrival  of  this  Crane  on  the  shores  of 
Norton  Sound,  Alaska,  Avith  the  earliest  of  the  Geese  in  the  beginning  of  May ;  and 
by  the  middle  of  the  month  the  whole  of  the  marshes  were  alive  with  these  birds,  and 
their  noisy  croakings  were  to  be  heard  in  every  direction,  especially  about  the  exten- 
sive marshes  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  Their  nests  were  placed  about  the  dry  knolls 
in  the  marshes,  and  they  had  eggs  before  the  end  of  May. 

Captain  Blakiston  states  that  this  species  arrives  on  the  Saskatchewan  Plains  in 
large  numbers  in  April  from  the  south,  and  in  the  beginning  of  May  he  met  with  its 


OUL'ID.E  -  TIIK  CRANES  —  TiRUS. 


413 


('!,'KS.  Hu  found  it  as  far  west  as  t\w.  Kocky  Mountains.  Mr.  >rurray  mot  with  it  on 
liiulson's  Hay,  and  Mr.  Koss  tnimd  it  coiunion  along  tlic  banks  ol'  tiie  Matkenziii 
Jiivcr  a.'i  far  nortli  as  thu  Arctic  coast, 

Ilcarnc,  in  liis  "Journey  to  the  Morthcrn  Ocean"  (p.  L'.'t),  refers  to  tliis  sjiecies 
iis  the  Hrown  Crane,  s])eakinj,'of  it  as  greatly  interior  in  Hm>.  to  the  Whooping  Crane, 
and  as  being  seldom  more  than  three  and  a  half  feet  in  length,  and  not  weigiiing 
(iM  an  average  more  than  seven  pounds.  Its  haunts  and  manner  of  life  are,  he  adds, 
nearly  tlie  same  as  those  of  the  larger  species,  ea<'h  pair  never  having  nuire  than 
two  young,  and  tliesc  being  seldom  able  to  fly  before  Septend)er.  This  speeies  is 
Idund  niMch  farther  north  than  the  larger  one,  several  having  been  killed  by  him  on 
^iarble  Island;  and  he  has  also  met  with  it  on  the  continent  as  high  at  least  as  lati- 
tude (Jo°.  Jt  is  generally  esteemed  good  eating,  and  goes  by  tiu'  name  of  the  "North- 
west Turkey."  Ilt^  states  that  the  gizzard  of  tliis  speeies  is  hirger  than  that  of  the 
Trumpeter  Swan,  and  is  especially  large  in  the  young  bird.  In  hot  calm  days  the 
Urown  Crane  nuiy  be  frequently  seen  soaring  to  an  anui/.ing  height,  always  Hying 
in  eireles,  until  by  degrees  it  i)asses  almost  out  of  sight.  Vet  its  note  is  so  very  loud 
that  the  sjiortsman,  before  he  ""os  its  situation,  will  often  imagine  the  bird  is  very 
near  him.  This  species  visits  Hudson's  Hay  in  far  greater  muubers  than  the  larger  one. 
liichardson  also  states  that  it  is  found  in  all  i)arts  of  the  Fur  Country  in  summer, 
even  as  far  as  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  Its  flesh  is  regarded  by  him  as  excellent, 
resembling  that  of  the  Trumpeter  Swan  in  its  flavor.  It  breeds  throughout  the 
Arctic  regions. 

Mr.  Kennieott  met  with  this  species  at  Fort  Resolution,  May  .'50,  where  he  procured 
two  examjiles.  Mr.  MacFarlane  obtained  a  skin,  in  the  autnnni  of  180.'i,  from  the 
Eskimos  on  the  Lower  Anderson  lUver,  and  an  egg  in  June,  1804,  from  an  island 
in  Franklin  Hay.  The  nest  is  said  to  have  been  a  hole  scooped  in  the  sand,  and  lined 
with  a  considerable  q\iantity  of  Avithcrcd  grasses.  A  few  more  birds  of  the  same 
s])ecies  evidently  had  nt^sts  on  the  sanu*  island,  but  they  could  not  be  discovered. 
Dr.  Walker  met  with  a  singlt!  specinu'u  of  this  bird  at  I'ond's  Hay,  in  latitude  72°,  on 
the  west  coast  of  Baftin's  Hay ;  but  it  has  been  very  rarely  seen  so  far  north  as  that 
coast. 

An  egg  of  this  species  (S.  I.  No.  157.31)  obtained  by  Mr.  MacFarlane  in  Liverpool 
Hay,  on  the  Arctic  coast,  measures  3.G.T  inclies  in  length  by  2.30  in  breadth,  is  oval 
in  shape,  and  very  nearly  equally  obtuse  at  either  end.  Its  ground-color  is  a  faint 
washing  of  sepia-l)rown,  and  it  is  marked,  over  the  entire  egg,  with  patches  of  pro- 
nounced sepia,  -which  become  more  and  more  deep  until  about  the  larger  end  they 
form  a  ring  of  darker  and  still  more  distinct  sepia. 


..(■■.•ir,Srt').v'^>^':'. 


i 


Okdek    PIKENICOPTERT. 

LAMELLlliOS'riixVL    (iUALLATOKEa 

Cnxii.  L)iiUfllii-ostriil  iiml  I'lu'coriiil  Oriillalnrcs,  wiili  tin-  neck  anil  Ic^'s  oxccss- 
ivcly  eloiij,'ati'(l,  tlin  anterior  tncs  liilly  wi'lilicd,  the  hallux  very  siiiall,  Lilfvalcil, 
or  soiiu'tiuu'.s  altii;,'((tli('r  waiitiiij,',  tlu;  hill  alpiiiiiUy  ln'iit  in  the  inidtllo  portinii, 
the  iiuuulil)lu  inmh  deeper  in  tlu;  middle  portion  than  the  nnixilla.  Kggs  tew 
in  number  (ono  or  two),  pure  white,  with  a  soft  eiileareous  Hhell. 

The  l'"lainihj,'oes  are  lianiellimstral  Waders,  aud  ]»ossess  so  many  peculiarities  of 
Btrueture,  that  they  may  very  i)ropcrly  l)e  cuuHidered  as  eonstitutiuj,'  by  tiieinsclvo 
a  distinct  Order,  for  which  I'roi'essor  lluxley  has  pro|iose(l  the  term  Am/i/nmor/i/iir. 
This  Order  c(iiu])rises  a  siu^de  I'amily,  which  is  re|)i'eseiited  throuij;hout  the  wanner 
parts  of  the  globe,  with  the  exceitliuu  of  the  Australian  and  Malayan  Wegions. 


m 


Family   nKEXTCOI'TKlIlD.K.  —  Thk  Flamixgoks. 

ClIAi!.     Same  as  those  of  the  Order. 

The  Flamingoes  constitute  a  strongly  marked  and  very  ]H'(Hdiar  i'anuly  of  birds, 
resembling  souu'what  the  Cranes,  Heron.s,  ar.d  Storks  in  general  ajipearance,  inn 
much  more  nearly  related  to  the  Aunt !(/(!■  (Ducks,  (ieese.  and  Swans)  in  tlunr  struc- 
ture, while  in  the  peculiar  form  of  the  bill  and  excessive  elongation  of  the  neck  and 
legs  they  are  entirely  unique.  There  ajipear  to  be  only  two  wtdl-marked  genera, 
Phantti'copferiis  and  I'/nriiirnjMirnt.i,^  the  latter,  <listinguished  bj-  the  absence  of  tlic 
hind  toe  and  a  jieculiar  form  of  bill,  being  represented  by  a  single  species,  found  in 
the  Peruvian  Andes. 


Genus  FHCENICOPTERUS,  Linn.^us. 

Phcuiicnptmis,  Linn.  S.  N.  cil.  lo,  \7r>x,  139  ;  id.  12,  I.  17C(1,  230  (typi-,  /'.  i-iiher,  Linn.). 
P/ueiiifoudinn,  Ohav,  Ibis,  18t)9,  412  {ty\H',  I'/ioiiimp/cnts  riihiiliis,  Fr.ii.nr.N). 
Phcenkorodian,  (!iiay,  Ibis,  18ti!t,  443  (type,  Phafiiicop/crm  riibn;  Linn.). 

Chau.  Neck  and  legs  excessively  elongated,  the  lower  two  thirds  of  the  tibia  Imre,  the  iiiiti- 
rior  two  thirds  of  both  tibiii  mid  tni'sus  enveloped  by  one  eontinumis  series  of  liroad  traiisver-i' 
scutella;,  the  eircnnd'erenre  completed  by  n  smaller  posterior  series.  All  the  anterior  toes  com- 
pletely webbed,  the  longest  about  one  fourth  the  tarsus  ;  hind  toe  ])reseiit,  but  small  and  elevated  : 
claws  short,  broad,  and  blunt,  scarcely  extending  beyond  the  underlying  pad  forming  the  end  ol 

1  PuffiNicovAiiRUS,  "Be.  185"  (Gkay),  (typ,  Phmiicupteriis  andimi3,  PiiiLii'pi  ;  of.  "Ibis,"  1S()9, 
p.  441,  pi.  15,  ligs.  9,  10). 


Pini'.NlCorTKiaD.K  —  TIIK   KLAMINOOPIH  —  rFIfKNrroi'TKIllTS, 


415 


I  he  tiHX.     Miixillik  iiiiich  (li'|iri'MMi'il,  chihm  inUy  I'ur  tlio  ti'iininal  liull',  tvirvwlit-ru  iiarrowi-r  tluiii  tht^ 

IlliUlililili',  wliicll   in  I  •""t|y  lllirki'llnl    ill  tile  lliiilillc  |Hiltiiill,  ili  »iili'^  rnUKlli'lli'il  or  Mli;{lltly  iMirni- 

;.'iili'il,  (lit'  I'liil  with  |)   '.  .'I'liiiF  i|t'i'|i  loii^iiiiiliiiiil  hiiji  iiliiJii^  ;  iiiaxillit  with  udiittiiul  hiti'iiil  i^rnovti 
JKitu  thr  iiii'<liil  to  till'  ti|i ;  both  iiiii\illiti>  uikI  iiiainlilmhii'  liiiiiinii'  t'.\|i<)nu(l. 


I  excess- 

■li'vatftl, 
piirtinti, 


iii'itifs  of 

OlUSt'lvCN 

p  waniii'i' 
lis. 


of  binls. 
iuici',  liut 
iciv  stnu'- 
iicck  iintl 
I  goiicia, 
<'0  of  tlu' 
fouiul  in 


Inn.). 


|c,  tlie  iilit<- 
traii.<ver.-f 
tdfrt  coiu- 

the  ciul  "t 
|lV.is,"18f)9, 


/',  ,•»/»■ 


Till'  uliovi'  chiifactfrs  art-  drawn  IVcmm  /'.  nthn;  Imt  they  a|i|>ly  ciiually  wrll  tn  tln'  ntlii'r  npe- 
licx  of  till' i,'t'iiii^,  1)1'  wliiili  aliiiiit  >i.\  arc  kimwii.  only  two  of  wliicli  arc  Aiiii-iiciii,  uiic,  /'.  ruhii; 
liflo!ij,'hio  to  the  West  Inciii's  aiiil  shoivs  of  the  (iiilf  ol  .Mcxiii),  and  tliu  ( ialai)aj,'us,  the  otlu'r. 
/'.  iijiiipuUiatun,  iiL'ciiliar  to  Soiitlicrii  South  Anu'iiia. 

Fhoenicopterus  ruber. 

THE   AMERICAN   FLAMINGO. 

Pha'nicii/ileriia  ruber,  Linn.  S.  X.  I'd.  Id,  I.  \7'>S,  VM>  (pait)  ;  rd.  12,  I.  17(iO,  230  (piirt).  -  Wii.h. 
Am.  Oil).  Vlll.  l«ll,  (.''i.  111.  (iti.  —  Nrrr.  Man.  II.  ls;U,  70.  —  Avn.  Orii,  jiict;.  V.  ISDO,  2,1,'), 
pi.  4.11  ;  Syiiop.  ISIiH,  •2(!!i  ;  1!.  ,\iu.  VI.  1SI.1,  l(l!»,  pi.  375.  — C.\s.s.  in  Bainl's  H.  N.  Am.  IS.IS, 
087.  — Baikd.  Cat.  N'.  Am.  H.  ISali,  no.  ,■.1)2.  — Cori's,  Ki^y,  1872,  278  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no. 
475  )  2d  I'd.  1882,  no.  087.  —  HiDciW.  Noin.  N.  Am.  H.  1881,  no.  585. 

?  Phcenlcopterus  (jlyphurliiinchits,  Cv.xy,  Iliis,  1809,  jil.  14,  I'tjr.  5  ((ialapiigo.s). 

H.\n  Atlantic  coast.-*  of  tropical  and  snhtropical  Anieiica  fioni  Florida  Keys  to  Northern 
South  AniiTica;  Bcrimnlax  ;  (Jalajiaftos  ?  (  =  ''glii])hnrhipi<-hus,"  (!kay.) 

Sp.  C'nAii.  Adult:  Pivvailini,'  ccdor  pure  venuilion-suaili't,  most  intense  on  the  wings,  else- 
where inclniini;  to  vorniilion-pink  ;  Hanks  rosy  carniini' ;  ]iriniaries  and  secontlaries  uniform  deep 
I'lack.  Terminal  third  of  the  hill  (portion  lieyond  the  lieiid)  Idack  ;  basal  portion  orange,  becoming 
pure  yellow  at  the  e.vtreme  base  and  on  the  lores  ;  iris  blue  ;  legs  and  feet  lake-red  (Audubon). 


iiiiii; 


«.JI  'Afv^  ^ '/* 


416 


LAMELLIROSTKAL  GllALLATORES  —  PHCENICOPTERI. 


Length,  about  42.0O-48.(M)  inciiL-s  ;  extent,  64.0<)-()6.(H» ;  wing,  15.30-16.50  ;  culmen,  about 
5.20  ;  baio  portion  of  tibia,  10.00  ;  t.iKU.s,  12.00-14.50  ;  niidiUe  toe,  3.20. 

Perl'i'ctly  ailult  e.xanipk's  are  almost  uniform  tine  vennilion-scarlet,  as  ile.scribed  above  ;  lesa 
mature  inilividuals  are  paler,  the  neeii  ami  b(xly  liyht  vermilion-pink,  tlie  wiu'^s  light  vermilion- 
flcurlet.     The  very  young  birds  ui'e  said  to  be  covered  with  a  white  cottony  down. 


M 


' 

ill 

iS     i: 

1          |. 

I 


m 


The  American  Flamingo  has  small  c-laim  to  be  ranked  as  a  bird  of  tlie  Xortli 
American  fauna,  being  found  only  in  the  extreme  portion  of  Florida  5  and,  even  there, 
the  constant  persecutions  to  which  it  is  subjected  nuist,  by  the  resulting  extei- 
niination  of  the  species  within  a  very  few  years,  put  an  end  to  even  this  limited 
claim.  This  Flamingo  is  more  or  loss  abundant  in  several  of  the  AVest  India  Islands. 
most  especially  Cuba  and  the  Bahama  Islands  ;  and  a  single  specimen  has  been 
noticed  in  the  Uernmdas. 

The  late  Dr.  Gustavus  Wiirdemann  visited  Florida  in  1857,  and  made  some  inter- 
esting observations  rehitive  to  this  species,  which  Avere  published,  after  his  death,  in 
the  "Annual  Keport  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution''  for  ISfJO.  He  speaks  of  tlic 
Flamingo  as  being  known  to  but  few  of  the  inhabitants  of  Flori<la,  and  as  being  con- 
fined to  the  immediate  neighlxu'hood  of  the  most  southern  ])ortion  of  that  penin- 
sula—  Ctape  Sable  and  the  Keys  in  its  vicinity.  It  existed  formerly  near  Indian 
lliver,  but  had  been  driven  from  that  region.  On  the  west  coast  of  Florida  it  ranges 
as  far  north  as  Cape  Romano,  where  it  Avas  seen  every  year,  but  was  not  known  to 
breed  there,  and  was  supposed  to  nest  among  the  fresh-water  lakes  near  Cape  Sable. 

Having  been  told  that  Flanungoes  were  taken  during  the  latter  i)art  of  June  and 
early  in  July,  when  numlting,  in  large  nundiers  by  Avreckers.  ])r.  AViirdemann  sought 
for  an  opportunity  to  witness  their  capture,  and  with  this  view  accompanied  a  small 
party  early  in  August.  We  give  Dr.  "Wiirdemann's  account,  only  abridging  his  naii;i- 
tive  somewhat.  After  a  while  the  Captain  shouted,  "Tht^  Flamingoes  !''  IJut  it  was 
not  until  an  advance  of  another  mile  had  been  made  that  the  Doctor  was  able  to  per- 
ceive two  red  spots,  ajjparently  under  two  distant  Keys ;  these  proved  to  be  large 
flocks  of  this  bird,  which  started  up  when  the  party  came  within  half  a  mile  of 
them,  leaving  six  of  their  nundier  behind,  which  were  nu)ulting,  and  unable  to  fol- 
low. Paddling  as  fast  as  they  could,  the  nu'U  soon  came  up  with  these  birds,  which 
employed  both  wings  and  legs  in  endeavoring  to  escape.  The  Captain  seized  one 
after  another  and  threw  them  into  tlu^  boat,  taking  the  whole  six.  They  afterward 
overtook  other  flocks  of  the  Flamingoes  in  a  similar  manner,  luitil  the  small  canoi' 
was  loaded  doAvn  with  mori'  than  a  hundred  of  tlu'se  unfortunate  birds,  packed  away 


L 


PnCENICOPTERID.E  —  THE   ELAMIXGOES  —  PHa^NICDPTEHUS. 


417 


without  the  8inalh\st  regard  oitlu'r  tor  tlit-ir  ooiiit'ort  or  their  lives.  On  the  return 
of  the  Jiarty  to  Indian  Key  tlie  dead  l)irds,  whicli  were  all  in  a  very  fat  condition, 
were  distrilnited,  and  the  liviuij;  ones  eontined  in  a  ten-pin  alley. 

Dr.  Wurdenuiini  states  tiiat  there  must  have  been  not  less  than  live  hundred 
Flamingoes  assembled  where  the  last  were  captured.  They  appeared  to  congregate 
in  these  shallow  waters,  feeding  on  a  small  shellfish  having  the  form  of  a  clam, 
which  they  fished  ui>  from  the  nuuldy  banks.  No  other  food  was  found  in  their 
stomachs.  They  wt  re  always  seen  in  Hocks,  and  their  notes  sounded  at  a  distance 
like  those  of  Wild  Geese.  When  captured,  they  uttered  a  single  low  note  like  that 
of  a  Crane  when  siuldenly  started. 

While  in  confinement  one  Flamingo  would  utter  a  cry  like  that  of  the  Domestic 
Goose  calling  for  its  mate,  and  this  cry  would  be  answered  by  another  bird  in  notes 
similar  to  those  of  a  Gander.  1'he  captives  were  fed  on  rice  and  fresh  water,  but 
woidd  not  eat  so  long  as  they  were  >vatched.  Of  eight  birds  dissected  by  Dr.  Wiirde- 
niann  only  one  was  found  to  be  a  femah',  and  he  inferred  that  the  females  moult 
earlier  tha  i  the  males.  The  hel])less  condition  to  which  the  Flamingo  is  reduced 
when  moulting  nuikes  it  an  easy  ]>rey  to  its  enemies,  and  must  eventually  lead  to 
its  extermination.  In  confinement  it  becomes  so  tame  as  to  feed  from  the  hand  of  its 
captor. 

Wilson,  eojjying  from  Dr.  Latham's  "Synojjsis,"  gives  an  account  of  the  breeding 
of  this  bird  which,  though  long  considered  as  trustworthy,  is  now  known  to  be  erro- 
neous. The  Flamingo  does  not  build  uj)  a  small  hillock-like  nest,  hollowed  at  the 
top,  on  which  it  can  sit,  resting  either  foot  on  the  ground.  The  nest  is  raised  but 
slightly  above  the  surface,  and  only  just  enough  to  jirotet^t  it  from  the  danger  of 
being  overflowed  \>\  tin  water  of  the  marshes  in  which  it  is  i)la(^ed. 

Mr.  J.  L.  Hurdis  states  that  a  party  from  JJermuda,  in  .Tidy,  1850,  visited  the 
Bahamas,  Avhere  they  found  the  Fhnuingoes  in  great  numbers.  This  party  visited 
Luke  IJosa  and  waded  to  some  of  the  islands,  the  water  being  only  knee-{leep.  On 
one  of  these  islands  there  were  at  least  two  Inuidred  of  these  birds,  too  shy  to  admit 
of  a  near  ajjproach.  Man\'  young  Flamingoes  were  discovered,  some  of  which  were 
run  down  and  captiu'cd.  These  had  an  .awkward  gait,  but  scuttled  along  at  a  good 
puce.  They  were  in  the  gray  jilumage,  of  different  stages  of  growth.  Mv.  Hollis  — 
one  of  the  ])arty  —  stated  that  he  saw  several  of  the  nests  of  these  birds,  and  obtained 
some  of  their  eggs.  These  all  i)roved  to  be  addled,  and  to  have  been  thrown  out  by 
the  parent  birds.  He  s]ieaks  of  them  as  being  white,  and  abcmt  the  size  of  the  egg 
of  the  Common  Goose.  The  nests  were  comjjosed  of  nuul  and  sticks,  more  or  less 
raised,  on  account  of  the  surrounding  water.  The  highest  was  not  more  than  nine 
inches  above  the  ground,  while  many  others  were  nearly  level  with  it.  T^'c  surface 
was  hollowed  out,  and  only  capable  of  holding  two  eggs. 

Mr.  Audid)on  mentions  meeting.  >[ay  7,  LS;i2.  while  sailing  from  Indian  Key,  a 
Hock  of  Flamingoes  advancing  in  *•  Indian  file,"  with  spread  wings,  outstretched 
necks,  and  long  legs  directed  backward.  These  birds  were  very  shy,  and  kept  at  a 
distance,  so  that  he  was  not  able,  during  his  stay  in  Florida,  to  procure  a  single 
specimen.  He  states  that  these  Flamingoes  have  been  met  with  along  the  eastern 
coast  to  as  far  as  Charleston,  S.  C.,  where  some  were  procured  as  late  as  1830.  Nore 
liave  ever  been  seen  about  the  Mississippi  or  in  Tex.is. 

This  bird  is  said  to  be  common  in  Cuba,  especially  among  the  small  islands  on  the 
southern  shore  not  far  from  the  nuiinland.  Its  Hight  is  like  that  of  an  Ibis,  usually 
in  lines,  with  neck  and  legs  extended,  alternately  flapping  and  sailing  at  brief  inter- 
vals.    It  usually  sails  round  a  locality  several  times  before  it  alights,  doing  this  for 

VOL.  I.  —  53  • 


418 


LAMELLIRO.^TRAL  GHALLATORES  —  rnCENICOPTERI. 


the  most  part  in  shallow  Avati-r,  and  ravoly  on  tho  land.  Its  walk  is  slow  and  stiff; 
and  it  moves  with  great  cantion,  its  height  enabling  it  to  wateh  for  the  approach  of 
enemies.  In  flying  over  water  it  rarely  rises  higher  than  ten  feet;  but  in  crossing 
land  it  always  increases  its  elevation. 

Mr.  A.  ^lallory  —  as  quoted  by  Mr.  Audubon  —  writes,  in  1837,  that  the  Flamin- 
goes were  then  breeding  on  the  Keys  near  ^Matanzas.  lie  describes  the  nests  as  being 
built  on  the  ground,  and  as  irregular  masses  of  earth  placed  in  salt  ponds,  surrounded 
by  Avater  and  two  or  three  feet  above  it,  their  tops  being  hollowed  out,  and  without 
lining. 

The  number  of  eggs  is  always  two,  and  they  are  descril)ed  as  being  white,  about  the 
size  of  those  of  a  Goose,  sliowing,  when  scraped,  a  bluish  tinge  within.  The  young  arc 
said  to  be  white  at  first,  and  not  to  attain  their  full  scarlet  color  until  they  are  two 
years  old.  They  take  at  oiu;e  to  the  water,  and  cannot  walk  until  two  weeks  after 
they  are  hat  "lied.  Mr.  Audubon  describes  an  egg  ])rocured  from  (!uba  by  Dr.  Bach- 
man  as  measuring  li^  inches  in  length  by  2^  in  l)readth,  of  an  elongated  shape,  pure 
white  externally,  and  of  a  bluish  tint  where  the  surface  has  been  scraped.  The 
shell  is  described  as  being  rough,  granulated,  and  rather  thick. 

Dr.  Bryant  found  the  Bahamas  a  favorite  resort  of  the  Flamingo,  and  saw  im- 
mense numbers  of  them  at  different  localities.  He  heard  of  three  lireeding-places. 
but  was  iniable  to  visit  them,  owing  to  ill  health ;  these  were  the  lUght  of  Bahama, 
Audros  Island,  and  Inagua.  The  sauu'  observer  had  seen  it  stated  in  the  " Natural- 
ist in  Bermuda"  that  this  bird  does  not  sit  on  its  nest  Avith  its  legs  hanging  doAvn  on 
each  side  ;  but  all  the  persons  he  questioned  in  regard  to  this  statement  —  and  they 
were  quite  a  number,  there  being  among  them  several  very  intelligent  persons  —  gave 
him  the  same  account  of  its  nesting ;  namely,  that  the  nest  is  built  of  clay  or  marl, 
and  that  it  is  raised  gradually,  the  bird  Avaiting  for  one  layer  to  dry  before  applying 
another,  and  that  Avhen  completed  the  nest  has  a  conical  form,  resembling  a  sugar- 
loaf  in  shape,  and  being  slightly  excaA'ated  at  the  toj);  also  that  the  bird  sits  m 
it  Avith  its  legs  hanging  down  on  each  side.  The  breeding-places  are  in  shallow 
lagoons,  at  a  distance  from  the  shore ;  and  as  the  bottom  is  a  tenacious  clay,  they 
can  only  be  approached  Avith  great  exertion.  The  eggs,  Avheu  fresh,  are  pure  Avliitc, 
have  a  smooth  feeling  to  the  touch  even  when  the  surface  exhibits  numerous  slight 
de})ressions,  and  resemble  plaster  models  rather  than  eggs.  They  are  of  an  extremely 
elongated  shape,  and  taper  at  one  end,  A-arying  greatly  in  size.  One  taken  by  Dr. 
Bachman  at  Matanzas,  Cuba,  measures  3.40  indies  by  2.00 ;  another,  also  from  Cuba, 
3.80  inches  by  2.11.  Tavo  procured  in  the  Bahamas  measure,  one  3.55  inches  by  2.08, 
the  other  3.63  inches  by  2.20. 


id  stiff ; 
:oach  of 
[jrossing 

Flamin- 

as  being 

■rounded 

without 

ibout  the 
ouug  ave 
r  are  two 
eks  after 
Dr.  Baeh- 
ape,  pure 
)ed.    The 

L  saw  im- 
ng-plaees. 
Bahama, 
"IS'atural- 
jT  down  on 
-and  they 
)ns  —  gave 
y  or  mail. 
e  applying 
g  a  sugar- 
rd  sits    m 
in  shallow 
elay,  they 
nire  white, 
rous  slight 
extremely 
ten  by  Pr. 
from  Cuba, 
es  by  2.08, 


ORDEii    ANSERES. 

THE   LAMELLIROISTRAL   SWIMMERS. 

Char.  Lamellirostral  Swimming  Birds,  with  straight  bills,  short  legs  (always 
shorter  than  the  wing),  the  tibiie  usually  completely  feathered,  and  scarcely  free 
from  the  body  ;  hallux  well  developed,  though  usually  small,  never  absent.  Eepro- 
duction  pruicocial,  and  young  ptilopa^dic ;  eggs  numerous  and  unmarked,  with  a 
liard,  usually  very  smooth,  shell. 

Like  the  Phwnkojiter!,  the  Order  Anseres  is  composed  of  a  single  family,  wliich, 
however,  includes  very  numerous  genera  and  species.  The  Order  is  represented  in 
every  portion  of  the  globe,  but  most  numerously  in  the  northern  hemisphere. 


Family  ANATID^.  —  The  Swans,  Geese,  and  Ducks. 

Char.     The  same  as  those  of  the  Order. 

The  Family  Anutidir,  which  includes  all  the  known  Anseres  proper,  or  Lamelli- 
rostral Swimmers,  constitutes  so  well-marked  and  natural  a  group  of  birds  as  to  need 
no  further  definition  than  that  given  above.  The  Anat'uhe  are  allied  most  nearly  to 
the  Phfinicoj}teri(/tr,  or  Klamingoes,  which,  however,  are  trenchantly  separated  by 
many  striking  peculiarities  of  structure.  The  sj)ecies  being  very  numerous,  naturally 
fall  into  several  more  or  less  \vell-detined  groups,  which  have  been  accorded  the  rank 
of  sub-families.  These,  however,  grade  so  insensibly  into  one  another,  that  it  is 
extremely  doubtful  whether  this  rank  can  be  maintained  for  them.*  Birds  of  this 
t'iunily  are  found  in  every  known  part  of  the  world ;  but  they  abound  most  in  the 
northern  hemisphere,  particularly  in  boreal  regions.  Tlie  North  American  repre- 
sentatives may,  for  convenience  of  classiHcation,  be  divided  into  three  toleral)ly 
well-defined  groups,  as  follows  :  — 

Cygninae.  Neck  extremely  long  (as  long  as  or  longer  than  the  body)  ;  size  very  lai-ge  ;  bill 
longer  than  the  head,  tiie  edges  parallel,  the  nail  small ;  tarsi  shorter  than  middle  toe  ; 
lores  naked  ;  tail-feathers  2()-24  ;  color  chiefly  or  entirely  white  (e.\cept  in  Chenopis 
atrata,  the  Bhu^k  Swan  of  Australia). 

'  "  The  whole  fnmily  Anatidw  forms,  as  to  structural  fentures,  a  very  homogeneous  group,  and  inter- 
mediate links  are  everywliere  to  l)o  found.  TIius  it  is  very  difficult  to  define  the  sub-fumilies  anatomically, 
and  to  give  the  structural  diU'ercnccs  by  which  tlicy  are  to  b<!  separated,  so  that  I  find  it  not  improbable 
that  an  exact  investigation,  bnscMl  on  a  more  abundant  material  than  I  can  at  present  procure,  will  reduce 
the  sub-families  to  groups  of  lower  rank."  —  Stejnegeu,  in  Pioc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  5,  1882,  pp. 
174,  175. 


■  HJIUl^P  IMJ 


420 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  8WTMMKRH  —  AN8ERES. 


AnserinaB.  Neck  iiicxlcrutely  long  (shorter  thuii  tbe  botly)  ;  size  viuiiible  (iiMUrtUy  meiliiim, 
never  very  larne)  ;  bill  not  lonj,'er  tliiin  the  lieiid,  tiiperin^;  to  the  end,  which  is  chiclly 
occupied  by  the  \av^i;  broail  nuil  ;  tarsus  lon},'er  than  the  njiildle  toe  ;  K)res  leathered ; 
tail-leathei's  14-:iO  ;  color  extremely  variable. 

AnatiuBB.  Neck  moderately  lonj,'  (shorter  tiiaii  the  body)  ;  size  variable  (usually  small  or 
medium)  ;  bill  extremely  variable  ;  tai-sus  shorter  than  the  middle  toe ;  lores  usually 
feathered  ;  tail-1'eathei-s  14-lH  ;  color  exti'eniely  variable. 


Sub-family  CYGNIN.^,   Bonapautk.  —  The  Swans.* 

"1838.  —Cygnimr,  Br.  Coniii.  List,  p.  55. 
1850.  —  Cijgniih;  KaiM'  (Jide  fiUAv). 
1852.  — VIorimv,  Hkiciiii.  .Syst.  Av.  p.  x. 
\mQ.—  Cycnidtv,  Des  Muus,  Tr.  Ool.  Ornith.  p.  537. 

"  DiAGN.  Anatida  havixg  the  hind  toe  without  web  and  tlie  lores  naked,  coincident  with  reticulatt 
tarsi,  the  latter  shorter  than  the  middle  with  the  claw. 

"  Neck  very  long,  as  long  as,  or  longer  than,  the  body.  Bill  longer  than  the  head,  broad,  ami 
of  nearly  ecjual  breailth  for  the  whole  length,  roundetl  at  the  end,  culmen  high,  depressed  at  the 
tip  ;  nail  rather  large,  only  slightly  arched ;  lamellie  of  u|)per  maudiiile  vertical,  in  one  row  ; 
nostrils  situated  nearly  at  the  middle  of  the  bill,  in  the  fore  part  of  the  oblong  nasal  sinus.  Lores 
naked  in  the  adults  ;  in  all  species,  except  one,  thinly  covered  with  small  down  or  feathers  in  the 
young.  Legs  short,  stout ;  lower  part  of  tibia  naked  ;  tarsi  compressed,  much  shorter  than  the 
middle  toe  with  the  cLiw,  and  covered  with  small  hexagonal  plates,  the  size  of  which  diminishes 
laterally  and  posteriorly  ;  the  anterior  toes  reticulate  as  far  as  the  second  Joint,  then  scutcllate  ; 
middle  toe  longest,  longer  than  the  tarsus,  the  outer  longer  than  the  inner,  which  has  a  broad 
margin  ;  hind  toe  short,  elevated,  and  without  web,  the  cjaws  strong,  arched,  compressed,  except 
the  middle,  which  is  only  compressed  on  the  one  side,  the  claw  of  the  inner  toe  in  (dil  birds  the 
largest  and  most  arched.  Wings  long,  am|)le,  the  inner  remiges  highly  develoj)ed,  with  about  32 
quills.     Tail  composed  of  20-24  rectrices,  short,  rounded,  or  cuiieate. 

"  Sexes  similar. 

"  The  preceding  marks  eondjined  appear  to  express  the  essential  characters  of  the  Gygnime.  r>y 
this  diagnosis  I  follow  Mr.  Sundevall  in  excluding  the  genus  Coscoroba,  Rkichb.,  which  has  tlic 
lores  feathered  at  all  ages.  .  .  .  The  removal  of  Coscoroha  to  the  Anatinw  will  be  discussed  more 
explicitly  below.  The  criterion  '  tai-si  reticulate'  further  excludes  the  genera  Cairinu,  Vi.vM, 
and  Plectropterus,  Leach,  which,  it  is  true,  have  the  lores  naked,  but  the  tarsi  of  which  are  scutel- 
late  instead  of  reticulate.  Anseruuas,  Less.,  luis  cert^iinly  both  nakecl  lores  and  reticulate  tarsi,  but 
differs  in  having  the  tarsus  longer  than  the  middle  toe  with  claw. 

"  Anatidce  which  do  not  at  once  unite  all  the  above  cliaracters  consequently  belong  to  one  uf 
the  other  sub-families." 

"Synopsis  of  the  Genera. 

a'.    Predominant  color  of  the  adults  white  ;  young  with  downy  or  feathered  lores  ;  tertiaries  ami 
scapulars  normal,  not  crisp ;  tail  longer  than  the  midillc  toe  with  claw. 
6'.   Tail  cuneate  ;  the  young  with  the  down  on  the  sides  of  the  liill  not  forming  loral  antiiu.t 
c\   Inner  webs  of  outer  four  primaries  an<l  outer  webs  of  the  second,  third,  fourth,  and 
fifth  sinuated  ;  the  young  with  the  down  on  the  sides  of  the  bill  reaching  alm<i-' 
to  the  nostrils  ;  webs  of  the  feet  scalloj)eil. 


•  In  the  preparation  of  this  article  on  the  ('ijffmme  imicli  use  has  been  made  of  the  very  valimbU' 
"Outlines  of  a  Monograph  of  tlie  Cijgnimv,"  by  Dr.  Ijtionhard  Stejncgcr,  ])ublishud  in  Vol.  5  of  llif 
"  Proceedings  of  the  U.  S.  National  Museum,"  pp.  174-221.  The  matter  taken  directly  therefrom  is 
inclosed  in  quotation  marks. 

t  This  term  denotes  the  ])rojecting  angle  of  the  loral  feathering  at  the  base  of  the  bill. 


IS 


ANATID.K  —  THE  SWANS. 


421 


niudiuui, 
is  chiolly 
iutlnji'cil ; 

'  small  ov 
9  usuully 


h  reticuluk 

broad,  uiul 
issed  at  thi; 

0)11!  row  ; 
lus.  LfiriK 
hers  ill  tlu^ 
!r  tliiui  tlii; 

diiiiiui>li(M 
I  si'uti'lbitc  ; 
has  a  bioii'l 
ssed,  exfi'lit 
Id  birds  the 

til  about  32 


yyn  ince.  Hy 
liich  lias  the 

ussed  iiioii! 

»«,  Fl.KM., 

are  scntid- 

ite  tarsi,  but 

m  to  one  oi" 


1.  StheneluB,  Stkjnkukr,  1882. 

A  Inner  webs  of  outer  tliree  priniaiies  and  outer  web*  of  the  second,  third,  and  fourth 
slnuated;  the  younj,'  with  the  chiwii  on  tlie  sides  of  the  bill  teriuinatiuy  fur  back  of 
the  nostrils  ;  webs  of  the  feet  straight,  not  Hcalloped. 

2.  Cygnus,  Ukciist.,  1803. 

6'.   Tail  rounded  ;  the  young  with  the  down  on  tiie  sides  of  the  bill  fonning  very  distinct  loral 
antiu!. 

3.  Olor.  Waol.,  1832. 

a".   Predoaiiiiant  color  of  the  adults  Ijlackish  ;  the  young  with  naked  lores  ;  tertiaries  and  scaini- 
lurs  crisp  ;  tail  shovter  tlian  the  middle  toe  with  claw. 

4.  Chenopis,  Waql.  1832. 

"  ftftxjrd/thh'ii/  iJlsti'iltntion. 

"  The  Ci/(/m'»WB  appear  both  in  the  northern  and  the  soutliern  hemispheres  as  e.xtra-tropical  biixls, 
no  representatives  of  these  large  Litmdlinmtnii  being  found  within  tiie  tropics.  They  are  conse- 
([ueiitly  wanting  both  in  tlie  Indo-Ariii-an  Troiiical  —  they  do  not  at  all  breed  in  Africa  —  and  in 
llie  American  Tropical  Region,  only  one  species  being  met  with  in  the  South  American  Temperate 
and  one  in  the  Australian  liegion.  Tiie  remaining  seven  species  occur  in  the  Arctic  and  the 
North  Temperate  Uegions,  the  greatest  numlH.r,  viz.,  five,  being  found  in  the  Old  World,  and  here 
I liey  only  extend  their  winter  migrations  to  the  two  southern  provinces,  the  Mediterranean  and 
tlie  Manchurian,  without  breeding  tiiere.  The  two  North  American  species  only  breed  within  the 
American  division  of  the  Arctic  Hegion. 

"  The  foUowhig  table  gives  a  synopsis  of  their  distribution  :  — 


Arutit!  reg. 

Xnrthtemp.  reg. 

Name  of  species. 

£ 

< 



1 
(       j  Iiido-Afr  trop.  reg. 

X        South  Anier.  temp. 

S 

1 

< 

c 

Australian  rep. 

u 

is 

H 

"u 

'A 

S't/icneliis  melancorypha  .     . 

_ 

_ 



''i/lliius  (libbus 

— 

— 

X 

--— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

'               itiiiiialabil is  . 

— 

X 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Unwiiii     .... 

— 

— 

X 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

,  0/ur  ci/(jHus 

X 

— 

X 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

licwickii 

X 

- 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

..^ 

ciiluinhianus  .... 

X 

-— 

X 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

buccinator      .... 

— . 

X 

— 

X 

— . 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Chenopis  alrutus  .... 

—~ 

- 

— 

— 

— 

_  .. 

X 

irtiai'ies  ami 


ir 


•al  antiiu.t 

fourth,  aiul 

;hing  almo^' 


very  valualiK' 

''ol.  5  of  tliu 

therefrcni  is 


Of  the  genera,  as  defined  above,  only  the  thirtl  {Ohr)  belongs  to  North  America,  the  remainder 
Iiciiig  distributed  as  follows  :  — 

Tiie  lirst,  Sthenclus  (new  genus,  Pr.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  Ti,  July  25,  1882,  p.  183),  includes 
only  the  Black-necked  Swan  (Anns  nulancorypha,  Moi..,  Cygnus  nigrlcollis,  Auct.  e.v  Gmkl.)  of 
Chili  and  other  parts  of  Soutliern  South  America;  Cygnus  proper  contains  three  species  (one  of 
liifiii  the  common  domestic  species),  all  of  them  peculiar  to  the  Palanirctic  Region  ;  Clienopis,  in- 
cluding only  the  Black  Swan  of  Australia  {Anas  atrata,  Lath.,  Cygnus  atmtus,  Auct.),  is  confined 
til  Southern  Australia. 

As  before  remarked,  the  Coscoroba  Swan  (Anas  coscoroba,  Mol.,  Cygnus  coscoroba,  AuCT.,  Anser 
cundidiis,  ViElLL.,  Coscoroba  camliila,  Stejn.)  of  South  America,  while  resembling  the  true  Swans 
ill  its  large  size  and  pure  white  color,  agrees  in  structure  with  the  Ducks,  and  can  properly  be 
considered  only  as  a  gigantic  memlier  of  that  sub-faiuily. 


422  LAMELLIROSTllAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSEKES. 


Geni's  OLOR,  Wagleb. 

Olor,  Waul.  Isis,  1832,  1234  (typf,  Anas  cygmis,  Linn.)- 

Ohar.*  Neck  very  loti^'  (li)ii>,'cr  thiiii  llio  body),  bill  lotij,'L'r  than  the  lii'iul  (commissure!  lonf,'cr 
thim  tlio  tarsus),  widening'  slightly  to  the  end,  the  edges  straight  ;  hasul  jiortiun  of  the  bill  covercil 
by  a  soft  skin  extending  over  tlie  loi^'s  to  the  eye,  the  upper  outline  running  nearly  straight  bai  k 
from  the  forehead  to  the  upper  eyelid,  the  lower  running  from  the  eye  oblitpiely  downward,  in  a 
nearly  straight  line,  to  the  rictus.     Nostrils  situated  a  little  posterior  to  the  middle  of  the  maxilla, 


'$ 


'III- 


V.  hnccinalor. 

and  quite  near  tlie  culnien  ;  no  trace  of  a  knol)  or  caruncle  at  base  of  the  bill.  Lower  portion  uf 
the  tibia  bare  ;  tarsus  nuich  shorter  than  tlu;  middle  toe  (l)ut  little  longer  than  the  inner),  mm  li 
compresi?ed,  covered  with  hexagonal  scales  which  become  smaller  on  the  sides  and  behind.  Hind 
toe  small,  much  elevated,  the  lolw  narrow.  Tail  very  short,  rounded,  or  graduated,  of  20  to  i  I 
feathers.  Wings  rounded,  the  second  and  third  quills  Imigest  ;  i>rimaries  scarcely  reaching  beyoiid 
the  ends  of  the  secouduries.     Color  entirely  wliiti-,  the  sexes  alike  ;  young  pale  grayish, 

"Synopsis  of  the  Species. 

o*.  The  distance  from  the  anterior  angle  of  the  eye  to  the  hind  border  of  the  nostrils  much  longer 
than  the  distance  from  the  latter  to  the  tip  of  the  bill. 
h^.  The  yellow  color  at  the  basi'  of  the  1)ill  extending  beyond  the  no.itril.^. 


*  "  DiAGX.  ;  edominant  color  of  the  adults  white  ;  the  young  with  downy  or  feathered  lores,  the  down 
on  the  sides  of  the  bill  teniiinating  far  back  of  the  nostrils,  and  forming  very  distinct  loral  antia;  ;  tcrtiaiiis 
and  scapulare  normal,  not  crisj)  ;  tail  longer  than  the  niiddip  toe  with  claw,  rounded  ;  inner  webs  of  outi  r 
three  primaries,  and  outer  webs  of  the  second,  third,  and  fourth,  sinuated  |  webs  of  the  feet  not  scalloped  " 
(Stejneoeb,  tQia.  cU.  pp.  197,  198). 


ANATIDE  —  THE  SWAXS  —  OLOR. 


423 


1.  CygnuB  (Linn.),  17^8. 

6'.  The  yellow  color  at  the  bnse  of  tliu  l)ill  not  uxlendint?  to  the  nostriln. 

c*  Siimller :  Total  Icn^'tli  alMiiit  1, 150  mm;  midillc  toe  with  daw  about  125  mm;  the 
yellow  spot  ut  the  liasc  ot'  ilic  liijl  making  at  least  one  third  of  the  svirface  of  the  bill 
and  lores. 

2.  Bewiokil  (Vauk.),  1830, 

c*.  Larger:  Total  k'nj,'th  about  l,400mni;  middle  too  with  idaw  about  140mm;  the 
yellow  spot  at  the  base  of  the  bill  making,',  at  most,  one  fifteenth  of  the  surface  of  the 
bill  and  lores. 

3.   ColumbiauuB  (Oud.),  1810. 

n^.  The  distance  from  the  anterior  anj,de  of  the  eye  to  tin;  hind  border  of  the  nostrils  equal  to  the 
distance  from  the  latter  to  the  tip  of  the  bill. 

4.  Buccinator  (Rich.),  18C1." 

The  North  Amerii'an  species  of  (Jlor  may  be  readily  distiiij;nislied  by  the  foUowini,'  characters  :  — 

1.  O.  oolumbiauua.    Tail-featheis  usually  20  ;  bill  not  Ioniser  than  tiie  liea(',the  anterior  end 

of  the  nostrils  considerably  anterinr  to  the  miiUlle  of  the  ma.xilla  ;  iiakei'  loral  skin  usually 
with  a  yellow  obion],'  spot. 

2.  O.  buccinator.     Tail-f'  -ithers  usually  24  ;  bill  longer  than  the  bead,  the  anterior  end  of 

the  nostrils  roacliiii^'  to  about  the  middle  (jf  the  ma.vilhi ;  nake<l  loral  skin  entirely  black. 
Size  considerably  larger. 
Through  a  mi.sconception  of  statements  made  on )).  4C5  of  the  "  Fauna  Horeali-.lmericana,"  Vol. 
II,,  the  author  of  a  "Nomenclature  of  North  American  Birds"  (I'uU.  U.  .*■>.  Nat.  Mus.  No.  21) 
iiK  luded  Bewick'.s  Swan  in  the  Nortli  American  fauna.  In  this,  however,  it  .leems  that  he  was 
iu  error,  as  pointed  out  on  pp.  210  and  211  of  Dr.  Stejneger's  Monogra))h,  before  referretl  to.  In 
view,  however,  of  the  possibility  that  this  species  may  yet  be  found  within  our  limits,  we  quote 
liolow,  from  Dr.  Stejneger's  paper,  its  chief  synonymy  and  principal  characters  :  — 

"  Olor  BewiokU,  Yarr.  (Bewick's  Swan)." 

"  Diagn.  The  distance  from  the  anterior  angle  of  the  eye  to  the  hind  border  of  the  nostrils  is 
nuich  longer  than  the  distance  from  the  latter  to  the  tip  of  the  bill  ;  the  yellow  color  at  the  base 
of  the  bill  does  not  extend  to  the  nostrils,  making  at  least  one  third  of  the  surface  of  the  bill  and 
lores.    Smaller  :  Total  length  about  1150  nnn  ;  middle  toe  with  claw  about  125  mm." 

Syii,  — 1830,  —  Ci/i/HUs  Bewiclii,  Yaureli,,  Trans.   Linn.  Soc.  XVI.  j).  453  (ncc  Ririi,  1831  qute  0. 

columhianus,  t)l!l>). 
1838,  —  Ci/gnus  islamlicus,  Nau.m,,  Wieom,  Archiv  IV,  1838,  p.  364  (nee  BiiEUM,  1830,  quae 

Olor  cygiuis,  Linn.), 
1838,  —  Cijgnus  Bcnckkii,  KvToy,  Monogr.  Anat,  PI.  18  (err.  ti//>.). 
1840.  —  Ciigiiiis  minor,  Keys.  &  I$i.as,  Wirbelth.   Europ.  p.  LXXXII. 
1842.  —  Cifgtuis  mela7wrhiiiiis,  Nau.m.  Viig.  Deutsclil.  XI.  p.  4S>7. 
1851.  —  Cijgnus  mu.sicus,    Kj.kiiboll.   Orn.    Uan.    PI.    XLIV.    (ncc   Bechst.  quse   0.   eijgnus, 

Linn.), 
1854,  —  Vygnus  ameriiMHUs,  Haktl,  Naumannia,  1864,  p.  327  (nee  Suarpl,  quoe  columbianus, 

Okd), 
1856,  —  '  Ci/gmts  Altumi,  Homeyer,'  Bp.  Cat,  Parzud,,  p,  16. 
1866.  —  '  Ctjgnits  Allumii,  Uadekek,'  Schi.eoel,  Mus.  P,  B.  VI,  Anseres,  p.  82. 
1880,  —  Cygnua  Bewicki,  Dkesser,  Birds  of  Eur,  pt,  Ixxvii.-kxix," 


Olor  cygnus. 

THE  HOOPEB  SWAN. 

Anas  cygnus,  Linn.  S.  N.  ed,  10,  I,  1758,  122  ;  cd,  12. 1.  1766,  194, 

Olor  cygnus,  "  Bonap,"  Ridow,   Proc,  U,  S,  Nut,  ilus.  Vol.  3,  1880,  202,  222  ;  Xom.  N.  Am.  B. 
1881,  no.  586,  —  Stejn,  Proc.  U.  S,  Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  5,  1882,  198. 


424 


LAMEMJROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  AXSERES. 


CyguuH  ftrux,  Li„uii,  Syst.  Cat.    181(1,   37.  —  Hteph.  Opii.  Zool.   XII.  10,  pi.  37.  —  Orav,  fien. 

H.  111.  (110  ;  (at.  Hilt.  W.  18(13,  l.SS.  —  IIkinii.  IMh,  18(11,  13  (Om-nlan.l). 
Cijijnu^  mimini.i,  UKcllsr.  NiiluiK-  Pt'ntsi'lil.  IV.  1809,  830.  —  Uonai'.  Coinp.  List,  1838,  bti.  —  Kkys. 

&  Hi.AM.  Willi.  Kiir.  »-2.  ^  Maciiim,.  .Mun.  II.  158.  — Coukh,  Check  List,  2d  ed.  1882,  no.  6l»0. 
Olor  m uHkus,  Waoi..  Isis,  1832,  1^34. 
Ci/gniM  olor,  I'ai.i,.  Zooj^r.  Ildsso-A.'i.  II.  182(1,211. 
Ciignun  Tiiulhiii-hinHn,  Nac.m.  Viig.  Deutsclil.  XL  1842,  478,  pi.  296. 
iriii.il/iiiif  or  ll'i/il  Siriiii,  Ai'iT. 
The  J/oniKi;  Elk;  or  n'hialUng  Swan,  Yaiik.  Hiit.  |{.  ed.  2,  III.  187,  fig.  ;  ed.  3,  III.  191,  fig. 

Had.     Puliniirtic  Rt'^jioii.    Accidental  in  Uici'iiliind  (Hki.mi.  "  Ilns,"  IftOl,  1.3). 

Si'.  CiiAii.  "  The  (listaiicu  from  tlic  (interior  aii^li-  of  tlu'  eye  to  the  iiind  liordcr  of  tlio  nostril> 
is  much  loii^'cr  than  llm  distance  from  the  latter  to  the  ti[)  of  the  lull  ;  the  yellow  color  at  tlu' 
Itase  of  the  bill  extending  beyond  the  iio.stribi,  making  two  thirds  of  the  ourface  of  the  bill  ami 
lore"  (3TE.IN.  torn. lit). 

Ad  nil :  Pure  white,  the  head  Hometimes  tin^'ed  with  rusty;  lores  nnd  basnl  portion  of  bill  to 
beyond  the  nostril  yellow,  the  terminal  portion  black  ;  iris  brown  ;  lejjs  nnd  feet  black.  Yimng : 
Grayish  brown,  the  bill  llesh-color  basally,  dusky  terminally  ;  leg.s  and  feet  (,'rayi.«h.  Total  lenf,'th 
about  Ct  feet  ;  extent  aliout  T.OO-H.tK)  feet  ;  winj,',  23.0()-:JO.()0  inches,  culmeu  (to  frontal  feathers) 
4.(MJ-4.75  ;  tarsus,  4.(H)  ;  middle  toe,  .5.(KMUM>. 

The  Wild  Swan  of  the  Old  World  has  no  other  olaim  to  be  classed  as  a  Nortli 
American  bird  than  its  siipjiosed  jjresence  in  (Ireenland.  Dr.  Keinhardt  states  that, 
accordinp  to  tiie  accounts  received  from  the  Eskimos,  it  formerly  bred  on  several 
places  near  (Jodthaab,  bnt  was  long  ago  totally  exterminated  by  i)ersecutions  at  the 
time  of  its  moulting.  During  the  fifteen  years  preceding  the  year  18G1,  according  to 
that  ithor,  this  bird  had  again  made  its  appearance  in  Greenland  ;  and  Holbijll  states 
that  several  individuals  were  observed  at  Julianeha<ab  in  1846.  Dr.  Reinhardt  saw  two 
specimens  which  had  been  sent  from  South  Greenlaiul  in  18/)2 ;  and  in  .June,  1859,  a 
fine  one  was  shot  at  Atanink,  nearly  ten  miles  north  of  CJodthaab.  If  undisturbed 
this  may  again  acquire  a  claim  to  be  mentioned  as  one  of  the  birds  of  Greenland. 

Called  in  Europe  the  "  Hooper,"  "  Elk,"  or  "  Whistling  Swan,"  this  species  is  found 
throughout  Europe,  breeding  in  the  more  secluded  parts  of  the  north,  and  appcariiii,' 
in  the  winter  in  the  more  southern  regions.  Its  very  peculiar  note,  said  to  resemble 
the  word  hnop,  gives  it  the  name  by  which  it  is  most  generally  known. 

This  bird  is  a  winter  visitant  of  the  more  southern  portions  of  the  British  Islands, 
where  it  arrives  in  flocks  about  the  middle  of  December,  and  in  greater  numbers 
as  the'  weather  becomes  more  severe.  It  is  found  throughout  the  year  in  the  Orkneys, 
where  a  few  pairs  breed,  and  where  large  flocks  appear  from  the  north  in  October, 
a  portion  of  these  remaining  all  winter.  In  December  these  birds  are  seen  flying  in 
compact  bodies  along  the  coast-lines,  at  which  time  the  London  markets  are  sometimes 
supplied  with  them  to  profusion. 

They  also  visit  Holland,  France,  Spain,  and  Italy,  and  a  few  go  as  far  south  as 
Barbary,  or  even  Egypt ;  in  severe  winters  they  are  found  in  Corfu  and  Sicily. 

Linuii'us,  in  his  account  of  his  travels  in  Lapland,  mentions  meeting  with  this  SAvan 
on  several  occasions  ;  he  saw  three  at  the  residence  of  the  Governor  of  the  province 
which  were  as  tame  as  Domestic  Geese.  This  bird  is  said  to  appear  in  La])laud  witii 
the  first  breaking-up  of  the  ice,  and  to  be  the  earliest  of  the  Anatidai  in  its  northern 
migrations.  It  frequents  the  most  secluded  swamjjs  and  lakes  in  the  wooded  districts, 
and  in  the  northeastern  portions  of  the  country  is  rejiorted  to  be  very  numerous. 

According  to  Bechstein  this  species  is  more  frequently  domesticated  than  the  Mute 
Swan,  and  there  are  several  instances  on  record  of  its  having  produced  young  when 
in  confinement  in  England. 


ANATin.E-  THE  SWAXS  — OLOR. 


425 


Mr.  YarrcU  states  that  a  pair  of  tlu'H«!  Swans  bred  on  oiio  of  the  islands  at  the 
Gardens  of  tho  Zooloj^ical  Society,  in  the  sunimtT  of  IKW.  As  the  Cyjrnets,  wlicn 
only  a  fow  days  old,  were  sunnin),'  tiifnisclvcs  on  the  niaij,'in  of  an  island  cdose  to 
dcci)  water,  a  Carrion  (!row  made  a  descent  and  stmt  k  at  one  of  tlicni.  The  nuile 
iiird  vMiw  to  the  rescue  in  an  instant,  and  seizing  the  Crow  with  his  beak,  pulled  it 
into  the  water,  and  in  spite  of  its  resistanct*  held  it  there  until  it  was  drowned. 

In  the  eastern  parts  of  Europe  tiiis  species  ranges  from  the  lakes  of  Siberia  in 
summer  to  tiie  Caspian  Sea  in  winter.  It  is  said  to  fly,  in  the  manner  of  tht!  Wild 
(foose,  in  wedge-shaped  Hocks,  uttering,  as  it  moves,  a  tine  melodious  clang;  and  this 
is  all  which  can  be  put  forward  on  its  belialf  to  support  its  claim  to  having  a  musical 
voice.  Its  weight  varies,  in  different  individuals  of  this  species,  from  thirteen  to 
twenty-one  pounds. 

The  Wild  Swan  builds  on  the  ground  in  secluded  and  marshy  places,  the  nest  being 
large,  and  composed  of  rushes  and  coarse  lierl)age.  The  .egg  is  described  l)y  Yarrell  as 
Ix'ing  of  a  uniform  ])ale  brownisli  white,  and  measuring  four  inches  and  one  line;  in 
length  by  two  inches  and  eight  lines  in  breadth.  The  incubation  of  this  Swan  lasts 
forty-two  days.     Its  food  consists  of  grasses,  weeds,  routs,  and  the  seeds  of  ])lants. 

According  to  Wiieelwrigiit  tiiis  bird  is  only  seen  during  the  periods  of  migration 
in  the  southern  and  midland  districts  of  Scandinavia.  It  breeds  up  in  Lapland,  gen- 
erally in  the  retired  Fell  lakes.  The  eggs  an^  seven  in  nund)er,  in  color  a  brown 
yellow,  rather  shorter  and  tliicker  than  those  of  the  common  tanu*  Swan.  Many  birds 
of  this  species  remain  in  the  Sound,  otf  the  southern  coast  of  Sweden,  during  mild 
winters  ;  but  none  are  seen  at  this  season  off  the  north  coast  of  Finland.  An  (!gg  in 
my  cabinet,  taken  by  Proctor  in  Iceland  in  1841,  is  of  a  dark  ivory  color,  and  measures 
i.liO  by  2.yO  inches. 

Olor  columbianuB. 


THE  WHISTLING   SWAN. 

?  Cuffnus  ferua,  Baktii.  Trav.  17!»1,  294  (tiiny  be  0.  bttceinnfor). 

Ci/niiiis  vutsicus,  lioNAT.  Syiio|>.  1828,  .379  (nee  riKciisr.  1809). 

Ci/gmis  Bewicki,  S\v.  &  liiiii.  F.  IJ.  A.  II.  1831,  405  (iii'i'  Yaiik.).  —  Nurr.  Man.  II.  1834,  372. 

t'ljgnus  ferns,  Nurr.  Man.  II.  1834,  36(i  (iiei;  Lkacii,  ISlC). 

Cjignus  americniiiin,  Siiaki'I.k.ss,  DoiiRlity's  Cab.  N.  H.  I.  1830,  185,  pi.  10.  —  AuD.  Oni.  Hiog.  V. 

1839,  1.33,  |.I.  411  ;  .Synop.  1839,  274  ;  B.  Am.  VI.  1843,  226,  j.l.  384.  —  Baiup,  B.  N.  Am. 

1858,  758  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  561  a.  —  CoUKs,  Key,  1872,  281  j  Clicck  List,  1873,  no. 

477  ;  B.  N.  W.  1874,  545. 
Olor  amcn'cnnu.i,  GiiAV,  Cat.  Brit.  Mus,  1844,  131.  — Bonai'.  Compt.  Rend.  XLIII.  1856. — Ridow. 

Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  588. 
Anas  columhiiiHUs,  Oiin,  fiulhrio's  Gcog.  2il  Am.  ed.  1815,  319. 
Cijijiius  colnmhimuts,  CouKs,  Bull.  U.  .S,  Oeol.  &  Gcogr.  Surv.  Terr.  2d  series,  no.  6, 1876,  444  ;  Check 

List,  2d  cd.  1882,  no.  689. 
Olor  columbianiis,  Stf.jn.  Proii.  T.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  5,  1882,  210. 

Hab.     The  whole  of  Noilli  America,  breeding  far  north  ;  accidental  in  Scotland. 

Rp.  Char.  Tail  usually  of  twenty  I'eatliers  ;  bill  not  longer  than  the  head.  Adult:  Entire 
plumage  pure  while,  the  head,  sometimes  the  neck,  or  even  entire  under  parts,  tinged  with  rusty. 
Bill,  tarsi,  and  feet  deep  black,  the  bare  loral  skin  usually  marked  by  an  oblong  spot  of  orange 
or  yellow  (dull  pale  reddish,  yellowish,  or  whitish  in  the  skin);  iris  brown.  Young:  Light 
lilnmbeous,  paler  beneath,  the  fore  jiart  and  top  of  the  head  tinged  with  reddish  brown.  Bill 
reddish  fleah-color,  dusky  at  the  li]) ;  feet  tlull  yellowish  flesh-color,  or  grayish. 

Total  length,  about  53.00-55.50  inches ;  extent  about  7.00  feet ;  wing,  21.50-22.00  inches  ; 
culmeii,  3.82-4.20  ;  tarsus,  4.06-4.32  ;  middle  toe,  5.40-5.90. 

VOL.  I.  —  54 


.' :  I 


V 


426 


LAMELLIRdSTRAL  SWIMMKRS  —  AN'SEUKfl. 


"The  priiiciiml  mmtomiwjl  ehiiriicter  of  thin  8|K;cie(i  in  the  iliHponition  of  tho  trncliua  in  tlir 
Btcniuiii,  it  iiiiikiiih'  liiit  one  hnri/ontnl  liiiii  upon  iLsi-lf  at  thi;  point  farthest  from  ils  entrance  in 
the  front  of  the  eiilai^ed  carina.  We  have  not  iuul  the  opportunity  of  exanliniM^r  full  nki'letons  or 
perfect  Hkulls  of  the  other  North  American  M|(fcieH  of  Swan  (O.  Intccinutor),  hut  it  pruliably  a^reeM 
with  Ihiti  in  tlie  purticulurH  dilferiiig  from  tlie  other  AitMrinte.     The  ^^eiierul  form  of  the  skull  is 


i'' 


>lA' 


JI^^HI 


m 


mudi  more  slender ;  its  height  is  less  in  proiwrtion  to  its  leiigtli  ;  the  occipital  condyle  is  deeinr 
and  more  rounded  ;  the  descending  process  of  the  lachrymal  shows  a  widely  expanded  quadrate 
external  surface,  which  is  wanting  in  the  Geese.  The  development  of  the  frontal  sinuses,  aiul 
the  obliteration  of  the  retreating  angle  between  the  anterior  jwtrtions  of  the  'rontul  bones,  whicli 
is  sometimes  to  be  observed,  appear  to  be  merely  evidences  of  full  maturity."  (fl.  M.  Bannis- 
ter, MS.) 

The  smaller  of  the  North  American  Swans,  known  amon^  authors  as  the  "Ameri- 
can Swan,''  is  found  throu^'hoiit  the  more  northern  jtoitions  of  the  continent  from 
the  Atlantic  to  tlie  raeitic.  It  is  not,  however,  abundant  on  either  coast  near  tlie 
sea.  In  the  summer  it  fretjuents  the  lii^'h  interior,  and  breeds  on  islands  in  inland 
lakes  ami  along  tlie  shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean.  It  is  very  rare  in  New  Entfland, 
though  ])robably  some  of  this  species  do  pass  over  this  region  each  year  in  tlitir 
autumnal  migrations ;  in  fact,  specimens  are  occasionally  secured.  ( )iie  was  taken 
at  Xahant,  and  is  now  in  the  museum  of  tiie  Hostoii  Society  of  Xatural  History,  1 
am  not  aware,  however,  tliat  any  have  been  observed  in  New  England  in  the  sjjrin.u. 
Mr.  (liraud  includes  this  liird  among  the  winter  visitants  of  Long  Island,  and  it  is 
the  only  Swan  known  to  occur  in  that  neighborliood. 

On  the  Pacific  coast  large  flocks  of  these  Swans  were  seen  by  Dr.  Cooper  on  the 
Columbia  Kiver,  in  the  Cascade  Canon,  in  IStiO,  as  early  as  Ort(dier  lil),  and  their 
migrations  southward  appeared  to  be  generally  <piite  early.  Dr.  Cooper  had  pre- 
viously—  in  185.'i  —  seen  them  in  the  lakes  of  the  Columbia  riuin.  about  the  saiiie 
time.  He  also  st  *"i  that  tliis  Itird  ajjpears  t(i  be  less  common  in  California  than 
the  buccinator.  During  the  entire  winter  it  is  abundant  on  the  Colunibia  Hiver  and 
the  fresh-water  lakes  toward  tlie  north,  so  long  as  these  are  not  frozen.  At  suili 
times  it  occasionally  —  but  very  rarely  —  appears  on  salt  water.  These  birds  arrive 
on  tlie  Columbia  in  Octtdier,  flying  in  long  V-shaped  lines,  and  uttering  loud  whooji- 
ing  cries.  They  feed  almost  altogether  on  vegetable  food,  such  as  the  roots  of  tlie 
Sagittaria,  and  on  grasses  and  various  water-i)lants.  In  searching  for  these,  as  well 
as  for  snails,  their  long  necks  become  quite  useful  in  deep  water. 

Hearne,  in  his  "  Arctic  Voyage  "  (]>.  435^,  writing  nearly  a  century  ago,  states  that 


AXATin.f;  — THE  SWANS  — OLOR 


427 


i'lOlll 

the 
luiid 
ami, 
their 
liken 
I 

it  is 

on  till' 
their 

il  pie- 
siinie 
than 

?v  ami 
sm'li 
arrive 
vlioop- 
of  the 
is  well 

's  that 


l)oth  this  HpocieH  and  the  O.  biicdiiafor  viHit  Hudson'H  Bay  in  the  aummer,  and  that 
there  appoared  to  be  no  p«'re»'ptil)ln  difforenet'  Ix'tweon  them  exeept  in  Hize.  ().  Colum- 
A/V/wi'swa.s  then  the  more  eommoii  one  near  llin  Hca-eoast.  Imt  was  liy  no  means  aliun- 
daiii,  lieinR  seen  only  in  jiairs,  or  occasionally  singly,  where  the  mate  had  been  shot 
on  tlio  passage  nortli.  The  weight  of  this  bird  lie  gives  as  varying  from  nineteen  to 
twenty-four  pounds. 

According  to  Uichanison,  this  Swan  arrives  in  the  Arctic  IJcgions  later  tlian  the 
(toese,  and  l)reeds  on  the  small  lakes  of  the  coast  and  islands  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  its 
nest  is  generally  plai-ed  ou  a  small  island,  and  is  (!onstrueted  of- any  htose  nniterials 
which  happen  to  be  in  the  inimeiliate  vicinity.  These  are  heai>ed  together  until  a 
hirge  mound  is  iornied.  'i'his  Itird  is  very  shy.  and  can  usually  be  killed  only  at 
a  long  shot  with  a  ball.  In  its  migrations  soni*'  flocks  (U'e  said  to  cross  the  interior, 
imt  the  greater  part  follow  the  coast-line  of  Hudson's  Hay.  Richardson  states  fnr- 
tiier  that  it  is  only  seen  in  the  interior  of  the  I'ur  Countries  on  its  passage.  He 
mentions  that  Captain  liyon  describes  its  nest  as  being  Imilt  of  moss-peat,  and  as 
having  a  length  of  nearly  six  feet,  a  width  of  four  and  three  (piarters,  and  a  height 
on  the  outside  of  two  feet,  the  cavity  being  a  foot  .'ind  a  half  in  diameter.  The  eggs 
are  said  by  the  same  authority  to  be  brownish  white^  or  wliite  slightly  clouded  with 
a  brownish  tint. 

Mr.  George  Harnston  states  that  at  ))resent,  except  in  a  few  i)articular  localities, 
this  Swan  has  become  scarce  on  the  shores  of  Hudson's  Hay.  It  is  seen  at  the  same 
time  as  tlm  other  migratory  birds,  winging  its  way  to  more  secluded  ret-esses  in  the 
north,  nesting  throughout  the  interior.  In  the  scarcity  of  its  favorite  food,  the  roots 
of  the  Saiflttarla  suffittlfoUti,  it  has  recourse  to  those  of  the  Kijui'srtuic.u'  and  the  ten- 
der underground  runners  of  certain  grasses  iieculiar  to  northern  latitudes.  A  few 
of  these  birds  are  said  by  him  to  stop  to  breed  in  the  interior,  and  not  to  reach  the 
Arctic  coast.  Mr.  Barnston  had  two  eggs  brought  to  him  from  a  nest  on  the  banks 
of  a  lake  near  Norway  J  louse;  but  these  eggs  weie  probably  those  of  <),  hiiecinntor 
A  considerable  niunber  of  this  s])ecies  hatch  near  Eastman's  Fort,  in  James  Bay.  As 
an  article  of  food  Mr.  Barnston  regards  this  bird  as  being  decidedly  inferior  to  Geese 
of  every  description  —  differing  in  this  respect  from  most  writers. 

From  NovenilM'r  to  March  this  Swan  is  abundant  in  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake 
and  in  all  the  inlets  of  North  Carolina.  In  the  latter  it  is  now  said  to  be  more  com- 
mon than  formerly,  having  been  partially  driven  from  Chesapeake  Bay  by  the  severity 
of  the  warfare  waged  u|)on  it.  An  occasional  specimen,  according  to  Major  Wedder- 
burn,  is  seen  in  the  Bernnida  Islands. 

An  experienced  sj)ortsman  who  contributed  an  account  of  this  species  to  "Doughty's 
Cabinet"  states  that,  unless  the  weather  at  the  north  has  l)een  unusually  severe,  this 
species  rarely  appears  in  the  Chesapeake  until  the  middle  of  November.  He  adds 
that  this  Swan,  when  less  than  five  years  old,  is  by  far  the  finest  eating  of  any  of 
tiie  Waterfowl  found  on  that  bay.  It  possesses  the  flavor  of  the  finest  Goose,  and  is 
iar  more  tender.  The  length  of  time  that  its  flesh  can  be  preserved  untainted  is  also 
mentioned  as  remarkable,  this  same  writer  having  seen  one  still  perfectly  sweet  four 
weeks  after  its  death,  no  other  method  of  preservation  than  an  exposure  to  the  air 
having  been  employed. 

The  age  of  this  Swan  may  be  known  by  the  color  of  the  feathers,  the  yearling 
k'ing  of  a  deep  leaden  tint,  with  a  delicate  red  bill.  In  the  second  year  it  has  a 
lighter  color,  and  a  white  bill.  In  the  third  season  the  bill  has  become  jet  black, 
and  about  one  third  of  the  nlumage  is  still  tipped  Avith  gray;  and  until  it  is  fully 
five  years  old  an  occasional       cher  will  present  this  tint  of  youth.     This  bird  is  sup- 


428 


LAMKI.IJIIOSTKAL  SWIMMKUrt  -    ANSKIlKS. 


]H)iit'il  to  livo  to  a  great  iigis  luid  its  Ht>Hli  Inm-oiiu'h  <'xcc>t>iliiigly  toiiKl>  mid  tiiHtt'li'MR. 
Ill  coiiHcriiUMifc  (if  this,  tin'  iiKHi'  fX|M'rii'ii(  I'll  liuiitfiH  of  tlit'  ('licHa|H-ak*'  UHiutlly 
allow  tli<>  |iati'iai'i-lis  ol  tlif  tlnck,  who  h'ail  in  tlicir  tlight,  to  pass  iiiiliariiinl,  'rhcHc 
ohl  IcadiTs  hav<-  a  note  llioii^'ht  to  rcsriulih'  in  a  rcniaikalilc  ih-^ict'  thi>  hoiiiuI  of  a 
coniinon  tin  lioin;  and  tlu*  unntuHiunl  i-liamctt'r  of  their  crii-N  increaHCH  in  intniHity 
with  tiifir  aK"'. 

In  the  autumn  of  ISl".)  the  writer  vas,  with  another  person,  on  Ahhy  Islam),  whrii 
seven  Swans  were  apjiroaehinn  the  I'oiiit  in  one  line,  and  three  others  were  a  short 
distance  iH-hiud  them.  The  Hmall  k>'<»M*  endeavored  to  pass  the  luri^er,  an<l  as  they 
doubled  the  i'oint,  at  about  sixty  yards'  distance,  the  three  formed  \\i;h  the  sccdnij 
birils  of  the  larger  tlock  a  s([uaru  of  less  than  three  feet.  .\t  this  moment  both  kuii-> 
weru  dischar^'ed  and  threo  HwauH  weru  kiUed,  luid  the  fourth  so  much  injured  tlmi 
it  left  the  tiock.  These  woro  all  less  than  five  yeiirH  old,  and  avera^'ed  eiKhlecn 
pounds  in  wei^dit. 

These  .Swans  rarely,  if  ever,  leav**  the  open  shorea  of  the  bay  for  the  Hide  streams, 
and  few,  after  their  regular  settlement,  are  found  above  Spesutie  Islaml;  but  they 
are  seen  in  flocks,  varying  from  lifty  to  five  hundred  in  number,  along  the  western 
shores  as  far  down  aH  the  mouth  of  the  I'otomai'.  Since  tlu'se  observations  were 
made,  however,  the  number  of  thestt  birds  I'reijuenting  that  region  has  been  greatly 
redm'e<l. 

During  a  still  night  a  few  Swans  could  often  be  .seen  asleep  in  the  mithlle  of  the 
bay,  surroiincU'd  by  a  group  of  far  more  watchful  (leese;  and  the  writer  from  whose 
account  this  information  is  derived  was  paddh-d,  one  morning  at  daybreak,  within 
ten  feet  of  a  sleeping  Swan.  The  food  to  which  this  Itird  seems  to  be  most  partial 
on  the  Chesapeake  is  the  eanva.ss-back  grass,  wtu'ms,  in.sects,  and  small  shelllish.  It 
rarely  actually  flies,  even  when  pursued  by  a  boat,  unless  very  closely  followed;  and 
when  it  does  ri.se,  it  i.s  generally  with  a  scream.  On  alighting  in  the  water,  particu- 
larly if  an>  other  birds  of  the  same  species  are  near,  there  is  usually  an  interchange 
of  noisy  greetings.  Even  when  one  of  the  wings  ut  this  bird  has  been  broken,  it  can 
.swim  with  great  rapidity,  and  if  not  otherwi.so  hurt  a  single  oarsman  is  rarely  able  to 
overtake  it. 

Dr.  Sharpless,  of  riiiladelpliia,  stiites  that  he  has  known  unwounded  birds  to 
collect  around  a  cripjdcd  eomi)anion  and  urge  it  to  escape,  pushing  it  forward  ami 
placing  themselves  on  each  side,  sui)porting  the  broken  wing,  and  abuost  lifting  the 
object  of  their  affectionate  care  out  of  the  water.  The  same  writer  —  probably  also 
the  author  of  the  article  referred  to  as  having  ap])earcd  in  "  Doughty's  Cabinet"  — 
furnished  Mr.  Audubon  with  a  full  account  of  the  habits  of  this  species,  as  observed 
by  him  in  winter,  in  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake.  lie  states  that  in  its  migratiiuis 
southward  it  collects  in  flocks  of  twenty  ov  thirty,  and  moves  only  when  the  wind 
is  not  op))osed  to  the  direction  of  its  flight.  It  mounts  high  in  the  air,  forms  an 
elongated  wedge,  and  utters  loud  screams  as  it  departs,  these  cries  being  oecasionall\ 
repeated  as  the  bird  moves  on  its  wny.  AVhen  flying,  tlu?  wings  seem  almost  without 
movement,  and  their  sweej)  is  very  unlike  the  semicircidar  movements  of  Ui'ese.  Dr. 
Sharpless  estimates  that  this  bird  travels  at  the  rate  of  at  least  a  hinulred  miles  an 
hour  when  at  a  high  elevation  and  with  a  moderate  wind  in  its  favor.  Its  flight  is 
estimated  to  be  twice  as  rapid  as  that  of  the  Wild  Goose. 

In  travelling  from  its  summer  abode  to  its  winter  residence,  this  bird  keeps  far 
inland,  mounted  above  the  highest  peaks  of  the  Alleghany,  and  rarely  follows  tin 
watercourses.  It  usually  arrives  at  its  regular  feeding-grounds  at  night,  and  signal 
izes  its  coming  by  loud  and  vociferous  screaming,  with  which  the  shores  ring  for 


AVAxrn.K     THi:  swans     oLOII. 


120 


ROViM'iil  himi's.  Ill  till'  Hilling  tlii'Mi'  bii-ilN  a^iiiii  itHHtMiililc  iih  t'lirlv  us  .Miinli,  uinl 
iifti'i'  iiuiiiy  pri'panitioiiH  liy  iticrHHiint  wiisliiu^'s  imhI  ilii'HMin^.s,  iiu'iiiiwliili'  ilistiirltiiiK 
till'  iici^'lilHirli<ii>il  with  tlifir  iioisf,  tliry  i|i'|iai't  tur  tin*  iinrtli  with  ii  ^'iiii'i'iil  rhiiiinr 
of  uiiniiiMical  Hi'i'i'iiiiiH.  Ill  thi-  (!hi'.sa|M'iikr  Ihcy  ciilk'i't  in  thx  ks  ol  trmii  uiir  to  tivi> 
liiiiiilri'tl  i)U  the  HiitH  nt'iir  tlix  wt'stnii  nIiihi-h.  t'loiii  the  mniitli  ul'  the  Siisi|iii'haiiiiii 
iiliiiost  to  thi>  Wip  Klips.  Whfii  ahiniii'il  tliry  Im>i'iiiiii>  iiistiiiitly  Hih'iit,  anil  tiii'y  ih'priiil 
iiiiirh  mnrc  on  Hwiiiiiiiiii>,'  than  dii  Hyiii},'  tur  cHVi'tinK'  an  I'smpf.  Wlicii  fVciiin^r,  or 
ihrs.siiif;  tlii-ir  ptuniaKc,  this  Swan  is  n.siiallv  vciy  mii.sy,  ami  at  niKhl  tlifsr  I'lainors 
iiiiiy  Ik)  hi'ui'il  to  tin-  iliHtanco  ot  «i'V»'nil  niili-s.  Tlu-ir  notes  uii'  vaiit'il,  hdiiii-  rcscm- 
iiliiiK  till'  inwrr  niii'M  iiiaiii'  liy  the  niiiiiiiuii  till  hoi'ii.  iithcrs  iiinniiiK'  th^oll^'h  tin-  vaii- 
(iiis  ni(iiiiihitiiiiis  of  ihi'  notos  ut  the  rlarinct.  'I'lu'si'  ilitVi'ii'in  rs  an'  pirsimn'il  to  bu 
ih'pfiiili'nt  upon  u^'c. 

In  HliootiiiK  at  a  HyiiiK  Swan,  Dr.  Sharph'ss  stati'H  that  thi'  hill  shoiihl  Im'  ainu'il  ut, 
or,  il  K"'"K  \vith  a  hrt'czf,  a  lout  lict'orc  thr  hill.  A  Swan  ran  rarely  he  kilhd  iihIosh 
.stnick  in  the  neck,  anil  lar^^e  masses  of  feathers  may  he  shot  away  without  imiiedinj^ 
the  hird'H  proj,'ri'SH  for  a  nioineiit.  When  woniiiletl  in  the  win^,'  only,  these  Swans 
will  reatlily  heat  off  a  (lo^,^  or  even  a  man.  They  are  sonietiiiies  liidiinht  within  shoot- 
ing ranj,'e  hy  sa^liii;,'  down  upon  them  while  feeding,',  as  they  rise  to  ilisailvaiitaj;"' 
anainst  the  wiiiil.  In  winter,  hy  mt'iiiiH  of  white  dresses  anil  lioiitH  eovereil  with  iee, 
sportsmen  iiaihlle  or  float  iiy  nlKlit  into  the  eentre  of  a  Hoek,  ami  niimhers  may  thus 
he  killed  liy  hlows  of  a  |ioIi'. 

This  ripeeies  admits  of  lieiii^,'  tamed  and  iKutially  domestieati'd.  A  pair  helong- 
iiij,'  to  till'  ('(Miit'tury  ut  Milford.  Mass..  were  exhihited  at  the  pmiltry  show  in  lioston 
ill  J871.  They  were  perfectly  tame,  permitted  themselves  to  he  toiiehed  without 
resi.stanee,  and  fed  readily  from  the  hands  id  entire  straii<,'eis, 

Mr.  MaeFarhine  nientioiis  this  Swan  as  hreediiij,'  in  eonsiderahlc  iiiiiiil)i'r.s  in  tlin 
vii'inity  of  Fort  Anderson.  The  i'^'f,'s  were  found  from  the  middle  of  .liiiie  to  tho 
last  of  .Inly,  The  nests  were  on  the  j,'ronnd,  and  K''"'''"dly  lined  with  hay,  or  oeea- 
sioiially  with  down  and  feathers.  The  maximum  niimlier  of  e^'^'s  was  four.  Other 
ne.sts  were  Hocn  on  islands  in  Franklin  ISay  and  in  other  portions  of  the  Arctic  Seu, 
The  ei,%'s  taken  in  .Inly  usually  eontained  emhryos. 

Aecordiii},' to  .Mr.  Dull,  this  .Swan  is  comnion  all  alon^'  the  Vukon,  arriving,' with 
tile  (iccse  about  .May  1,  but  in  a  contrary  direction,  coniin},'  down  instead  of  j,'oin>,'  up 
the  river,  and  breediiif,'  in  the  great  marshes  near  the  nioutli  of  that  river.  The  ef,%s 
are  usually  on  a  tussock  ipiite  siirroumled  with  water,  and  .so  near  it  that  the  female 
sometimes  sits  with  her  feet  in  the  water.  The  Indian  name  of  the  species  i.s 
••  Tolnvuli."  At  Xulato  the  ej,'KS  are  laid  abnit  May  L'l.  but  later  ut  the  mouth  of  the 
^■ukon.  These  iiirds  moult  in  July,  and  cannot  Hy ;  at  that  time  the  Indians  spear 
them  with  bone  tridents.  They  arc  very  shy.  Mr.  Uannister  foiiinl  them  common  at 
St.  Michael's.  They  flew  in  small  Hocks  of  ten  or  twelve,  in  a  sin.i,de  line,  udvancing 
obliquely. 

Caiituin  Hendire.  in  a  letter  written  \ov.  14,  187I-,  mentions  the  cajiture  of  birds 
<d'  this  species  on  Lake  Harney,  in  Eastern  Oregon,  where  it  was  very  numerous. 
The  stomach  of  one  contained  about  twenty  small  shells,  half  an  inch  in  length, 
and  identical  in  kind  with  shells  common  on  tlie  beach  near  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  a 
ipiantity  of  gravel,  and  a  few  black  seeds.  He  found  the  meat  excellent  —  much 
superior  to  that  of  the  Wild  (roose.  On  the  18th  of  A]>ril,  l.S7o,  he  wrote,  mentioning 
the  arrival  of  a  large  Hock,  all  of  this  species,  there  not  being  a  huvrhiator  among 
them.  He  afterward  noticed  them  as  being  very  common  on  the  liorders  of  Lake 
Malheur  during  the  migrations,  a  few  remaining  until  April  2-^.     lu  the  L!"pi)er 


430 


LAMELLIROSTIIAL  SWIMMERS  —  AXSERES. 


1 


Sylvie's  valley,  in  the  Jilue  Mountains,  tlu'ii'  tnuuiu'tings  were  heard  as  hate  as  May 
21).  They  feed  on  tin-  small  bulbous  loots  of  a  water-plant  growing  near  the  shores  of 
the  lake.  ...'  thinks  that  none  breed  there,  and  that  only  disabled  ones  remain  on  the 
Oregon  lakes  in  the  summer. 

Specimens  of  this  Swan  were  procured  by  Air.  Kennieott  on  the  l'or('ui)ine  Kiver, 
and  others  by  Mr.  J.  l{«'id  on  Itig  Island.  Tliey  were  obtained  on  the  Anderson  and 
Swan  rivers,  as  also  on  the  IJarren  CJrounds  and  the  islands  in  Franklin  liay,  in  the 
Arctic  Ocean,  by  Mr.  MacFarlane. 

The  eggs  of  this  sjjecies  —  those  from  Anderson  liiver  as  well  as  those  from  the 
Yukon  —  are  all  alike,  and  vary  Imt  little  in  size  or  color.  They  are  of  a  uniform 
unspotted  buft'y  white  (;olor,  becoming  yellowish  wlien  exjmsed  to  tl'.e  weather.  Three 
of  these  eggs  furnish  the  following  lueasurcments :  4.05  inches  by  2.55,  4.25  by  2.80, 
and  4.25  by  2.65. 

Olor  buccinator. 

THE   TRVMPETEB   BWAN. 

Cijgnus  huceinatnr.  Rich.  ?.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  4ti4  (Hudson's  Hay).  — Xctt.  Mnn.  II.  1834,  37ft.— 
All..  Om.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  ,036;  V.  183!t,  114,  j.ls  400,  376;  .Syiioi..  183!»,  74;  B.  Am.  VI. 
1843,  2111,  pi.  3»-.>,  383.  Baikd,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  758;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  18.W,  no.  562. - 
CouES,  Key,  1872,  281  ;  ('lit-ck  List,  1873,  iio.  470;  2<1  f«l.  1882,  no.  688;  Birds  N.  \V.  1874, 
544. 

Olor  hiicciua'nr,  \Va(;l.  Isi.s,  1832,  1234.  —  KiDGW.  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  58».  —  .Ste.in.  Proc 
U.  S.  Nut.  Mils.  Vol.  3,  1882,  216. 

Cygniis  Pusmorci,  IIinck.s,  IV.  I.inn.  Soc  VIII.  1864,  1  ("  iionto)  ;  P.  Z.  S.  1868,  211. —  Mookk, 
P.  Z.  S.  1867,  8  (critical). 


Hab.  Chiefly  the  interior  of  North  America,  from  the  (Julf  I'ou.it  to  the  Fur  Couiitriea,  breed- 
ing from  Iowa  and  Dakota  northward  ;  west  to  tlic  Pacific  coast,  but  rare  or  canual  on  the  Atlantic. 
Accidental  in  England. 

Sp.  Char.  Tail  of  usually  24  feathers;  bill  longer  than  the  head.  Adult:  Plumage  entirely 
pure  white,  the  head,  sometimes  the  neck  also,  or  even  the  entire  lower  ])arts,  tinged  with  rusty. 


Bill,  naked  lores,  legs,  and  feet,  uniform  deep  black  ;  iris  brown.  Younrj:  "  In  winter  the  yonn;,' 
has  je  bill  black,  with  the  middle  portion  of  the  ridge,  to  the  length  of  an  inch  and  a  half,  light 
flesh-color,  and  a  large  elongated  patch  of  light  dull  purjjle  on  each  side  ;  the  edge  of  the  lower 
mandible  and  the  tongue  dull  yellowish  flesh-color.     The  eve  is  dark  brown.    The  feet  are  dull  yel- 


ANATin.E  —  THE  SWANS  —  OLOR. 


431 


lowiah  brown,  tiiii^etl  witli  olive ;  the  dawa  brownish  bliicii,  the  webs  blackish  brown.  The  upper 
part  of  the  head  and  the  cheeks  aiv  li^,'lit  ivddish  brown,  each  leather  having;  toward  its  extremity 
a  small  oblonj^  whitish  spot,  narrowly  mur^'iiied  with  dusky  ;  the  throat  nearly  while,  as  well  as 
the  ed{,'e  of  the  lower  eyeliil.  The  ^.iieml  color  of  the  other  parts  is  jjrayish  white,  slijihlly 
tinged  with  yellow  ;  the  upjitr  jwrt  of  the  neik  marked  with  spots  siualar  to  those  on  the  head" 
(Audubon). 

Total  lenj,'tli,  about  58. "lO  to(;8.(K(  inches  ;  extent,  about  8.(H)to  nearly  lO.tKt  feet  ;  wing,  21.(Kt- 
27.25  inches  ;  culineu  (from  fi\)ntid  feathers)  -1.3-1— 1.7(1  ;  tarsus,  4.54-4.02  ;  middle  toe,  ().(H)-G.5(I. 

The  arrangement  i>f  the  Inu-liea  in  this  species  is  very  different  from  that  in  U.  columbianm.  in 
having,  besitles  the  hori/oiital  bend,  a  vertical  flexure,  occupying  a  prominent  prntulxjrance  on  the 
anterior  portion  of  the  doi-sul  aspect  of  ilu'  sternum. 

The  Trunipi'ttT  Swan  is  aluuwt  exclusively  foxind  in  the  interior  during  the  breed- 
ing-.sea.son,  is  edniinon  in  all  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  is  found  from  Southern 
t.'alifornia  in  the  winter  to  the  highest  .Vrctic  regions  in  the  summer.  It  breeds  in 
the  interior  as  far  iu)rth  at  least  as  the  7(>th  parallel,  and  as  tar  south  as  latitude 
42°.  A  tew  of  this  si)e(;ies  breed  in  Central  aiul  Northern  Iowa,  and  thence  north- 
ward. 

On  the  Vaoitic  coast,  according  to  ]  >r.  f 'ooper,  this  is  the  prevailing  si)ecies,  n.s  it  also 
is  throughout  the  interior  of  the  continent,  being  found  in  Minnesota  and  Nebraska 
in  Jtine,  .Inly,  and  August,  where  some  undoid)te(lly  breed.  It  is  i)resent  in  Califor- 
nia in  the  middle  of  the  winter  only  in  small  nundters,  frequenting,  as  u.siud,  the 
inland  fresh-waters,  its  habits  are  said  to  be  much  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Whooper,  Init  itserv  is  very  different,  resendding  the  notes  of  aFrencdi  horn,  and  being 
very  .stniorous.  These  peculiar  tones  are  dependent  on  the  form  of  the  windpipe, 
which  is  very  long,  and  Ix-nt  in  various  S-shajied  turns  through  hollows  of  the  breast- 
lione — the  differences  <'orres[iondiug  to  the  different  cries,  as  well  as  other  distinc- 
tions of  the  species.  .\  Hock  of  what  |)r.  C(K>)>er  supjjosed  to  be  this  sjjecies  wintered 
at  Fort  Mojave,  in  latituile  .")">,  Colorado  N'alley;  but  J)r.  Cooper  saw  none  near  the 
southern  coast  of  California. 

According  to  Sir  .I(diii  Hichardson,  the  Trumpeter  Swan  arrives  in  the  spring  in 
the  Arctic  Kegions  .several  days  in  a<lvance  of  the  ( loose,  and  remains  later  in  the 
season.  He  foiuid  it  breeding  in  the  interi(n-  from  the  (iOth  to  the  GSth  parallel.  It 
frequents  only  the  fresh  water,  swims  with  great  rapidity  and  elegance,  aiding  itself 
by  raising  its  wings  when  going  iM'fore  the  wind.  If  attacked  when  swimming,  it  can 
strikt^  sevendy  with  its  wings.  This  Swan  flies  very  high,  aiul  usiially  alights  in  the 
water.  It  is  the  Common  Swan  id'  the  interior  of  the  Fur  C'ountries.  and  was  found 
breeding  as  far  soutii  as  latitude  r>l°  N.  With  the  exception  of  the  Kagles,  it  is  the 
earliest  of  all  the  migratcnv  birds. 

llearn*'  states  that  at  his  time  this  species  visited  Hudson's  Hay  in  large  numbers 
in  the  summer  months,  and  bred  on  the  islands  in  the  fresh-water  ponds  and  lakes. 
The  eggs  he  s|»eaks  of  as  so  large  that  one  of  them  would  be  a  sufficient  meal  for  a 
moderate!  man,  without  breatl  or  any  other  additiinis.  In  the  interior  parts  of  the 
country  this  species  precedes  every  other  kind  of  waterfowl,  and  in  some  years  arrives 
as  early  as  the  month  of  Mandi.  and  long  before  the  ice  of  the  rivers  is  broken  up. 
At  those  times  tliese  birds  always  frerpient  the  open  waters  of  falls  and  rapids,  where 
they  are  shot  by  the  Indians  in  considerable  numbers.  This  Swan  is  said  frequently 
to  weigh  as  much  as  thirty  jKninds.  Its  tlesh  is  regarded  as  excellent  eating,  and 
when  roasted  equals  in  flavor  the  Ix-ef  of  a  young  heifer.  The  Cygnets  are  also  very 
delicate.  Hearne  states  that  notwithstanding  its  size  this  Swan  is  so  swift  on  the 
wing  that  it  is,  in  his  opinion,  more  difficult  to  shoot  than  any  other  bird.     Indeed, 


.^^ 


J 


432 


LAM KLLl ROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


! 


ill  order  to  hit  it  nt  all,  the  hunter  must  take  sight  at  a  point  several  I'eet  in  advance 
of  the  bill.  Hearne  thinks  tliat  its  speed,  when  Hying  before  the  wind  in  a  brisk 
gale,  cannot  be  less  than  a  hundred  miles  an  hour.  When  nu)ving  against  or  across 
the  wind,  however,  it  makes  slow  progress,  and  is  more  easily  shot. 

Captain  lUakiston  mentions  jmtcuring  a  specimen  at  Fort  Carlton,  on  the  Sas- 
katchewan, on  the  ;{(>th  of  ^larch.  It  was  the  iirst  of  th(^  spring  migration;  it  was 
a  male  bird,  and  weighed  twenty-three  pounds.  Mr.  liernard  Jvoss  found  this  species 
eunuuon  on  the  Mackenzie  Kiver,  and  Mr.  IJ.  Urowim  includes  it  in  his  list  of  tlic 
birds  of  Vancouver  Island. 

The  Journal  of  ilajor  Long's  Expedition  to  the  IJocky  Mountains  refers  to 
Swans,  which  were  i)roliably  this  species,  seen  passing  northward  as  early  as  the  ;i2d 
of  February.  This  liird  is  anu)ng  the  first  of  tlie  migratory  ones  to  reach  Hudson's 
Bay,  where  it  apjjcars  in  Hocks  of  fnnn  twenty  to  a  hundred.  It  is  .strictly  mouogii- 
mous,  and  breeds  in  the  islands  and  in  low  grounds  among  the  reeds  and  sedges. 
making  its  nest  of  leaves  and  dry  grasses.  It  lays  from  five  to  seven  eggs  of  a  dirty- 
white  color.  The  young  are  hatched  in  July,  and  in  August  the  moulting  season 
connnences,  when,  for  a  while  this  Swan  is  unable  to  Hy.  It  begins  to  nu)ve  south- 
ward about  the  1st  of  Seiitember,  resorting  to  the  lakes  and  rivers  about  the  (JOth 
parallel,  where  it  renuiins  until  October.  Its  manner  of  nugration  is  said  to  be  almost 
identical  with  that  of  the  nnn'rlcdinis.  the  birds  collecting  in  Hocks  of  c(msi(h'rablc 
size,  and,  availing  themselves  of  favorable  Avinds,  when  they  nu)unt  high  in  the  air, 
forming  an  elongatt-d  wedge,  and  departing  with  loud  sonorous  screams.  They  reacli 
their  places  of  winter  resort  late  in  October  or  early  in  Novend)er,  and  their  ariival 
is  nuirked  by  the  sanu'  outbursts  which  attend  the  coming  of  the  smaller  species. 
under  similar  circumstances. 

Although  not  able  to  Hy  when  moulting,  this  bird  cannot  be  readily  taken  in  tliat 
condition,  as  its  large  feet,  ])owerfid  leg,  and  vigorous  wings  enable  it  to  riui  on  tlic 
surface  of  the  water  faster  than  an  Indian  can  i)addle  his  canoe ;  and  to  capture  it  liy 
hand  i«  rendered  almost  imjtossible,  by  the  circumstance  that  resort  is  had  to  diving 
and  other  skilful  nuuKvuvres  to  facilitate  escape. 

A  nest  of  this  species  was  founil  by  Mr.  W.  C'.  Kice  at  Oakland  Valley,  la.,  in 
the  spring  of  1871,  ami  the  Cygnets  taken  from  it.  Three  of  these  were  successfully 
raised,  and  were  ])urehascd  for  the  Mount  Auburn  Cenu'tery,  where  they  were  received 
in  I)ecend)er.  They  bore  their  transjuirtation,  in  a  week  of  iini)aralleled  severity  Im' 
the  season,  withovit  injury,  and  were  renuirkably  docile  and  tanu'.  In  the  summer 
months  when  at  large  they  would  h'ave  their  pond  and  seek  the  companionshi])  ol 
their  keeper,  whose  occupation  as  painter  occasionally  retpiired  his  iiresence  on  tlic 
grounds  near  their  place  of  abode.  If  ])ermitted  they  would  spend  the  day  in  liis 
company  rather  than  remain  in  their  poml.  They  were  perfectly  and  completely 
domesticated,  and  showed  no  fear  of  any  perscm,  feeding  from  the  hands  of  any 
stranger.  This  Swan  has  also  been  domesticated  in  the  cemetery  in  Cincinnati,  a 
pair  of  the  progeny  having  l)een  sent  to  the  Loudon  Zoological  Gardens,  and  another 
to  Mount  Auburn. 

Mr.  Audidwn  states  that  these  Swans  a])pear  on  the  lower  waters  of  the  Ohio  about 
the  end  of  October,  in  the  larger  ])onds  and  lakes  at  no  great  distance  from  the  river. 
preferring  such  as  are  closely  surrounded  by  dense  and  tall  cane-brakes.  There  they 
remain  until  the  water  is  frozen,  when  they  move  southward.  During  mild  winteis 
a  few  remain  in  these  ponds  until  March.  Mr.  Audubon  traced  the  winter  migrations 
of  this  species  .as  far  south  as  Texas,  where  at  times  it  is  quite  abundant.  He  met 
with  a  pair  there  that  had  lu'en  taken  alive  in  the  winter  of  1836,  and  had  been 


ANSERIN.t:  —  THE  OEKSE. 


433 


domesticated.  In  New  Orleans  examples  are  frequently  exposed  for  sale  in  the  mar- 
kets, having  been  procuretl  on  the  i)onds  in  tho  interior.  The  waters  of  the  Arkansas 
and  its  tributaries  are  well  supplied  each  winter  with  this  species,  and  the  largest 
spccinu'n  Mr.  Audubon  ever  saw  was  shot  on  a  lake  near  the*  junction  of  that  river 
with  the  Mississii)pi ;  it  weighed  thirty-eight  pounds. 

This  Swan  is  said  to  feed  chicffly  by  parti;illy  immersing  the  body  and  extending 
the  neck  under  water  in  the  manner  of  the  fresh-water  Ducks,  with  its  feet  in  the  air, 
thus  preserving  its  bal.ince.  Occasionally  it  resorts  to  the  land,  where  it  feeds,  more 
in  the  manner  of  the  Duck  than  in  that  of  the  Goose.  Its  food  consists  of  the  roots 
of  various  plants,  leaves,  seeds,  aciuatic  insects,  land-snails,  small  reptiles,  etc. 

Mr.  A\idubon  once  kept  a  male  Swan  alive  two  years.  At  first  extremely  shy,  it 
soon  became  accustomed  to  the  st'rvants,  and  after  a  time  came  at  the  call  of  its  name, 
"Trumpeter,"  and  ate  bn^ad  from  the  hand.  It  at  last  became  quite  bold,  and  would 
drive  before  it  the  Turkcv-Cock,  as  well  as  the  dogs  and  servants. 

Mr.  Mu(!Farlane  saw  the  Trumpeter  Swan  breeding  on  the  Barren  Grounds,  on 
islands  in  Franklin  liay,  and  near  the  Arctic  coast.  In  one  instance  a  nest  containing 
six  eggs  was  found  near  the  beach  on  a  rising  ground.  It  was  composed  of  hay,  down, 
and  feathers  intermixed.  This  was  the  general  charac-ter  as  regards  stru(!ture  and 
situation  of  the  nests  of  this  species.  Those  in  the  Barrens  were  usually  placed  on 
elevated  ground ;  others  were  found  near  the  banks  of  the  Lower  Anderson  River. 
The  usucil  nund)er  of  eggs  was  four. 

The  Trumpeter  was  also  nu^t  with  on  the  head-waters  of  the  Frazer  Kiver  by  Mr. 
Elliot ;  as  also  nccar  Fort  Yukon,  where  it  was  ascertained  to  breed,  and  where  ex- 
anqiles  of  its  eggs  were  procured.  Specimens  Avere  also  taken  both  by  Mr.  Kennicott 
and  by  Mr.  Lockhart  in  the  same  region ;  by  Mr.  L.  Clark  and  Mr.  B.  It.  Boss  at  Fort 
Kae  ;  and  on  Big  Island  by  Mr.  J.  Reid. 

This  was  the  only  Swan  observed  by  Mr.  E.  Adams  on  Norton  Sound,  where  it 
appeared  by  the  3()th  of  May.  It  was  at  no  time  abundant,  but  associated  itself  with 
others  of  the  species,  so  as  to  form  Hocks  of  from  two  to  eight  or  ten  in  number.  A 
few  were  said  to  l)reed  in  that  locality,  but  the  greater  part  of  them  went  farther 
north. 

The  eggs  of  the  Trumi)eter  are  of  a  uniform  chalky  white  color,  and  rough  and 
granulated  on  the  surface.  They  measure  from  4.3o  inches  in  length  to  4.(j5,  and 
from  2.G5  to  2.90  inches  in  breadth. 


Situ-family  ANSEETNiE.  —  The  Geese. 

The  chief  characters  of  the  Anserhin;  ns  (listiiiguisli(><l  from  tlie  Cijgninm  and  Anatuue,  consist 
ill  the  more  elevated  IhhIv,  with  tlie  lengthened  le;^s,  tilting  the  species  fur  a  more  teri-estrial  life, 
iilthou^h  ecjually  able  to  swim.  Their  necks  are  very  nuieh  shorter  than  in  the  Swans,  and 
usually  longer  than  those  of  tlie  Ducks.  From  the  latter,  all  tiie  Geese  arc  distinguished  by  the 
character  of  the  covei'ing  of  the  anterior  part  of  tlie  tarsus,  wiiich  consists  of  small  hexagonal  scales, 
ijut  in  tlie  Ducks  of  narrow  traiisvei-se  scutollK.  Including  the  genus  Dendrocycna,  which,  notwith- 
standing its  close  superficial  resemblance  to  the  Ducks,  seems  to  belong  rather  to  this  sub-family, 
the  Anserince  of  North  America  may  be  divided  into  two  groups,  as  follows  :  — 

Ansereee.  Bill  tapering  to  the  tip,  not  Irmger  than  the  head  (freciuently  shorter)  ;  nostrils 
situated  near  the  niidfUe  of  the  maxilla  ;  only  the  lower  end  of  the  tibia  bare. 

Dendrooyonew.  Bill  depressed  and  broad  at  the  end,  longer  than  the  head,  the  edges  nearly 
l)arallel ;  nostrils  situated  far  posterior  to  the  middle  of  the  maxilla  ;  lower  half  of  the 
tibia  l)are. 

VOL.  r.  —  .55 


1        b 


l^^\ 


434 


lamp:i.liro.stral  swimmers  —  anseres. 


il'P 


The  G(!08e  of  the  Northern  llL'inisijhcn'  vary  ho  iiiiicli  in  tliu  dutuilH  of  form,  that  thu  (,'L'iic'ra 
iiHUally  rccoguizctl  are  far  more  artilii-ial  than  natural,  their  ileliuition  liein<;  of  the  utmost  dillieuhy, 
scarcely  two  species  lieinj,'  exactly  alike  in  the  minutiie  of  external  anatomy.  No  f,'real  vioK^nce 
wouhl  Ik.'  (lone  their  trne  relationship,  were  all  the  North  American  (Jeese,  except  I'hilactr  mu\  Jkii- 
drocijam,  referred  to  a  sinj;le  ^enns,  Amii- ;  Imt  for  convenience  of  classiticatioii  it  may  serve  the 
]mrpuse  best  to  admit  a  limited  nundier  of  }{enera,  delined  as  follows :  — 


ASHEKEiE. 


A. 


Bill  varialile,  the  nas4il  cavity '  situated  near  the  middle  of  the  maxilla,  elonj^atcd,  anil  indis- 
tiiully  defined;  "nails"  <if  the  hill  rather  small,  occupying,'  nmch  less  than  the  Ujrminal 
third  of  the  hill. 
a.    Colors  variable,  hut  head  and  neck  with  little,  if  any,  black.     Bill  and  feet  li^lit  ctdored 
(usually  reddish)  in  adult. 

1.  Chen.     Hill  very  robust,  the  culmen  sli^ditly,  tlie  lower  outline  of  the  mandible  d<!cidedly, 

convex  ;  very  sli<;htly  depressetl  imme<liately  behind  tiie  thickenecl  nails  ;  cinnmissure 
widely  gapin}{  (except  in  C.  Roiisi').  Head  aiicl  neck  of  adult  white  ;  some  species  entirely 
white  in  adult  dress,  except  |U'imaries.     Bill  and  feet  redijish  in  the  ailult. 

2.  Anser.     Bill  hmiv  slender,  the  eulmen  gently  concave,  the  lower  outlinit  of  the  mandiblr 

slightly  concave  anteriorly  ;  decidedly  depressed  immediately  behind  the  rather  thin  nails  ; 
commissure  nearly  or  ipiite  closed,  by  the  dose  appnixiniiition  of  the  tomia.     lIcNid  and 
neck  never  white,  and  no  sjiecies  entirely  white  (normally),     iiill  and  feet  lif{ht  c(dored 
in  the  adult. 
6.     CNdors  dark,  with  the  head  and  neck  rhielly  black  ;  bill  and  feet  deo])  black  at  all  npes. 

3.  Berniola.     Bill  usually  nnuh  as  in  Aiisir ;  all  tin;  characters,  except  tho.se  detined  above, 

exceedingly  varialile. 
B.     Bill  de])ressed  and  broad,  the  nasjd  cavity  situated  in  the  basal  half  of  the  maxilla  (its  jios- 
terior  end  nearly  or  <piile  touching,'  the  frontal  feathers),  broaclly  ovate,  and  distinctly 
detined  ;  nails  of  the  bill  very  lar-^'e,  occujiyiug  nearly  the  tc^rminal  third  of  the  bill. 

4.  Philaote.  tVdcr  bluish,  variegated  with  whitish  borders  to  the  feathers  and  subterndnMl 
dusky  crescentic  Iwrs  ;  expo.sed  jiorticm  of  the  tail  white.  Adult  with  the  head  and  nape 
white,  the  bill  and  feet  light  colored ;  young  with  the  head  iduinheous,  the  bill  and  feet 
dusky. 

DENDROCYCNEiE. 

5.  Dendrocycna.     Bill  longer  than  the  head,  the  edges  nearly  parallel,  the  lamellic  entirely 

concealed  by  the  overhanging  edge  of  thi;  maxilla.  Lower  jtart  of  the  tibia  bare  for  a 
considerable  distance.  Tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  toe  with  claw,  but  longer  than  the 
middle  toe  without  c  law. 

Besides  the  species  proin-rly  considered  to  be  American,  another  has  been  reconled  as  occurriiit; 
within  our  limit.s,  on  the  strength  of  a  single  specimen  shot  on  Long  Island,  N.  Y.  This  is  tin' 
Egyptian  (loose,  Chenalopex  tfijyptidcuis,  of  South  Europe  and  Northern  Africa  —  a  common  s)>ccieH 
in  aviaries  ;  so  that  it  is  altogether  probable  that  the  example  in  (luestiou  was  one  escaped  fniiii 
confinement.  The  genus  C/«"?i((/'</>c.c  differs  from  all  the  Xirth  Anu-rican  (Jeese  in  its  style  of 
coloration,  the  wing-coverts  being  white,  ami  the  secondaries  metallic  purplish  ;  tlie  maxillarv 
toinium  hangs  over  the  mandible  so  as  almost  to  conceal  it  terminally,  the  bill  being  muidi  de- 
]ire.t.sed  at  the  taid,  and  very  di-ep  thrtmgh  the  base  ;  the  h'gs  are  lengtheneil,  the  tarsus  consider- 
ably exceeding  the  middle  toe  in  length  ;  \\w.  hallux  well  <Iev(do|ied.  The  cidors  of  V.  frgijptiucu.f 
are  as  follows  :  Head  whiti.sh,  with  an  ehmgated  patch  surrounding  the  eye,  and  a  collar  encircling 
the  lower  part  of  the  neck,  chestnut  rulbus  ;  neck  light  bniwni.sh  giity  ;  breast,  back,  scapulars, 
sides,  and  flanks  pale  fulvous,  finely  undulated  with  dusky  ;  outer  webs  of  tertials  (inner  second- 
aries) ])lain  cbestnut-rufous  ;  alxlomen,  anal  region,  anrl  wing-cov(!rts  white,  the  greater  coverts 
Ijarred  near  the  end  with  black,  forming  a  single  narrow  bar  across  the  wing  ;  secondaries  dark 
metallic  purplish  ;  primaries,  primary-coveits,  and  aluhc,  rump,  upper  tail-coveits,  and  tail  ])laiii 

•  By  "na.sal  cnvity"  is  hert;  meant  not  the  n]H'ning  of  the  external  ncstrils,  but  the  opening  in  the 
maxillary  bone,  chicily  covennl  hy  tlie  overlying  niumbraue. 


ANSEKI>M<:  —  THE  CICKSK  -  CHEN. 


435 


greuuinh  bluck,  saircely  k'"-*\v  ;  l>iiast  with  ft  larj,'!-  central  irrf},'ulftr  patch  of  dark  chfutuut ; 
I  risHuni  ochmccoiiH  bull".  15111,  !»•;,',«,  and  let  I  red  in  lilc.  Winj;,  14.75  inchuH ;  culiiion,  l.U() ;  depth 
of  bill  at  Iwc,  l.(Ht ;  tarsus,  2.!».")  ;  middle  toe,  ^.M. 

The  followiuj,' is  the  primipal  synonymy  of  tin-  spccicn  ;  — 

Chenalopex  •  aegyptiaca.  —  Iviyi'TIAn  Ooohe. 

Atuis  irgijptiaca,  Linn.  S.  N.  fd.  12,  I.  17t!ti,  l!t7. 

ChetMluiM-j:  mjijjiliiicii,  Siiii'ii.  (ii-n.  Zool.  .\1I.  18-.'4,  43,  pi.  42.  —  IJoNAP.  Conip.  Li.st,  1SJ38,  56.  — 
Kkyh.  k  Ui.v.s.  Wiib.  Kur.  lS4o,  84.  —  .MAi(iii,i..  .Man.  II.  153.  —  Gkav,  (icii.  15.  111.  ]84», 
605  ;  fat.  Hiit.  H.  18t>3,  183  ( i;nf,'liiud  ;  two  iii.slaiircs).  —  Akih'U,ht,  Hull.  N.  O.  C.  II.  Apr. 
1877,  52  (Caniarsic,  Lonj,' l.slainl,  N.  Y.  .Ian.  3,  1877  !). 

Annsvurid,  ISkiilst.  Orn.  Tn.sLlnMib.  II.  1803,  4.">4. 

Egyptian  Ooose,  Yauk.  Brit.  B.  id.  2,  III.  173,  lij,'.  ;  ed.  3,  III.  177,  fij?. 


Genu.s   CHEN,  lioiE. 

Chen,  BoiK,  Isis,  1822  (tyi)c,  Anxr  hyitfrUtrcus,  1'am.as). 

EMtnthcvwps,  ELi.ior,  Pr.  Philnd.  Acad.  1868,         (ly|«',  Anser  Rnssii,  Baiup). 

Of  the  three  North  American  sjiccies  of  this  ^'enus,  two,  C  hjiperhnrem,  the  type,  and  C.  rnru- 
Uscem,  ore  precisely  alike  in  the  detail.^  of  form,  the  only  difference  being  the  colorulion,  which  is 


v>liA^^,     -^. 


C.  hy)>erbttrens. 

very  distinct  in  the  two  ;  the  tliiiil  s])efies,  C.  A'ox.s/,  while  ajireeinj,'  strictly  with  A.  hyperhnrens  in 
plumage,  both  in  the  adult  and  young  stages,  diller.s  decidedly  in  the  form  of  the  bill,  wliich  is  quite 
p(!culiar.     It  seems  unnecessary,  however,  to  adopt  the  generic  term  E.mntUcmnfg,  proposal  for 

'  (Jliennlopcx,  Stf.imiknh,  .Shaw's  (Jen.  Zonl.  XII.  ii.  1824,  41  (type,  Anurr  juhtilus,  Si'IX.  —  Sri,.  & 
Salv.  p.  Z.  8.  1876.  300).  [The  Egyptian  (ioosc  .seems hardly  strictly  congeneric  with  the  South  Ameri- 
enn  species  uiwn  which  this  gemis  was  based,  and  may  roipiiro  another  generic  name.] 


■iiiiii 


436 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  AN8ERES. 


it  by  Mr.  D.  G.  Elliot,  since  the  <lifferciice  in  the  churactor  of  the  bill  from  that  of  the  typical 
species  of  the  geuiw  i»  hurdly  of  generic  value.     The  »i)ecie«  may  be  distinguished  an  follows :  — 

Synopsis  of  Species. 

A*  Plumage  never  chieHy  white  ;  the  lulult  mainly  griiyinh  brown,  with  bluish-gray  rump  and 
wing-ooverts,  tlie  head  and  part  of  the  neck  white.  Young  almost  wholly  gruyish  brown, 
including  head  and  neck. 

1.  C.  oaeruleaoeiM.     Bill  very  robust,  tlie  posterior  lateral  outline  of  the  muxilhi  decidedly 

concave  ;  coniiuissure  wiilely  giiping,  and  lower  outline  of  the  mandible  decidedly  convex. 
Wing,  about  1.').(K»-17.<H)  inches;  culnien,  2.1(1-2.30  ;  tui-sus,  ;j.(H»-;j.3(i ;  michlle  toe,  2.1.') 
-•2M).     Hal).  Interior  of  North  America;  Mississippi  Valley,  chielly  in  winter. 
B«    Plumage  of  the  adult  pure  white,  the  primaries  black,  more  grayish  towaiil  the  base;  young 
grayish  white,  the  cenires  of  the  feathers  darker  gray. 

2.  C.  hyperboreus.    15111  robust,  and  shaped  like  that  of  C.  (•(rrn/fgccjw.    Wing,  15.(K)-1H.5() 

inches;  culmen,  I.!»r)-2.H();  depth  of  ma.xilla  at  base,  l.l.')-1.5()  ;  tarsus,  2.80-3.50; 
middle  toe,  2.IO-2.IM).     //<(/).  The  whole  of  North  Ameiica. 

3.  C.  RosiL     Hill  small,  the  posterior  lateral  (mtline  of  the  maxilla  almost  perfectly  straight, 

the  toiuia  closely  a|>proxi mated,  and  the  lower  outline  of  the  numdible  scarcely  convex  ; 
in  older  specimens  the  biwe  of  the  maxiUa  corrugated  or  warty.  Wing,  I3."r)-I.'")..')0 
inches  ;  culmen,  l.."iO-1.70  ;  depth  of  nmxilla  at  base,  .85-.95;  tarsus,  2.30-3.00  ;  middle 
toe,  1.80-2.05.    Hub.  Northwestern  North  America. 


Chen  csBrulescens. 


THB  BIVE-WINOEO  OOOSE. 

Ams  cfrmlfseens,  Linn.  S.  N.  ihI.  10,  I.  1758,  124  ;  n\.  12,  I.  17tiO,  108.  —  Gmel.  8.  N.  I.  1788, 

513.—  I-ATH.  hul.  Om.  II.  1790,  830. 
A)U)er  cicnilfsceiit,  Vikii.i,.  Kiic.  Meth.  1.  1823,  115.  —  Baiiid,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  IS.'iU,  no.  664.  - 

CoUEs,  Key,  1872,  282  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  471» ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  553. 
C/icn  camhscciis,  liimiw.  I'roc.  \J.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  3,  1880,  202  |  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no. 

590.  —  CoL'Ks,  Check  List,  2a  ed.  1882,  no.  094. 
Aiiscr  hyihrhorcua  (supiKistHl  young),  .Steimiens,  Shaw's  Gon.  Zool.   XII.  ii.  1824,  33. — B/Viitit, 

B.  N.  Am.  1858,  760. 

Hab.     North  America  in  general,  but  chiefly  the  interior. 

Si*.  Char.  Adult:  ifead  and  upper  half  of  the  neck  white,  or  mostly  white,  the  former  fre- 
([uently  washed  with  orange-rufous  anteriorly  ;  lower  neck  and  Ixxly  grayish  brown,  the  feathers 
bonlereil  terminally  with  paler,  these  pale  edgings,  however,  ni^arly  obsolete  on  the  neck,  where 
the  tint  is  darker,  inclining  to  idunil)eous-umlier,  which  joins  irregularly  against  the  white  above 
it.  Rump  and  wings  plain  ^learl-gray  or  bluish  cinereous  (the  former  sometimes  white),  in  strik- 
ing contrast  to  the  deej)  giiiyish  brown  of  the  scapulai's,  sides,  etc.  ;  that  of  the  rump  fading  into 
white  on  the  upper  tail-coverts,  and  that  of  the  greater  coverts  edged  ex  rnally  with  the  same. 
Primaries  black,  fading  basidly  into  hoary  gray  ;  secondaritfs  deep  black,  narrowly  skirt(>d  with 
white  ;  tail  dee|)  cinereous,  the  feathers  distinctly  borilered  with  white.  Hill  reddish,  the  com- 
missund  space  black  ;  feet  re(hlish.  YoiDig :  Very  similar,  but  the  chin,  only,  white,  the  rest  of 
the  head  and  neck  being  uniform  pluniljeous-umber  or  brownish  plumbeous,  like  the  breast,  only 
darker  in  shade  ;  bo<ly  more  cinereous  than  in  the  adult,  the  pale  tips  to  the  nearly  truncated 
contour-feathers  being  obsolet<'.  Rump,  wings,  and  tail  as  in  the  adult.  Bill  and  feet  blackish. 
Downy  young,  not  seen. 

Total  length,  alx)ut  .30.00  inches;  wing.  15.00-17.00  ;  culmen,  2.10-2.30  ;  tarsus,  3.00-3.30  ; 
middle  toe,  2.1.'j-2.50. 

The  chief  variation  in  the  ]ilumage  of  adults  of  this  species  consists  in  the  extent  and  continuity 
of  the  white  of  the  neck.  This  is  usually  more  or  less  broken,  the  dusky  of  the  lower  portion 
ninning  upwards  in  invgular  spots  or  projections  ;  it  extends  highest  on  the  nape,  where  it  some- 


ANSERT'K  — THE  GEESE  —  CHEN. 


437 


times  reachcH  to  tlie  crown.  Tln'  hrinlit  orniiKe-rufouH  tingi?  to  the  ontorior  portion  of  the  liwul, 
l)L'iii}{  nn  arfifieiul  Htiun,  is  fmiiiuiitly  t-ntiri'ly  nWiit.  Tlie  color  of  the  nlxloinon  also  viirics  from 
iieiirly  piire  white  to  ii  tint  Imnlly  jxilir  than  liie  l»n'u.Mt  ;  tlie  rump  in  aluo  Honu'tinitr*,  Imt  rnvlv, 
entirely  white,  while  occasionuUy  while  I'eutherH  are  irreguhirly  interspersed  ainonj,'  the  dark 
feathers  of  the  l)o(ly. 

In  both  the  ailull  and  young  utagea  of  this  (Joose  the  itluninge  is  so  very  distinct  from  that  of 
U.  hiiprrhoreiis  that  there  is  no  (lerasiDU  for  confounding  the  two  when  the  points  of  distinction  are 
understood.  We  are  uualde,  however,  to 
find  tlie  slightest  difference  in  the  details 
of  form  or  in  proportions  —  a  fact  wliich 
suggests  the  mere  possilijlity  of  their  be- 
ing white  and  colored  phases  of  the  same 
Hjiccies,  as  in  some  Herons  ;  but  we  do 
not  consider  this  as  at  all  probable,  al- 
tliough  in  view  of  their  similarity  of  fnrni 
and  size,  and  that  the  chief  variations 
area  tendency  toward  partial  albinism,* 
the  possibility  of  such  a  relationship 
sliould  be  borne  in  mind. 

This  form,  once  su])pose(l  to  be 
the  young  of  the  Snow  Goose,  is 
now  regarded  as  au  cntirt'ly  good 
and  dis 'inct  species.  Mr.  G.  liarns- 
toii,  in  liis  valuable  paper  on  the 
ticese  of  Hudson's  Hay,  referring 
to  the  prevalent  supposition  that 
this  species  and  the  A.  hijin  '■'^'•"m.s 
arc  mere  varieties,  because  of  the 
tricndly  intercourse  that  exists  be- 
tween them,  is  positive  that  this 
l)elief  is  not  well  founded.  The 
young  of  the  hi/jterhoreuit  arrive 
from  the  north  with  their  parents 
without  any  intermixture  of  other 
(Jeese  in  their  Hocks.  They  liave 
the  same  white  garb  as  the  old  birds, 
i)ut  with  their  In^ads  as  if  soih'd 
with  iron-rust,  and  with  a  bill,  ten- 
der, soft,  and  compressible.  On  the  other  hand,  the  rn'rulfsrena  comes  down  upon 
tlie  eastern  coast  also  in  perfectly  distinct  flocks,  the  young  birds  having  a  more 

1  A  specimen  figured  in  the  "  Trnnsactioiis  "  of  the  t'hicngo  Academy  of  .Sciences,  Vol.  I.  1869,  pi.  18, 
liiis  the  whole  umler  jiarts,  ]H)sterior  to  the  juguluni,  puri'  white.  Wis  have  also  seen  examples  in  which 
not  only  the  nMonien,  but  also  the  ninip,  was  wliitc ;  while,  as  noted  alxive,  white  fentlicrs  are  sometimes 
interspei-scd  irregularly  in  the  dark  phniiage  of  the  Inxly.  There  is  also  siiniethiiig  very  "unsatisfactory" 
or  suspicious  in  the  irregular,  variable,  and  uiuiecided  way  in  which  the  white  of  the  nock  joins  upon  the 
dark  color  below  it. 

Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson,  of  Chicago,  who  has  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  inspecting  very  numerous  specimens 
ill  the  markets  of  that  great  game  centre,  writes  as  follows  (Hull.  "Nutt.  Oiu.  Club,"  VIII.  1878,  p.  137) 
with  reganl  to  the  changes  of  plumage  in  this  species  :  — 

"The  adults  of  this  species  invariably  im>ssc8S  the  white  head  nnd  upper  part  of  the  neck,  which  in 
the  younger  specimens  is  more  or  less  variegated  with  dark  feathers.  These  ■''  -Mipear  as  the  bird  becomes 
older  ;  and  in  many  the  head  is  a  pure  snowy  white,  in  sharp  contrast  to  i  nluniage  of  the  rest  of 


438 


LAMELLinOSTRAL  SWIMMERS  -  ANSERKS. 


(Hffusfil  and  (larktT  blim  color,  and  Ikmh^  also  of  a  smaller  hIzc.  In  tho  spring  .lames 
Hay  is  Ircqucntly  tTossed  by  l>otli  s|i('<'ii's  at  Cain-  .Ioiioh  and  at  Ca\H:  llenriettii 
Maria.  Occasionally  two  or  tlircc  ot  the  rimi/mriiis  may  he  seen  in  ii  Hock  of  tlie 
Snow  (ie»'se  on  the  All)any  sliorc,  while  two  or  three  of  the  latter  may  also  he  Hceii 
accompanyinfj  full  tiocks  of  the  rttruU.snii.i  on  tiie  east  main  shore.  This  may  Ite 
accounted  for  hy  the  similarity  of  tlieir  cry. 

l$y  Indian  report  the  threat  i)reedin^'-j,'round  of  the  nrniirsirns  is  the  co\nitry  lyini,' 
in  the  interior  from  the  northeast  point  of  Labrador.  Kxtcnsive  swamps  and  im- 
passahle  hogs  provail  there,  and  tlie  CJeese  incubate  on  the  more  solid  and  ilriest 
tufts,  dis|tersed  over  the  nKjrasses,  sale  from  the  approach  of  man  or  any  other  than 
a  winged  enemy. 

Mr.  Jlearne,  who  wrote  a  century  ago,  refers  to  this  as  a  siiccies  distinct  from  the 
Snow  (.Soose.  He  speaks  of  it  as  Ix'ing  of  the  hame  si/e  as  the  latter,  and,  like  it. 
having  hill  and  legs  of  a  deep  flesln'olor,  hut  with  the  entire  jdumage  of  a  dirty  iiliie. 
n-sendtling  old  lead,  its  skin,  stripped  of  its  feathers,  is  (d'  the  .same  color  as  that  nl 
the  Snow  (loose,  and  the  Hesh  is  ecpially  good  eating.  This  species,  he  achls,  is  sel- 
dom seen  north  of  Clnirchill  Kiver,  and  is  not  very  common  at  Fort  Vork ;  but  iit 
Fort  Albany  it  was  much  more  ph-ntiful  than  the  Snow  (lOose.  The  brceding-jilaccs 
«»f  both  species,  however,  were  cipially  unknown,  even  to  the  most  careful  and  accu- 
ratt!  observer.  Hearne  could  not  ascertain  that  any  of  their  eggs  had  (!ver  been 
taken,  and  their  winter  haunts  had,  up  to  his  time,  remained  wh(dly  undiscovered. 
Hirds  of  this  species  were  not  infre(pu'ntly  observed  to  le..<l  a  Hock  of  the  Snow 
(leese;  awd  as  they  u.sually  Hy  in  angles,  it  was  sometimes  quite  a  striking  thing  to 
see  a  bird  of  a  different  color  leading  the  van.  The  leader  is  generally  the  object  ol 
the  first  sjMirtsman  who  fires,  as  this  throws  the  whole  Hock  into  such  confusion 
that  some  oi  the  other  huntcus  fretpiently  kill  six  or  sev<'n  at  a  shot. 

So  far  as  is  known,  this  species  does  not  occur  on  the  J'acific  coast;  Dr.  Cooper 
has  never  met  with  it  on  any  part  of  that  coast. 

A(H!ording  to  Mr.  ISoardnum,  this  (Joose  occurs  occasionally  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Calais,  where  it  is  even  more  common  than  the  White-fronted  sjtecies  (Anser  Gam- 
beli).     He  also  informs  me  that  a  specimen  has  been  taken  at  (Jrand  Menan. 

It  is  (juite  jirobable  that  Mr.  Audubon,  to  whom  the  existence  of  this  species  as 
distincit  from  the  Injpi'rhoirus  was  unknown,  may  have  referred  to  it  as  the  gray  stale 
of  the  Snow  (toose,  which  \w  mentions  as  so  very  <'ommon  in  winter  al»out  tin' 
mouths  of  the  Mississip])i  and  along  the  shores  of  the  ( Julf  of  Mexico  as  far  as  Texas. 
lie  ahso  notices  the  fact  that  the  young  remain  for  sc^veral  y«!ars  of  a  dark-bluisli 
color,  and  mentions  that  a  friend  kept  one  four  years  without  any  change  l)cinj,' 
noticed. 


tlio  upper  parts.  Tlio  young  would  npppnr  nt  first  sight  to  he.  a  tlistinfit  sjionics,  so  <li(riTPnt  is  tlio  i)iiftirii 
of  coloration.  Tho  wliite  of  the  lieail,  nock,  alulonicii,  utid  tail-coverts  is  entirely  nlisent,  and  the  bin!  i-* 
of  an  alnio.st  uniform  a.shy  plumbeous,  .slightly  darker  alM)Ut  the  hi'nd,  and  lighter  on  the  abdomen.  This 
plumage  is  retained  until  the  seeond  year  at  lea.st,  as  many  .s|)e('iinens  are  pnicnii'd  in  spring  with  tlic 
dark  head,  neek,  and  alxlomen  still  immaeulate  ;  and  these,  I  think,  are  young  of  the  preceding  year.  At 
the  same  time  si)ci^imcna  are  foun<l  with  the  dark  fi'athers  nlmut  tho  head  well  mixed  with  white,  ivpri'- 
Renting  the  second  year.  In  birds  of  the  third  year  the  white  predominates;  but  not  until  the  fouith  iir 
fifth  year  docs  the  plumage  become  perfect." 


ANSEUINiK  —  TIIK  (JKKSK  —  CilEN. 


439 


Chen  hyperborena. 

THE  SNOW  OOOSE. 

Atuer  hijperborfiM,  Pai.i..  H|iic.  /ool.  Vlll.  17tl7,  80,  25, 1'l.  fln  ;  (hkistcrn  Sil»oiia)  Zoog.  RoHtM)-A«. 

II.  l.S'JtI, 'JJ7.  —  Sw.  it  Kit  II.   !■'.  U.   A.  II.  isai,  HI7.       Svrr.  Mmi.  II.  1S;J4,  :il».      Aid. 

Orii.  UioK.  IV.  18;i»,  r.«2,  j.l.  'Ml  ;  Syiiop.  18311,  ^7:1  ;  II.  Am.  VI.  184U,  'Jl-',  pi.  :W1.    -  H.\iiii>, 

H.   N.  Am.  1858,  7tlO  ;  Cut.  N.  Am.  H.  18.11),  no.  5«!1.  —  Coikw,  Koy,  1872,  '282;  Clietk  Lint, 

187;t,  11".  180;  M.  N.  \V.  1874,  548. 
AiiiiH  /u)/"  rl>i>rni.i,  (J.mki,.  S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  604.  —  VVii,.s.  Am.  Oni.  VIII.  1814,  76,  |>l.  <I8,  I'.  3. 
Vlll  It  hi/jxrliornin,  lliili:,  Wis,  1822,  5(i3.  —  UliKiw.  Num.  N.  Am.  15.  1881,  no.  51)1. —C'i>i:ks,  Check 

List,  2at'tl.  1882.  no.  (W>. 
ytniiji  iiiviilin,  FoiLsT.  l'liilc)«.  'rniiis.  I.XII.  1772,  413  (SeVLTli  li.). 
Tiit/iniia  iiivcii,  ISukiim,  Vh),'.  Pi'Utsclii.  I8;il,  8.'il. 
IHiiti'  Itiiini,  Lawson,  Vmm\.  147. 

.S'«»ic  UiMHv,  I'KNS.  Aivt.  ZcH.l.  II.  17!)0,  47!».  -  Lath.  Syiioii.  VI.  1785,  445. 
Amur  III bitiKH,  ('AS.S.  I'l'.  I'hila.l.  Ann!.  1851!,  41.  —  llAiiiD,  W.  N.  Am.  1858,  1)25. 
t'lini  ulb<itii.i,  Ki.i.iiir,  llhistr.  Am.  II.  II.  18(!i>,  |.l.  42. 

Aiisi'f  hititirliiinnn,  viir.  iiIIhiIiis,  ('iiii>.  Key,  1872,  282  ;  Clifck  List,  1873,  no.  480(t. 
Aiisrr  liyjurhinriis,  \t,  iiIIhi/iih,  ('(pcks,  Kirds  N.  W.  1874,  541). 
Clirn  hiiiirrhonuaiilliiiliiii,  liiimw.  I'r.  I'.  S.  Niit.  .Mils.  1880,  202  ;  Norn.  N.  Am.  ».  1881,  no.  501«. 

—  CiiiTKs,  Clurk  List,  2il  111.  1H82,  no.  OUO. 


HaB.       Till!    wlldli!    of    Ninth    Allirliril, 

lirei'iliii;;  t'ur  iioitli  ;  iiiori!  riiii'  mi  .Atlantic. 
('iiiLst  than  wuHtwui'il.  (iri'i'iiliiiiil  ;  lasnal  in 
Kiirii|ii!.     .Soiitli  to  ('ul)a. 

Si".  Chak.  Adult:  Kntiii'  iiluiim{{i',  ex- 
cept the  iiriiimrics,  Hiiow-whitc,  the  heiul 
sonii'tiiiii'.s  staini'tl  with  oianj,'i'-riilous  iintc- 
rioi'ly  ;  |iriiiiai'ii's  ili'i']i  Mack,  failing'  liasallv 
into  j,'rayisli,  the  |ii'iiiiary  coverti*  anil  aliilu 
lii'iii)^'  lioaiyash.  liill  |iiir|ili.ih  reil,  the  nail 
wliitish,  anil  the  intcrtoiiiial  space  lilack  ; 
iris  ilark  brown  ;  eyelids  whitish  ;  feet  i)ur- 
plc-  or  oraiit,'e-reil,  the  soles  ilinny  yellowish. 
ViiHuij:  Ahove,  iiiehulin^'  the  lien'l  ami  neck, 
pale  cinereous,  the  feathers  of  the  iloisal  re- 
;;ion  more  whitish  on  their  edges  ;  wiiij,'- 
coverts  and  lertials  dark  cinereous  centrally, 
their  edges  liroadly  juire  white  ;  .secondaries 
mottled  cinereous,  skirted  with  white  ;  pii- 
niaries  as  in  the  adult.  Uiiiii]),  upper  tuil- 
covcrts,  tail,  and  lower  parts,  ininiaculate 
Miowy  while,  the  tail  and  I'reast  tinged  with 
pale  ash.  Head  usually  more  or  less  tingt^il 
with  oraiige-nifou.s,  this  deepest  anteriorly. 
l>ill  and  feet  dusky.    />oirHi/ j/zn/ii;/ not  seen. 

Total  length,  ahout  .30.(K)  inches  ;  wing, 
]r).0<)-l8.5O;  culmell,  1.!):>-2.H()  ;  depth  of 
maxilla,  at  base,  l.l.'i-l..')() ;  tarsus,  2.8(>- 
;i.r)();  middle  toe,  2.1()-2.!)(). 

There  can  be  little  qucstiou  that  two 
forms  of  the  Snow  Ooo.st!  e.\iRt  in  North 

America,  distinguished  by  their  size  and  also  their  geogrophicnl  distribution, 
which  the  name  hyperboreus  properly  belongs,  and  of  which  (UbiUiw,  Cash.,  is 


The 
a  pure 


smaller,  to 
synonyrae, 


440 


LAMKLMKOSTUAL  SWIMMKUrt  —  ANSEUES. 


M' 


iHLiw><  tlinm^^liout  thf  iiortliwi'slirn  |K)ititm»t  of  the  continent  (iM-ing  ihi'  mily  one  known  to  bri'ud 
in  Aliixka),  ami  in  w mtcr  iniputtM  ovi-r  thf  whoh>  of  the  country  from  tliu  Puciflc  coiiHt  to  the 
Mississippi  N'lillcy.  Tiir  other,  with  iiiixfr  ^ciirnil  si/t-  mikI  ilispro|MirlioniUcly  heavier  hill,  liri'cils 
ill  the  rci^'ion  alioiit  ihulson's  llay,  ami  in  winttr  nij}{ratuH  Koulhwai>l  chiolly  aioii^'  tlu'  Atlantic 
coiwt.  This  hiiil  is  the  Atia*  nirtilu  of  Forsi»r  (I""-),  ami  if  it  i»  to  W  recognized  iw  u  nice,  us 
We  think  it  oiiKhl,  il  slmnlil  Ix'  callcil  Chm  (or  Aiimr)  liijjHrliimiiA  tiirdlin. 

Ainoni,'  the  spicinuns  cxaniini'il  is  a  yonn^  hinl  (S«.  kMMh,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  S.  Turner,  coll.) 
ohtaineil  at  Mount  Carinel,  111.  (in  winter),  which  is  .xceplionally  sniall,  nieasuiin>;,  win^;,  11.. 'hi  ; 
cnlmeii,  :i.(i.")  ;  depth  of  maxilla,  at  has.-,  !.:.'();  tarsus,  :{.(HI;  middle  toe.  •i.iMi.  Of  the  llfteeii 
examined  alto^'i'lher,  all  possessed  sixteen  rectrices  except  one,  an  adult  from  Alaska,  which  had 
einhleen  tail-feathers. 

An  ailult  male  killed  at  Mount  ("armel,  III.,  Oct.  fl,  \HT.i  (No.  H4(!!M(,  U.  Ridoway,  ndl.), 
nieii.siireil,wlien  liesh,  27.(Ki  inches  in  length  and  riT.tHi  in  extent,  and  wei^died  Ti]  Ills.  The  fresh 
colors  of  the  iinfeatheieil  ))ortioiis  weii-asfidlows  ;  ltjllhri};ht  salmon-pink,  U'comiiixhriKhter  llesh- 
color  around  the  nostril,  and  more  dilute  purplish  on  the  lower  maiiililile  ;  un;;iii  yidlowish  white, 
nnd  commissural  space  deep  Mack  ;  iris  dark  lirown  ;  evidids  j(reeiiish  white  ;  feet  <lilute  purple- 
lake,  the  s(des  of  the  toes  dull  lii,dit  naples-yellow.  An  atlult  male  collected  nt  Pyramid  Like. 
Nev.,  Dec.  28,  |H(i7  (No.  .'■>:Mi!HI,  l'.  S.  \at.  Mus.,  11.  HllMiW.W,  coll.),  weij;hed  T.  llis.  ;  leli^'tll,  2S.(l(i 
inches.  Bill  dull  li^^dit  salmon-purple,  U'coiniii^  white  on  the  un;;ui ;  the  tuilmon-color  ]iurest  on 
the  culnien,  and  most  ]iurplish  liasally  ;  the  Mack  of  the  commissural  space  Heparated  from  the 
purple  hy  a  backward  extension  of  the  white  of  the  nail  ;  iijdidn  Jkdi-aihir ;  iris  vandyke-hrowii  ; 
tarsi  and  toes  deep  Htilnion-]iurple  ;  claws  Mack. 

An  immature  specimen,  collected  at  the  Sink  of  the  FiumlHddt,  Nev.,  Oct.  31,  IHGT  (Xo. 
63(181),  U.  HiiHiW.VY,  coll.),  dilfereil  in  the  eolor  of  till'  liillaiid  feet  as  fidhtws  :  Hill  blackish  dusky, 
beconiint;  ^Teenish  slule  on  the  up|H'r  loisjil  portion  ;  tarsi  and  toes  greenish  slate. 

The  Snow  GodHi'  is  an  Arctic  .s|K'('ics,  coinnum  to  Initli  continents,  and  ocrurrinf; 
(luring  tiic  siininnM'  in  hi^'li  nortlicni  latitinlcs.  It  is  foiiinl  in  its  niiKi-atiuns  on  liotli 
coasts,  as  well  as  on  inlainl  water  in  the  interior,  is  almntlant  on  the  i'acilic,  luit  rare 
on  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  visitinp  even  .Japan,  avIicic  its  local  name  is  Jlahut/aii. 

According'  to  Mr.  Hoardnian,  it  is  liy  no  means  nnconnnon  on  tlio  coast  of  Maine  ; 
and  the  same  is  trtic  of  the  rcj,'ion  adjiu-ent  to  the  St.  Croix  Iviver.  It  is,  liowever. 
comparatively  rare  in  Mas.sa(dinsetts.  On  Loiifj  Island,  accordinj,'  to  (Jiraiid.  it  is  also 
not  coninion.  Occasionally  tiie  yoimt,'  "^  this  species  are  seen  ex|io.sed  for  sale  in  the 
New  York  markets,  but  the  adults  rarely.  In  .some  seasons  small  Hocks  are  met 
with  on  the  South  Ihiy.  and  now  and  then  strag>,'leis  are  noticed  ttyiiin  in  company 
with  the  common  (V.nada  (loo.se.  Tiie  wliiten«'ss of  their  plumap'  renders  tiieni  very 
consjiicncms,  and  wlien  opportunity  otters  they  are  sinj,'h'd  out  liy  the  hunters.  On  tlie 
Jersey  coast  this  bird  is  known  as  the' "  lied  Goo-m-,"  and  it  there  usually  makes  its 
first  aiipearance  in  November.  As  tlio  winter  ]irofjresses  it  proceeds  farther  s(uitli. 
stopjiinj?  again  on  its  return  to  the  north,  late  in  winter  or  early  in  spring.  At  times  il 
is  said  to  be  abundant  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey  and  in  Delaware  J$ay.  It  there  fre- 
quents the  marshes  and  reedy  shores,  feeding  n]ion  the  roots  of  various  marine  jilants. 
particularly  that  known  as  the  sejwabbage.  Its  bill  is  very  strong,  enabling  it  to  imll 
uj)  the  roots  of  sedges  and  other  marine  jdants  with  great  ease.  The  Hesh  —  while  it 
canin)t  be  called  tishy  —  has  a  strong  and  jKn-uliar  taste,  but  is  held  in  high  estima- 
tion by  some  ejiicures,  who  consider  it  sujK'rior  to  that  of  the  tame  (Joose. 

On  the  Pacific^  coast  this  bird  is  more  or  less  abundant  frfim  Alaska  and  Washing- 
ton Territory  to  Southern  California.  Dr.  Coojmt  mentions  having  seen  large  flocks 
of  this  species  at  Los  Angeles  in  Decemlx-r.  18(»<).  It  occurs  in  great  mimbers  in  the 
middle  and  western  portions  of  (California  in  winter,  freipienting  esjiecially  the 
marshes  and  plains  near  tlu;  sea,  sometimes  ai)i»earing  on  the  sandy  bars  about 


1 


AN.SEUIN'.E  — THE  GKESE  — CJIKN. 


441 


tlu'  Hliore.  It  iirrivi's  from  the  north  in  Uctolier,  and  rcniainH  until  March,  wIhmi  it 
joins  its  kindred  of  otlivr  HpeoteH,  and  together  thoy  depart  for  more  nortliern  regions. 
While  in  California  this  bird  feeds  cliieHy  on  ^rass,  and  is  very  shy  and  watehful.  It 
is  generally  silent.  Imt  at  times,  ehietly  wln-n  Hying,  utters  a  shrill  htnrk.  It  is  hunted 
and  shut,  and  many  are  brought  to  market,  iH'iug  eonsiilered,  when  young,  better  thuu 
the  eonnaon  Wild  Goose. 

This  l)ird  oeeurs  in  the  interior  of  tlu'  continent  on  all  the  hirge  lakes,  as  well  as 
on  the  smaller  coUcctions  of  water.  iMr. .).  A.  Allen  met  with  it  in  Salt  Lake  N'alley, 
where  it  lM>gins  to  arrive  in  considerable  nund)ers  about  October  1st,  lieing  known 
there  as  the  White  IJrant.  JMr.  Hidgway  also  found  it  a  more  or  less  common  winter 
resident  or  visitant  on  all  the  larger  lakes  of  the  Great  Hasin.  (.'aptaiu  Hendire 
mentions  it  as  common  during  the  migrations  in  Kastern  Oregon.  It  is  of  accidental 
occurrence  in  the  Herniudas,  two  examples,  according  to  Major  Wedderburn,  having 
been  shot  at  Kiddle's  Hay  in  (Jctober,  184S. 

Hearne,  in  his  Account  of  his  .louruey  to  the  Northern  Ocean,  speaks  of  the 
White  or  Snow  Goose  as  being  the  most  inimerous  of  all  the  species  of  birds  fre- 
cpienting  the  northern  i)art  of  Hudson's  Hay,  and  says  that  it  makes  its  appearance 
about  a  week  or  ten  lUiys  after  the  common  Wild  Goose.  In  the  tirst  jtart  of  the 
sca.son  it  arrives  in  small  parties;  but  in  the  niiddb'  and  toward  the  latter  end  ecuues 
in  such  anuizing  numbers,  that  when  they  settle  in  the  marshes,  the  ground  for  a  con- 
siih-rable  distance  ai)pears  like  u  fichl  of  snow.  When  feeding  in  the  same  nuirsh 
with  A.  f(iiiii</rn.sis,  the  two  species  never  mingle.  Like  the  latter,  it  will  tly  to  a  call 
resembling  its  own  note  ;  anil  in  sonui  years  it  has  been  killed  and  salted  in  great 
munbers  for  winter  consumption,  it  being  alnu)st  universally  regarded  as  good  eating. 
If  proper  can'  be  taken  in  the  curing  it  will  continue  good  for  two  years.  The 
Indians  at  Ilud.son's  ilay  are  said  to  be  far  more  expert  than  the  Europeans  in  killing 
this  bird,  some  of  them  having  been  known  to  obtain  upward  of  a  huiulred  in  a  single 
day,  a  single  Indian  commonly  killing  from  a  thousand  to  twelve  hinulred  in  a 
season ;  but  at  the  timo  llearne  wrote  Im  was  reckoned  a  good  hunter  who  could  kill 
three  hundred,  as  these  Geese  did  not  then  frequent  that  region  in  as  great  numbers 
as  they  formerly  did. 

Hearne  adds  that  the  general  breeiling-jilace  of  this  species  was  not  known  to  the 
Indians  of  Hudson's  Hay,  nor  to  the  Kskimos  that  fre(pient  the  extreme  north.  The 
general  route  they  take  in  their  return  to  the  south  in  the  I'all  of  the  year  was 
ccpially  unknown. 

About  Hudson's  Bay  this  bird  is  said  to  be  the  shyest  and  most  watchful  of  all  the 
species  of  Geese,  never  suffering  an  open  approach,  not  even  to  within  two  or  three 
gunshots.  Yet  on  some  of  the  rivers  near  ('umberlaml  House,  and  at  Has(]uian,  the 
Indians  would  occasionally  kill  twenty  at  a  shot.  This  was  done  on  moonlight  nights, 
when  the  Geese  were  sitting  in  the  mud,  ami  the  sportsmen  were  concealed  from 
view. 

According  to  the  observations  of  Dr.  Kichardson,  the  Snow  Goose  in  summer  feeds 
chiefly  on  berries,  and  is  seldom  seen  on  the  water  except  during  the  night  or  when 
moulting.  It  frequents  the  shores  of  rivers  and  lakes,  and  visits  both  the  interior 
and  the  coasts  in  its  migrations,  but  resorts  in  great  numbers  to  thi'  Barren  Grounds 
to  breed.  The  eggs  are  of  a  yellowish  white  color,  and  of  a  regular  ovate  form,  their 
length  being  three  inches,  and  their  breadth  two.  The  young  fly  in  the  middle  of 
August,  and  by  the  end  of  September  have  all  departed  south.  Their  food  in  the 
summer  consists  of  rushes  and  insects,  and  in  the  autumn  of  berries,  particularly 
those  of  the  Empetmm  nifjrum.    When  in  good  condition  —  as  Bichardsuu  says  — 

vou  I.  —  fiO 


442 


LAMKLMIloSTUAl-  S\\  IMMKIIM  -  ANHKUEH. 


this  liirtl  is  verv  cxcclli'iit  ciitiiih'.  iiiul  fur  Hii|M'ri(ir  to  tin*  Cuiitulii  Ooomc  in  jiiiciiii>sH 
iiiul  tliivor.  'I'lic  yoiiii^'  (U)  not  uttaiii  to  tin-  full  |)Iiiiiih^o  of  tlif  old  bird  U>fori>  tlh-ir 
fourth  yvav,  uiid  until  that  jiciioil  they  ki't-p  in  si'iKiratc  tlocks.  'I'lu'V  aif  said  tu 
hav<>  liccn  nunii-i'ous  at  Fort  Alhanv,  in  thi>  sonthrrn  portion  of  Kudson's  Itay,  wImti' 
the  old  iiirds  wt'i'c  lan-ly  sci'n  ;  and,  on  (lie  othi'r  liand,  tht>  old  Itirds  in  thfir  nii^'ia- 
tions  visit  York  Factory  in  Ki'^^iit  nundtcrs,  i)utal\viiys  Mnaocoiu|inni<'d  by  their  younu. 
Tlu'v  a|i]M'ar  in  the  sprinj,'  a  few  days  lab  r  than  tlu-  <Jiinadu  UtH'8»',  and  ihwh  in  larp' 
lliirks  Ijoth  on  the  coast  and  throu^di  tlu-  inti-iior. 

Ai'cordin^;  to  till!  observations  of  Mr.  JJaraston,  tluH  Hpi'cit's  —  known  anlon^'  tin' 
Indians  as  the  H'rfols  or  Ifnfiin  —  is  less  conspiiMious  in  the  interior  than  sonn' 
other  kinds  of  (ieese.  It  seldom  alijjhts  except  alon^'  the  niar^'ins  of  lar^e  lakes 
and  streams,  and  the  grassy  ponds  of  the  prairies.  Owing  to  its  arrival  in  such  gnat 
nuiuU-rs,  it  l>eeonies  the  first  object  (d  sport  in  James  ilay,  and  the  havoc  niadc 
there  is  often  very  great.  In  tin*  fall,  when  Mocks  of  tlie  young  birds  ani  jiassing 
siiuthward,  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  b)r  a  good  shot  to  kill  a  hundred  in  a  single  day. 
This  bird  still  forms  the  staple  article  of  food  for  natives  at  the  All)any  Fiu-tory. 
This  is  the  last  of  the  (Jeese  to  leave  bir  tlu!  south,  its  migration  taking  jthiee  in  tlic 
latter  part  of  September. 

These  birds  are  deliberate  and  judicious,  ^fr.  Harnston  adds,  in  their  i)reiiaratioiis 
for  flight,  and  make  their  arrangements  in  a  business-like  manner.  They  cease  to 
feed  in  the  marshes,  keepingout  with  tin;  retreating  title,  and  at  its  How  retiring  sti|. 
by  stei).  continually  dressing  their  feather.s  with  their  fatty  oil.  They  are  then  ready 
for  the  lirst  northerly  wind  which  blows;  and  in  twenty-biur  hours  the  coast  so  lately 
resonant  with  their  incessant  cries,  and  covered,  pat(di-like,  with  their  whitenin;.,' 
squadrons,  is  entirely  (h'serb'il. 

Iicinhardt  states  that  this  species  is  known  as  a  bird  of  Greenland  by  the  occiii- 

renct!  there  of  a  few  stragglers  only  in  immature  plumage.     It  is  not  known  to  br 1 

in  any  part  cd'  that  coast  occupied  by  the  Panish  .settloments,  ami  jtrobably  does  not 
breed  in  any  part  of  the  island. 

Captain  IJlakiston  s|)eaks  of  thi.s  Goosc!  as  being  late  in  its  arrival  in  s]ning,  and 
as  dtdaying  behind  the  others  id'  its  family  in  going  south  in  the  autumn,  lie  roiind 
it  rpiite  numerous  lioth  on  Iluilson's  Uay  and  in  the  west,  tracing  it  as  far  as  the  Iiucky 
Mountains,  Mr.  b'oss  speaks  of  it  as  equally  abundant  on  the  Maiken/.ie.  He  was 
informed  by  Mr.  I'rudeii,  a  fur-trader,  that  the  father  of  the  latter,  living  at  the  Kcd 
J{iver  Settlement,  had  (h)mesticated  a  pair  of  these  birds,  one  <d'  which,  after  a  tinic, 
died.  The  next  fall,  as  a  flock  of  this  species  was  ]>assing  over,  one  of  them  .sei>aratcil 
itself  from  the  others,  desctendcd,  and  took  U])  its  ipiarters  with  the  tame  troosc, 
remaining  there  all  winter.  The  following  spring,  however,  it  joined  its  brethnii 
as  thi'y  came  by,  and  proceeded  nmth.  Jn  the  fall  it  again  returned,  rejoining  and 
living  with  its  mate  of  the  former  winter:  this  is  said  to  have  In-eii  repeated  for 
several  years. 

Mr.  Audubon's  observations  enabled  him  to  ascertain  that  this  sjwcies  regain  ily 
visits  the  valley  of  the  >rississippi  in  October,  individuals  appearing  in  the  immatmv 
plumage  a  fortnight  or  more  before  the  adult  birds  arrive.  As  a  general  thing  tlic 
flocks  of  old  and  young  kept  apart  and  did  not  mingle.  This  Goose  was  esi)ecially 
abundant  in  the  gray  jdumage  alK)ut  the  mouth  of  the  Mississipjji,  as  well  as  on  all 
the  muddy  or  grassy  .shores  of  the  bays  and  inlets  of  the  (Julf  of  Mexico.  Duriiig 
the  rainy  seasons  it  aboimds  among  the  large  imiiries  of  liOuisiana,  feeding  on  the 
roots  of  plants.  It  is  said  to  be  more  silent  than  any  other  species,  randy  emittini,' 
any  cvy  ex<!ept  when  pursued  after  being  wounded.     Dr.  hachiuan  kept  for  several 


ANSEHIN.K  -  TIIK  OKKMK  -  CIIEX. 


443 


yoarn  a  tiuiu'  Snow  (Iuohi',  which  imiti'd  with  u  cummou  tumi'  bird;  hut  tin-  cggH 
w«>ro  unpHMhu'tivt'. 

ArconliiiK  to  IMidihMuhnlT  tin-  Snow  (ioosi' orciirn  in  Silicria,  wlicnrt"  it  cxtr-ndH  itH 

tnnvi>mi>nt.s  to  tl xtiiMiir  ninth,     Mr.  |)n',sMt'r  ulso  statcH  tiiat  tills  hird  is  round 

(|uitf  ri'^'ularly  in  thi>  I'aHti'in  portion  ol  Kuropi'an  KiiHsia.  It  lias  also  Ix-cn  nii>t 
witli  in  Japan;  but  in  not  l<nown  to  iiav**  lN>i>n  si-rn  i>iti>i>r  in  (trt>at  Iti-itain  or  in 
Scandinavia.  It.  is  In^iicvcd  to  have  liccn  taken  on  several  occanions  in  IJerniany. 
AcconliuK'  to  Naunianii,  considcralde  thicii.s  iiave  Ih'cu  known  to  \msh  thron^di  Sih',sia. 
iSeclistein  nicntioiiH  the  occurrence  of  a  lar^^e  tloek  ou  tlie  li'Hhof  •lanuary,  17'.IL',  pasH- 
iuK' over  t lie 'riiilrint,'er\valil.  A  .single  .s]ieciiiieii  is  reported  to  have  Iteen  taken  in 
France  in  18l.".>.     It  is  also  said  to  occur  in  (Jreece. 

Dr.  I)cnlanil  —  as  ipiotcd  by  .Mr.  Drcs.scr  —  states  that  Snow  (Jeese  are  connnon 
in  Ouba  from  Octolw-r  to  April.  In  October,  t.Sto.  two  td'  these  birds  came  to  a  pond 
on  which  some  tame  (icesc  were  swimming',  and  were  shot.  He  adds  that  when  the 
Cieiiai^a  ih-  Zapata  lie^ins  to  dry  up,  portions  are  covered  with  Snow  (tcese,  ami  that 
he  had  killed  at  lea.st  thirty  of  tliem  in  one  season.  1)r.  .Merrill  nu-ntioim  this  spocioH 
as  ((iiite  common  during'  winter  on  the  western  coast  of  'I'e.xas. 

Mr,  Maci-'arlanc  describes  these  (Jeese  as  beiuj,'  very  niinierous  at  l''ort  Anderson 
about  May  '-'."i.  tlyin;,'  northward,  but  bein^,'  afterward  driven  back  by  the  severity 
of  the  weather.  The  nests  of  these  birds  were  discovered  on  a  small  island  in  a  lake 
near  liiverpool  May.  They  were  in  ludcs  in  the  .sandy  soil,  ami  were  well  lined 
with  down.  Mr.  Mall  found  these  birds  common  on  the  Vukon  in  thi^  spring.  Their 
Indian  name  is  //«///.<//,  or  ("Jreat  Wliite  llird.  They  arrive  about  .May  !>.  tiyinj,'  from 
the  .south  up  the  river,  but  only  stoji  to  feed  in  the  marshes  during'  the  night.  They 
do  not  breed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Yukon,  nor  do  they  return  in  the  fall  by  the  same 
route  by  which  they  came.     They  have  all  gone  by  May  liO. 

Examples  of  this  species  were  also  procured  at  Fort  Resolution  by  Mr.  Kennieott, 
near  Fort  Simp.son  by  Mr,  H.  !».  IJo.s.s,  and  at  Fort  Kae  by  Mr.  Clarke. 

fu  a  paiier  of  the  lute  Mr,  E.  Adams  on  tlm  itirds  of  Michala.ski,  Ala.ska  ("  Ibis," 
187S),  th»i  first  arrival  of  the  Snow  (Jooso  on  Norton  Sound  is  noted  as  liaviug  taken 
place  ou  the  '.)th  of  j\[ay.  During  the  two  following  days  this  bird  was  con.staiitly 
jiassing  over  in  large  flocks  of  from  one  liuiidrcd  to  three  humlred,  an  imnicn.se  num- 
ln'r  thus  arriving.  After  tluit  time  only  a  few  straggh'rs  wero  seen.  The  flocks 
followed  one  another  with  great  rapidity,  and  as  soon  as  one  large  body  disappeared, 
another  was  seen  advancing.  In  this  manner  —  as  ho  was  assured  —  they  pass  every 
year,  and  all  return  about  the  end  of  September;  at  each  season,  with  the  ex(M'ption 
of  a  few  stragglers,  being  seen  for  ouly  three  days.  Jfone  of  the  other  kinds  of 
( Icesc  were  seen  in  such  numbers  ius  this  was,  nor  was  any  other  sjiecies  so  regular  in  its 
liight.  This  iiird  generally  ]»asscs  over  at  a  considerable  height,  and  seldom  alights 
I'xcept  at  night;  but  the  stragglers  flew  ex(;eptioually  low,  and  were  easily  shot. 
Kvery  bird  seemed  to  be  in  full  plum..ge  and  in  good  eonditicm,  but  none  remained 
to  breed. 

The  smaller  form  probably  does  not  differ  as  to  its  general  habits  and  other 
characteristics  from  the  larger.  Hut  little  is  known  as  to  its  distribution  and 
liistory.  According  to  Dr.  Cooper  it  appears  to  Im  rather  common  in  California  in 
tlie  winter.  In  company  with  the  Snow  Goose  it  fre(pu'nts  the  jdains,  and  is  said  to 
have  very  similar  habits;  at  least  nothing  distincitive  has  been  observed.  This  bird 
is  much  less  abundant  than  the  Snow  Goose ;  but  a  considerable  number  are  brouglit 
to  market  every  winter,  and  they  are  known  in  the  markets  of  San  Francisco  as  the 
"  White  Brant,"  on  accoiuit  of  their  snutUer  size. 


444 


LAMKLMKOSTUAI-  SWIMMKUS—  ANSKItKS. 


CiiSHiii,  who  (l«'Hcriln'(l  tliis  .siK'«;i»'s  in  ISAd,  ri-j^anltMl  it  an  Mun  Vfry  ran-,  Ixit.  not 
iinkiKiwii  on  tlic  Atlantic  coast.  He  had  mM>n  Itut  iivf  siM't-inicns.  uric  of  whiili  was 
Iroiii  (>rc},'on ;  and  the  otiicr  lour — wliicli  occiirrcd  in  |>airs  —  were  lound  in  tlic 
market  in  l'liila(Ud|iiiia,  and  are  now  in  the  colh-elion  ol  tlic  Acjuh-niy  oi'  tliut  city. 
Two  were  adults,  and  two  were  in  imniatnie  pluniap'. 

Two  cxani|>Ies  (d  the  smaller  I'orm  were  obtained  in  Indaiid  in  Novcmhe.-,  IS71. 
Mr.  Howard  Saumh'rs  diionicled  their  oi(urren<c  at  a  meetinj,'  ot  tlie  Zooh.j^'icul 
Society  in  I.S7-.  lie  states  that  on  the  JHh  of  Novcnd»er  his  attention  was  attracted 
to  two  (icese  han^^in^'  n|i  in  Leadenhall  MarVet,  London.  I(y  diiip-nt  ini|iiiry  he  sidi- 
se(|ncntiy  ascertained  tliat  they  liad  itecn  sliot  near  Wexford,  on  the  lake  of  Taciini- 
shin,  on  the  south  coast,  liy  a  Ikiv.  Tiiey  were  the  only  ones  that  had  appeared 
there;  hut  tlierc  was  a  third  one  sidweiiuently  shot  in  We.xford  llarlMir.  They  had 
liecn  swininiin;^  aiiout  on  the  lake  for  some  days  hidiire  tiny  were  shot.  The  lake 
adjoins  the  sea,  from  which  it.  is  separated  hy  or':y  a  narrow  rid;;e  of  sand;  and  it 
prcdtahly  would  i»e  one  (d'  tin-  lirst  places  birds  wouhl  make  if  coming'  from  the  sea. 

I'nder  the  name  of  .Itimr  /ii//iir/iiir<it.i,  .Mr.  IN  ie  writes  that  it  is  impossihlc  to 
convey  any  i<h'a  of  the  incessant  clatter  of  sounds  emitted  hy  this  and  the  While- 
fronted  (Joose  when  disturlM'd  at  ni^ht  by  some  prowling  wolf,  as  they  .all  roost  on 
the  ground  in  wet  prairies.  The  old  (Jecsc  of  this  species  f,'encrally  keep  together; 
and  their  white  pluuia},'e.  contrasted  with  the  dark  ground,  presents  the  appearance 
of  snow-banks.  K;  r(dy  seen  in  the  water,  they  remain  all  winter  in  Calilornia  and 
the  southern  parts  oi  (frcf^cui.  When  they  lirst  arrive  from  the  north  they  arc  vcr_\ 
tame,  allowing  |M'rsons  to  approai  h  very  near,  and  a  skilful  rider  on  a  hoi-Hc  is  en- 
abled to  cat<di  them  with  a  lasso.  Mr.  I'eale  saw  four  that  had  Inm-u  taken  in  this 
way  in  one  afternoon. 

Two  examples  of  this  (ioo.ie  wer»'  obtained  at  Fort  Resolution  on  the  litJtli  (d 
May  hy  Mr.  Kennicott. 

The  efjj^  of  the  ."^now  (Joose  is  (piite  larj^e  .is  <M»mpared  with  the  size  of  the  binl.  is 
oval  in  shape,  the  two  ends  being  <d'  uneipial  si/.e,  and  the  color  is  a  uniform  dirty 
chalky  white.     They  average  il.lO  by  li.liO  inches. 


Chen  RoMi. 

BOSS'S   SMOW   00 

Jtiser  /?aW,  BAniit,  MS.  C.v;  s.  IV.  I'liilad.  A.ad.  IStil,  7!».  —  CorKx,   Kpy,  1«72,  '.iSS  ;  Ohfok  I.i-I, 

187:1,  II".  isi  ;  itinis  N.  W.  1871.  .'..''..■J. 
Rj-nnthriiiii/1.1  A',mi,  Ki.l.lnr,  llliistr.  Am.  11.  IV.  IStllt,  pi.  4-1. 
Chill  A'<m/,  liiiHiw.  I'r.  I'.  .S.  i^at.  Mus.  188(1,  'Joa  ;  Num.  N.  Am.  11.  IHM,  no.  :m.  — Coijk.m,  ('lie.  k 

hist,  -.M  imI.  1882,  no.  C  7. 


H.Mi.     Arctic  .'Viiicricii  in  Hiniiiiicr,  racitic  coast  to  Soiitlicni  C'aliforiiia  in  winter. 

Sp.  Chau.     Ailnll :  Colors  c.vaitly  as  in  A.  iiiii>erhoriiii>.     Entindy  Miowy  white,  the  jirimiirii"- 
black,  fading  into  lioary  asli  hasally.     liili  and  fed  .iiill  HMMish,  tlie  nails  of  tlir  former  wliii' 
Toiiiia  of  the  hill  flosejy  ap|ii'o.\iniatcil,  the  intervening  spare  scarcely  cxposiMl.     I^aiei'o-liasa!  out 
line  of  tilt!  bill  straight  ;  base  of  the  bill  fmpiciitly  warted  or  cornigateij.      y<iiiiiii:  White,  tinK<'l 
with  grayish,  the  centres  of  the  feitlliers  of  upper  parts  ileeper  ;.'ravish  ;  bill  mnl  feel  dusky. 

Wing.  ia7"i-l.'  .'■(O  indies  ;  culnieii,  1..VI-1.70  ;  depth  of  iiia.xillaat  base,  .h.",- !»."i  ;  width.  .70-. so  , 
tarsUK, -i.aO-U.CK);    uiddle  toe,  l.nO-2.0.-|  ;  tail  I'eatlieis,  ni.l.^1. 

In  adults  ()btai..eil  at  the  same  seawiii  (winter  or  stinmier)  there  is  great  variation  in  the  nm^ili 
nei^  of  thu  Imisu  of  tliu  ma.xilla  ;  in  many  (perhaps  a  majority  of  s|H!t:iiuvii.H)  the  luisu  is  siiiipl\ 


ANSERTX.E  —  CUE  fJRESE  —  CHEN. 


445 


\ 


HliKhtly  nifjoxf,  wiili  lon^'ituilinnl  siilwiliiiii.«,  little  if  miy  inoic  iliMiiict  than  in  C.  hiipnhnrciis.  (S,  c 
a('ci)iii|)aiiyiiiK'  <  iit>.) 

H|MTiiii(ii  No.  4l7<>.'i,  Ihnii  tJrcat  Slivc  Like,  |ii(ilMilily  an  immature  individual,  is  exceptional 
in  liavin;,'  ll  terontlary  i|nill>  ile.-j.  I.jink,  li|i|»r«l  willi  white,  the  plumaj^e  <«''  ':.:■  nape  and  anal 
iej,'icin  hli;,'lilly  ver^iinj;  lnwanl  a-liy,  tlie  nail  of 
the  l>ill  Mai'k,  lippol  wilh  white.  In  all  other 
ren|HM't.M  than  iIiok-  mentioned,  the  ap|M-arancu  i» 
that  of  an  ailnlt  liiid  ;  and  these  dilferences  woidd 
seem  to  indicate  a  ralliei'  ciilferent  tninsition  )ilu- 
nia^e  fnim  youth  to  nialuiily  than  in  the  .1.  Iitjjur- 
liiimiH. 

lli'iiriH',  in  Ills  ••.Iouiiu'v  to  (lie  Nortliorii 
(tccan,"  ri'lers  ti»  a  .small  (Judsc  which  was 
iindoulttfilly  this  .s|M-cics.  lie  calls  it  tlio 
•'Horned  Wavcy,"  |>i(dial»ly  from  t lie  caniii- 
clt .-.  at  tin*  Ikisc  of  the  liill ;  and  lie  dcscrilMS 
it  as  follows:  "'I'liis  delicate  and  diiniiiiitiv<> 
species  of  the  (ioose  is  not  miudi  larf^cr  iliaii 
tilt!  Mallard  I>uck.  Its  |diima^'e  Ih  deli- 
catidy  white,  cxci|it  tie  <|nill-feathers,  which 
are  lilack.  The  hill  is  not  more  than  an  iindi 
long,  and  at  the  kise  is  stndih'd  roiiiid  witli 
little  knobs  alH)nt  the  si/.e  id'  peas,  lint  more 
remarkaldy  so  in  tli-  male.  Moth  the  hill 
and  the  feet  are  of  the  .sann-  eidorwith  those 
id'  the  Snow  tJoose.  This  s|M'cies  is  very 
scarce  at  Churchill  Itiver,  an<l  I  iM-lieve  ar»i 
never  found  at  any  of  the  scuithern  settle- 

ments;  hut  alNuit  two  or  three  hmnlred  miles  to  the  nortliwe.st  of  Churchill  1  have 
seen  them  in  a.s  larf^e  tloi-ks  as  the  Common  Wavey  or  Snow  Goose.  The  flesh  of  this 
is  exeeedingly  delicate,  lint  they  are  so  small  tluit  when  I  was  on  my  )'•  irney  to  the 
north  1  ate  two  »d"  them  one  night  tor  siipiier."     llcunii!  axUla  that  this  speciies  was 


not  dcHcrilHMl  liy  reniiant  in  his  "Arctic  ZcKdogy  "  — prohaldy  for  the  reason  that  the 

person  who  presi I  at  Fort  I'rince  td  Wales  at  ih-'  tinu'  the  ecdU'ction  was  making, 

did  not  pay  any  attention  to  its  completeness.  According  to  Ilparne,  the  Indians  luid 
never  met  with  any  of  the  eggs  of  this  s|)eejes,  and  he  conjectu.  <1  that  these  birds 
rctiro«i  to  North  (ireenland  to  breed.     Their  route  in  the  fall  of  tho  year,  as  tln-y 


Kimim  ^^ytmmm/.mnKui 


446 


LAMELLinOSTRAL  SWIMMERS  -  ANSERE8. 


return  south,  was  also  unknown,  riicy  \v«'rt'  rau'ly  seen  on  the  roast  of  Hudson's 
Bay  soutli  of  69°  north. 

Mr.  T.ciiiartl  H.  Hoss  mentions  tlie  fact  that  the  Slave  F^ake  Indians  recognize  the. 
differeneo  iM'twt'on  this  Hpeeies  and  hotli  t\n' ti/fnitiis  and  the  In/prrhoi'iiis,  it  being  saitl 
to  anivo  from  the  south  later  than  the  I'onner,  and  earlier  than  the  latter. 

A  largo  number  of  imlividnals  of  this  sjjecies  were  taken  iit  Fort  I{esobition  in 
May,  l.S()(),  by  Mr.  Kennieolt.  and  in  .May.  ISO,'?  ;ind  1S(m,  i)y  ^fr.  .».  I.oekhart. 

Mr.  IJlakiston  (••  ll>is,"  IS7.S)  refers  to  a  smaller  White  (ioo.se  mixed  witli  the 
flocks  of  A.  /ii//ii:rfi'iriii.i  in  .lajjan,  which  he  refers  to  "./.  afhiffux,'^  but  wlneii  may  have 
been  this  sjieeies.     Its  lueal  namo  was  Ko-hakugan. 

Captain  J$endire  nuMitions  th(>  iiroeuring  a  single  specimen  of  this  (Joo.se  on  Silver 
River  in  Eastern  Oregon,  .\pril  IL*,  t87(».  but  considered  it  a  very  rare,  species  there. 
It  had  been  shot  by  Sergeant  Kennedy  out  of  a  Hock  (d'  twelve,  and  weighed  two  and 
three  fourths  i)ounds.  Its  note  was  .said  to  be  (piite  ditferent  from  that  of  the  Snow 
Goose.  Other  e,\amides  have  Iteen  taken  in  .Marin  ('o.  and  in  other  parts  of  Cali- 
fornia, where  its  presence,  however,  is  e.xc(>])tiona.l  and  rare. 

Dr.  .Tames  ('.  Merrill  informs  me  that  tlirs  Goose  is  by  no  means  uncommon  about 
Fort  Missoula,  in  Montana  Territory. 

Mr.  L.  Helding,  of  Stockton,  <'al.,  writes  us  as  follows  concerning  this  sftecies : 
"  Usually  associates  witli  other  <5e>'se  when  in  tlu^  San  Joa<piin  Valley,  especially 
6'.  /ii/j)L'rf>oiriis,  and  when  Hying  individuals  are  sometimes  scattered  through  .a  flock, 
or,  as  is  often  the  ca.se,  congregated  on  one  si(h'  or  other  portions  of  it.  F  once  saw 
about  a  hiuidred  of  these  Oecse  in  a  separate  flock,  flying  very  high,  and  going  north- 
ward, the  sjieoies  being  determined  by  its  cry,  which  somewhat  resenddes  that  of  the 
small '  Cackling  (roose  '  (/>'.  cininili'Dsis  hiimjnnrin).  In  Xovendierand  DeciMuber,  ]S.S(», 
itwasipiite  as  abnndiint  in  the  Stockton  market  ius  ('.  /n/iifi'tmiriis — owing,  I  snpjKtse, 
to  its  tanif-ness."  Specimens  of  ('.  Tinmti  were  observed  at  Stockton  by  Mr.  IJclding 
as  early  as  Oct.  6,  1880,  and  by  the.  I."»th  they  became  common.  Mr.  Pidding  further 
renuirks  that  "the  flesh  of  ('.  liossl,  unlike  that  of  Geese  generally,  is  excellent 
food." 


Grm-s  ANSER,  BitissoN. 


ill 


An9fr,  HiMss.  Orn.  \.  1760  (tyi)o,  Ami-i  oMcr,  Liss.,  =  ./.  cinrretui,  Mkyku). 

This  guuus  (liffm's  from  Chen  chiefly  in  the  form  of  tin-  bill,  wiiicli  i,s  inucli  les.s  rolnist,  iiinrc 
depressed  tcrnuiiidly,  the  nails  thimicr  and  less  art'licd,  the  tonna  less  divergent,  etc.  In  fact,  tlif 
bill  of  some  si'eeies  is  ipiite  iiti-iitical  in  form  willi  that  of  the  Jargi'r  speciiM  of  Ihriiiclii  ((vokk/ik.si.^ 
&ni\  Hutching!).  The  type  of  tlie  genus,  .1.  i/iii  ;•<■».<,  Mkvku,  has  tlie  bill  deridedly  appro.xiniatiiig 
to  tliat  of  Chi'ti,  the  coimiiissmi!  gaping  <|uile  widely.  BiU  one  s| ies  oceuis  in  America,  Iht"  com- 
mon White-fronted  Ooose  (Aiiurr  (liimhili,  n.\KTi..\un).  The  yMwy  specie.i  occurs  also  in  Europe 
in  II  representative  form  — the  .-1.  ((M/y/VDi.*,  <!.mki..  The  di.l'erence  between  them  is  diielly  one 
of  size,  tho  American  binl  being  decidedly  the  larger.  Another  European  species  or  race  resem- 
bling A.  alhifnmH,  but  much  sniiillcr,  sei-nis  to  bear  to  tin'  latter  about  the  same  relation  which 
llrnicla  Ilutchiim  or  7*.  h  ncnpuria  do  to  ]!.  anudhitais.  Tlie  following  measurements  I'lijni  a  eoii- 
uiderahlc  series  of  specimens  will  serve  to  show  the  comparative  size  of  the  thive  binls  :  — 


WliiK. 


Cllllili'll. 


ni'I-thofllKIX.      WIdll;  (if  mux. 
Mt  Ikisiv  III  liasiv 


Tiirsiis. 


Mlililli- 1".'. 


1. 

A.  Oiimhcli, 

14.  S."}-!  7. 50 

l.S()-2.:i.'i 

.00.-1.20 

.R.';-1.05 

2.rtO-;i.2o 

2.3.-1-3.00 

2. 

A.  alhifrmvt, 

11.75-18.00 

l.fiO  1.7." 

.00 

..SI  1-0. 85 

2.2.'i-2.80 

2.20-2.50 

8. 

A.  minulus, 

13.25-15.00 

1.15-1.3.-) 

.05-0.70 

.70-0.75 

2. 00-2.  DO 

2.00-2.16 

■.V       ! 
I 


AXSKRIX.E  —  THE  fi  KKSE  —  ANSER. 


447 


From  tlu'sc  iiionHiironu-iits  it  may  In;  rcmlily  seen  tlmt  llii!  tliri-c  fitrius  iiitiTj^riule  ns  to^i'iiunil 
size,  tliu  )iill  Ix-iii},'  the  only  infm))LT  in  wiiidi  tlicri;  u  t\  cunstaiit  liiircrt'iicc  ;  and  lis  we  an;  not 
aware  ol'  any  iidsIiIvi'  rliaracter.s  nl'  iiolomtinn,  it  sccnix  very  priilialile  tliat  tliey  rcmstitute  tucivly 
races  iif  one  Npccies.  At  any  rate,  we  sliall  so  hen^  rej,'ar(l  llie  American  Jorni  anil  itc  neaivst 
Kuriipean  ally  (.1.  idliifniii^),  leaviii;^'  the  linal  ileterminatiou  r)t'  (lie  (|ue8tiuii  (if  determinable  it 
lie)  to  future  investi;,'at()rs. 

Another  species  of  true  vl/idt/'  —  the  Benn  fJoose  (A.  siiji'liim)  --\\m  been  cre<lited  to  North 
America  by  Nuttai.i,  ("Man."  ii.  ls;j2,  \>.  ;Uh  ■  "Canada  and  Hudson's  Hay");  but  a]ii)arenlly 
without  (,'ood  authoi'ity  for  so  doin^,'.  Considering'  the  possibility  of  its  occurrence,  however,  itx 
principal  synonymy  and  characters  are  herewith  (,'iven  ;  — 

AnsEII  SKoKri'M   ((iM.)    lir.    The  Hcau  (iouse. 
villus  xiiji/iiiii,  (iM.  ,S.  N.  I.  17MH,  .ll-J. 
Aiiufi-  Hiijilum,  Mkvi'.I!,  Tiisch.  II.  ,154,  I't  AfcT. 
Anmr  nnvnuis,  Hui'.lIM,  Viig.  Deiltschl.  838. 
?  Aiisff  rii/i.imi.i,  ) 


Aitsir  jihitjinrim,    J 


BiiKMM,  t.  c.  lip.  837,  838. 


Sp.  Char.     "  Male  thirty  inches  lc.n^{  ;  bill  moderately  (hick,  iieaily  as  lonj,'  as  the  head,  two 
inches  and  u  thinl  in  leii^^th,  and  an  inch  and  two  twelfths  in  hei^dit  at  the  base,  nine  twelfthH  in 


w 


A,  tilhi/iviis, 

hei},dit  behind  the  circular  unguis,  yellowish  oran^^e,  with  the  base  and  unguis  black  ;  t«rsu»  three 
inches  lonj,',  dull  oraiij^e-yellow  ;  the  wiM;,'s  lciii,i,'ei'  (li.in  the  (ail  ;  feathers  of  (he  neck  linear-obloii},', 
disposed  in  riilf,'e3 ;  head  and  neck  ^'r.iyish  brown  ;  upper  |)arts  dark  brown  ami  jjiay,  iMUied  with 
the  whi(ish  terminal  mar^fins  of  tin'  feathers  ;  hind  jiart  of  back  blackish  brown  ;  lower  ]iarts  pale 
brownish  '^ri\y,  becomint,'  whili'  behind.  Fimuli  similar,  but  smaller.  Ynuiuj  with  (he  upjM'r  parts 
darker,  (he  heail  and  neck  of  a  li'^hler  brown,  (luce  small  ])a(ches  of  white  feutbew  at  the  base  of 
the  bill"  (M.vcoil.MVKAY,  '•  Mist,  lirit.  15."  IV,  iK,-2,  p.  Mtt). 


448 


LAMELLIRUSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERE8. 


Anaer  albifrons. 

a.  albifrona.    THB  IVBOPBAM  WHITE-TBOHTID  OOOSB. 

Anas  albi/ro)u,  UiiEU  8.  X.  1.  ii.  1788,  509. 

Aastr  albiJ'ruM,  liKLiiHT.  Nuturg.  IV.  18UU,  898.  —  Macuilu  Man.  II.  1842,  149.  —  Sciileo.  Kev. 

Ciit.  1844,  110.  —  Newt.  P.  Z.  S.  1800,  339  (iriticul).  —  Kf.i.mi.  IbiH,  1801,  12  (Greciiluiid). 

—  KiDiiw.  Norn.  N.  .Via.  IJ.  1881,  no.  693.  —  Toies,  Check  LUt,  2a  eil.  1882,  no.  692. 
Aimr  erythropuH,  Flkm.  Hr.  An.  1828,  127  (neo  Ll.s.N.,=3  Temminckii,  tiuiE,  =mmulu»,  Naum.).  — 

(iiiAV,  Gen.  U.  III.  1849,  007.  — SciiLKO.  Mua.  P.-B.  Aumres,  110. 
Amis  casttrca,  S.  <!.  1!m.  Htist-,  II.  jil.  13. 

(?)  Aiiner  intrniudiitu,  Naim.  Nut.  V.>j{.  Ueutw"',.  XI.  p.  840,  pi.  288. 
{>)  Ansfr  Miilius,  Tkmm.  Man.  Orn   II.  p.  519. 
(I)  Aiiner  palliiKa,ii¥X\*.  Xauniunnia,  1855,  264. 


A.  albiJroM  (Jambeli  (lutiiltj.  A.  albi/ront  Oambeli( young). 

b.  OamVMli    THI  AMBRIOAir  WRm-FBOHTBD  OOOSB. 

Anser  albi/rmis,  Boxah.  Synop.  1828,  37«.  -  Sw.  &  Kiiii.  F.  B.  A.   II.  1831,  466.  —  Ni'TT.  Mini 

II.  1834,  :U0.  —  Aiu.  Oni.  Biog.  III.  1835,  508,  pi.  286;  Syuop.  1839.  272  ;  fl.  Am.  VI.  ISHS, 

20'.t,  pi.  380. 
Aiuer  (lamhcli,  IIaktuub,  R.  .M.  Z.  1852,  7.  —  Baiuu,  B.  N.  Am.  1868,  761  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  I'- 

1859,  no.  60.''i. 
Anurr  albi/runa,  var.  Uambeli,  CoCEs,  Key,  1872,  282  ;  Check  LUt,  1873,  no.  478  ;  B.  N.  W.  1874, 

646. 


AXRERIN.K  -  THK  OEEfE  -  ANSER. 


449 


Anicr  nthifrnm  finvihrii,  UiDciw.  I'r.  1'.  S.  N'lit.  Mils.  1880,  203  ;  Xom.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  503  a. 

—  CofKs,  I'lnM'k  List,  2il  i-il.  IHS'.',  no.  liit:). 
.inner  fr\ilhriii)ui>,  llAiiti),  Stiiiislmry'H  l!i'|>.  iM.'r.',  :121  (iipc  Linn.). 
Anitcr  fmilnlin,  lUiiiii,  H.  N.  .Vin.    1858,  .162  (=  young  ;  .New  Mexico);  Cut.   N.  Am.  B.   1859, 

no.  560. 

IIab.    TIio  wlidlc  (if  Nortli  .\ineriia,  brewUii},'  far  northwaixl  j  Culia.    The  tnie  A.  albi/rous, 
restrictwl  to  the  PaUriiri'tic  It(';;iiiu  ami  (ircenlaiHL 

((.  Oambeli. 

Sp.  fnAK.  Aihill:  I'revailint,'  rnlor  hiownisli  ^{lay,  ihis  uniform  on  the  head  and  nock,  and 
bocoinin«  nine  li  darker  <m  the  Hanks  ;  fealhern  of  tlie  mantle,  win),'s,  Mvs,  and  flanks  distinctly 
liitrdered  lerniinally  with  jiah-  lirownish  asli  (srinietimes  approaehinji  (^rayisli  white)  ;  upper  cdj.'ea 
of  the  upper  hiyer  fif  Hank- leal  hers  pure  wliite.  prmhicinK  a  conspicuous  white  stripe  when  the 
feathers  are  properly  adjusted.  Hreast  and  al- 
doinen  >,'rayish  while,  mixed  more  or  less  with 
irrt'Kuhir  spots  and  |iatehes  of  hlaek,  sometime.i 
scattered  and  iscdated,  liut  oftener  mon^  or  less 
confluenl.  .\nal  region,  erissum,  and  upper  tail- 
ooverls  immaiulate  pun'  white  ;  rum|(  hrownish- 
slate  ;  ^'reater  win^!-c()Verls  j,daueous-j,'ray  ti)>j)ed 
with  while  ;  secondaries  Mack,  Iheir  ed},'es  mir- 
rowly  white  ;  primaries  slaty  lilack,  ),'rowiiij,'asliy 
liasally  ;  primary-coverts  j;lancous-},'ray.  Tail 
hrownish  slale,  broadly  lipped  with  white,  the 
feathers  narrowly  skirled  with  the  same.  Front 
of  the  head,  from  the  base  of  the  bill  to  about 
half  way  across  tin-  hn-cs  and  foreheail.  including 
tlie  anterior  border  of  the  chin,  while,  borden-d 
behind  liy  brownish  blai'k,  which  ^'radually  failes 
into  the  j^'rayisli  brown  of  the  head  'Uid  neck. 
|{ill  reddisii  (wax-yellow. _/((/.•  Xki.sox),  the  nail 
while  ;  feet  reddish.  Yninifi  (=  .1.  frniiltilin, 
It.Mitn)  :  Nearly  similar  to  the  ailidt,  but  tin; 
anterior  portion  of  the  head  dark  brown,  instead 
of  white  ;  wiiij;-coverts  less  ^laiiciais  ;  black 
blotches  of  the  under  surface  absent.  Nail  c. 
the  bill  black.  I><ni'n>j  \iii\iit<i:  Above,  olive- 
;;reen  ;  beneath,  din{,'y  >,'reenish  yellow,  i',eei)est 
yeUow  on  the  alMlomen.  (Hardly  distinj.uisha- 
liie  from  youn^of  Vnrniiia  fdimilnitii'i,  but  a]ipa- 
rciitly  more  deeply  coloreil,  and  with  >,'realer 
contrast  between  cidor  of  U|iper  and  lower  sur- 
faces.) 

Wing,  14..')()-17.2r)  inches  ;  culmen,  l.4t>- 
2..3r)  ;  tarsu.s,  2.00-.'J.I(i  ;  middle  toe,  2.:J.5-2.70. 
Tail-feathers  16  to  18,  usuully  the  former. 


A.  albi/rou. 


Mum. 

.  1843, 


h.  albifrons. 

Sp.  Char.  Exactly  like  A.  GanMi,  but  smaller.  Winj;,  l.'».00-l,').7.'>  inches;  eiilmen.  l.CTi- 
1.75  ;  (h'pth  of  maxilla  at  l>ase,  .00,  width,  .8(»-.s.'>  ;  tarsus,  2.25-2.80  ;  middle  toe,  2.20-2.45. 

The  ])rinci])al  variation  anions  individuals  of  this  species  is  in  the  amcmnt  of  the  black  blotch- 
ing on  the  lower  parts.  In  some  rtjiecimens  (as  No.  lOHi.3,  Frontera,  Texas)  there  are  only  two  or 
three  small  spots,  while  in  others  (as  No.  10788,  Hudson's  Hay  Territory)  the  black  predominates 
over  the  lower  parts,  bein^  uuntinuuu.s  un  the  uUlomen,  and  uidy  broken  ou  the  breoMt  by  the 

vol..  I.  —  .'j7 


I 


1^ 


450 


LAMKLUIUiSTKAL  SUIMMKIW  -  ANSKUKS. 


II 


ailiiiiMiiiv  (ilii  li'W  jmlf  liiiun'oiis  Ifiulurn.  In  N".  I'llT,  \ViiMliiMj.'tiiii,  D.  ( '.,  tlic  wliilish  ^my  o| 
tlif  liiwfi-  iMirtH  Ih  Hlroiij;lv  tiiijiiMl  with  (xlinux'dUx-riil'imM  —  witlioiit  (Imilit  iinTfly  an  aiviilcnt.il 
Htain  trim  ri'irM;,'in"ini  ilnv.  Tlifii'  is  iil.-'"  a  ^li^'lit  ranj;"'  >>(  varialinn  in  tin-  sli.nli' ul'  ilic  lirowni-li 
tint^<  III'  till-  IxiiU ,  Mini)'  s|i('i'inii'nH  incliiiiiix  to  cini'i't'oiiH  ami  nilirrs  a|i|>iiia<'liin;^  dark  iinilicr.  'I'Ik- 
HiiiallcHt  H|HM-iiiu'n  (xci-  lui'nAurcnii'nts  almvc)  is  No.  KHiilt,  l-'mnlira,  Texas  ;  tin-  laincst  is  Nn. 
l«7«8,  Wnshington,  D.  V.     In  N'o.  i'(»i;i>,   l-'i'it   IJi-soiiiticiii,   the  while  ><(  (he  loielieail  is   iimiv 

exteiiileil  ihaii  in  anv  ntheis,  leadiin;:  as  I'ar  as  tlie  niid- 
ille  III'  Ihe  eyt',  ami  sending!  Uick  a  stripe  over  tiie  eye  to 
its  |MiKleriiir  an^'le,  ami  annther  nii  earli  side  the  thi'iiat. 
The  vai'ialiiiiis  n!  |ilnnia;,'e  in  this  speeies  are  tliii- 
disi  listed  liy  Mr.  Iv  \V.  Nelson,  in  the  "  lilllletin  ol' lin 
Kssex  Institute,"  Vol.   VIII.  (1.^7(1),  \>\>.  1:«1,  i:J7  :  — 

"  The  individual  variation  in  this  s]H'cies  is  vi  ly 
^;reat.  .\  larj,'e  majority  havi-  the  onliiiary  while  tVonliil 
Kind  and  the  under  )>arls  |>lentilully  mottle  I  with  l>lai  k. 
In  others  the  Maik  j;radually decreases,  until  some  spei  i- 
iiiens  do  not  sho'.v  the  least  ti'aee  of  dark  oh  the  alHln- 
ineu  ;  in  sueh  iuslauies  the  frontal  white  liand  is  usuall\ 
])resent.  The  youiiK  exhiiiil  a  dark  lirowii  IVontal  liaml 
in  plare  ol'  while,  liut  with  more  or  less  dark  spol-  on 
the  alHlonien.  in  very  hi;,'h  pluiua;;e  Ihe  alnlouieu  l>r 
eomes  almost  entirely  lilark,  only  a  few  rusty-iohaed 
leal  hers   lieint;   interspersed   throuK'h   tin'   hlaek.      The 

white  nail  on  the  liill  is  ;;ener,dly  rrossecl  liy  one  ol 
more  |on;,'iluilinid  stripes  uf  dark  horn-eolor  In  sjiriii),', 
as  ihe  lireedin:^-seasoii  approaches,  tint  hill  hecomi's  a 
dear  waxy  yellow.  There  is  also  nuit.-h  variation  in 
ni/.e  amoii^'  adults  of  this  species.  I  have  examined  a 
iiumlier  of  specinn'us,  which  liy  correct  comparison  were 
at  luaxt  iiiii/iiurtli  smaller  than  the  averaj,'i'." 
A  hyhrid  lietween  .liinif  iliimMI  ,'uid  lliriililii  nriiili iiliilis,  from  San  Francisco  (N'o.  4l7iM, 
Oct.  -i'l,  lH<i2  ;  '•".  (iKt'iiKit),  shows  an  eipnil  comliinatiou  of  the  characters  of  the  two  species.  Tin- 
bend  has  the  white  front  of  ,1.  Unmliili  and  the  white  cheek-patch  of  /;.  ihikkIiiihIi  ;  the  Mack  nl 
the  lU'ck  lij^htens  {gradually  into  the  jfrayish  lirown  of  the  iu;.'uluni  ;  the  ^;ri'ater  coverts  are  silvi  ry- 
slale,  as  in  .1.  itninliill.  and  llie  tail  is  wholly  lilack,  as  in  /.'  I'tinali  iihIh  ;  while  the  uppi'r  lail-covcrl- 
are  spoiieil  white  and  lilmk.  The  anal  rej,'iou  and  crissum  are  white,  hut  the  lon;.'er  feathers  n| 
the  latter  are  douiled  with  Mack.  Tin  hill  and  feet  are  pale-colored  (reddish  in  life  I),  as  in 
A.  llnmhili. 

It  i.s  very  (liuilitl'iil  wlirthcr  tlio  Wliitc-froiitcd  (iixisc  (d"  ({fpciiliiiid  Itcloiifjs  to 
t\w  Kiifnjx'iiii  spt'cii'.s  (ir  to  tin-  lafK<'i"  Aincrieiin  fiuin.  I'i'ulV.s.snr  Ncwtdii  appeiiis 
ratlu'f  iiu'liiiiMl  to  ii.s.sij,'ii  it  to  tin-  latter;  Imt  as  tin-  true  iilh'ifninH  is  a  reouhu 
visitant  to  Irflaml.  the  <'xaiii|ilfs  taken  oti  tin'  cast  coast  of  (irccnlainl  may  perhaps 
lidoii;,' to  the  <  ihl  World  form;  luit  it  doi'S  not  follow  that  those  of  the  west  .-iiasi 
nre  of  the  same  kinil.  The  White-fronted  (Jotise  is  in'ctty  K'''ii<''"iny  distril'iitcd  over 
the  entire  {'ahi-arctic  Kcf^ioii,  lireediiij,'  in-ai"  the  coast-line  of  tin-  Arctic,  (►ceaii.  in 
l>oth  Kiirope  iind  .\sia.  and  also  on  the  lar^jcr  rivers,  hays,  and  inlets,  in  its  mif,'ra- 
tions  it  is  variously  ami  iim'(|iially  distrilnited,  Imt  is  more  abundant  in  l''.astcrii 
Europe  than  in  West.  ext.emlin><  its  iniijrations  into  CeiitiMl  .\fiica  almost  as  far  as 
the  Kipiatof.  It  is  usually  foiiml  in  (Jreat  lliitaiii  and  Ireland,  ami  is  ii  tolerahl.v 
re^jular  visitant.  altho\ij,di  more  common  in  the  severest  winters. 

This  liird  is  ulaindant  in  Northeastern  Africa  duriiif^  the  cold  season,  and  at  tlmi 
time  is  the  most  c<mimon  (Joose  in  K^iyjit.  wliere  it  may  l»e  met  with  in  Hocks.  It 
leaves  that  region  in  March.     It  is  also  a  winter  visitant  to  India,  ami  isalsoi|uite 


A-'Mi/nm*  fn/thin/iD.i, 


ANSKIIIN'.K  —  TIM-;  fJKKHK  —  AN'SKH. 


451 


Illf^S    til 

.lipravs 

iri'i;ulai 

.•ii;i>l 

■ll   (IVI  1 

li'ai),  ill 
iiii!,'ra- 

[■'.iisti'in 
liii-  as 
ll.Talilv 

lit  thai 
Iks.  It 
III  i|uil' 


frcqiieiitly  Ht't'ii  ill  tlic  iimtiicrii  distiii-ts  of  Silit'iiu,  wlicrc  Miiltli'iHlorff  sjM'aks  nl'  it 
iis  til**  iuu8t  coiiimiiii  siifcifs  louiiil  hi'iH'diii^r  oil  till!  Tuiiiiyr.  It  ;U»o  occuis  in  C'liiiia 
and  •rapau. 

in  its  m'licial  lialiits  this  (lnosc  a|i|M'ais  to  be  iu  no  wist-  ililTcrriit  troni  our  roiii- 
iiion  Ncantic  toini,  A.  Unmlnli  It  tlit's  in  wfilj^c-shapfil  tlocks.  frn|ucntU  iittfriiiin 
a  loud  iind  Iuu'hIi  <tv,  wliiidi  may  Ih>  hi-aid  ut  u  roii.sidi-ialilc  dislaiici'.  TIicnu  tlocks 
ill!'  said  to  1h>  },'rii('nilly  on  the  wiiiK  just  iK-rorc  sunrise  and  sunset,  and  tliey  are  very 
regular  in  tlieir  niovenieiits,  taking  the  same  line  of  tligiit,  and  feeding  ut  the  same 
spot  ciu'li  day ;  they  may  in  eoiise(inenee  U-  readily  ohtained  liy  lying  in  wait  fur 
fliem.  When  oiiee  lireil  upon,  the  Hoek  usually  h'aves  the  neigliliorhiMd.  This  liird 
prefers  low  damp  districts  to  the  uplands,  and  may  more  freipiently  he  fouml  in 
localities  where  aipiatie  plants  grow  than  in  cultivated  lields.  Mr.  St.  ilohn  states 
that  it  is  frenucntly  .seen  off  the  coasts  of  Kngland  and  S«'olland  in  severe  weather,  anil 
also  in  iiiiirshy  districts  and  gra.s.s-tields.  It  arrives  in  Morayshire  earlier  than  the 
iitlier  species  of  (lecse.  hut  is  never  .seen  there  in  Hocks  of  more  tlian  eight  or  ten 
individiial.s.  This  (ioose  feeds  almost  exclusively  un  vegetahle  matters;  and  Mr. 
Macgillivray  states  that  a  spei-inien  sent  to  him  from  Northiimlierlaiid  had  its  stomach 
tilled  with  the  tender  shoots  and  leaves  of  the  common  clover,  on  which  it  had  heeii 
feeding  after  a  severe  snow-storm,  hike  the  other  species,  it  hreeds  near  fresh-water 
or  salt  poids  not  immediately  on  the  coast,  and  makes  a  large  nest  on  the  ground, 
warmly  lineil  with  down.  The  eggs  are  from  J'our  to  six  in  nnnilier.  are  yidlowish 
white  in  color,  and  measure  about  .'t.lL'  inches  in  length  hy  L'.l.l  in  hreailth. 

The  .Vmcriiiin  •' Wliite-fronted,"  or  '•Laughing,  (loose"  is  a  resident,  during  tlio 
summer  moiitlis,  in  high  .\rctic  regions,  migratory  in  the  spring  and  fall,  and  in  tiie 
winter  diffused  over  all  the  southern  jiortioiis  of  North  America,  being  more  abun- 
dant in  the  central  anil  western  regions,  and  comparatively  rare  on  the  Atlantic 
coast. 

According  to  ^Ir.  iJoardman,  it  is  of  occasional  occurreiiee  near  Calais.  <  hie  wa.s 
procured  at  St.  Sti-pheii  that  had  tlowii  against  the  Hag-statf.  and  had  thus  iieconie 
disabled.  It  is  rarely  seen  in  Ma.s.siudinsetts,  iilthough  individuals  are  occasionally 
liiought  to  the  markets  which  have  been  taken  on  ("a|ie  Cod.  .Mr.  (Jiraiid  speaks  of 
this  bird  as  being  exceedingly  rare  on  !,ong  Island.  A  single  specimen  is  mentioned 
as  having  been  shot  near  iJabylon.  and  given  to  the  New  Vork  Lyceum. 

On  the  I'ueitic  coast  it  is  more  abundant.  Dr.  Cooper  mentions  having  seen  tlocks 
iif  this  species  at  Los  .\iigeles  in  Meceiiiiicr.  l.sCiO.  It  is  also  given  by  .Mr.  I{.  I'liowne 
as  one  (d'  the  birds  of  Vancouver  Island.  Captain  Kendire  mentions  it  us  abundant 
in  (hegon  during  migrations,  and  the  first  to  arrive  in  tho  fall. 

Dr.  Pickering,  in  his  Notes  taken  when  naturalist  id'  the  Wilkes  ICxpedition.  men- 
liiins  the  occurrence  of  immense  niimiiers  of  (lecse  of  various  sjiecics  on  the  coast  of 
California  and  Oregon,  in  the  month  of  .Vpril.  and  subseipieiitly  in  October.  He 
calls  particular  attention  to  the  abundance  of  this  species  in  that  region,  and  .says 
tli.it  the  (Jeese  are  usually  seen  either  Hying  in  lines  —  generally  bifurcating  from  a 
point,  but  frecjuently  irregular  —  or  walking  on  the  ground  in  seiudi  of  fooit. 

Mr.  I'eale,  referring  to  this  sjiecies,  states  that  about  the  middle  of  (Jctober  v;!st 
numbers  id' White-fronted  or  liaiighing  (lecse  arrive  in  Oregon  and  California  from 
the  north.  They  are  generally  found  on  moist  prairies,  and  feed  almost  entirely  on 
gra.ss.     None  were  seen  that  were  black  anywhere,  except  in  patidies  on  the  breast. 

Mr.  K.  Aihims,  in  his  Notes  on  the  IMrds  ob.served  on  the  Coast  «)f  Norton  Sound 
("Ibis,"  1H7S),  speaks  of  this  (loose  as  arriving  tli.'re  as  i-arly  as  the  L'.'M  of  .\pvil, 
liut  not  la'comiiig  idiiindant  laitil  the  liist  week  in  Ma}'.     Tlu^y  did  not  congregate 


452 


LAMKI,LIH(»STI{AI.  SWIMMKHS       ANSKUKS. 


ill  large  Hucks,  hut  wure  more  oitcii  im-t  with  singly  or  in  HiniiU  partit's.  A  lew 
rniiaiufd  to  lnved  in  foiiipany  with  the  Hrrnli/n  iili/rintim.  Itiit  hy  tar  thu  greater 
uuiuher  went  tarther  norlii, 

Dr.  il.  ('.  Merrill  nientinns  tliis  s|iecies  as  the  first  to  arrive  in  the  aiitunin  in 
Stmthwestern  Texas,  usually  alMUit  the  first  week  in  Oeldher.  Coniparatively  lew 
reniaineil  throughout  the  winter,  hut  during  the  niigratioiiH  it  was  only  exceeded  in 
nuuiliers  hy  tiie  Snow  (lOose.  In  their  spring  migrations  he  IiaH  seen  tioeku  ut  at 
least  two  hundred  pass  over  Tort  Urown  as  late  as  the  I8th  of  Ajuil. 

J)r.  Cooper  nientutns  it  as  very  ahundant  during  the  wet  season  in  California, 
Honu>  arriving  a.s  early  as  the  seeond  w«-ek  in  Septenil)er,  freciiienting  thu  plains 
ahnost  exeliisively,  rarely  appearing  on  the  sea-shore  or  in  the  water.  Of  all  the 
(Jeese  that  art!  found  in  Califmnia,  this  is  regarded  as  hy  far  the  hest  for  the  tahle ; 
and  near  the  Colundiia  Kiver  it  was  found  a  very  easy  hird  to  shoot.  The  hunter 
eould  walk  in  the  long  grass  where  llie  hinls  were,  and  shoot  them  down  as  they  rose 
Hingly  or  in  [lairs.  In  California  they  are  more  su.spieions  and  wild,  and  it  retpiires 
eonsideral)le  artifice  to  ohtain  a  shot  at  thent.  ThiH  in  dune  hy  nu>anH  of  lirush 
hiding-places,  over  which  they  Hy,  or  hy  driving  an  ox  that  has  heeii  trained  for  the 
purpose  toward  them,  keeping  concealed  Ix'hind  it  until  close  to  the  liirds.  In  this 
way  most  of  these  tJeese  arc  now  shot  f(U'  market. 

Mr.  (Jraysou  nu-'t  with  this  species  on  the  western  coast  of  Mexico,  near  .Ma/atlan. 
where,  from  the  month  of  Septendier  until  Fehruary.  it  occurs  in  considerable  Hocks, 
appearing  to  migrate  up  and  down  the  southern  (Sulf  shores. 

It  is  said  to  feed  (diicHy  on  herries,  ami  is  seldom  seen  on  the  water,  exee]it  at 
night  or  when  moulting.  It  fre«piunts  the  sandy  shores  of  rivers  and  lakes  in  Hocks, 
one  of  their  iiumher  jHTforming  the  duty  of  sentinel.  They  Itreed  in  great  nnndters 
in  Arctic  .\nierica  and  on  the  islands  of  the  I'olar  Sea,  hut  arc  nunc  rarely  seen  on  the 
coast  of  Ihulson's  Hay.  This  hird  migrates  over  the  interior,  and  its  hreeiling-places 
are  always  ch(»Hen  in  the  vicinity  of  woodcil  tracts.  It  passes  north  in  large  Hocks 
at  the  sanu!  time  with,  or  a  little  later  than,  the  Suow  (Joose,  through  the  iuterior  of 
the  Fur  Country  to  the  hreeding-places.  which  are  in  the  woody  districts  skirting  the 
Mackenzie  to  the  north  of  the  sixty-seventh  parallel,  ami  also  to  the  islands  in  the 
Arctic  seas.  The  Indians  imitate  its  call  liy  patting  the  mouth  with  the  hand  while 
they  repeat  the  .syllaiile  un/i.  The  resend)lance  of  the  note  of  this  species  to  the 
laugh  of  a  man  h;us  given  tti  the  hird  the  common  name  of  "Laughing  (Joose." 

Mr.  Ilearne,  in  his  ''.lourney"  (p.  II.'S).  refers  to  this  species  as  the  '•  Laugh'iig 
(loose."  In  si/e,  he  says,  it  is  the  e(pial  of  the  Snow  (loose,  Init  its  skin,  when 
stripped  of  its  feathers,  is  delicately  white,  and  the  Hesh  excellent.  It  visits  Church- 
ill Iviver  ill  very  small  niimhers  ;  hut  about  two  hundred  miles  to  the  northwest  ol 

tliiit  Hiver  he  has  .seen  it  fly  in  large  Hocks,  like  th )mmon  .Snow  (loose.     Near 

Cumberland  House  and  It:is(pii,an  this  bird  is  found  in  such  numbers  that  the  Indians, 
in  the  moonlight,  fretpiently  kill  upwards  of  twenty  at  a  shot.  Like  the  "  II(Uiieil 
Wavpy"  (.Itisfr  It'iissi),  it  never  Hies  with  the  lesid  of  the  shore,  hut  is  always  seen 
arriving  froih  the,  westward.  The  general  briM'ding-pl.aces  of  this  sjM'cies  were  not 
known  to  .Mr.  Ilnarne,  although  a  few  of  their  eggs  had  Imhmi  occasionally  found  north 
of  Churchill  River,  (^iptain  TUakiston  speaks  of  this  (loose  as  being  a  couuuou  hiril 
on  the  Saskatchewan  in  the  spring  and  .autumn,  especially  in  th(i  latter  season,  when 
it  is  found  in  immense  nnmlK-rs.  Mr.  Koss  also  found  it  abundant  on  tlui  Mackenzie, 
as  far  north  as  the  Arctic,  coast.  The  marshy  country  l)ordering  the  lower  parts  oi 
the  S.xskatchewan  River,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Cumlmrland,  is  a  great  resoi  i 
of  this  species. 


ANSKIUN.K  —  THK  (JKESK      ANSKK. 


453 


Ai'curdiiiK  tu  Mr.  (i.  liunistoii,  the  l^aiiK'liin^'  (toosr  is  scliloiu  simmi  in  th«'  Huuthfin 
portion  of  lluiUon's  Hiiy.  At  Fort  Wnk  it  is  less  rare,  and  at  Fort  Cluinhill  (iiiit« 
ainuulunt.  lit-  rt'gurds  it  uh  h-iug  mi  inlial)itant  ol  Cmtraland  Wi-HtiTii  Anii'ricii 
in  till-  winter  months,  rather  than  of  the  *  astern  side.  Tlieret'ore  in  its  |iro^'ress 
nortiiward  it  strikes  npon  the  roast  westward  ol'  iJanies  Hay,  where  it  is  seliKini  seen. 
On  the  Lower  (.'ohindna  and  in  Ore^'on,  or  in  tin*  Wilhunette  VaUey,  it  alMinnds  with 
otlier  wihl  towl,  when,  as  frequently  happen.s,  the  winter  is  niihl  and  there  is  no 
snow  on  the  i;round.     It  is  ini  liuh-d  by  llolholl  anion^  tlie  birds  of  (ireenhmd. 

Mr.  Au(hd>on  states  that  ibirin^'  his  resiih'iiee  in  Kentucky  not  a  winter  [las.sed 
witliont  his  notiein^  a  hir^e  nundter  of  tlies«'  birds,  und  says  tliat  thuy  uru  frt>- 
([uently  olfered  for  .sah'  at  that  .season  in  the  market  of  New  Orleans.  From  tlio 
imndM-rs  seen  hij,di  on  the  Arkansas  IJiver.  he  presumed  that  many  winter  beyond 
the  southern  limits  of  the  Initeil  States.  In  Kentuiky  Itirils  of  this  speeies  >,'>'ner- 
ally  arrive  before  the  Canada  (loo.se,  betaking,'  themselves  to  the  (,'rassy  jioiids;  and 
of  the  dilTerent  (Jeese  which  visit  that  country,  these  are  by  far  the  least  shy.  The 
liocks  selilom  exceed  from  thirty  to  lil>y  imiividuals.  The  flight  of  this  l)inl  is  linn 
and  well-sustained,  and  re.senddes  that  td"  Hirnlihi  ruHitdvims.  In  its  nu),'ratit)ns  it 
pa.s.ses  at  a  considerable  height,  arraiigL-d  in  a  Hock  of  an  angular  shape,  an  old  CSander 
leading.  ( )n  the  ground  it  walks  with  ea.se,  and  when  wounded  runs  with  considerable 
speed.  While  in  Kentui-ky  it  feeds  on  iM'echnuts  and  acorn.s,  and  gleans  in  the  eorn- 
tields  for  grains  of  mai/e.  It  also  nibbles  young  grain  and  blades  of  grass.  In  its 
stomueh  the  broken  shells  <d'  snails  are  al.so  found.  It  leaves  Kentucky  a  fortnight 
sooner  tlum  the  Canada  (loose,  starting  at  tlu>  .same  time  with  the  Snow  (ioose ;  but 
the  two  speeies  do  not  nungle  with  each  other. 

Mr.  Dall  mentions  linding  the  White-fronted  (loose  extreim'ly  eonimon  in  Alaska. 
It  arrives  at  Nidato  about  May  (>th  to  lOth,  and  breeds  all  along  the  river  gregar- 
iously, laying  from  six  to  ten  eggs  in  a  depression  in  the  sand,  without  any  kind  of 
nest  or  liidng.  lie  found  its  eggs  all  along  the  rivi-r,  from  Fort  Yukon  to  the  sea. 
and  thence  to  St.  .Michael's.  The  Indian  name  of  the  bird  is  Tut»itn<ilt.  Air.  Itannis- 
ter  speaks  of  it  as  one  «d  the  first  of  the  (Jeese  to  arrive  in  the  spring,  when  it  .soon 
beeiuni's  aliumlant.  He  found  it  nesting  on  Stuart's  Island,  ami  probably  also  on 
St.  Michatd's. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  found  this  speeies  breeding  abuiulantly  on  the  Lower  Andei.ion 
Itiver,  on  the  Arctic  coast,  and  among  the  islands  in  the  Arctic  Sea.  He  has  fur- 
idshed  notes  as  to  their  nesting,  and  fnun  these  it  ,'ippears  that  the  maximum  luindier 
of  eggs  is  seven,  and  that  in  nearly  every  instance  observed  iiy  him  the  eggs  wt  re 
not  de|iosit<'d  in  a  nu-re  depression  without  lining.  Imt  that  there  was  a  plentiful 
supply  of  hay,  down,  and  feathers,  although  in  some  instances  this  liidng  was  moro 
scanty  than  in  others.  The  eggs  were  found  in  June  and  duly.  Those  obtained  ati 
late  as  June  L'O  usually  contained  large  endtryos,  but  in  a  few  instances  they  wen; 
found  to  be  fresh  as  hit»*  as  .luly  (>.  When  the  nest  was  approached  the  pan-iit  bird 
would  exhibit  signs  of  fear,  (lying  off  without  noi.se  at  a  low  elevation.  Mr.  Mac- 
Farlane found  this  bird  breeding  aliout  the  Lower  Anilerson  IJiver,  in  the  vicinity  of 
fresh-water  lakes.  The  nests  weie  generally  in  N.ooded  districts,  and  were  u  mere 
dei)ression  in  the  ground,  but  W(dl  lined  with  feathers  and  down. 

The  White-fronti'd  Cihisc  was  also  taken  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Uosolution 
by  Mr.  Ki-nnicott.  May  L'l  and  L'(l.  ISOO. 

Dr.  Ilerlandier's  manuscript  notes  seem  to  show  that  this  (roose,  in  the  winter, 
inhabits  only  the  wooded  marshes  formed  by  the  overflowing  of  the  liio  Uravo  dtd 
Xo'te,  in  the  vicinity  id'  Matamoras. 


454 


I,.\Mi;i,LII!t)STKAL  SWIMMKIIS  -  AVSKUIX 


Till'  t'KK^  (if  tluM  H|M'ci«'8,  ill  hIiuim'  anil  K*'»i'ral  iip|M-uriui(H>,  urc  iiiuliNtiii({ui.sliulili> 
fruiii  tliDsc  lit  till'  Snow  (iuuHu.  'Vlwy  un*  uf  a  iinifiirni  ilull-whiti)  culor,  iinil  nifUMure 
nbuut  '.'.MU  by  l'.(Ml  ini^lifH. 


(iKM  H  BERNICLA,  Stki'Iikns. 

fiiniii-li,  Stki'IIKN^,  <1"Ii.  /"Nil.  Xll.  ii.  IH'JI,  l.'>  (ty|>i',  Amii  lurniiln,  I. inn.). 
LiUcttfHtniti,  l{i:iri|.  MvhI.  .\v.  iH.'iU,  |i|.  ix.  (\\\>v,  .Inmr  Icuenimii,  UKciiNr. ). 
LiiicMi-fihiirim,  Haiiii>,  B.  N.  Am.  \HM,  7iS'(  (ty|ie,  Amu  enunileiiiii,  I.i.nn,). 

Willi  iiiiirli  tlif  MiiiK-  t'lit'tii  tliriiii;{liout  a*  ihv  it\<fv'um  of  Aiin't,  tlioHc  liclciiit^iiiK  to  the  ^I'liiix 
lliTiiii-lii  all'  tlixtiii^'iii^lit'il  liv  till'  <liii'k<'i'  |iliiiiiut{(',  wiili  tlif  liiail  ami  iicck  tiiii'lly  liLick,  ami 
the  dill  ami  fcft  I'litiivlv  ilf('|i  lilmk,  at  all  ap->«.  All  llic  kMowii  i>|iucit'>i  iif  IkntUlii  (an  ihojiltIv 
n-Htiirti'il)  iH'i'ur  ill  North  Aiiitiiin,  ami  may  In'  dvliiiLtl  a^  IkIIowm  :  — 


r/r/( 


'-■/i-.   .17 


it.  cauailfutii. 


\.  Huatl  mill  iii'ck  hlack,  with  u  wniiuwhat  triaii;,'iilar  |Kilrh  <>!'  wliiti'  mi  I'lii'li  chfok,  UHiially  con- 
flmiil  iimli'iiii'Ulh  till'  liiail,  Imt  Hnuuliiiic^  M|iaralt<l  liy  a  lilaik  Hlii|n'  or  "inlhiiui«" 
aloii;,'  tlif  tliio.it  ;  ill  Hdiiic  Mitc'riinfii.-t  It  wliitf  lollar  aioiiml  the  lower  in'ck. 
1.  B.  cauadenaiB.  Tail-l'.atliLTH  I » to  -20  iiuIu-h  ;  wiiii,',  i:J.(ki-2l.(Hi ;  luliiii-ii,  .1).')--J.70  ;  tar- 
Hus, :!.  |(i-;j.7<» ;  iiiiilillf  luf,  I  hi»-:1.1<i.  Tail,  riiinp.  ami  iiriiiiaricx  liinwiiisli  Mark  ;  ujiih  i 
tail-covirtH,  iris-<iiiii,  ami  aiml  ii';;ioii  wliilf  ;  n>t  »f  llif  i>lniiiat,'i.'  (,'ra_vi'<li  Imowii,  lij,'litti 
Im'Iow,  till'  fi'athin*  li|>|Hfil  with  jmiIit    ffitii.  Whole  of  North  Aiiu-rica,  nouth  to  Mexico. 

B.    Huuil,  iii't'k,  ami  .jii'.;iiliiiii  Mark,  th<-  iiii<lilli-  <>r  the  iiuck  with  a  while  |Niteh  on  uai:h  Hiili',  or  a 

Wiilit  t'.illhir  of  the  Millie,  illlerrU|>teil  l»'hili<l. 


AXSKKIN.F, -TIIK  ('.KKSK  -  IHIKNICLA. 


455 


8.  B.  bcrnlola  Witi^,  l:j  :t(>-i:|iMi  imlicH  ;  cnlmpn,  1.20-l.AO;  inrHiiH,  2.|(U2.(u;  iiiHi|l<- tm- 
1.7*^2.1(1.  Wliitf  of  tliu  iit'i'k  I'liiiliiM'il  t(i  two  liiuki'ti  ("trt'iiki'il)  luitrlicN  dd  ciu'li  Nidc, 
AliiiVf,  lii'iiwiii-li  ;^'i'ity,  tlnr  rratliri-  iiiiiTuwly  li|i|i<'i|  with  );i'iiyir<li  white  ;  \viii^-riiviTt'« 
iii'iirlv  iiiiirnriii,  innri'  Miii^h  /luy  ;  iriiii^;c-,  niiii|>,  iiiiililli'  iiii|«  r  lail-i'iivi>rl^<,  iiihI  icitiitin, 
lii'iiwiii-'li  lihirk;  tcriiihiiil  mill  hitciiil  ii|>|>('i'  I'lil-covcil^,  iriT»uiii,  and  iiiiiil  ri'^'inn  whili* ; 
lowrr  iiai'tt  |iah'  Kiuy,  Ihi'  IValluii  li|i|ii'il  willi  ^'I'ayi^h  while,  aliiu|>lly  aii<l  xtiiiii^ly  rnii- 
tni'tteil  with  llie  lilai'k  nl  the  jiix<iliiiii,  iiii>l  laihiiK  iii^eir^ilily  iiiti)  the  while  nl'  the  anal 
r<-.;iiiii.     Null.  Sea-i'iia.'<l'*  III   Kiii'ii|ie  ainl  Ka-ieni  Noith  Anuiira  ;  rare  inlaiiil. 

3.  B.  nlBTiouia.    \Vin><,  IJ.70-i;|.'iii  inches  ;  i  uliiieii,  I.J<^l.a<'i;  lai'xiit,  2.;i(>-:2.rMi;  miihlle  Iim>, 

l.Hii-2.INI.     Wliite  III'  the  iieek  I'liMiiiti;;  aiii»liiii'l  enllai',  iiiterrii|)tcil  only  iH'liiinl.    AIhivv, 

nearly  linirnriil  dark  snnly  liinun  ;   tail-rnverl'*,  eir  ,  wliite,  and  ri'tni;;!'.^,  ell'.,  lilai'k,  aH  ill 

//.  hiriitii ;  Inwer  part'*  dark  ^mity  |iliinilieiiii'<  (inurli  like  the  ii|i|M'r  jNirtH  in  lii''iilii)>  nearly 
i\»  dark  ah,  Init  ul>rii|itly  detineil  a<.;Miiixl,  the  lilai  k  of  the  ju^tiliiiii,  uh  widl  a-<  the  white  of 
the  rris'Oini  ;  feallieiN  nf  the  Hidi'.H  and  Hanks  ti|i|ied  uith  ;,'rayish  wliite.  Ilnli.  Western 
distrirls  of  All t ic  Ainericii,  south  in  winter  to  Lower  ('aliluiiiia;  ucuideiital  on  Alluntic 

CIHUtt. 

C<    Head  mostly  white,  the  lores,  iH<'i|iut,  neek,  and  jiitiulnni  Mark. 

4.  B.  leuoopsia.    \Viii;<,  I  I.!Mi-I(I,!Mi  in<  In^  ;  <  nlineii,  l.li)  |.4n  ;  tai^iiH,  -J  A<)-3,ini  ;    niiddh! 

tiH',  l.!Mi--J.|t).  Alinve,  silvery  ^'tay,  the  h-alhei's  marked  with  a  liroail  liuliterminal  har 
of  lilaek  and  narrow  tip  of  while  ;  renii;;es,  rump,  ami  tail  Maik  ;  upper  liiil-i'ii\erts,  anal 
i'e;{ioii,  and  erissiim  while  ;  lower  partM  urayisli  while,  darker  nii  the  sides  and  llankH. 
IJith.  .**eii-i'oasts  iif  .Nortliern  Kiimpe,  hut  onasioiial  almiK  Atlaiiliu  cotwl  of  North  Aiueriea 
(Hudson's  llay,  Lon^;  Island,  Curriliiek  Sound,  N.  C,  etc.). 


Bernida  canadenaia. 

a.  Caiiadenils.    THE  OAKADA  OOOII. 

ylims  fn)i<iil>n.>,i\  I.inn.  S.  N.  I.  \7M,  lUS.  -  Wll.s.  Am.  Hm.  VIII.  IHH,  .'i2.  pi.  rt7,  f.  4, 

yf;i.w/-  mi„iilnis,„,    Vll.ll.l.    Klir.    .Melli.   l.S-.'ll,    I  1  ».        Hw.  &    l!|i  II.    F.   H.  A.   II.    1.>>.I1,    »tiN,         XlTT. 

.Mail,  II.  \K\\,  MV.  -Ai'i>.  Orii,  IUdk.  III.  1895,  1;  V,  1831),  «)07,  pi,  <JU1;  Synop.  1831),  270; 

l».  Am.  Vl.is»;i,  17H,  pi.  :i7<l. 
Ittrniflii  ,<iitiiil.,isi.i,   lloih.   Isis,  182n,  021.       llAlttii,   II.  N.  Am.  IS.'iS,  xlix.  'di  ;  <'itt.  N.  Am.  II. 

1850,  no.  607.  —  KiiHiw.   Num.   N.  Am.  II.  \SH\,  no.  61)4, —  tor Icn,  Chiuk   List,  2d  cd,  1882, 

nn.  702, 
Brtiiiln  ,-iiHitil.nm\  n.\NMt*T,  I'r.  Ae.  Nnl.  Sei.  Philiul.  IH't),  131,— Coiks,  Key,  1872,  283  ;  Cheek 

List,  1H7:i,  iiM.  W,  ;  llinls  \.  W.  1S74,  .'i.'i4. 
XBtriucla  J{:iniitli>,i,,  Unss,  (aimd.  Nat.  VII.  Apr.  If^tfj,  l.Vi. 


fi.  OooidentalUi.    THB   WE8TEBN   CNKMI. 

Bfmieln  itiviihnl'ilis,  Haiiih,  II.  N.  Am.  \s:,x,  7im  (in  tixt);  Cut.  N.  Ai'     "    IS.IO,  no.  Mia. 
Hii-niela  ctimulinHiii,  viir.  iHCiiiitttalin,  Daii,.  &  Kanmni-.  Tr.  Cliiiiif{o  Aim      i.  1»«I),  2D.'i, 
Btrnielii  ritniiAfnuin  iwcidiitlalis,  Itiiniw.  I'r.  I".  •><.   Nut.  Mus.  Vol.  3,  1880,  203;   Xom.  N.  Am.  II. 
1881,  nu.  &04  c. 

y.  Hutobinal.    HUTORIXS'S  OOOaS, 

Ami!>  hcrnieln,  var.  ft.  I!li  n.  App.  I'any's  Vnj,'.  ;itiM. 

Ainur  nulihiiim,  Sw.  &  I!n  it.   V.  II.  A.  II.  1831,  470.  —  Xutt.   .Man.  II.  1«34,  302. —  Orn.  IVwu. 

III.  18.i-,,  -J-Jtl,  ).l.  277  ;  .'^.vimp.  18:i!),  271  :  B.  Am.  Vl.  1843,  1!i8.  pi,  377. 
Beniiihi  llHlfhiiisi,  Wooim.  Silxr.  Kxp.  18.'i3,  1o2.  -  Ramid,  H.  N.  Am.  1858,  pii.  xlix.  7<I<1 ;  Cut. 

N.  Am.  II.  18.V.),  Ml).  .111!). 
nranUi  lliihhinsi,  IIanmsi.  I'r.  Ae.  Nut.  .%i.  I'liilail.  1870.  131. 
Itrnntit  oiiKiilniiiiM,  var.  /(iilcliiHui,  Cori'.s,  Key,  1872,  284. 
ttrinita  oinailfnuis,  i:  lluh-hinxi,  CorRn,  II.  N.  W.  1871,  554, 
Bfniieln  cnnailmnh  llnleliiiisi,  Kiiiow.  Pr.  I'.  S  Nat.  Mas.  Vol.  3,  1880,  203  ;  Norn.  N.  Am.  B.  1881, 

no.  604 1«.  — CoiKs,  Cheek  List,  2d  fil.  1882,  no.  7o4. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


i^/  ",-:^, 

^ 


C    <i'.% 


7, 


1.0 


I.I 


1^  jm    |2.5 

|5C     ^^"       H^H 

1^  1^    12.2 
145    i|2.0 


1.8 


1.25  i  1.4 


<% 


y] 


V 


/. 


'/ 


^   4!^' 


'V- 


'  '    ^   ' — -r  ■    ^^^T^"T7r-P-^^y^^"i-  ^^?>*'j'> 


M 


.iij»v'"iie'*^jii^_i*ji<i  IT.-" 


466 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


B.  Leucopareia.    THE  WHITE-CHEEKED   GOOSE. 

Anscr  canadensis,  Pall.  Zoog.  It.-A.  II.  1826,  230  (iiec  Li.n.n.). 

Anscr  hucoparcitis,  BhANiir,  Bull.  Sc  \v.  St.  Petersl).  I.  1836,  37. 

Bernicla  leiicoparrin,  Cass.  Illustr.  B.  Ciil.  Te.\.  etc.  1853,  272,  pi.  45.  —  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  1858, 

xllx.  765  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  568. 
Branta  canadensis,  var.  Icucnparcia,  Col'KS,  Key,  1872,  284  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  485  (i. 
Branta  canadensis,  b.  leucopareia,  Col'K.s,  B.  N.  W.  1874,  554. 
Bernicla  canadensis  Icucoparin,  Hidgw.  Pr.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  3, 1880,  203  ;  Nora.  N.  Am.  B.  1882, 

no.  594  6.  —CouES,  Check  List.  2il  ed.  1882,  no.  703  (iiait). 

Hab.  01'  canadensis  proper,  temiHTiite  Nortli  America  in  general,  breeding  in  the  United 
Sttite.s  and  British  Provinces  ;  casual  in  Europe  ;  occidcntalis,  the  northwest  coast  (California  to 
Sitka)  ;  Ilutchinsi,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  districts,  migrating  south,  chiefly  through  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley  and  westward  ;  leucopareia,  Pacific  coast  chiefly,  breeding  along  the  coast  of  Alaska, 
but  frequently  straying  inland  during  migrations. 

Sp.  Char.  Adnlt :  Head  .and  neck  deep  black,  the  former  with  a  white  patch  covering  the 
throat  and  extending  up  over  the  cheeks  to  Ijeliind  the  eyes,  growing  gradually  narrower  above, 
the  upper  outline  usually  more  or  less  truncated,  tliis  white  patch,  however,  sometimes  interrupted 
on  the  throat  by  a  narrow  black  strijie  or  isthmus.  Very  rarely,  u  broad  white  band,  more  or  less 
distinctly  indicated,  crosses  the  forehead  between  the  eyes.  Black  of  neck  fretiuently  bordered 
below  by  a  white  collar,  more  or  less  distinct.  U[)per  surface  grayish  brown,  varying  from  almost 
cinereous  to  umber,  each  leather  bordered  terminally  by  a  i)aler  shade  ;  lower  parts  with  the  ex- 
posed surface  of  about  the  .same  shade  as  the  tips  of  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts,  the  concealed 
portion  of  the  feathers  of  the  shade  of  the  j)rovailing  color  above  —  this  much  exposed  .along  the 
sides  anil  on  the  flanks.  Primaries  and  their  coverts  pl.ain  dusky,  the  former  growing  nearly  black 
terminally.  An.il  region,  crissum,  and  lower  tail-coverts  immaculate  pure  white.  Tail  plain  deep 
black;  rump  plain  blackish  slate.  Bill  and  feet  deep  black.  Young:  Similar  to  the  .adult,  but 
the  colors  duller,  the  markings  less  sharjily  defined  ;  black  of  the  neck  passing  gradually  below 
into  the  grayish  of  the  juguluni ;  white  cheek  p.atches  usually  finely  speckled  with  dusky  ;  light- 
colored  tips  to  the  contour-feathers  broader.  Downy  youmj  :  Above,  including  an  occipit.al  patch, 
golden  olive-green  ;  beneath,  pale-greenish  ochre,  the  head  rather  deeper. 

Total  length,  about  20  to  upw.ards  of  40  inches  ;  wing,  13.60-21. (K) ;  culmen,  .95-2.70  ;  depth 
of  maxilla  at  base,  .60-1.20;  width,  .52-1.20;  tarsus,  2.10-3.70;  middle  toe,  1.80-3.40.  Tail- 
feathera,  13  to  20. 

If,  as  seems  to  be  the  case,  all  the  North  American  Wild  Geese  similar  to  Bernicla  canadensis  in 
color  are  of  one  species,  there  is  probably  no  feral  bird  and  few  domesticated  kinds,  which  vary  to 
such  great  extremes  of  size.  A  series  of  upwards  of  fifty  specimens,  carefully  measured  at  the  same 
time,  gives  the  above  results,  the  variation  amounting  to  the  following  percentums  of  the  maxi- 
mum measurements,  only  adult  birds  being  measured  :  Wing,  35.24  per  cent ;  culmen,  64.81  per 
cent ;  tars\is,  43.25  per  cent  ;  middle  toe,  47.06  per  cent. 

The  only  character  which  seems  to  approach  constancy  is  the  number  of  tail-feathers,  the  smaller 
specimens  usually  possessing  13  or  14  to  16,  and  the  larger  18  to  20  ;  but  the  number  varies  with 
the  individual,  some  examples,  referable  to  Hutchiiisi  on  account  of  size,  possessing  18  or  more, 
and  vice  versa.  After  a  very  careful  consideration  of  all  the  facts  involved,  we  feel  constrained  to 
look  upon  all  the  North  American  Wild  Geese  resemliling  li.  canadensis  in  coloration  as  if  one  spe- 
cies, no  matter  what  their  size  may  be,  it  being  scarcely  possible  to  define  the  line  between  even 
geographical  races.  The  following,  however,  is  an  attempt  at  a  subdivision  of  the  species  such  as 
seems  warranted  by  the  material  in  hand  ;  but  it  may  be  premised  that  examples  not  infrequently 
occur  which  are  as  properly  referable  to  one  as  to  the  other :  — 


A.   Tail-feathers  usually  18  to  20  ;  size  usually  large. 

1.  Canadensis.  Lower  parts  mu(!h  i)aler  tluan  the  upper,  the  light  brownish  gray  some- 
times fading  gradually  into  the  white  of  the  anal  region  ;  white  cheek-patches  usuallj 
confluent  on  the  throat,  and  white  collar  round  lower  neck  in  the  winter  plumage  very 
indistinct  or  obsolete  on  account  of  the  light  color  of  the  jugulum.    Wing,  15.60-21.00 


fr 


ANSERIN.E  —  THE  flEESE  —  BERNICLA. 


457 


Am.  1858, 


m.  B.  1882, 


the  United 
[xUfomia  to 
the  Missis- 
;  of  Alaska, 

avering  the 
nver  above, 
iuternipted 
iiore  or  less 
ly  bordered 
from  almost 
k-ilh  the  ex- 
ile concealed 
ed  along  the 
nearly  black 
il  plain  deep 
le  adult,  luit 
lually  below 
Lisky  ;  light- 
ipital  patch, 

2.70  ;  depth 
■3.40.     Tail- 

nadcnsis  in 

lich  vary  to 

at  the  same 

of  the  maxi- 

eu,  64.81  per 

the  smaller 
varies  with 
18  or  more, 
jnstrained  to 
s  ■>{  one  spe- 
letween  even 
ecies  such  as 
infrequently 


gray  some- 
;che9  usually 
ilumnge  very 
,  15.60-21.00 


inches  ;  culmen,  l.r),")-2.70  ;  depth  of  mandible  at  base,  .80-1.20  ;  width,  .7')-!, 20  ;  tar- 
.sus,  2.45-3.70  ;  miildle  toe,  2.2r)-;5.;50.  (Ten  specimens  measured.)  Hub.  United  States 
generally,  and  Hiitisli  Provinces,  breeding  cliielly  north  of  40°. 

2.  Occidentalis.     Whole  ])luniage  more  biowu  than  in  camuLimis,  the  lower  parts  onlv 

slightly  paler  than  the  upper,  the  deep  brown  of  the  abdomen  contrasted  abruptly  witli 
the  white  of  the  anal  region  ;  white  cheek-patches  fre(iuently  separated  by  a  black  tlnoat- 
stripe,  and  white  collar  round  lower  neck  usually  very  distinct  in  winter  plumage.  Wing, 
1(5.25-18. 00  inches;  culmen,  1.40-1.()5;  depth  of  maxilla  at  base,  .80-.!)5  ;  width,  .70- 
1.00  ;  tarsus,  3.or)-3.25  ;  middle  toe,  2.50-2.7").  (Two  s[>ecimens  measured.)  JJuh. 
Northwest  coast,  south  to  California  in  winter;  north  to  Sitka. 
B.   Tail-feathers  usually  13  to  16  ;  size  usually  .small. 

3.  Hutchinsi.     E.xactly  like   canadcnsk  in  plumage,  but  averaging   slightly  darker;   size 

smaller.  Wing,  14.75-17.75  inches  ;  culmen,  1.20-1.90;  depth  of  maxilla  at  b.isc,  .70- 
1.00;  width,  .60-.85  ;  tarsus,  2.25-3.20 ;  middle  toe,  2.05-2.80.  (Seventeen  specimens 
measured.)  Jftth.  Breeding  in  the  Arctic  Eegion.s,  migrating  south  in  winter,  chiefly 
through  the  Western  United  States  and  Mississippi  Valley. 

4.  Leucopareia.     Exactly  like  occiikntalis  in  colors,  but   averaging  still  darker,  the  size 

much  smaller.  Wing,  13.(iO-l().35  inches;  culmen,  .95-1.35  ;  depth  of  maxilla  at  base, 
.60-.7.5;  width,  ..52-70  ;  tarsus,  2.10-3.10  ;  middle  toe,  1.80-2.4,5.  (Ten  specimens  meas- 
uied.)  Huh.  Breeding  in  the  Western  Arctic  llegiuns  (coast  of  Alaska,  etc.),  migrating 
Southward  into  AVestern  United  States,  though  occasionally  .straying  eastward  to  the 
Mississippi  Valley. 

It  is  barely  possible  that  the  several  forms  defined  above  reallj^  represent  as  many  distinct 
species,  and  the  intermediate  specimens  which  occur  are  the  result  of  extensive  hybridization  ;  or 
there   may  be   two  species,  a  larger 
and  smaller  (B.  canadensis  and  B. 
nntchinsi),  distinguished   al.so   by  a 
difference  in  the  number  of  rectrice.s, 
and   each   having   a   darker  western 
representative   race.     Indeed  we  are 
inclined  to  regard  the  latter  view  with 
considerable  favor.     At  present,  how- 
ever, we  can  do  no  more  than  to  de- 
scribe each  form  in  detail,  and  present 
the  history  of  each  as  known  at  the  i, 

present  tinie.^  /  IV 


n.  canadensis.  —  The  Large  Can- 
ada Goose. 

Adult  (No.  10402,  Salt  Lake,  Utah  ; 
Captain  Stansburv)  :  Size  very  large, 
the  bill  lengthened  and  depressed, 
the  lower  jiarts  pale  gray  in  c(dor, 
fading  insensibly  into  (he  white  of  the 
anal  region.  White  gular  patch  im- 
macidate.  Wing,  20.00  inches  ;  cul- 
men, 2.10;  tarsus,  3.30;  middle  toe,  ^1-  canadensis. 
3.20.     Tail-feather.s,  17. 

1  Since  the  above  was  written  many  additional  specimens  of  11.  hucopanh  Imve  l.oen  received  nt 
the  National  Mn.seun,.  These  arc  so  uniforn,  in  all  their  charncto,-s  as  to  leave  no  ,l,,ul.t  n.  n,y  nn.u 
that  the  species  is  distiu.t  fron.  B.  canndcnsi...  The  relationship  of /A  IMchin.i  is  st.il  uncertam,  but 
the  probabilitv  is  that  it  represents  a  lighter-clored  inland  race  of  U„co,,„rna :  thoa«li  on  he  other  hand, 
it  may  k-  a  small  northern  forn,  of  cmutd^^ms,  bearing  the  snuie  relation  to  the  latter  that  Ona,  cam,, 
dcnm'.i  does  to  G.  mexkana.  —  U.  11. 

vui,.  I.  —  rjS 


.'■v=»fr:TiB-f»'. 


458 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  -  ANSERES. 


1 

1 
1 

Tbe  specimen  described  above  is  an  iivevn{,'e  representative  of  the  typical  form  of  Bemicla  cana- 
deusis,  known  to  hunters  usually  as  the  "  B\<^  Wild  Goose."  The  distribution  of  this  form  is  some- 
what uncertain,  but  it  apparently  prevails  in  the  region  around  Hudson's  Bay,  and  the  United 
States  generally,  breeding  as  far  Kuuth  at  I'ast  as  the  parallel  of  4CP,  but  now  rare,  except  during 
the  migrations,  east  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

Two  specimens  in  the  collection  (Nos.  20116,  Fort  Simpson,  May,  1860;  P..  R.  Ross  — "7J. 
Bamstonii"  on  original  label— and  53691,  Truckee  Meadows  Ntv.,  Nov.  5, 1867  ;  R.  Ridgwav) 
have  a  well-defined  band  across  the  forehead,  between  the  eyes,  of  speckled  white  and  dusky.  A 
specimen  fornufrly  in  the  collection,  but  destroyed  by  insects,  somewhere  from  tlie  high  north,  had 
this  band  unspotted  white  !  No.  0954,  Rio  Rita  Laguna,  New  Mexico,  has  the  entire  lower  ports 
stained  with  reddish  ochraceous,  this  being  i)erhaps  merely  a  discoloration  from  contact  with  ferru- 
ginous clay.  Among  the  variations'  of  this  large  race  of  the  Canada  Goose  are  perhaps  to  be  ranged 
the  Umncla  leucolwmn,  or  Wliite-frilled  Goose  of  Murray,  and  the  B.  Barnstoni,  or  Barnston's  Goose 
of  Ross,  descriptions  of  which  are  given  fartlier  on  (see  p.  461)). 

/3.  occiden talis.  —  Lakuer  White-cheeked  Goose. 

Adult  (No.  5994,  Port  To wnsend,  Washington  Territory  ;  Dr.  Suckley)  :  Throat  speckled  with 
black  medially,  indicating  an  isthnms,  not  complete  enough,  however,  to  separate  the  white  of  the 
opposite  cheeks  ;  black  of  the  neck  bordered  below  and  in  front  by  a  collar  of  pure  white,  abruptly 

defined  against  the  dark  grayish  brown  of  the 
jugulum.  Plumage  generally,  dark  grayish 
umber,  the  paler  terminal  borders  to  the  feath- 
ers very  inconspicuous,  the  lower  parts  scarcely 
paler  than  the  upper,  and  abruptly  defined 
against  the  pure  white  of  the  cris.uim.  Wing, 
18.(»(>  inches  ;  culnien,  1.65  ;  tareus,  3.05  ; 
middle  toe,  2.75.     Tail-feathers,  18. 

No.  66615,  Puget  Sound,  Dr.  Kenneria', 
dilfers  in  lacking  the  white  collar;  No.  46228, 
Sitka,  May,  1866,  F.  BibCHorF,  is  like  the  last, 
liut  jireserves  a  trace  of  the  wh.ite  collar.  No. 
23238,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  April,  1861,  F.  Gru- 
BER,  is  considerably  smaller,  measuring,  wing, 
16.25  inches  ;  culnien,  1.40  ;  tarsus,  3.25  ;  and 
middle  toe,  2..'j0.  In  coloration  it  is  quite  pe- 
culiar :  the  very  broad  and  c(jntinuous  white 
collar  extends  entirely  around  the  neck,  though 
it  is  somewhat  interrui)ted  beliind  ;  while  be- 
low, it  is  bordered  by  a  very  dark-brown  collar, 
which  is  nearly  black  at  the  edge  of  the  white, 
but  fading  off  gradually  into  the  ash  of  the 
jugulum,  which  is  considerably  paler  than  in  the 
foregoing  examples.     The  feathers  of  the  neck  all  api)ear  to  be  white  below  the  surface. 

As  in  the  leucopareia,  the  seasonal  differences  of  plumage  are  well  marked  in  this  race.  The 
white  collar  belongs  only  to  fall  and  winter  birds,  in  which  the  brown  tints  are  darker  and  more 
of  an  umber  cast.  As  spring  advances,  tiie  white  gradually  disappears,  and  in  midsummer  is 
entirely  obsolete,  this  chanyc  taking  place  without  moulting  of  the  feathers. 

y.  Hutohinsi.  —  Hutchins'b  Ooose. 

Adult  (No.  49829,  $ ,  Nulato,  Lower  Yukon,  Alaska,  May  9,  1867  ;  W.  H.  Dall)  :  Exactly 
like  typical  canadensis  in  colors.  Wing,  16.35  inches  ;  culmen,  1.20 ;  tarsus,  2.90  ;  middle  toe, 
2.10.     Tail  feathers,  15. 

In  a  large  series  of  specimens,  the  following  variations  are  noted  :  The  ashy  beneath  varies  from 
the  pule  tint  of  canadensis  to  the  dark  tihades  of  leucopareia  and  occideutalin,  but  is  usually  about 


S.  Uutchinsii. 


ANSERIN.E  —  THE  GEESE  —  BERXICLA. 


459 


■nicla  cana- 
'111  is  soiiie- 
the  United 
L'L'pt  duriiii,' 

{OSS  — "  n. 

Ridgway) 
dusky.  A 
1  north,  bad 
lower  ports 
with  furru- 
,0  be  ranged 
ston's  Goose 


)eckled  with 
white  of  the 
ite,  '.ibruptly 
i-own  of  the 
irk  grayish 
;()  the  feath- 
u'ts  scarcely 
)tly  defined 
iini.  Wing, 
rsus,    3.05  ; 

Kennerly, 

;  No.  4C228, 

ke  the  last, 

collar.    No. 

m,  p.  Gru- 

uring,  wing, 
3.25  ;  and 
is  (piite  pe- 
iiioiis  white 
leck,  though 
while  be- 
)rown  collar, 
)f  the  white, 
ash  of  the 
than  in  the 

s  race.  The 
;er  and  more 
idsuiumer  is 


l)  :  Exactly 
middle  toe, 

varies  from 
sually  about 


intermediate  between  the  two  extremes  ;  the  white  collar  round  tlie  neck,  at  the  lower  edge  of 
the  black,  is  seen  only  in  nutumnal  or  winter  specimens.  Tiie  white  of  the  head  is  usually  un- 
inteiTupted  on  the  throat,  even  in  very  dark-plumaged  examples,  but  occasionally  separated  into 
two  patches  by  a  black  throat-stripe,  as  in  Icumparna  and  occiiJcnlaUn,  tlie  plumage  otherwise  being 
light  colored. 

fi.  leucopareia.  —  Little  White-cheeked  Goose. 

Adult  (No.  62526,  $  ad.,  St.  Paul's  Island,  Alaska,  May  14,  1872 ;  II.  W.  Elliott)  :  Throat 
with  a  black  "  isthmus  "  .75  of  an  inch  broad,  separating  widely  the  white  cheek-patches.  A  distinct 
wliite  collar  between  the  black  of  the  neck  and  dark  brownish  gray  of  the  juguluni,  tliis  about  .75 
of  an  inch  wiile  in  front,  and  extending  completely  around,  though  mucli  narrower,  and  somewhat 
interrupted,  beliind.  Lower  parts  dark  brownish  gray,  abruptly  detincd  against  the  white  of  tlie 
crissum.  Wing,  14.25  inches  ;  culmen,  1.30  ;  depth  of  maxilla  at  base,  .75  ;  width,  .65  ;  tarsus, 
2.55  ;  middle  toe,  2.30.     Tail  feathers,  14. 

Other  specimens  in  the  collection  are  cliiefly  in  summer  plumage,  having  paler  lower  parts  and 
less  conspicuous  white  collar  ;  but  nearly  all  have  the  two  cheek-patclies  completely  separated  by 
a  broad  black  isthmus  on  the  throat. 

With  only  two  exceptions,  the  specimens  are  from  the  Pacific  coast,  chiefly  the  northern 
portion. 

No.  9956,  North  Red  River  (September  ;  R.  Kennicott),  is  one  of  the  smallest  in  the  series, 
and  is  otherwise  peculiar.  It  is  apparently  a  young  bird,  as  its  plumage  presents  some  feauires 
indicative  of  immaturity.    The  black  of  the  neck  fades  gradually  into  the  smoky  gray  of  the  jugu- 


Wnalino  I,alie,  Ncv.  (adult). 


St.  Mlchnd's,  MaaVa.    (,fn'l) 


lum,  without  being  separated  by  the  usual  wliite  collar  ;  the  white  iheok-patches  are  thickly, 
though  minutely,  speckled  with  black  ;  the  feathers  of  the  lower  parts,  and  also  the  upper  tail- 
coverts,  have  bhickish  shafts.  It  measures  as  follows  :  Wing,  13.70  inches  ;  culmen,  1.25  ;  tarsus, 
2.60  ;  middle  toe,  2.10.     The  smallest  exami)les  we  have  seen  are  the  lollowing  :  — 


Depth 

Wiiltli 

Nnintwr 

No. 

IjO(^ality. 

Date. 

Wuii;. 

L'ulinon. 

..fbiU 
lit  base. 

of  bill 
at  base. 

Tarsu.s. 

Middle 
t.)(>. 

of 

rectrircs. 

» 

Fort  Klamath,  Or. 

14.20 

.95 

.60 

.55 

2.50 

1.90 

16 

77104, 

Stockton,  I'al. 

December 

13.60 

1.10 

.00 

.52 

2.60 

1.90 

15 

70006, 

Andnlusin,  111. 

14.25 

1.25 

.70 

.65 

2.10 

1.80 

16 

73130, 

St.  Jliclmol's,  Alaska, 

Sept.  13 

14. 15 

1.05 

.60 

.55 

2.60 

1.90 

15 

72744, 

Wnslioo  Lake,  Nov. 

Nov.  12 

14.25 

1.12 

.70 

.55 

2.40 

1.95 

16 

I'l-'! 


■i 


'm>! 


There  are  others  but  slightly  larger.     Any  of  the  above  could  stand,  in  a  natural  attitude, 
beneath  the  breast  of  some  of  the  larger  examples  oi  canadensis  or  occidattalis ;  still,  other  speci- 


it 


*ii 
J) 


IWW«Si((!»,»»!!MH"ft»»Wr 


n 


^Sill 


460 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


mens,  liiiving  13  to  1(3  rectrices,  vary  in  size,  so  as  to  lead  directly  up  to  the  smaller  examples, 
possessing  18  to  20  rectrices,  ■   being  wholly  impossible  to  separate  specimens  by  size  ahtne. 

The  ttccompanying  figures,  which  are  life-size,  are  intended  to  show  extreme  variations  in  the 
shape  of  the  bill  iu  this  diminutive  race. 

'J'here  appi^ir  to  be  other  variations  of  this  species,  which  are  hardly  to  be  classed  as  geograph- 
ical races,  but  which  seem  to  owe  their  characteristics  to  hybridization  witli  otlier  species,  or  to  an 
abnormal  degree  of  individual  variation.     Among  these  luay  be  classed  the  — 

Bcrnida  Icucolcenw,  MuiiUAV,  Wliite-Frilled  Goose,  EJ.  New  Plii.  Jour.  IX.  April,  1859,  226. 

Sp.  Char.  Similar  to  the  common  Canada  Goose  of  the  United  States  iu  markings,  but  larger. 
Chin  from  rami  of  lower  mandible,  cravat  on  sides  and  beneath  the  jaws,  and  extending  along 
under  side  of  neck  nearly  to  end  of  Ijlack  portion,  white,  becoming  narrower  and  spotted  with 
black  ;  under  eyelid  liroadly  white  ;  lower  part  of  neck  pale  dirty  lavender,  upper  jiait  of  breast 
paler  ;  lower  part  and  belly  almost  white  ;  <jr  breast  and  belly  pale  lavendei',  with  a  broad  white 
band  across  breast  ;  legs  brown  ;  >veb  bright  yellow.  Length  -JO.OO  inches  ;  upper  mandible,  above 
2.50  ;  wing,  l!).2r>  ;  tarsus,  3.00  ;  first  phalanx  of  middle  toe,  1.50. 

Difl'ers  from  B.  canadensis  in  larger  size,  and  plumage  paler  throughout  ;  brown  replacing  black, 
etc.  The  white  of  head  is  more  extended,  reaching  along  nearly  the  whole  throat  and  to  lower 
jaw  ;  the  interdigital  spaces  yellow,  not  black,  etc. 

Bcrnida  Banislonii,  l^oss,  Canad.  Nat.  VII.  1862,  152  ;  Nat.  Hist.  Review,  1862,  p.  28. 

"  This  bird  was  shot  at  Fort  Simpson  (on  tlie  Mackenzie).  It  is  of  very  large  size,  with  the 
breast  of  a  briglit  fawn-color.  The  deltii  of  leathers  running  up  into  the  lower  mandible  is  white, 
instead  of  black,  as  in  B.  cancuknsis.  The  tail  is  of  sixteen  feathers.  The  Indians  consider  it  a 
distinct  species  from  the  Canada  Goose.     It  seldom  flies  in  parties  of  more  than  five  or  six." 


Bernicla  Canadensi 


iis. 


Our  common  Wild  Gooso  has  a  very  extended  range  througliont  the  M'hole  of  North 
America,  occurring  from  the  Gulf  of  ]\Iexico  to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  and  from  the  At- 
lantic to  the  Pacific.  Ahundaut  upon  nearly  all  the  interior  Avatcr.s,  it  breeds  in 
various  parts  of  the  country  as  far  south  as  latitude  42"^  N.,  and  even  farther  south 
than  this  parallel  in  favorable  localities,  and  throughout  .ill  the  regions  north. 

Ei('hardson  found  it  abundant,  in  pairs,  throughout  the  J'ur  Countries  up  to  a  liigh 
parallel  of  latitude.  It  associates  in  flocks  only  on  its  flrst  arrival,  and  feeds  on  all 
kinds  of  berries.  Early  in  the  spring  its  crops  are  found  to  l)e  iilh'd  Avith  the  farina- 
ceous astringent  fruit  of  the  Elwaipms  arf/oitca.  The  inhabitants  of  the  wooded  and 
swampy  districts  depend  principally  upon  this  Goose  for  subsistence  during  the  sum- 
mer. It  makes  its  first  appearance  in  flocks  of  twenty  or  thirty,  and  is  readily  decoyed 
within  gunshot  by  the  hunters,  who  imitate  its  call.  About  three  weeks  after  its 
first  appearance  it  disperses  in  pairs  throughout  the  country  to  breed,  retiring  at  the 
same  time  from  the  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay.  It  was  found  nesting  as  far  north  as 
Fort  Anderson  and  the  Lower  Anderson  River  ;  but  the  statement  of  Dr.  llichardson, 
that  it  is  not  known  to  breed  on  the  Arctic  coast,  remains  unchallenged. 

In  July,  after  the  young  birds  are  hatched,  the  parents  moult,  and  vast  numbers 
are  killed  in  the  rivers  and  small  lakes  before  they  art;  able  to  fly.  "When  chased  by 
a  canoe  aiul  obliged  to  dive  frequently,  this  bird  soon  becomes  fatigued,  and  makes 
for  the  shore  to  hide,  thus  falling  an  easy  prey  to  it.t  pursuers.  In  the  autunni  it 
assembles  in  flocks  on  the  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay  for  a  month  previous  to  its  depar- 
ture for  the  south.  In  its  migrations  it  .annually  resorts  to  certain  resting-places,  some 
of  which  arc  frequented  both  in  the  spring  and  autumn,  and  others  only  in  the  spring. 
While  on  the  Saskatchewan  it  generally  builds  its  nest  on  the  grouiul ;  some  pairs 


ANSERIN.E  —  THE  GEESE  —  BERNICLA. 


461 


•  exaniple.s, 

uiiu. 

tions  in  the 

s  geiigraph- 
ius,  or  to  an 


9,  226. 

,  but  lai^^er. 
idiuj,'  alonj^ 
[lottoil  with 
lit  of  hruast 
hroail  while 
diblu,  above 

acinj,'  bUick, 
lid  to  lower 


y.v,  with  the 
)lc  is  white, 
consider  it  a 
■  six." 


e  of  Koi'tli 
iim  the  At- 

bvocds  in 
tluH'  south 

north. 

to  a  high 

I'ds  on  all 
tlu'  farina- 
oodod  and 
<j;  the  Kuni- 
ly  decoyod 
LH  after  its 

ing  at  the 
ir  nortli  as 

ichardson, 

t  nnmhers 
chased  by 
uid  makes 
autumn  it 
its  depar- 
aees,  some 
;he  spring. 
5ome  pairs 


were  found  breeding  in  trees,  depositing  their  eggs  in  the  deserted  nests  of  Kavens 
and  Fish-hawks.  Its  call  is  iuiitated  by  a  prolonged  nasal  pronunciation  of  the 
syllable  wool;  frcijuently  repeated. 

Viv.  George  Barnstou  states  that  this  species  —  the  largest  of  any  of  the  CJeese 
visiting  Hudson's  Hay  —  is  almost  always  the  earliest  in  its  arrival.  At  first  unly  a 
single  straggler  appears ;  then  two  or  three  together,  soon  to  be  followed  by  a  contin- 
lums  tiock  of  fresh  immigrants.  These  are  the  advance-guard  of  the  serried  legions 
of  other  Waterfowl,  and  they  soon  spread  themselves  over  the  whole  breadth  of  the 
continent.  In  its  disposition  this  species  has  less  of  wildness  than  the  Snow  Goose. 
It  hatches  in  (piiet  covuers,  where  there  is  still  water,  and  grass  and  rushes  to  aiford 
it  sustenance.  It  is  at  home  in  the  wooded  country  as  well  as  in  the  extensive 
marshes  of  the  sea-coast,  and  on  the  Barrens  of  the  Eskimo  lands.  During  the  winter 
it  takes  refuge  in  the  oi)en  water  of  more  southern  regions,  although  ilr.  Earnstou 
saw  a  small  Hock  of  this  species  in  the  open  current  of  water  aljove  Lachine,  near 
Montreal,  in  the  month  of  January  or  February.  Before  Oregon  was  settled,  the 
Tost  at  ]'\)rt  Vancouver  was  sup[)lied  with  these  Geese  in  immense  nundiers. 

Captain  Ulakistou  gives  as  the  range  of  this  sjiecies  in  the  territory  of  the 
Hudson's  15ay  Company,  from  the  Bay  to  the  Kocky  Mountains,  as  far  north  as  the 
Arctic  Ocean.  He  found  that  it  was  the  earliest  of  the  Geese,  appearing  at  Fort 
Carlton  as  early  as  ^larch  28,  and  remaining  there  as  late  as  Novcnd)er  3.  It  is  not 
restricted  in  its  breeding-grounds  to  the  Far  North,  as  he  discovered  a  nest  with  four 
eggs  between  the  north  and  south  branches  of  the  Saskatchewan  on  the  4th  of  May. 
It  also  occurs  west  of  the  Kocky  IMountaius,  and  Mr.  E.  Browne  gives  it  as  one  of  the 
common  liirds  of  Vancouver  Island. 

l[earne,  in  the  "Narrative  of  his  Journey  to  the  Northern  Ocean"  (j).  4.37), desig- 
nates this  species  as  the  common  Gray  Goose,  while  he  gives  the  name  of  Canada  (loose 
to  the  /ienilrla  Ihitchiiis).  He  also  states  that  tliis  l)ird  precedes  every  otiier  in  the 
Hudson's  Bay  regicm,  and  that  in  some  early  springs  it  is  seen  on  Churchill  Kiver  as 
soon  as  the  latter  end  of  April,  although  more  comnioidy  arriving  l)etween  the  11th 
and  the  IGtli  of  ^lay.  In  one  year  it  did  not  uudce  its  appearance  until  the  liGth  of 
May.  At  their  first  arrival  these  birds  generally  come  in  ])iiirs,  and  are  readily 
decoyed  by  cries  imitating  their  notes,  so  that  they  are  easily  shot.  They  breed 
in  great  numbers  in  the  plains  and  marshes  near  Churchill  Biver;  and  in  .some 
years  the  young  ones  are  taken  in  considerable  numbers,  and  arc  easily  tamed ; 
they  will,  however,  never  learn  to  eat  corn  unless  some  of  the  old  ones  are  taken 
with  them. 

Mr.  Hearne  adds  tliat  on  the  9th  of  August,  1781,  when  residing  at  Fort  Prince  of 
Wales,  he  sent  a  party  of  Indians  in  canoes  up  Churchill  Biver  to  procure  some  of 
these  Geese.  In  the  afternoon  they  were  seen  coming  down  the  river  driving  a  large 
flock  before  them,  the  young  ones  not  more  than  half  grown,  and  the  old  ones  so  far 
advanced  in  moulting  as  to  be  incapable  of  flying.  The  whole  flock,  to  the  number 
of  forty-one,  Avas  driven  within  the  stockade  wiiicli  incloses  the  fort,  where  they  were 
fattened  for  winter  use.  Wild  Geese  fattened  in  this  way  are  preferable,  in  his 
opinion,  to  any  others.  When  full  grown,  and  in  good  condition,  this  bird  often 
weighs  twelve  pounds. 

According  to  Dr.  Cooper  this  is  not  a  very  common  Goose  in  California,  though 
some  are  sold  in  the  market  every  winter.  He  met  with  a  few  in  January  near  Fort 
IMojave,  but  saw  none  at  San  I)i(>go.  By  its  large  size  and  sonorous  honk-honk, 
uttered  as  it  flies,  this  bird  may  readily  be  distinguished  from  other  species,  even 
at  a  considerable  distance.     It  is  nuich  more  southern  in  its  range  than  the  other 


t^ 


m 


.    ■    f. 


462 


LAMKLLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


Geese,  some  n'mainin^;  to  breed  about  Klamatli  Jiuke,  and  others  in  the  Cascade 
Range,  if  not  farther  .south. 

Mr.  Kidgway  mentions  it  as  breeding  in  the  interior,  about  all  the  lai^,  lakes  of 
the  Great  l?asin.  Its  young  were  caught  in  May  at  Pyramid  Lake,  and  the  old  birds 
were  shot  there.  It  is  resident  in  the  Truckee  nu-adows,  specimens  having  been 
procured  tliere  in  Xovembcr;  but  it  was  not  so  abundant  there  at  that  time  as  li. 
Iliitrhlnxl  was.  'Slv.  .1.  A.  Allen  found  it  already  \)rcsent  in  great  luuubers  in  the 
valley  of  (Jreat  Salt  Lake. 

Dr.  Cooper  states  that  he  noticed  a  large  number  of  this  species  breeding  along 
the  ^Missouri,  where  every  day  he  nu't  with  broods,  from  ''"ort  Leavenworth  up  to 
Fort  Itcntou.  They  were  said  to  lay  in  nests,  on  trees,  probably  the  deserted  nests 
of  some  other  large  bird.  He  also  saw  two  at  Spokane  Uiver,  in  Washington  Terri- 
tory, Septemlu'r  25,  which  iiad  passed  the  sunnner  there. 

iMany  interesting  and  striking  evidtuices  of  the  sagacity  of  this  bird  are  narrated, 
having  reference  to  the  manner  in  which  its  migrations  are  managed,  and  its  safety 
provided  for  on  its  feeding-grounds. 

In  the  migrations  of  these  (reese,  families  assemble  in  flocks,  and  many  of  them 
unite  in  forming  a  vast  column,  each  band  having  its  chosen  leader.  They  generally 
continue  flying  during  the  night,  l)ut  occasionally  alight  and  await  the  day.  Before 
doing  so  the  pioneers  survey  the  ground  below,  and  select  a  spot  favorable  for  food 
and  safety.  Sentinels  are  appointed  from  among  the  Ganders  to  sound  the  alarm, 
should  an  enemy  appear.  Mr.  Giraud  states  that  he  has  seen  these  Geese  adopt  the 
same  j)recautions  when  in  large  flocks  in  the  daytime.  I'he  sentinels  separate  from 
the  main  body,  move  about  with  heads  erect,  ready  to  detect  the  first  indications  of 
intruders.  After  an  interval  these  outposts  would  return  to  the  main  body,  their 
places  being  immediately  supplied  by  others. 

The  hoarse  Inmk  of  the  Gaiuler  is  a  cry  so  familiar  to  the  iidiabitants,  that  it  is 
impossible  for  the  birds  to  arrive  without  their  visits  becoming  known.  The  practised 
bay-hunter  watches  their  flight,  discovers  their  favorite  sanding-jdace,  and,  on  gaining 
the  desired  j)oint,  puts  out  his  decoys,  sinks  a  box  in  the  sand,  and  there  conceals 
himself ;  and  as  the  Geese  approach  he  carefully  prepares  for  their  rece])tion.  "When 
wouniU'd  this  bird  is  able  to  sink  itself  in  the  water,  leaving  onlj-  its  bill  above  the 
surface,  and  can  remain  in  that  situation  for  a  considerable  time.  During  storms  it 
flies  low ;  and  also  when  the  weather  is  very  foggy  it  becomes  confused,  and  alights 
on  the  ground.  Wild  Geese  remain  on  Long  Island  in  the  fall  until  the  bays  are 
frozen,  and  return  on  the  disappearance  of  the  ice  in  the  spring ;  but  at  that  season 
their  stay  is  short.  Early  in  April  they  collect  in  large  flocks,  and  move  off  almost 
simultaneously.  Their  food  consists  of  sedge  roots,  marine  plants,  l)erries,  and  herb- 
age of  various  kinds.  In  the  winter  they  are  common  on  the  lakes  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Lower  ^Mississippi.  There  —  as  INIi".  Giraud  was  informed  —  a  few 
stragglers  are  wont  to  remain  all  summer.  The  Wild  Geese  are  said  to  arrive  in  the 
waters  of  Chesapeake  Bay  about  the  last  of  October,  when  they  immcdiatelj-  dis- 
tribute themselves  over  the  entire  bay,  rarely  leaving  its  shores  for  the  smaller 
streams,  although  often  retiring  to  the  smaller  inlets  to  roost,  or  to  feed,  at  night. 

According  to  Mr.  Lewis  this  bird  sometimes  makes  its  flrst  apjiearance  in  the 
Delaware  and  in  the  Chesapeake  in  October,  this  early  arrival  being  considered  a 
certain  prognostic  of  a  long  ami  hard  winter.  On  return  of  the  Wild  Goose  to  the 
north  it  passes  through  the  Eastern  States  in  April  —  earlier  or  later,  according  to  the 
weather.  When  in  the  southern  waters  it  feeds  on  the  leaves,  blades,  and  seeds  of 
maritime  plants,  and  the  roots  of  sedges. 


ANSERIN.E  —  THE   GEESE  —  13ERNICLA. 


463 


le  Cascade 

^.  lakes  of 
e  okl  birds 
iving  been 
time  as  B. 
)ei's  iu  the 

ding  along 
orth  lip  to 
[Tted  nests 
gtou  Tei'i'i- 

■e  narrated, 
;1  its  safety 

iiy  of  them 
y  generally 
ly.  Before 
3le  for  food 
the  alarm, 
e  adopt  the 
)arate  from 
lieations  of 
body,  their 

!,  that  it  is 

e  practised 

on  gaining 

conceals 

AVhen 

above  tlie 

storms  it 

ind  alights 

bays  are 

lat  season 

iff  almost 

and  herb- 

neighbor- 

d  —  a  f ew 

ive  in  the 

lately  dis- 

le  smaller 

night, 
nee  in  the 
nsidered  a 
lose  to  the 
ling  to  the 
d  seeds  of 


m. 


Its  flight  is  heavy  and  laborious,  the  flock  forming  a  triangle,  and  being  always 
led  by  an  old  gander.  When  wounded  the  Wild  (ioose  can  swim  and  dive  with  great 
facility,  going  long  distances  under  the  water.  When  taken  alive  it  is  easily  do- 
mesticated, and  nii.xes  readily  with  the  common  tame  Goose.  Yet  even  after  it 
lias  become  quite  donu'sticated,  and  even  after  it  has  reared  a  brood  or  two,  it  will 
ex]ul)it  symptoms  of  uneasiness  as  the  periods  of  migration  approacli,  and  will  some- 
times fly  off  and  join  the  wild  ones  passing  within  hearing  ovcrliead.  On  the  other 
hand,  wliole  flocks  of  Wild  Geese  have  been  known  to  be  decoyed  by  domesticated 
ones,  and  induced  to  alight  among  tiiem. 

Vlv.  Audubon  found  this  Goose  on  tlie  'Magdalen  Islands,  sitting  on  its  eggs,  early 
in  June,  and  in  Labrador  nesting  in  every  suitable  marshy  plain.  According  to  his 
observations,  all  the  birds  of  this  sjjccies  unite  togetlu'r  before  departing  on  their 
spring  migrations.  He  has  noted  preparatory  symptoms  of  meeting  as  early  as  Jan- 
uary. In  his  opinion  these  Geese  are  far  more  abundant,  during  the  winter,  on  the 
interior  waters  tlian  they  are  near  the  sea-coast,  lie  (jbsi-rved  them  in  immense  flocks 
in  Kentucky,  and  was  informed  that  before  the  settlement  of  the  country  the  Wild 
Goose  bred  abundantly  in  all  the  tennierate  parts  of  North  Anuu'ica.  As  late  as  1819 
Mr.  Audul)Oii  met  with  the  nest,  eggs,  and  young  of  this  species  near  Henderson,  on 
the  Oliio.  It  usually  builds  its  nest  on  tlie  ground,  in  some  retired  place  not  far  from 
the  water,  i)referably  among  the  rankest  grass.  The  nest  is  carefully  formed  of  dry 
plants  of  various  kinds,  and  is  of  large  size,  flat,  and  raised  to  the  height  of  several 
inches.  In  one  instance  Audubon  foiuid  a  nest  elevated  above  the  ground  on  the 
high  stump  of  a  large  tree  iu  tlic  centre  of  a  pond.  The  greatest  number  of  eggs 
found  in  the  nest  of  this  bird  when  iu  a  wild  state  is  nine  ;  I)ut  six  is  the  more  com- 
mon number.  The  domesticated  (ioose,  however,  lays  as  many  as  eleven.  Tlie  eggs 
average  3,50  inches  in  length  by  I'./iO  in  breadth,  and  are  thick-shelled,  smooth,  and 
of  a  dull  yellowish-green  color.  The  ])eriod  of  incubation  is  twenty-eight  days,  and 
there  is  but  one  brood  in  a  season.  The  young  follow  their  parents  to  the  water 
within  a  day  or  two  after  they  are  hatched,  and  remain  with  them  until  the  following 
spring,  being  tiie  objects  of  their  devoted  care. 

!Mr.  Audubon  gives  an  interesting  account  of  a  pair  of  this  sjiecies  which  he  cap- 
tured at  the  mouth  of  Green  Kiver,  Kentucky.  Their  young  were  taken  with  them, 
and  these  he  succeeded  in  raising  by  feeding  them  with  locusts.  They  mated  and 
bred  in  conflnement,  l)ut  the  old  ones  were  only  partially  domesticated,  and  would 
not  mate.  These  birds  were  all  especially  inimical  to  dogs,  but  evinced  a  still  greater 
dislike  of  an  old  Swan  and  an  old  Turkey-Cock.  They  proved  very  useful  in  clearing 
the  garden  of  slugs  and  snails. 

The  flight  of  this  species  is  Arm,  rapid,  and  protracted,  the  bird  moving  with  great 
steadiness  and  regularity.  Before  rising  it  usually  runs  a  IVav  feet  witli  outsjiread 
wings,  but  when  surprised  can  rise  with  a  sudden  spring.  In  its  migrations  it  is 
liable  to  be  thrown  into  confusion  by  passing  into  a  fog-bank,  or  over  a  city  or  a  place 
where  there  is  much  shi^jping.  Severe  snow-storms  also  disturb  it ;  so  much  so,  that 
individuals  have  been  known  to  dash  themselves  against  the  walls  of  lighthouses  and 
other  buildings  iu  the  daytime.  In  the  sjiring  migrations  flocks  not  infrequently 
alight  in  fields  of  young  grain,  and  commit  great  havoc  in  the  course  of  a  single  night. 
Both  keenness  of  sight  and  quickness  of  hearing  are  remarkable  in  this  bird,  and  it  is 
always  vigilant  and  suspicious  ;  so  that  it  is  with  great  difliculty  taken  by  surprise, 

Mr,  MacFarlane  found  this  species  breeding  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Anderson, 
the  nests  being  placed  near  small  inland  lakes  ;  they  ai)i)eaied  as  early  as  May  17. 
In  one  instance  five  eggs  of  this  .species  were  found  in  a  deserted  Hawk's  nest  warmly 


Ill 


I 


464 


LAMELLIUOSTUAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


liiu'd  with  down,  which  had  appiU'cntly  lu'cn  phicki'd  by  the  foiiinh*  from  ht'v  own 
body.  In  otlicr  instances  nests  were  found  by  hiui  in  similar  positions.  Wlien  built 
on  tlui  f^round  the  nests  ai»])ear  to  liave  been  vai'iously  couiiKJsed  —  in  one  instance  of 
decayed  leaves,  down,  and  hay;  in  ai.jther  of  dry  willow  sticks  and  uu)ss,  liueil  witli 
feathers  and  down.  Kjj;^'s  found  atiev  the  middle  of  .Tune  contained  embryos,  which 
were  more  or  less  develojicd.  In  one  instance  a  lu'st  was  composed  of  a  quantity  of 
turf  and  decayed  ve^'ctable  matter  lined  with  down,  feathers,  and  nu)ss. 

Mr.  Dall  found  this  bird  not  luicommon  at  Fort  Yukon,  where  its  eggs  wero  also 
obtained,  and  it  was  also  taken  at  Sitka  by  Bischoff. 

It  was  f(mnd  breeding  by  ]Mr.  Kennicott  on  Lake  "Winnipeg  in  June,  at  Fort  Ivcso- 
lution  as  early  as  April  r>,  and  at  Fort  Yukon,  May  tlU;  by  Mr.  L.  Clarke  at  Fort  ]{ae 
in  May,  at  Fort  Sini]ison  l>y  ^^^l'.  li.  11.  Koss,  on  the  Anderson  Hiver  by  Mr.  jNFacFar- 
lane,  auumg  the  mountains  west  of  the  Lower  jMackenzie  by  Mr.  1\.  M"J)onald,  at 
I'ort  Klder  by  Mr.  :Minot.  and  at  Sitka  by  F.ischoff. 

])r.  I'lcrlandier,  in  his  manuscrijjt  notes,  speaks  of  it  as  inhabiting  during  the  win- 
ter the  great  plains  of  Tamaulipas,  Mexico.  He  has  seen  it  in  Hocks  of  several 
hundreds  in  the  grassy  marshes  between  San  Fernando  and  Matamoras,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Soto  Le  Naninc,  etc.  It  is  commonly  called  /'(ifufn't/uero.  He  also  met  with  it  in 
December  on  the  central  plateau  between  the.  Hacienda  of  Enoarnacion  and  Aguas 
Nuevas,  near  Saltillo. 

Its  eggs  are  of  a  uniform  bright  ivory  white,  of  an  oval  shape;  but  vary  both  in 
size  and  shajH'.  Specimens  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection,  exhibit  tlu^  following 
nu'asureuKUjts  :  (Xo.  1)400,  Anderson  liiver,  MacFarlaue)  ,".2o  by  L'.lo,  ami  IJ.IO  by 
2.2o  inches;  (Xo.  19<Jt)  lUry  by  LM<».  and  .'1.10  by  2.30  inches;  (Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion, Xo.  04;!4A)  Fort  Yukon,  .'!.4u  by  2.](>. 

The  fcn-m  called  J>fnn'r/(i.  orrif/riifn/!.^  is  apjiarently  the  I'aeilio  coast  ri>presentative 
of  the  common  Canada  (Joose.  Examples  of  it  wen;  taken  at  Sitka  by  Mr.  Hischoff, 
but  no  nu'ution  was  made  of  any  specitic  variations  in  habit.  Since  then  it  is  saiil  to 
have  been  i'ound  in  great  abundance  b}'  Mr.  (irayson  in  Western  JNIexico,  Avhere,  as 
he  states,  he  saw  it  in  large  flocks  while  on  the  road  to  Durango,  between  the  Sierra 
M'adre  ^Mountains  and  that  city.  This  was  in  the  nu)ntlis  of  February  and  IMarch. 
He  did  not,  however,  see  or  hear  of  any  west  of  the  Cordilleras. 

Jieriilda  JLutfh insi. 

Although  the  Hutchins's  Goose  was  first  distinctively  named  by  Dr.  Eichardson 
in  the  "Fauna  15oreali-Anu'ricana,"  its  existence  as  a  well-marked  race  or  species, 
distinct  from  the  ('(i)i(((Icns!.i,  was  well  kiunvn  to  Mr.  Hearni"  nearly  a  century  ago. 
Under  the  nanu!  of  the  Canada  Goose,  he  refers  to  it  as  (piite  distinct  from  our  caim- 
(ft'iisi.i,  which  he  calls  the  eomniou  Gray  Goose.  At  the  time  he  wrote  it  was  well 
known  to  the  Indians,  as  Avell  as  to  the  English,  in  Hiulson's  ]?ay  as  the  I'l'sh-a- 
fisL  While  it  does  uot  differ  in  plumage  from  the  common  "Wild  Goose,  it  is  much 
inferior  in  size,  the  bill  is  much  smaller  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  body,  and  the 
flesh,  which  is  much  whiter,  is  more  highly  esteemed  as  food.  It  is  by  no  nutans  so 
abundant  at  Hiulson's  Kay  as  the  common  species ;  and  as  a  general  thing  it  goes 
much  farther  north  to  breed.  A  few  pairs  were,  however,  known  to  have  bred  near 
Churchill  lliver.  It  Avas  seldom  that  either  this  or  the  true  Canada  Goose  was 
known  to  lay  more  than  four  eggs,  all  of  which,  if  the  nests  were  not  robbed,  the 
birds  usually  succeeded  in  hatching. 

This  Goose  breeds  on  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea;  but  in  its  migrations  keeps 
near  the  sea-coast,  and  is  seldom  seen  in   the  interior. 


ANSKRIN.E  —  THE  GEESE  —  BERMfLA. 


405 


hcv  own 
ht'ii  liuilt 
istanct'  of 
iiicd  with 
OS,  wliii'h 
iiantity  of 

were  also 

'\n't  Ivi'so- 

Fort-  ]fac 

•.  ISracKiir- 

Doiiald,  at. 

f,'  tho  wiii- 
oi'  si'vcval 
lie  vicinity 
with  it  in 
intl  Aguas 

Liy  l)oth  in 

t'oHowing 

1(1  .'5.10  by 

m  Iiistitii- 

■esentativo 
•.  IMsi'lioff, 

is  said  to 

where,  as 

tho  Sierra 

,nd  ilarch. 


ichardson 
ir  speeies, 
ntnry  ago. 

onr  cuiKi- 
t  was  well 

o  Phl:-<i- 
ib  is  luuch 
y,  and  tho 

means  so 
ig  it  goes 

bred  near 
Joosc  was 
obhed,  tho 

ons  keeps 


Although  closely  resembling  the  C'anada  Goose  in  most  resiiects.  except  its  smaller 
size,  its  habits  are  said  to  lie  (piite  ditt'erent  from  those  of  th;it  hinl.  Wliih'  the 
cdiKti/i'usU  frecpieuts  tlie  t'resli-water  lakes  and  rivers  of  tlu;  intci'ior,  and  feeds  chiefly 
on  herbage,  the  /fufc/iliisi  is  always  found  on  the  sea-coast,  feeding  on  the  mariiK! 
plants  and  the  mollusca  which  adhere  to  them  —  whence  its  Hesh  derives  a  strong  lishv 
taste,  in  form,  size,  and  general  colors  of  the  phuuage  it  more  nearly  resenddes  the 
Brant  than  the  (Canada  Goose. 

Acc(jrding  to  Mr.  Barnston,  Hutcdiins's  Goose  arrives  at  Hudson's  Bay  later  in 
the  season  than  II.  cunadensiit,  and  at  about  the  sanu'  tinu-  as  the  Snow  (Joose.  It 
is  shot  in  considerable  quantities  at  7\ll)any  and  elsewhere  ahmg  tlie  <'oiist  of  James 
Bay.  This  bird  does  not  incubate  in  scattered  or  detached  partic.'s  throughout  the 
wooded  country,  but  proceeds  in  larger  and  united  flocks  to  tlu;  extrenu'  north,  reaching 
Hudson's  Bay  about  the  beginning  (d'  May,  and  at  once  beginning  to  feed  in  the 
.salt-nuirshcs  among  tlu^  soft  white-rooted  grasses,  remaining  a  fortnight  or  three 
weeks,  in  company  with  the  '•  Wavcys,"  or  Snow  (Jecse.  J'.y  this  time  tlie  Geese 
are  in  good  plight,  and  they  tlien  take  their  (lei)arture,  not  reapj)eariug  until  they 
return  with  their  young  broods  in  the  montli  of  September.  Th»y  are  killed  in 
less  numbers  on  their  jiassage  to  Hiulsou's  Bay  than  the  ciiiitK/ciisi's,  which  may  be 
accounted  for  by  their  habits;  l)ut  when  once  the  birds  have  settled  u])on  their 
feeding-gnmnds,  the  slaughter  of  them  is  immense. 

Captain  James  Clark  Boss,  as  (pioted  by  Audubon,  states  that  this  species  ari'ives 
in  Hocks,  in  the  neigld)orhood  of  Felix  Harbor,  about  the  middle  of  June,  and  soon 
disperses  in  pairs  to  its  breeding-jdaces.  At  Iglo(dik,  the  oidy  jiliice  where  he  had 
previously  met  with  them,  their  nests  were  found  in  the  marshes  near  the  sea.  JUit 
on  this  occasion  several  pairs  constructed  their  nests  on  a  ledge  of  rocks  near  the  foot 
of  a  high  precipice;  Immediately  above  them  the  Dovekie.s,  Loons,  and  several  .spe- 
cies of  Gulls,  and  near  its  summit  the  Gyrfalcon  and  Kaven,  had  also  built  their 
nests.  From  three  to  four  eggs  were  found  in  each  nest,  of  a  ]nu'e  white  c(dor  and  (d' 
an  oval  form,  measuring  .'5.10  inches  in  length  l)y  L'.  10  inches  in  breadth.  Its  Hesh 
Mr.  Boss  pronounces  of  a  most  excpusite  Havor. 

In  Texas,  both  on  the  coast  aiul  inland.  !Mr.  Dres.ser  found  these  birds  quite 
common.  During  the  winter  he  shot  several  on  JlitidieU's  Bond.  The  shore  luinti-rs 
there  tire  well  aware  of  the  difference  between  this  species  and  the  canadensis,  cidling 
the  latter  the  "•  15ay  Goose,"  and  th(>  former  the  "Prairie  Goose."  Dr.  ^Nferrill  also 
mentions  this  form  as  being  more  common  than  the  riin(i(/eiis!s. 

Dr.  ('ooper  states  that  this  bird  is  altogether  tho  most  <'ommoM  of  the  15rant  family 
of  Geese  along  the  Pacific  coast,  where  it  arrives  about  the  first  of  <.)ctober,  and  frc;- 
(pients  both  the  inland  ])lains  and  the  salt-marshes  that  border  tiu^  const.  He  thiidis 
it  goes  as  far  south  as  San  Diego,  though  h(>  met  with  none  tlicre.  It  iisually  feeds 
on  the  plains  early  in  the  morning,  and  toward  noon  returns  to  the  water,  Avhere  it 
rests  during  the  middle  of  the  day  anil  night.  Large  nund)crs  are  shot,  both  while 
feeding  and  resting,  but  the  mode  of  pursuit  varies  according  to  cii'cnmstances. 
The  brush  shed  and  the  trained  ox  are  used  on  the  plains;  but  in  the  water  a  Ijoat  is 
required,  Avith  which  the  Geese  may  be  ai)proached  very  closely  under  cover  of  the 
tall  weeds.  With  a  large  gun  twenty  or  thirty  are  often  killed  in  two  shots,  one  fired 
while  the  birds  are  sitting,  the  othei'  as  they  rise.  After  feeding  again  in  the  .after- 
noon, the  greater  part  of  those  in  the  interior  are  said  to  assemble  at  favorite  roosts 
in  the  wide  creeks  and  sloughs,  though  many  are  seen  in  scattere<l  Hocks  about  the 
marshes.  Dr.  Cooper  is  confident  he  saw  this  s])ecies  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  as 
early  as  September  10,  and  on  the  loth  he  met  with  a  large  Hock  there.     Mr.  llidgway 

VOL.  I.  —  .")9 


Ill 


466 


LAMELLlIiOSTKAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSEKES. 


ill' 


saw  many  of  this  species  in  Novembei-  on  the  Truckee  meadows,  wliere  it  is  a  tall 
ami  winter  visitiint. 

This  species  is  of  irreguliiv  orenrrence  on  the  Atlantic  ct)ast.  At  some  seasons  it 
has  hecn  found  not  uncommon  in  tlu'  vicinity  of  Hoston ;  and  nambcrs  have  been 
brouj,'lit  to  market  from  the  ("ape.  On  tlie  eastern  extremity  of  Lony  Island,  aecord- 
iufj  to  Dr.  (riraiul,  it  is  also  not  uncommon.  It  is  well  known  to  hunters  as  the 
"Mud  Goose  "'  at  .Montauk  Point,  where  it  is  freipiently  observed  in  ('ompany  with 
the  rntitii/cnsis.  The  sportsnu-n  of  the  south  side  of  Long  Island  are  not  acquainted 
with  it,  although  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  it  is  freiiuently  procured  there. 
At  some  seasons  it  has  i)een  known  to  be  quite  abundant  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 

Mr.  Uall  found  this  bird  to  l)e  the  most  ('ommon  of  all  the  Geese,  both  in  the 
Alaskan  islands  and  all  along  the  Yukon  Hivev  as  high  up  as  Nulato.  It  was  breed- 
ing on  St.  Michael's  and  I'astolik,  as  well  as  on  the  river.  In  the  latter  place  it  takes 
the  place  of  the  leucopttreia,  which  is  comparatively  rare  there.  The  nests  were 
depressions  in  the  sand-beaches,  similar  to  those  of  the  A.  Gamheli  It  arrives  in 
company  with  the  latter  species,  and  leaves  about  the  end  of  September.  The  num- 
ber of  its  eggs  varies  from  six  to  eight. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  fouiul  it  nesting  in  great  nund)ers  on  the  Lower  Anderson,  and 
on  the  shores  and  islands  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  Some  nests  were  on  low,  small  islets  in 
fresh-water  lakes  ;  these  were  constructed  of  a  ([uantity  of  down  placed  in  a  depres- 
sion in  the  ground.  The  number  of  eggs  was  six.  The  ohl  birds  were  generally 
quite  tanui.  ( )ther  nests  were  found  on  islands  in  the  Anderson  Uiver,  and  also  in 
the  Arctic  Sea.  In  all  instances  there  was  nujre  or  less  down  and  feathers,  and  in 
some  cases  these  were  mingled  with  dry  grasses  or  leaves.  In  one  instance  four  eggs 
of  this  species  were  found  in  the  deserted  nest  of  a  Crow  or  Hawk,  built  on  the  fork 
of  a  pine-tree,  and  at  the  height  of  nine  feet.  The  parent  bird  was  shot  while  on  her 
eggs.  The  ground  in  the  vicinity  was  at  that  tinu)  covered  with  snow  and  water,  and 
this  was  probably  the  reason  the  bird  nested  in  so  unusual  a  place. 

Mr.  Adams  notes  the  iirrival  of  these  birds  on  the  shores  of  Norton  Sound  on  the 
8th  of  May;  and  a  considerable  number  remained  to  breed  in  the  marshes.  They 
came  in  small  flocks  as  well  as  by  twos  and  threes,  and  were  all  in  good  condition, 
but  varying  greatly  in  their  weight  —  one  being  less  than  three  pounds  in  weight, 
while  others  were  lu-arly  six.  They  were  not  numerous  in  the  innuediate  vicinity  of 
Michalaski,  the  greater  number  I'emaining  in  the  marshes  thirty  miles  south. 

Specimens  of  this  (loose  were  secured  by  Mr.  Kennicott  at  Fort  Resolution  and 
Fort  Yukon,  in  Jlay,  l.S()();  by  Mr.  li.  II.  Koss  at  Big  Island  and  Fort  Simjjsou ;  by 
Mr.  MacFarlane  on  the  Anderson,  on  islands  lu  the  Arctic  Sea  east  of  that  river,  also 
in  Franklin  Bay  and  at  other  points  in  that  region. 

The  eggs  of  Hutchins's  Goose  are  of  a  dull  ivory-white  color,  and  oval  in  shape. 
Two  from  Fort  Yukon  (Smithsonian  Institution,  No.  14583)  measure,  one  3.00  inches 
in  length  by  2.00  in  breadth,  the  other  2.95  inches  in  length  by  2.05  in  breadth. 

Bernicla  leucopareia. 

The  form  known  as  Bernicla  leucopareia  was  first  described  by  Brandt,  in  1836, 
and  afterward  by  Professor  Baird  from  a  specimen  obtained  in  Puget  Sound  by  Dr. 
Suckley,  in  January.  Mr.  li.  Browne  claims  to  have  obtained  this  bird  on  Vancouver 
Island,  and  mentions  it  as  common  there.  Mr.  Kennicott  procured  specimens  of  this 
form  on  the  Yukon,  but  noted  nothing  specifically  distinct  as  to  its  habits.  JMr. 
Bannister  speaks  of  it  as  connuon  in  the  early  spring  at  St.  Michael's ;  and  Mr.  Dall 
cites  it  as  abundant  on  the  sea-coast,  near  the  nu)uth  of  the  Eiver  Yukon,  where  it 


L..,.,'-     !., 


ANSERIXil!  —  TTTK  P.EESE  —  BERNICLA. 


46^ 


breeds.  It  Avas  rare  at  Nulato,  ov  farther  inland,  on  the  Yukon,  Its  eggs  were  taken 
l\v  liini  at  Pastolik. 

According  to  the  ohsorvatious  of  Mr.  F*]lliott,  it  is  of  occasional  occurroncc  on  the 
Pryhilof  Islands,  where  from  time  to  time  it  straggles  in  small  squads  of  from  ten  to 
thirty,  evidently  driven  l)y  the  high  winds  from  their  customary  line  of  emigration 
along  the  maiidand.  Although  not  breeding  there,  this  bird  spends  occasionally 
weeks  at  a  time  on  the  lakelets  and  ui>lands  before  taking  Hight. 

Several  specimens  were  taken  on  the  Yukon  Jiiver  by  ^Ir.  Kennieott,  in  May, 
18(>1;  at  Fort  Yukon  by  Mr.  S.  Jones;  on  St.  Michael's  Lsland  by  Jlr.  Bannister; 
and  at  Fort  Kenai  by  Mr.  Uischoff. 

Mr.  L.  Helding  (in  r/)ist,)  considers  the  //.  Icucnpareia  "  a  strongly-marked  species," 
and  says  that  it  is  abundant  in  Avintcr  in  California,  where  it  is  known  to  hunters  as 
the  "Cackler,"  or ''Cackling  Goose,"  on  account  of  its  peculiar  cry.  His  first  fall 
record  of  its  occurrence  at  Stockton  is  October  12,  and  the  latest  spring  record, 
April  25. 

Bernicla  brenta. 


THE   BBANT   GOOSE. 

/ivn.ihernicla,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1760,  litS.  —  Wii.s.  Am.  Orn.  VIII.  1S14,  pi.  72,  fis.  1. 

Jlmnta  bernicla,  Uanmst.  Pr.  Ac.  Nnt.  Sri.  Pliiliul.  1870,  131  (iioi'  ScoroLi).  —  CoUKs,  Key,  1872, 

284  ;  Chcfk  List,  1873,  no.  484  ;  B.  X.  W.  1874,  556. 
Anscr  hcniida,  Ii.lio.   I'rodr.   1811,  277.  —Sw.  &  Rich.  F.  H.  A.  II.  1831,  469.  —  Xi-tt.  Jinn.  IL 

1834,  359.  —  AiTi).  Oiii.  Hiog.  V.  1839,  24,  610,  pi.  391  ;  Synop.  1839,  272  ;  R.  Am.  VI.  1843, 

203,  pi.  379. 
Anscr  brrntu,  Pali..  Znog.  li.-A.  II.  1826,223. 
Bernicla  brcnlu;  Stei'IIF.xs,  (ion.  Zool.  XIL  pt.  ii.  1824,  46.  —  IJaird,  H.  X.  Am.  1858,  767  ;  Cat. 

N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  570.  —  Rinow.  Norn.  X.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  595.  —  Couics  Check  List,  2(1 

pil.  1882,  no.  700. 
Anscr  lorqiiala,  Fui.scii,  Viig.  Dcutsclil.  IL  )il.  156. 
Bernicla  mclanopsis,  Maicii.i..  Man.  Orn.  II.  1842,151. 

Hau.  Eiistcni  North  America  in  general, 
but  chiefly  the  Atlantic  coast  ;  rare  in  tlie  in- 
terior, or  away  from  salt  water ;  Palccarctie 
Region. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  (No.  (i3fiU5,  New  York 
market,  .J.  H.  Batty)  :  Head,  neck,  and.jngulum 
continuous  black,  the  anterior  jiortion  of  the 
head  having  i'  brownii^h  cast ;  po.sterior  outline 
of  the  black  on  the  jugulum  very  regular  and 
sharply-defined  against  tlio  brownish  gray  of  tJie 
breast.  Middle  of  the  neck  witii  a  transverse 
crescentie  patch  of  white  on  each  side,  formed 
of  white  tips  and  sub-tips  of  the  feathers,  the 
black  .showing  tlirougli  in  places  so  as  to  form 
obliipie  lines.  Above,  sinoky-plumbcous,  the 
feathers  distinctly  bordered  ternnnally  with  a 
much  paler  and  more  brownish  shade.  \Viii;;s 
like  the  back,  but  with  a  somewhat  plumbeous 
cast,  the  paler  margins  nearly  obsolete.  Sec- 
ondaries blackish   brown  ;  primaries  brownish 

black.      Tail  uniform  black,  but  almost  concealed  Viy  the  snow-white  lengthened  coverts,  the 
upper  of  which,  however,  are  invaded  by  a  medial  stripe  of  blackish  plumbeous-brown  from  the 


468 


LAMKLMRO.STRAL  S\VI^[MT':IlS  —  ANSEKES. 


riimi).  IJrcast,  iiIhIdiui'ii,  sidi's,  iiiiil  Hanks  imicli  like  the  iipjicr  piirtu,  Iml  tlic  li},'lil  tijps  ti>  thu 
I'l'iithcrs  wliiti'i',  l)i()ailt'r,  ami  iiiinc  cunsiiiciioiis  ;  anal  if,i;i(in  and  cii.-isiini  ininiaculatu  siiow-wliiti'. 
Wini,',  12.30  inches;  ciilincn,  1.20;  tarsus,  2.0;")  ;  niidilli'  lov,  1.70.  Viiinni  (Nd.  1278(i,  Wasliinj^- 
ton,  1).  ('.,  DfccndHT,  |s:iS;  ('.  |)ui;.\i,i;iu  :  Similar  to  tlic  adult,  lint  tlif  wini^'-covrrts  and  scc- 
onilarii's  biuadly  tiiipi'd  with  iiuic  while,  lurniinj,'  very  eiins|)icuous  liai's.  Jiowur  [laits  jialer  and 
luorc  unili>i'ni  ;  white  on  middle  of  the  neek  iviIucimI  to  small  s]ieiks. 

Two  adult  siieeiniens  rnmi  Eufdiie  ditier  t'luni  aiiv  in  a  seiies  nC  lour  American  skins  (adults), 
in  lai^;er  size  and  slightly  iialer  lolors  ;  the  dill'erences  are  so  slij;ht,  howevei,  tliat  they  jiroltaMy 
would  not  jirove  constant,  if  more  examides  were  compared.  Indeeil,  a  thiid  KurojK'an  s]iecinieii, 
labelled  (i)y  Sfiii.i'TlUt)  "  holier  Nonleii,''  is  nearly  as  dark  eviaywheiv  as  II.  iiiiiilfiui.t,  and  would 
i)e  instantly  lel'erred  to  that  specie-.  wer<'  it  not  for  the  white  neck-patches,  which  are  exactly 
as  in  tyjiical /jnu<rt  —  that  is,  widely  separated  in  I'ront,  as  well  as  behind.  It  maybe  a  hybrid 
between  the  two. 


Tlip  ("omiuon  Brant  (Joosc  lias  an  almost  cosnioiiolitaii  distfilmtioii.  Fn  the  suniiucr 
it  retires  to  very  liiK'i  nortlu'rii  latitiides  to  hrccd,  and  in  the  aiitiiinn  and  winter 
w'iiinlcrs  over  large  portions  of  both  tlic  Old  and  tlie  New  World.  It  is  i'oiind  in  all 
the  high  Aretic  regions  of  Asia  and  Knro|ic,  and  in  North  America  cast  of  tlic  Kocky 
Mountains.  In  the  wi'stcrn  jiortions  of  America,  it  is  replaced  hy  />.  in'r/ririnis,  a 
clos(dy  allied  form.  It  is  almost  unknown  in  tlic  interior.  A  single  cxaiii[dc  taken 
on  Lake  Aliidiigan,  near  IJaciiie.  hy  Dr.  Hoy.  is  the  only  exception,  so  far  as  1  know. 

llcarnc  was  convinced  tluit  lliis  hird  must  breed  in  the  remote  north,  as  it  std- 
doiii  appeared  at  C'hnrehill  Jvivcr  until  September.  Its  route  in  tlit^  spring  was 
unknown,  nor  did  any  of  the  Ifudson's  IJay  Indians  know  of  its  breeding-place.  ]t 
always  came  from  the  north  in  its  visits  to  Chiindiill  ixiver.  Hew  near  the  margin  of 
the  coast,  and  was  never  seen  in  the  interior.  Its  ilcsli,  although  delicate  to  the  eye, 
was  not  much  esteemed  as  food.  In  some  years  birds  of  this  species  jiassed  the 
month  of  Ohurcliill  JJiver  in  incredible  numbers.  In  their  movements  south  they 
nsiially  availed  themselves  of  a  strong  northerly  or  northwesterly  wind ;  and  this 
made  their  flight  so  swift,  that  once,  when  .Mr.  Ilcarne.  killed  four  or  five  at  a  single 
shot,  they  all  lell  from  twenty  to  fifty  yards  beyond  the  place  where  they  were  hit. 
When  in  largo  flocks  they  arc  known  to  tly,  in  the  manner  of  the  Snow  Goose,  in  the 
form  of  a  wedge,  and  to  maki'  a  great  noise.  Their  flight  is  irregular,  sometimes 
being  forty  or  fifty  yards  above  the  water,  and  yet,  an  inst;int  later,  they  may  In^  seen 
skimming  close  to  its  surface,  then  again  they  will  rise  to  a  considerable  height;  so 
that  by  some  they  are  said  to  "fly  iii  festoons.*' 

Acconling  to  Jiiehardson,  this  s|)ecies  breeds  on  the  shores  and  among  the  islands 
of  the  Arctic  Sea.  and  kcejis  near  the  sea-coast  in  its  migrations.  It  is  rarely,  if  (>ver, 
seen  in  the  interior.  As  no  mention  is  made  among  the  records  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution  of  this  (Joosc  being  known  to  breed  on  the  coast  of  the  Arctic  Sea, 
Richardson  may  have  been  mistaken  in  this  siii>]iosition.  He  mentions  its  feeding 
on  moUnsea,  tlu^  f7ri(  /(irfiim,  and  other  nuirine  ]ilaiits  —  idiicfly  njion  the  latter, 
from  which  its  flesh  acquires  a  strong  flavor.  It  is  said  to  leave  its  breed ing-cpiarters 
in  September. 

Dr.  Vessels  inclndes  this  species  among  the  birds  procnred  on  the  "]*olaris"  Ex- 
l)editioii  ("  Hnlletin  de  la  Societc  de  (}(''Ographie.''  ISlareh,  187/)) ;  and  .Mr.  Feilden 
("  Ibis,"  October,  JS77)  also  includes  it  among  the  birds  procured  in  the  Jbitish  Arc- 
tic l']x))edition  of  1870-1876.  and  sujiidies  the  following  interesting  note :  ''During 
the  first  week  of  .Fiiiie,  jiartics  of  these  birds  arrived  in  the  vicinity  (d'  oiir  winter- 
qnarters  (lat.  82"  27'  >«'.):  for  some  days  they  continued  flying  nj)  and  (h)wn  the 
coast-line,  evidently  looking  out  for  places  bare  of  snow  to  feed  on.     They  were  very 


ANSKUIX.K  —  THE  OEKSH  —  I'.KIINICLA. 


469 


tijis  to  llii' 
suow-wliilc. 
li,  Wasliiiij;- 
I'ts  iiiul  sec- 
ts jiaU'r  and 

ins  (adnlts), 
luy  prolialily 
iin  sjH'ciMicn, 
s,  anil  wtniM 
are  exactly 
lie  a  livldiil 


he  suinmcr 
111(1  winter 
(iiiiiil  ill  all 
tlic  IJiicky 
tn'(/rir((iii<,  a 
luplc  taUfu 
IS  I  know, 
h,  as  it  sfl- 
■ipriii^'  was 
;-lila('t'.  It 
'  iiiai'ij;in  ol' 

to  till-  t'VO, 

jiassctl  the 

south  tlify 

and  this 

it  a  sinj^'lc 

wiMc  hit. 

ISC,  ill  the 

soiiu'timo.s 

IV  In^  si'on 


loight; 


so 


the  islands 
y.  il'  ever, 
uthsoniun 
rctie  Sea, 
s  feediiif^ 
lie  latter, 
i;-(  [uarters 

aris"  Ex- 
r.  Feildeii 
rilish  Arc- 
•  During 
lur  winter- 
down  the 
were  very 


wary,  and  kept  well  out  ol'  gunshot  range.  On  the  L'lst  <if  .lime  I  toiuid  the  tirst 
nest  with  eggs  in  hit.  82" .').'{'  N.;  siihseiiuently  many  were  loiind.  When  the  young 
are  hatehed  the  parent  liirds  and  hroods  congregate  on  the  lakes,  or  in  open  watcr- 
sjiaces  near  the  shore,  in  large  flocks;  hy  the  cud  ol'  .Inly  tiic  old  hirds  were  moulting, 
and  unable  to  tiy,  so  that  they  were  easily  secured.  .  .  .  '{"lie  llesh  ol'  this  bird  is  most 
excellent.  The  gander  remains  in  tlie  vicinity  ol'  the  iicsl  while  the  goose  is  sitting, 
and  accompanies  the  young  brood,  in  one  instance,  where  1  killed  a  I'emale  as  she 
left  her  nest,  the  gainh'r  came  hissing  at  me."' 

J)r.  Walker  met  with  this  (ioose  on  the  coast  of  (Irceiiiand,  near  (lodtliaab,  and 
afterward,  in  the  mouth  ol'  liellofs  Strait,  saw  it  moving  northward  in  .Mav.  Some 
of  these  birds  constructed  nests  on  tiie  cliffs  which  form  the  sides  of  the  Strait. 

Aeoording  to  Mr.  Jiarnston,  this  (ioose  is  the  ('ii//ririi/,!m(nr  of  the  Cree  Indians; 
and  is  still  but  little  eared  for  at  Iliidsoifs  Uay.  lie  sjieaks  of  it  as  keejiing  out  to 
sea,  on  the  shoals,  near  low-water  mark.  It  arrives  tiie  latest  of  all  the  birds  of  its 
family. 

According  to  Trofessor  KcMiihardt,  it  is  one  of  the  common  birds  of  (ireenland. 
where,  on  the  entire  coast  occupied  by  the  Danish  settiements.  it  aiijiears  only  on  its 
passage  to  or  from  its  breeding-places,  wiiich  must  be  in  very  high  latitude  —  at  the 
least  north  of  the  .seventy-third  parallel. 

J'rofessor  Alfred  Newton  states  ("Ibis,"  ISd."))  that  on  Tarry "s  Kxpeditioii  one  of 
its  nests,  containing  two  eggs,  was  obtained  at  Ross  Inlet,  latitude  80  '  IS'  N..  on 
the  IGth  of  .June,  which  was  at  that  time  proiiably  the  most  iiortiicrn  land  ever  visited 
by  man.  It  was  tiieii  also  seen  in  large  Hocks  about  Wahlcii  and  Little  Table  Islands. 
Dr.  jMalmgren  found  it  breeding  on  the  Depot  Holme.  Spit/bcrgcn,  and  also  on  the 
shore  of  the  niainland  and  in  Treurenberg  liay,  showing  that  Trofessor  Torell  was  in 
error  in  stating  that  it  only  breeds  on  islets. 

Sir  .lames  Ross  states  that  the  ISrant  (loose  did  not  reiiiain  near  I'elix  Harbor  to 
breed,  but  went  still  farther  north  ;  ami  that  during  the  sumiucr  months  it  was  only 
seen  in  the  highest  northern  latitudes  that  were  visited.  It,  was  found  breeding  on 
Parry's  I.slands,  in  latitude  7T"  and  7.')'.  Captain  Scorcsby  reported  that  it  was  not 
common  at  Siiit/bergen  ;  but,  Messrs.  lOvans  and  Stiirgc,  in  tiicii' visit  to  that  group 
of  islands,  found  it  breeding  in  immense  numbers,  and  reported  the  ground  covered 
with  its  nests.  These  were  constructed  on  tlu;  bi'acli.  and  were  perfect  masses  of 
down  and  feathers,  in  which  three  or  four  eggs  were  buried.  This  was  on  the  South 
C!ape  Islands. 

]\Ir.  (J.  (iillett  found  this  species  (piite  common  in  Matthew's  Strait.  Xova  Zcmbla  ; 
Von  lleugliii  also  saw  it  in  large  Hocks  at  the  same  place;  and  \'on  I'.acr  iiientions  its 
occurrence  on  Nova  Zcmbla.  and  adds  that  it  is  not  considered  by  the  Russians  to  be 
a  (ioose.  It  collects  in  much  greater  iiiimbers  upon  the  Island  of  Kolgiijew,  where  ex- 
peditions are  sent  to  kill  and  .salt  these  birds.  .V  merchant  of  Archangel  inbirmed 
Von  Daerthat  on  one  occasion  Hfteen  thousand  (Jeesc  were  killed  there  in  two  hunts. 
MiihlendorlT  enumerates  it  as  one  of  the  birds  of  Arctic  Siberia,  occurring  only  in  the 
extreme  north. 

Mr.  Hoardinan  informs  me  that  this  bird  is  common  in  the  fall  about  Macey's  15ay, 
in  the  Day  of  Fuiidy.  ft  occurs  in  varying  numbers  on  the  New  I'Jigland  coast,  both 
in  the  spring  ami  fall,  and  is  especially  abundant  on  ('a[ie  (Jod  in  the  spring,  or  from 
jMarch  to  May. 

Mr.  W.  Hapgood,  in  a  very  full  account  {)f  the  habits  of  this  species  ("  Forest  and 
Stream,"  Scjit.  L',  187.')),  states  that  in  ordinary  seasons  Drant  begin  to  be  coininon  at 
Cape  Cod  early  in  March,  and  continue  coming  and  going  until  the  end  of  .\pril.     At 


470 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWI^EMERS  —  ANSERES. 


times  they  are  present  on  the  i'eeding-groiuKls  in  immense  numbers.  They  never  mi- 
grate against  a  northeast  wind,  but  await  a  breeze  from  tlie  southwest.  Tlieir  course 
is  first  east-northeast,  but  afterward  so  deflected  as  to  bring  them  into  the  Bay  of 
Fundy,  up  which  they  pass,  rising  over  the  narrow  neck  of  land  to  Nortliumberland 
Straits,  where  they  find  shoal-water  and  good  feeding-grounds,  and  where  they  remain 
until  the  end  of  May.  Leaving  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  their  course  is  said  to  be 
westward  of  Auticosti,  and  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  toward  the  Arctic  Ocean. 
Their  exact  route  is  partly  conjectured.  They  are  known  to  arrive  in  the  vicinity  of 
Melville  Island  in  immense  numbers,  and  to  pass  along  Wellington  Channel  to  more 
northern  regions.  That  they  also  reach  Smith's  Sound,  and  breed  in  large  numbers 
at  the  junction  of  its  waters  with  the  Arctic  Sea,  has  recently  been  ascertained  by 
Mr.  Feilden's  observations. 

Mr.  Hapgood  mentions  as  a  noteworthy  peculiarity  of  the  Brant,  when  in  confine- 
ment, that  it  pecks  at  and  eats  decayed  wood,  and  suggests  that  this  seems  to  indicate 
that  driftwood  may  be  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  its  food  in  Arctic  regions,  which 
in  some  regions  is  quite  abundant.  In  their  southern  migrations  the  Brant  are  said 
to  make  no  stop  at  Cape  Vod,  unless  compelled  by  stress  of  weather,  but  spend  their 
winter  months  along  shore  from  Barnegat  to  Florida.  L)r.  Kane  regarded  the  i)res- 
ence  of  this  bird  in  large  numbers  as  clearly  indicative  of  open  water. 

On  Long  Island,  where  it  is  familiarly  known  as  the  Brant,  according  to  Dr. 
Giraud  it  makes  its  appearance  about  the  loth  of  October.  In  the  spring  and  au- 
tumn it  is  very  numerous  on  the  coast,  exceeding  in  number  botli  the  Canada  Goose 
and  the  Dusky  Duck.  Its  manner  of  flight  is  very  different  from  that  of  B.  canadensis. 
It  moves  in  more  (iompact  bodies,  less  rapidly,  and  without  seeming  to  have  any  cho- 
sen leader.  AVhile  in  the  bays  of  Long  Island  it  seems  to  be  inactive,  seldom  taking 
to  wing,  unless  disturbed  by  a  passing  boat  or  the  near  approach  of  a  gun. 

It  rises  slowly,  and  when  on  the  wing  moves  sluggishly  for  a  short  distance,  and, 
unless  attracted  by  a  distant  flock,  frequently  returns  to  the  place  just  left.  Its  food 
there  consists  largely  of  the  Zostent  mnrhw,  or  eel-grass.  At  low  water  it  may  be 
seen  industriously  at  work  tearing  uj)  its  favorite  jdant.  When  the  tide  has  risen  to 
such  a  height  as  to  compel  it  to  relinquish  its  work,  it  then  drifts  with  the  current, 
feeding  on  the  fruits  of  its  labor. 

The  Brant  is  very  fond  of  what  is  known  to  hunters  as  '*  sanding,"  and  resorts  to 
sandbars  for  that  i)urpose,  where  it  is  killed  in  great  numbers  by  men  who  secrete 
themselves  in  excavations  made  in  the  sand.  The  locality  known  as  Fire  Island  Bar. 
on  the  south  side  of  Long  Island,  is  a  celebrated  point  for  procuring  this  species. 
Giraud  was  informed  in  1840  that  the  lessees  of  this  island  sent  to  the  New  York 
market  annually  from  this  bar  several  hundred  dollars'  worth  of  birds  —  chiefly 
Brant.  In  passing  over  the  Long  Island  bays,  these  birds  avoid  as  much  as  possible 
the  points  of  land  and  the  tussocks  of  grass,  and  this  makes  them  diflicult  to  obtain, 
except  in  the  manner  descrii^ed,  or  by  shooting  them  from  batteries  anchored  in  the 
shallow  parts  of  the  bays.  These  batteries  are  constructed  by  taking  a  box  six  feet 
long,  two  and  a  half  wide,  and  one  foot  deej),  with  sides  and  ends  shelving,  on  which 
sand  is  placed,  to  imitate  a  bar.  The  upper  edges  of  these  boxes  are  even  with  the 
surface  of  the  water,  and  in  them  the  hunters  lie  concealed,  having  a  number  of 
decoys  around.  By  means  of  this  arrangement  one  man  can  often  discharge,  with 
deadly  effect,  two  double-barrelled  guns  into  a  flock.  A  statute  was  passed  in  1838 
prohibiting  the  use  of  this  methof^  of  killing  birds ;  but  this  law  was  defied  and  openly 
violated,  and  becoming  a  dead  leti;er,  was  at  last  rejiealed. 

While  the  Brant  is  not  known  to  dive  for  its  food,  it  not  infrequently  endeavors 


ANSERIN.E  —  THE  GEESE  —  BERNICLA. 


471 


to  escape  by  doing  this  when  it  has  been  wounded,  although  it  rarely  succeeds  in 
accomplishing  its  purpose.  While  by  many  this  bird  is  not  consideied  as  being 
desirable  as  food,  Cliraud  speaks  of  it  as  excellent,  even  tlie  adult  birds  being  tender 
and  juicy,  and  free  from  any  tishy  flavor.  Its  flesh  has  the  most  desirable  taste  in 
the  spring ;  but  at  times  it  acquires  a  disagreeabh'  sedgy  flavor. 

Owing  to  its  apparent  unwillingness  to  give  iip  its  wandering  habits,  this  bird 
cannot  be  fully  domesticated.  Giraud  tried  the  experiment  with  young  birds,  but 
without  success.  Even  where  the  attempt  has  seemed  partially  successful,  the  Brant 
could  not  be  made  to  breed. 

Mr.  Audubon  did  not  meet  with  this  species  in  Texas,  and  could  not  obtain  any 
evidence  of  its  having  ever  been  seen  there ;  but  Mr.  Dresser  mentions  it  as  common 
on  that  coast  during  the  winter. 

According  to  Yarrell,  the  Brant  is  a  regular  winter  visitor  to  the  shores  of  all  the 
maritime  counties  of  England,  remaining  through  all  the  cold  months  of  the  year. 
It  is  a  marine  species,  never  seen  in  fresh  water,  passing  the  greater  portion  of  the 
time  out  at  sea,  frequenting  extensive  nuuldy  flats,  or  such  sand-bars  as,  are  exposed 
at  every  ebb-tide.  It  makes  its  ai)pearance  at  these  feeding-places  a  short  time  before 
the  water  leaves  the  ground  exposed,  and  remains  there,  unless  disturbed,  until  this 
is  again  covered  by  the  tide.  In  such  situations  the  flocks  of  Brant  are  often  of 
extraordinary  size. 

Colonel  Hawker  states  that  these  birds  are  always  wild,  except  in  very  severe 
weather,  and  that  their  cautious  instincts  prompt  them  to  leave  their  feeding-grounds 
as  soon  as  the  tide  flows  high  enough  to  bear  an  enemy.  To  kill  Brant  by  day  it  is 
necessary  to  get  out  of  sight  in  a  small  punt  at  low  water,  and  keep  as  near  as  pos- 
sible to  the  edge  of  the  sea.  The  cry  of  a  flock  as  it  approaches  is  said  to  resemble 
that  of  a  pack  of  hounds.  When  they  come  near  to  a  boat,  if  the  hunter  springs  up 
suddenly,  the  Brant  in  their  fright  hover  together  and  prt'sent  a  fine  mark.  Other 
writers  also  si)eak  of  the  resemblance  of  the  notes  of  a  flock  of  tliese  birds  to  those 
of  a  pack  of  hounds  in  full  cry.  On  the  British  coast  these  birds  feed  chiefly  on  the 
fronds  of  several  alga;,  especially  Ulra,  latissima. 

Yarrell  states  that  the  eggs  brought  home  by  the  northern  voyagers  were  of  a 
uniform  grayish  white,  measuring  2.75  inches  in  length  by  1.75  in  breadth.  The 
birds  kept  in  conflnement  in  St.  James's  Park  and  at  the  Zoological  Gardens  have 
never  manifested  any  disposition  to  mate.  In  conflnement  they  are  exclusive  and 
reserved,  never  consort  with  other  birds,  but  hiss  when  they  are  approached,  as  do 
other  geese;  and  their  cries  are  described  as  resembling  the  syllables  ruck-nick, 
I'-r-t'onk,  v-r-roiik. 


I 

% 
•1' 


'<b 


Cil 


Bemicla  nigricans. 

THE  BLACK  BBANT. 

Anser  nigricans,  Lawr.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  IV.  1846,  171,  plate. 

Bcrnida  uiyricans,  Ca.ss.  lUustr.  B.  Cal.  Tex.  etc.  1853,  52,  pi.  10.  —  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  1868,  767  ; 

Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  571.  —  Riuow.  Noni.  N.  Am.  B.  1882,  no.  596. 
Branta  nigricans,  Bannist.  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philnd.  1870,  131. 
Branta  bemicla,  vnv.  nigricans,  Cuuk.s,  Key,  1872,  284. 
Branta  bemicla,  b.  nigricans,  Coues,  B.  N.  \V.  1874,  557. 
Bemicla  brenta  nigricans,  CouEs,  Clieek  Li.st,  2(1  eil.  1882,  no.  701. 

Hab.     Arctic  and  Western  North  America ;  rare  or  casual  in  the  Atlantic  States. 
Sp.  Chab.    Adult  (No.  12787,  Simiahnioo,  Washinj^ton  Territory  ;  Dr.  Kexnerly)  :  Head, 
neck,  anil  jnguluni  unifoi'ni  deep  black  ;  middle  of  tlie  neck  with  a  conspicuous  collar  of  pure 


n 


I 


S??!f. 


»  '  "'■A»-,i-/T-^T,r 


472 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  AXSERES. 


white,  inten-upted  only  on  the  nape,  aiul  with  obliciue  streaks  running  upward  for  an  inch  outside 
the  ring.  Upper  parts,  breast,  and  abdomen  unil'orni  dark  brownish  phuubeous,  the  rump,  prima- 
ries, and  secondaries  approaching  bhick.  Anal  region,  crissuni,  sides  of  tlie  rum]),  f  id  upper  tail- 
coverts  immaculate  snow-white.     Tail  uniform  black.     Feathers  of  tlie  sides  and  Hanks  with  very 


Bemicla  nif/ricans. 

broad  wliite  tips,  these  almost  concealing  tlie  dusky  of  the  basal  portion.  Bill  and  feet  deej)  black  ; 
tarsi  dark  nMldish  (lilack  in  life  >.).  Wing,  13. -iO  inclies  ;  culnien,  IMi)  ;  tarsus,  2.50  ;  middle  toe, 
2.00.     YotuKj  (No.  (U!)(!:5,  9,  riiidakleet,  Alaslca,  Sejit.  28,  18(i7  ;  W.  H.  Dall)  :  Similar  to  the 

adult,  but  collar  obsolete,  greater  wing-coverts  and 
secondaries  broadly  tijiped  with  pure  wldte,  and 
feathers  of  the  sides  and  llanks  uniform  brownish 
gray,  without  white  tips. 

A  very  curious  specimen  from  Northern  Europe 
(No.  57107,  "hoher  Norden;"  Schliiter  Coll.)  is 
exactly  intermediate  between  this  species  and  li. 
hrenta,  and  is  probably  a  hybrid.  It  has  the  uni- 
form colors  of  the  body  characteristic  of  the  B. 
nigrican.i ;  but  the  shade  is  rather  lighter,  present- 
ing a  more  appreciable  demarcation  of  the  black  of 
the  jugulum,  and  has  a  more  bluish  cast — the 
wing-coverts  in  strong  and  abrupt  contrast  with 
the  black  secondaries.  The  white  of  the  neck  is  in 
two  oppo.site  isolated  crescents,  as  in  bemicla.  It 
measures  as  follows  :  Wing,  12.85  inches  ;  culnien, 
1.25  ;  tarsus,  2.30  ;  middle  toe,  1.75. 

This  form  is  very  closely  allied  to  the 

coninioii  l^rant  Goose,  and  takes  its  place 

on  the  Pacific  coast,  wliero  the  latter  does 

not  seem  to  occur.     The  present  species  is  quite  rare  on  tlu^  eastern  coast.    ]Mr.  Hen- 


ANSERINvE  —  THE  GEESE  —  BERNICLA. 


473 


I  inch  outside 
ruinp,  piiiuu- 
\(l  uppur  tiiil- 
iks  with  vevy 


L't  ik'C])  Ijlack  ; 

;  luiddle  tou, 
Similar  to  the 
-coverts  and 
ire  wliite,  and 

irni  brownisih 

■thern  Europe 

diiter  Coll.)  is 

-pecies  and  B. 

t  has  the  uni- 

istic  of  tlie  B. 

,'hter,  present- 

li'  the  hlnck  of 

ish    cast  —  the 

contrast  with 

the  neck  is  in 

1  hcniicla.     It 

■hes  ;  culnien, 


illiod  to  the 
ct^s  its  place 
a  latter  docs 
it.    Mr.  Heii- 


shaw  informed  me  that  lie  lias  seen  a  single  sjioeimen  of  it  in  the  Boston  market  • 
and  there  is,  Mv.  Lawrence  informs  me,  a  tine  specimen  in  the  museum  of  the  Long 
Island  Historical  Society  which  was  obtained  on  that  island.  It  is  rare  in  the 
interior,  Imt  Captain  licndire  mentions  its  oci-asional  occurrence  in  Eastern  Oregon. 

;Mr.  11.  Urowne  includes  it  in  his  list  of  the  birds  of  Vancouver  Island.  He  men- 
tions having  seen  one  of  these  Geese,  apparently  cpiite  tame,  stalking  about  tlie 
Unchaltaw  Indian  village  in  Discovery  Passage,  in  March,  WMl  It  is  known  as  the 
Nulla  by  the  Quakwolths,  who  also  liiid  a  tame  one  in  the  village  at  Fort  Ifupert. 

According  to  Dr.  Cooper,  this  species  appears  to  resort,  in  winter,  only  to  salt- 
Avater  bays.  Dr.  Suckley  found  it  exceedinglj  abundant  near  the  Straits  of  Fuca  at 
that  season,  and  occurring  more  sparingly  about  the  moutlis  of  other  bars  as  far 
south  as  San  Diego,  where,  in  the  wijit(!r  of  1S()1-1801',  Dr.  Cooper  saw  these  birds 
in  large  numbers.  They  appeared  in  October,  and  remained  until  April  20,  the  spring 
being  much  more  backward,  and  their  departure  taking  place  probably  as  much  as 
two  weeks  later  than  usual.  He  saw  no  other  sjiecies  in  eoini)any  with  tlicm  during 
the  whole  winter,  though  others  were  common  on  the  ])rairies  at  some  distance  inland. 
They  appeared  to  feed  almost  entirely  on  the  leaves  and  roots  of  the  marine  grass 
(xostera)  which  abounds  in  that  bay.  Dr.  Coojjer  supposes  that  they  also  feed  on 
small  fish  and  shells,  as  they  acfpiire  a  somewhat  fishy,  though  not  a  disagrecalile, 
flavor.  They  were  exceedingly  wild,  and  flew  so  high  that  he  only  succeeded  in  pro- 
curing a  single  specimen.  Tlieir  note  is  said  to  be  a  croaking  cry,  much  less  strong 
than  that  of  the  other  species.  Dr.  Coojier  never  saw  any  in  the  San  Francisco 
market,  but  he  ni(;t  with  them  about  and  outside  of  the  Bay,  in  LSG,'5,  as  late  as 
the  24th  of  April ;  and  he  has  every  reason  to  believe  that  large  numbers  frecpient 
the  fields  of  kelp  which  line  the  coast  and  extend  out  some  miles  from  tlie  shore. 

Mr.  Kennicott,  in  a  note  dated  Fort  Yukon,  May  1!),  refers  to  procuring  three 
specimens  of  this  bird,  known  in  that  region  as  the  "Eskimo  Goose."  He  states 
that  it  arrives  there  the  latest  of  all  the  birds,  and  after  nearly  all  the  other  (ieese 
have  passed.  It  flies  in  large  flocks,  and  very  rapidly.  The  three  specimens  were 
the  first  noticed  that  season,  and  the  only  ones  killed,  although  two  dozen  or  more 
flocks  of  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  were  seen  in  all ;  but  in  no  comparison,  in  point  of 
numbers,  with  the  other  four  species.  This  bird  is  said  to  pass  La  Pierre  House  in 
immense  numbers  both  in  spring  and  fall. 

Mr.  Dall  states  that  this  Goose  arrives  in  immense  flocks  in  the  spring  along  the 
sea-coast,  and  he  shot  one  at  Nulato,  May  21),  1808 ;  Imt  it  was  regarded  as  being 
a  very  rare  visitor  on  tlie  Yukim.  It  passes  Fort  Yukon  in  the  spring,  as  it  does 
St.  Michael's,  being  present  only  a  few  days,  and  breeding  only  on  the  shores  of  the 
Arctic  Sea.  Mr.  Dall  was  informed  that  this  species  is  not  found  at  Fort  ^'ukoii  in 
the  fall.  He  killed  one  at  Unalaktak,  Sept.  28,  1867,  on  the  edgi>  of  the  ice  in  a 
small  stream ;  and  mentions  that  he  uniformly  found  this  Goose  lean,  tough,  and  of 
a  disagreeable  flavor.  It  is  also  very  shy.  The  few  that  appear  in  Norton  Sound  in 
the  fall  are  the  last  of  the  Geese,  except  the  "Emperor  Goose''  (I'/iilnrfe  mnagica). 

Mr.  Bannister  mentions  that  he  was  told  that  this  bird  was  far  less  abundant 
than  usual  at  St.  Michael's  the  season  he  was  there,  when  only  a  few  were  killed. 
It  arrived  there  the  12th  of  :\ray,  almost  the  last  of  all  the  nugratory  birds ;  and 
was  observed  Sept.  2;$,  1865,  on  its  return.  It  is  said  to  come  usually  in  immense 
flocks,  and  to  afford  more  profitable  sport  for  a  few  days  than  all  the  other  species 
put  together.  The  flight  of  the  main  body  of  these  migratory  birds  is  along  the 
western  edge  of  St.  Micdiael's  Island,  touching  Stewart's  Island,  and  then  proceeding 
directly  northward,  across  the  open  sea  toward  Goloviu  Sound. 

VOL.  1.  —  60 


t 


i 


I  fPIHItPil|^«p|ni«^IHUJW  M-' ' ' 


474 


LAMELLIROSTHAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


It  was  seen  breeding  ubundantly  by  Mr.  MacFarlaue  near  the  Arctic  Ocean.  Some 
of  tlie  nests  were  found  on  small  islets  in  fresh-water  ponds ;  others  on  islands  in 
the  Anderson,  near  its  mouth ;  and  many  others  either  on  the  shore  or  on  ishuuls 
in  Franklin  I5ay,  or  other  parts  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  In  some  cases  the  nest  was  noth- 
ing more  than  a  mere  (h'[)ression  lined  with  down ;  but  in  some  the  cpiantity  of  down 
was  quite  large.  The  number  of  eggs  in  a  nest  was  generally  five ;  but  in  one  case 
as  many  as  sev^en  were  seen,  and  in  six  or  seven  instances  six. 

On  tiie  coast  of  Norton  Sound,  Alaska,  as  observed  by  Mr.  E.  Adams  ("  Ibis," 
1878),  these  Guese  were  observed  to  arrive  in  the  middle  of  May  in  great  numbers. 
They  were  first  noticed  on  the  12th.  Th(\y  keep  much  more  to  the  sea  than  the  other 
Geese,  and  large  flocks  are  only  seen  inland  near  their  breeding-places.  They  keep 
along  the  coast,  out  of  shot,  and  in  the  spring  their  line  of  Wight  is  directly  north. 
They  breed  in  the  southern  nuirshes  with  the  Ilutchins's  Goose,  th{>  natives  eoUec^t- 
ing  their  eggs  at  the  end  of  Juno,  and  bringin;.;  them  by  boat-loads  to  Michalaski. 
Mr.  Adams  regards  the  eggs  as  being  by  no  means  good  eating,  since  they  are  rank 
and  Hshy ;  but  the  Russians  consider  them  excelleiit. 

Exami)les  were  taken  in  large  mnubers  on  the  \  ukon  by  Mr.  Kennicott,  and  after- 
ward by  Mr.  T.  Lockhart.  Mr.  ^Fac  Farlaue  found  it  breeding  in  abundance  on  islands 
northeast  of  the  mouth  of  Anderson  liiver,  in  Liveri)ool  Hay  on  the  Arctic  coast,  on 
Franklin  Hay,  on  various  other  parts  of  the  coast,  and  especially  in  regions  west  of 
Anderson  River. 

Eggs  of  this  species  from  Liver[)()ol  Hay  (Smithsonian  Institution,  No.  9183)  are 
of  a  dull  ivory-white,  or  a  grayish-white  color,  and  range  in  length  from  2.75  to  2.90 
inches,  and  in  breadth  from  1.80  to  1.8;j  inches. 

Brauta  leucopsis. 

THE    BARNACLE    OOOSE. 

Anser  hncopsis,  Bkcii.st.  Tiischb.  1803,  424.  —  Nutt.  Man.  II.  1834,  355.  —  AuD.  Orn.  Biog.  III. 

1835,  609,  pi.  2i)(> ;  Syiioi).  1839,  271  ;  15.  Am.  VI.  1843,  200,  pi.  378. 
Alius  leucopsis,  Tk.mm.  Mi\ii.  1815,  531. 
Bcrnicln  Iciu-opsis,  Bon:,  Isis,  1822,  5()3.  —  Baiiid,  B.  N.  Am.  18:'i8,  768  ;  Cut  N.  Am.  H.  1859,  no. 

572.  —  KiDGW.  Norn.  N.  Am.  15.  1882,  no.  .W?. —Cocks,  Clieik  List,  2il  cd.  1882,  no.  699. 
Branta  leucopsis,  Bannlst.  Pr.  Ac.  \iit.  Sei.  PhilaJ.  1870,  131.  —  Coi-i;s,  Key,  1872,  283;  Check 

List,  1873,  no.  483  ;  Birds  X.  W.  1874,  558. 

Had.  Piilrenrctic  Region  ;  casual  in  Eastern  North  America  (Hudson's  Bay  and  Jamaica 
Bay,  Long  Island,  specimens  in  U.  S.  Niitional  Museum;  Currituck  Sound,  N.  C. ;  cf.  Lawu. 
Am.  Nat.  Y.  1871,  10). 

Si>.  Chak.  Adult  (No.  49788.  Hudson's  Bay  Territory  ;  B.  R.  Ross)  :  Anterior  portion  of  tlie 
back,  jugulum,  neck,  and  occiput,  to  nearly  ahove  the  eyes,  uniform  deep  Idack,  tin;  posterior  out- 
line of  which  on  the  juguUnn  is  very  regular  and  sharply  defined.  Head  mostly  white,  with  a 
black  stripe  from  the  upper  basal  angle;  of  the  liill  to  the  eye.  Lower  parts  grayish  white,  becom- 
ing dark  cinereous  on  the  sides  and  Hanks,  where  the  feathers  are  broadly  tipped  with  grayish 
white.  Anal  region,  crissum,  and  ui)iier  tail-coverta  itnmaculate  pure  white.  Interscapulars, 
rump,  and  tail  uiuform  lilack  ;  scapulars  black,  their  concealed  bases  slate-color.  Wing-coverts 
glaucous-ash,  broadly  ti]iped  (lor  about  .(55  of  an  inch)  with  Mack,  the  last  row  ("greater  coverts") 
conspicuously  tipped  with  white.  Secondaries  and  primaries  brownish  slate-black,  ftding  basally 
into  slaty  asii.  Bill  and  feet  deep  black.  Wing,  1(5.50  inches  ;  tail,  (i.OO  ;  cuhuen,  1.20 ;  bill  .80 
wide  and  deep  at  base  ;  tawus,  2.75  ;  middle  toe,  LOO. 

Two  European  specimens  in  the  National  Collection  differ  from  that  descril)e<l  above  —  which  is 
the  only  American  e.\ample  of  the  species  we  have  seen — in  the  nuich  lighter  color  of  the  upper 


J 


eau.  Soiuo 
islands  in 
on  islands 
t  was  noth- 
ity  t)f  down 
in  one  case 

as  ("Ibis," 
it  numbers, 
m  the  '.itlier 
They  keep 
eetly  north, 
ives  eoUeet- 
Miehalaski. 
ey  are  rank 

t,  and  after- 
e  on  islands 
tic  coast,  on 
ions  west  of 

o.  9483)  are 
2.75  to  2.90 


)rn.  Biog.  III. 


H.  1859,  no. 
8-i,  no.  6t>9. 
2,  283  ;  ChcL'k 


iuul  Juinaiwi 
cf.  Lawk. 


[^ 


[lortiou  of  the 
])()stc;rii)r  oiil- 
white,  with  a 
white,  buconi- 
with  grayish 
iiti'vscapulars, 

WillJ^-COVL'VtS 

liter  coverts  ") 
Hdiiig  hasally 
1.20;  bill  .80 

vo  —  which  is 
of  the  iqnier 


ANSERIN/E  —  THE  GEE.SE  —  DERXICLA. 


475 


pnrts,  nil  the  feathers  of  the  luick,  the  scaimhirs,  mid  tlie  larger  wing-eoverls  l)i.ing  distinctly,  thoifh 
narrowly,  tipped  with  pale  ash,  while  the  more  bluish  gray  at  the  base  of  the  fi-athers' is  every- 
where more  or  less  distinctly  exposed.  It  is  not  likely,  however,  that  tliese  dilffrenccs  will  prove 
constant.!  These  European  skins  measure  as  follows  :  Wing,  14.90-1(5.00  inches  ;  culmeii,  1.10- 
1.45;  tarsus,  2.50-.3.(H) ;  middli;  toe,  l.!)0-:2.10. 

The  (daini  of  the  liarnacle  ( Joose  to  be  included  in  the  North  American  fauna  is 
based  upon  its  probable  constant  occurrence  in  Greenland,  and  occasional  capture 
along  the  Atlantic  coast.  The  individual 
instances  of  its  being  taken  at  long  inter- 
vals and  in  distant  localities  may  possildy 
be  accounted  for  by  considering  them  as 
birds  escajied  from  •onlincnieiit.  In  a  lew 
instances  the  occurrence  of  this  bird  in  this 
country  can  be  proved  to  have  been  caused 
in  till  Manner  suggested;  otlu'r  (;ases  are, 
and  will  perhaps  remain,  doubtful. 

Holboll  states  that  this  Goose  in  autumn 
regularly  visits  the  southern  part  of  (rreen- 
land ;  but  be  docs  not  believe  that  it  bnuuls 
cinywhere  in  that  country.  I'rofessor  Uein- 
hardt,  however,  considers  these  two  state- 
ments inconsistent  with  each  other  —  and 
indeed  he  has  been  told  that  a  few  of  the 
eggs  of  this  (roose  have  been  actually  taken 
in  Greenland ;  though  be  is  not  positive  as 
to  the  truth  of  this  stateiaent. 

One  specimen  was  obtained  by  j\fr.  15.  I{.  Ross  near  Rupert  House,  on  James's 
Bay,  at  the  southern  end  of  Hudson's  Bay,  and  is  presumed  to  be  tlie  first  Xorth 
Anuu'ican  specimen  ever  procured,  or  at  least  known  to  have  been  taken.  Another 
was  shot  on  the  coast  of  Xova  Scotia;  but  there  is  no  doubt  that  it  was  one  of 
several  that  a  short  time  before  hail  escaped  from  the  grouiuls  of  Mr.  A.  Downs,  near 
Halifax. 

No  mention  is  made  of  the  llarnacle  Goose  by  Dr.  Richardson,  and  it  was  not 
noticed  either  by  himscdf  or  by  any  of  his  ])arty.  llcarne,  however,  refers  to  the 
occurreiu'c,  on  Hudson's  Ray,  of  a  single  specimen  of  what  he  styh^s  the  Rean  Goose. 
He  speaks  also  of  seeing  this  Goose  at  least  three  several  times ;  and  it  is  quite 
possible  that  the  bird  he  refers  to  under  this  name  may  be  the  Rariuicle. 

A  second  specimen  has  more  recently  been  taken  in  (Currituck  Sound,  N.  C.  It 
was  killed  on  the  31st  of  ()ct(dH>r,  1870,  from  a  blind  Avhere  ther{>  were  fifteen  or 
twenty  live  Geese  as  decoys,  toward  whom  it  was  attracted.  It  was  unaccompanied 
by  any  other  bird.  It  is  not  improbable  that  this  may  have  been  a  bird  escaped  from 
continement. 

Both  Nuttall  and  Bonaparte  refer  to  this  sjiecies  as  being  rare  and  accidental  in 
America ;  but  unfortunately  mention  no  authority  for  the  statement,  and  refer  to  no 

1  Since  the  above  was  written  there  liiis  hecii  received  at  the  Nationnl  Sruseum  a  lino  mounted  c.xiiinple 
of  the  Barnacle  Goo.se,  obtained  at  Jnniaica  Bay,  Long  Island,  on  Oct.  18,  1870,  by  Mr.  J.  KciuIhH,  by 
whom  it  was  kindly  presented  to  the  Museum.  This  example  is  even  more  did'crent  from  the  Hudson's 
Bay  one  than  the  European  specimens  above  mentioneii,  the  whole  back  being  distinctly  marked  with 
broad  bars  of  bluish  gray.  In  size  it  is  intermediate,  in  all  its  measurements,  between  the  extreme.s 
as  given  in  the  diagnosis  on  p.  450. 


V 


'•  I] 


ii 

'i-'i 

^1 


476 


LAMELLIROSTJtAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


i 


instance  of  its  actual  occurrence.  Audubon  hiuisclt'  never  mot  with  it;  luit  single 
specimens  have  more  recently  been  secured  in  Vermont,  and  near  New  York  City. 

Mr.  Selby  sjjcaks  of  it  as  a  regular  winter  visitant  of  (Ircat  Britain,  and  says  that 
it  comes,  upon  tlie  approach  of  autumn,  in  vast  muubers  to  the  western  shores  of 
that  country,  and  to  tht'  north  of  Ireland.  It  is  very  abundant  on  the  coast  of  Lan- 
cashire, frequenting  the  nuirshy  grounds  that  are  occasionally  covered  by  tlie  spring 
tides,  and  such  sands  as  produce  the  sea-grasses  and  jdants  upon  Avhich  it  feeds.  It 
is  a  very  wary  bird,  and  can  be  approached  only  by  the  most  cautious  manoeuvres. 
It  nuiy  be  shot  by  juoonliglit,  when  it  comes  up(in  tlu!  sands  to  feed,  by  persons 
crouching  on  the  ground,  or  from  behind  some  slieltei,  in  such  ])l;ices  as  the  flocks  are 
known  to  frecpient.  Its  llesh  is  said  to  be  sweet  ami  tender,  and  is  highly  esteemed 
for  the  cable.  On  the  approach  of  spring  it  departs  for  nu)re  northern  countries,  and 
by  the  middle  of  Marcli  none  are  left  behind.  "When  made  captive  it  soon  becomes  as 
familiar  as  the  Domestic  Goose,  adajjting  itself  to  eonlinement,  and  breeding  readily. 
It  has  been  known  to  mate  with  the  White-fronted  Goose,  and  to  hatch  out  a  brood. 
Small  flocks  have  been  kept  for  several  seasons  in  St.  James's  Park ;  and  young  broods 
were  hatched  in  1844,  and  again  in  1845.  IJroods  have  also  been  raised  on  the 
grounds  of  Mr.  A.  W.  Austin,  near  Boston,  in  Lincolnshire.  Mr.  Yarrell  states  that 
the  eggs  laid  in  St.  Janu's's  I'ark  were  white,  and  measured  2.75  inches  in  hnigth  by 
1.87  inches  in  breadth. 

]Mr.  Dunn  states  that  this  Goose  migrates  in  vast  numbers  along  the  western 
coast  of  Norway,  from  the  Naze  of  Norway  northward,  Avhere  it  generally  seems  to 
make  the  land  after  leaving  the  Danish  coast.  The  shores  of  the  AVhite  Sea  are  its 
supi^osed  breeding-place.  It  appears  in  vast  numbers  on  the  coast  of  Scona,  in  (;)cto- 
ber  ami  November,  and  is  reported  as  visiting  the  Fariie  Islands  and  Iceland.  During 
its  migrations  it  is  said  to  be  abundant  in  Holland,  France,  and  Germany. 

Mr.  Audubon  describes  its  eggs,  from  specimens  in  the  Museum  of  the  University 
of  Edinburgh,  as  measuring  2.87  inches  in  length,  by  1.87  inches  in  breadth,  and  as 
being  of  a  uniform  yellowish  cream-color. 

Professor  iMalmgren  states  ("  Ibis,"  1869)  that  this  species  is  certainly  an  inhab- 
itant of  Spitzbergen.  Many  were  seen  in  Advent  Bay,  and  one  Avas  killed  in  the 
beginning  of  August. 

Middendorff  gives  it  as  occurring,  during  the  breeding-season,  in  Siberia,  in  the 
northern  Tundras,  or  Barrons.  j\Ir.  H.  Saunders  met  with  a  single  specimen  of 
this  species  in  Spain,  near  Seville.  It  was  shot  in  the  "  marisma  "  (lagoon),  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  kingdom. 

Mr.  Wheelwright  states  it  to  be  only  a  bird  of  passage  through  Scandinavia,  going 
to  and  from  its  breeding  haunts.  The  eggs  in  his  collection,  he  mentions,  bear  a 
very  close  resemblance  to  tho.-<e  of  the  Anser  minutus,  but  are  smaller.  It  does  not 
breed  in  any  part  of  Scandinav.a. 


Genus  FHILACTES,  Bannister. 


"  CMmphagn ,"  rsAiim,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  768  (not  of  Eyton,  1838). 

Philacte,  Bansist.  Pi'.  Philail.  Acad.  1870,  131  (typn.  Aims  canagica,  Sevast.). 

Char.  This  genus,  the  most  distinct  among  the  North  American  Anseres,  differs  from  all  other 
of  our  Geese  in  the  peculiar  form  of  the  hill.  This  member  is  unusually  short,  with  A'ery  large, 
broad,  and  thick  nails,  which  occupy  neorly  the  terminal  third  of  the  bill.  The  nasal  cavity  is 
very  large,  broadly  ovate,  and  distinctly  defined,  its  posterior  end  nearly  or  quite  touching  the 


but  single 
rk  City. 
I  says  that 
1  shores  of 
^st  of  Laii- 
tlie  spring 
feeds.  It 
lanoDuvres. 
by  persons 
3  flocks  are 
Y  esteemed 
ntries,  and 
l)ecomes  as 
ng  readily, 
lit  a  brood, 
mng  broods 
sed  on  the 
states  that 
1  h'ngth  by 

lie  -western 
ly  seems  to 
Sea  are  its 
iia,  in  Octo- 
d.     During 

University 
ith,  and  as 

y  an  inhab- 
Ued  in  the 

eria,  in  the 
pecimen  of 
on),  in  the 

lavia,  going 
ions,  bear  a 
It  does  not 


)• 

om  all  other 
h  very  large, 
asal  cavity  is 
touching  the 


ANSERIN^E  -  THE  GEESE  —  PIIILACTE. 


477 


frontal  feathers.  The  feet  are  also  Romewhat  peculiar,  the  tarsus  being  proportionnlly  shorter,  and 
the  toes  longer,  than  in  other  {,'eiieia.  From  the  South  Aniericau  genus  Cldwphaija,  with  which 
it  has  been  a'^sociated,  it  is  as  far  removed  structurally  as  geographically. 

The  only  known  species  is  tlie  beaiitil'iil  Painted,  or  Emperor  Goose  of  Alaska,  said  to  have 
been  found  also  on  the  Caspian  Sea. 


Philacte  canagica. 

Philacte  canagica. 

THE    EUPEBOB   QOOSE. 

Anas  canagica,  Sevast.  N.  Act.  Petrop.  XIII.  1800,  346,  pi.  x. 

Anscr  eanarjkus,  BiiASDT,  Bull.  Acad.  St.  PctiTsb.  1. 1830,  37.  —  SciiMic.  Mus.  P.-B.  Anscrcs,  1865, 

113. 
Bcrnkla  canagica,  Ghay,  Genciu  B.  III.  1843,  607. 
Chlaiphnga  canagica,  Boxap.  Conipt.  Rend.  XLIII.  1856,  648.  — Baiud,  B.  N.  Am.  IS.'iS,  768  ;  Cat. 

N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  573.  —  Elliot,  Illiistr.  Am.  B.  III.  1860,  pi.  45.  —  C'oi:ks,  Check  Li.st,  2d 

ed.  1882,  no.  698. 
Philacte  canagica,  Baxmst.   IV.  Ac.  Xat.  Sci.  Pliilad.  1870,  131.  —  CouES,  Key,  1872,  283;  Check 

List,  1873,  no.  482  ;  B.  X.  W.  1874,  558.  —  Kidgw.  Nom.  N.  Am.  B.  1882,  no.  598. 
Anscv  pictiis,  Pai.l.  Zoog.  Kosso-As.  II.  1826,  233. 

Had.     Coast  and  islands  o(  Alaska  ;  Caspian  Sea  (?). 

Sp.  Char.  Adult :  Head  and  nape  white,  tlie  former  frequently  stained,  especially  anteriorly, 
with  orange-rufous ;  throat,  and  neck  frontally  and  laterally,  brownish  black,  or  dusky  grayish 
brown.  Tail  slaty  on  basal,  and  white  on  terminal,  half.  Prevailing  color  of  rest  of  jjlumage  bluish 
ash,  with  a  glaucous  cast,  each  feather  handsomely  variegateil  by  a  narrow  terminal  bar  of  white 
and  a  broader  subterminal  crescent-shaped  one  of  black  ;  these  markings  very  shaqily  defined  on 
the  upper  surface,  breast,  and  sides,  but  nearly  obsolete  on  the  abdomen  and  crissum.  Greater 
coverts  and  secondaries  slate-black,  conspicuously  margined  with  white  ;  anterior  lesser  coverts, 
primaries,  and  primary  coverts  jdain  slaty  gray.  "Lower  mandible  dark  horn-color,  with  a  white 
spot  on  each  side  of  branching  rami ;  membrane  about  nares  livid  blue  ;  rest  of  upper  mandible 
pale  purplish,  with  a  fleshy  white  wash  ;  edge  of  nail  dark  horn-color,  rest  of  the  nail  horn-white  ; 
iris  hazel ;  legs  and  feet  bright  rich  orange-yellow"  (E.  W.  Nelson,  MS.).     Young:  Nearly  simi- 


m 


478 


LAMELLIHOSTRAL   SWnnfERS  —  AXSEREfl. 


liir  to  the  ailiilt,  Imt  tlic  luail  and  uwk  jiIuiuIk-kuh,  the  forniur  RjicrkliMl  with  white,  especially  on 
top  ;  the  transverse  luirrin},'  of  tiie  ifuthers  Icnh  distima  tlian  in  tlic  adult.     Hill  and  feet  dusky. 

Wint;,  14.30- 1.'). 7(1  imdies  ;  cnliuen,  1.4(»-l.(ii') ;  tarsus,  2.(i(i-2.8.') ;  middle  toe,  2.40-2.50. 

In  a  very  lni>,'e  series  of  fine  adult  specimens  before  us  there  is  little  appreciable  variation  in 
colors,  except  in  re<,'ard  to  the  nranye-rulous  stain  on  the  head,  which  is  entirely  wanting  in  some, 
but  in  others  very  deep,  and  covering  nearly  the  whole  head. 


'■U 


This  species  wiis  introduced  as  a  probable  bird  of  Xorth  America  by  T'rofessor 
Baird,  in  the  niiitii  vohune  of  the  "Pacific  Railroad  IJcport.s."     It  had  been  said  to 

be  coiunioii  among  the  Aleutian  Islands; 
but  according  to  the  observations  of  ^Ir. 
Dall,  it  was  not  seen  in  any  of  the  regions 
visited  by  him.  lie  was  at  .some  pains  to 
make  inc^uiries  in  regard  to  it,  and  tlus  ex- 
istence of  such  a  bird  appeared  to  bo  un- 
known to  the  natives  of  the  islands  visited 
by  him.  It  has  been  found,  however,  by 
j\Ir.  Bannister  on  the  Lsland  of  St.  ^li- 
chael's  and  on  the  Lower  Yukon,  and  about 
its  mouth  by  Mr.  Vease  and  others.  ^Ir. 
Dall  speaks  of  it  as  a  magnificent  bird,  and 
states  that  it  abounds  in  profusion  in  the 
Kusilvak  Slough,  or  moiith  of  the  Yukon 
River,  to  the  exclusion  of  all  other  species. 
His  endeiivors  to  reach  that  point  being 
unavailing,  he  was  obliged  to  obtain  speci- 
mens elsewhere.  It  Avas  quite  scarce  about 
the  Kwichpak  Slough  and  on  the  sea-coast. 
By  means  of  a  large  reward,  Mr.  Dall  ob- 
tained four  fine  specimens  from  the  marshes  around  Kutlik.  This  is  the  largest 
of  the  Geese  of  that  region ;  and  the  delicate  colors  of  the  body,  with  the  head  and 
nape  snow-white,  tipped  with  rich  amber-yellow,  have  a  very  beautiful  effect.  Its 
ej-e  is  dark  brown,  and  the  feet  are  flesh-color.  The  eggs  are  said  to  be  larger  and 
longer  than  those  of  Anser  Gamhel'i,  and  rather  brown  fulvous,  the  color  being  in 
minute  dots.  This  bird  rests  on  the  ground  in  the  manner  of  the  other  Geese.  The 
Eskimo  name  of  this  Goose  is  Machowfhiluk.  The  raw  flesh  and  skin,  Mr.  Dall  states, 
have  an  intolerable  odrr  of  garlic,  which  renders  skinning  it  a  very  disagreeable  task ; 
but  on  cooking  this  passes  away,  and  he  found  the  flesh  tender  and  good  eating. 

This  species  arrives  at  Alaska  about  the  first  of  June,  or  earlier,  according  to  the 
season.  As  soon  as  the  eggs  are  hatched  the  old  birds  begin  to  moult.  Jlr.  Dall  saw 
half-moulted  individuals  at  Pastolik,  July  29, 1867.  This  Goose  remains  longer  than 
any  other,  lingering  until  the  whole  sea-coast  is  fringed  with  ice,  feeding  on  Mytilus 
edilis  and  other  shellfish.  It  has  been  observed  as  late  as  November  1  by  the  Rus- 
sians. It  usually  goes  in  pairs,  or  four  or  five  together,  rather  than  in  large  flocks. 
Its  note  is  shriller  and  clearer  than  that  of  A,  Gomheli  or  of  B,  Hutchinsi,  and  it  is 
shyer  than  any  of  the  Geese,  except  the  Black  Brant. 

Mr.  Bannister  states  that  two  of  this  species  were  shot  at  St.  IMichael's  during  the 
period  of  his  stay  there,  both  of  them  young,  and  not  in  the  best  of  plumage.  This 
bird  cannot  be  regarded  as  common  at  that  ^yarticular  point ;  but  Mr.  Pease  reported 
having  seen  it  in  June  in  large  numbers  on  the  Lower  Yukon  while  descending  that 


ANSERIN.K  —  THE  GEESE  —  DENDUOCYCNA. 


479 


specially  on 
['t  dusky. 
-2.r)0. 
variation  in 
ing  in  Bonie, 


Prof(?ssor 
en  siiid  to 
1  Islands; 
ms  of  ^Ir. 
lie  regions 
n  pains  to 
nd  the  cx- 

to  be  nn- 
uls  visited 
wevor,  by 

)f  St.  yi\- 

and  about 
lers.  Mr. 
t  bird,  and 
ion  in  the 
;he  Yukon 
er  species. 
i)int  being 
;ain  spcci- 
tirce  about 

sea-coast. 
.  Dall  ob- 
le  largest 

head  and 

Iffeet.     Its 

arger  and 

being  in 
ese.  The 
all  states, 
ible  task ; 
ting, 
ing  to  the 

Dall  saw 
nger  than 
n  Ilytilvs 

the  Eus- 
•ge  flocks. 

and  it  is 

uring  the 

ge.    Tills 

reported 

rling  that 


river.  Mr.  Bannister  also  speaks  of  the  strongly  otfensive  odor  of  its  flesh,  stating 
that  skinning  it  leaves  a  taint  upon  the  hands  which  can  hardly  be  removed  by  wash- 
ing. He  considers  the  flesh  so  strong  as  to  lie  wholly  unlit  for  food,  though  the 
Indians  and  the  Eskimos  eat  it. 

According  to  the  observations  of  Mr.  Elliott,  this  sjieeies  visits  the  Prybilof  Islands, 
but  only  as  a  straggler,  and  sometimes  landing  in  such  an  exhausted  condition  that 
the  natives  capture  whole  flocks  in  open  chase  over  the  grass,  the  l)irds  being  unable 
to  use  their  wings  for  flight.  lie  adils  that  he  found  the  flesh  of  this  bird  —  contrary 
to  report  —  free  from  any  unideasant  flavor,  and  in  fact  very  good.  The  objection- 
able (puility  is  only  skin-deej),  and  may  be  got  rid  of  l)y  due  care  in  the  i)reparation 
of  the  bird  for  the  table. 

Jlr.  E.  Adams  (••  Ibis,"  1878),  in  his  Notes  on  the  lairds  observed  by  him  on  Nor- 
ton Sound,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Vukon,  refers  to  this  bird  as  the  "  White-headed 
Goose,"  its  name  in  the  Eski  dialect  being  Snil-jdr-lih.  He  flrst  met  with  it  at  Port 
Chirence,  and  was  told  by  an  old  hunter  that  it  came  in  very  small  numbers  every 
year,  and  was  excellent  eating.  Coming  suddenly  upon  a  flock  of  eight,  on  the  Kith 
of  May,  he  could  not  get  near  them,  but  was  able  to  examine  them  through  a  glass 
as  they  were  standing  in  the  water,  just  at  the  edgi;  of  a  lake,  dressing  their  feathers. 
They  reminded  him  very  much  of  the  IJarnacle  CJoose,  but  were  larger,  had  more 
white,  and  no  black  on  their  neck,  and  had  red  bills  and  feet.  Their  local  name  is 
supposed  to  be  derived  from  an  Indian  word  signifying  a  cap. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  taken  by  Mr.  Dall,  June  L'O,  1873,  in  Kusilvak  Slough, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Yukon,  vary  in  length  from  3.33  inches  to  3.40,  and  in  breadth 
from  2.90  to  3.10.  In  shape  they  are  of  an  unusually  elongated  form,  nearly  eepial 
at  both  ends ;  in  color  white,  but  with  a  general  dirty  brown  aspect,  caused  by  minute 
discolorations. 


Genus  DENDROCYCNA,   Savainson. 

Dendroncssn ,  Wagl.  Isis,  1832,  281  (type,  Anas  arcmtta,  Cuv.  nee  Swainson,  1831). 

Deiidroci/ijim,  Swains.  Cliissif.  1!.  II.  1837,  305  (same  tyiie). 

1  Leptotarsia,  Eyton,  Monog.  Anat.  1838,  29  (type,  /,.  Eytoai,  Goulu). 

Char.  Bill  longer  than  the  liead,  the  edges  nearly  parallel,  deep  through  the  base,  depressed 
terminally,  the  nail  larg(!  and  much  hoijked  ;  mandible  almost  wholly  concealed  behind  the  over- 
hani>ing  ;idge  of  the  maxilla  ;  neck  and  legs  long,  the  tarsus  nearly  etpuil  to  or  longer  than  the 
middle  toe,  and  reticulated  in  front  (as  in  the  .Swans  and  true  Geese)  ;  wings  i-ather  short, 
rounded,  the  primaries  not  projecting  beyond  the  ends  of  the  inner  secondaries  ;  second  to  fourth 
quills  longest,  and  nearly  equal ;  tail  short,  almost  hidden  by  the  coverts.     Habits,  arboreal. 

The  Tree  Ducks  apjiear  to  be  more  nearly  related  structurally  to  tlie  Sheldrakes  (Tadonm,  C'as- 
arca,  etc.)  and  the  Goose-like  genus  ChcnalojKX,  than  to  the  true  Ducks  on  the  one  hand  or  Geese 
proper  on  the  other  ;  and  with  these  forms  jierhaps  constitute  a  distinct  group. 

The  genus  Dendrocycna  is  distributed  througlnHit  the  tropical  and  subtropical  regions  of  the 
earth,  some  of  the  species  having  a  very  anomalous  range  ;  for  instance,  the  D.  fuha  is  common  in 
Mexico  and  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States,  and  in  the  southern  p.irt  of  tropical  South 
America  (South  Brazil,  Buenos  Ayres,  etc.),  but  is  apparently  absent  from  the  entire  intervening 
territory  ;  but  what  is  still  more  remarkable,  tlie  same  species  is  said  to  be  found  in  Madagascar 
and  Southern  India.    The  D.  vidnafa  of  South  America  is  also  a  common  biixl  of  Western  Africa.^ 

The  American  species  oi  Dendrocycna  may  be  distinguished  as  follows  ; — 


»  See  Scl.  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  p. 


299. 


I  .      ! 

i' 


480 


LAMKLLIUOSTUAL  SWIMMEUB  —  ANSERKS. 


A>    ('ri«sum  wliite,  Hjiotted  with  black. 

1.  D.  arborea.'     Aliovu,  iliill  brown,  tlio  feathers  tipped  with  lighter ;  neck  Htreiiked  with 

pale  rulvoiis  mill  dusky  ;  lower  parts  dull  whitish,  irregularly  spotted  with  black.    Jlah. 
West  Indies  (Jiiiniiica  and  St.  Croix). 

2.  D.  autumualis.     Above,  reddish  brown,  the  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  black  ;  abdomen, 

Hanks,  siiies,  and  under  side  of  winj,',  black. 

n.  autuiniiiiliii.  Lower  jiart  of  mrk  all  round,  including  breast,  reddish  brown,  like  tho 
back.  Wing,  !».2(>-!>.7()  inches  ;  ciilmen,  l.!)0--M.')  ;  tarsus,  2.:!r>-2.(i() ;  middle  toe, 
2.25-2.70.    Htth.    .Middle  America,  including  Uio  (Irande  valley  of  Texas. 

/3.  (liKailor.^  Lower  jiait  of  neck  nil  round,  including  breast,  browiush  gray,  abruptly 
contrasted  above  with  the  chestnut-brown  of  the  back.    //((/'.    South  America. 


1).  fulva. 


B.    Crisaum  plain  white. 


D.  fulva.  Lower  parts  plain  light  cinnamon,  the  tlanks  striped  with  paler ;  hack  and 
scapulars  black,  the  feathers  lipped  with  fulvous ;  upper  tail-coverts  white.  Wing, 
8.10-8.90  inches  ;  culinen,  1.65-1.95  ;  taraus,  2.10-2.40  ;  middle  toe,  2.30-2.80.  JM>. 
Middle  America,  north  to  California,  Nevada,  and  Louisiana  ;  South  Brazil,  Buenos 
Ayres,  and  Paraguay. 


1  DENDROOYCNA  AllBOUEA. 

Black-billed  Whistling  Duck,  EnwAnns,  Oloan.  t.  198. 

Canard  sifflcur,  dc  la  Jamaiquc,  BfKK.  PI.  Knl.  804. 

Anasarhorca,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1766,  207  (ex  Knw.  1.  c). 

Lendrocygna  arborca,  Evton,  Monog.  Anat.  1838,  HO.  —  Sri„  &  Sai.v,  Nom.  Ncotr.  1873,  73  ;. 

P.  Z.  S.  1876,  376  (inoiingraphic).  —  Couks,  B.  N.  "W.  1874,  668  (.synonymy). 
t  Anas  Jacquini,  G.MKI-.  S.  X.  I.  ii.  1788,  536  (ex  .I.mq.  Beitr.  p.  5,  no.  3). 
Hab.     Bahamas,  Cuba,  Santo  Donungo,  .laniaica,  and  St.  Croix. 

*  DeNDROCYCNA  Al'TUMXAUs   ni.Sl'OI.OK. 

Canard  sifflcur,  de  Cayenne,  Buff.  PL  Enl.  826. 

"  Dendrocygna  aultimnalis,"  Auct.  (all  quotations  from  South  America). 

VendroeygnM  discolor,  Scl.  &  Salv.  Nom.  Ncotr.  1873,  161  ;  P.  Z.  S.  1876,  375. 


ANHKRIN^E  -  TllK  (JEESK  —  DENDUOCVCNA. 


481 


ikwl  with 
L:k.    llnh. 

iilxloint'ii, 

I,  lik'.'  the 
liiUUo  too, 

,  (il)rui>lly 

L'U. 


C    Cri88uni  black. 

4.  D.  vlduata.'  Urcast  and  lower  neck  (nil  rouiul),  rich  chcHtiuit ;  Hides  pule  liilvoiw  or 
yelluwl.sh  white,  barred  with  bliickisii  ;  ab<b)iueii  black  ;  lorciPiiit  nl  iiiad  wliitc;  rent  nt'  head  and 
uplier  part  of  neck  black,  with  a  white  patch  uu  the  loreucck.     ILA.    Southern  South  America. 


Dendrocycna  autumnalis. 

THE   BLAOX-BELLIEO   TREE   DUCK. 

Anas  autumiudis,  Linn.  S.  N.  1.  1706,  205  (based  on  the  Ikd-hilkd  Whistling  Buck;  KnwAlius,  pi. 

104  ;  West  Indies). 
JJcndniri/tjna  autumnaliH,  Kyton,  Mono;{.  Aunt.  1838,  109.—  IIaiisk,  II.  N.  Am.  18,^8,  770;  Cat.  N. 

Am.  H.  18.')l>,  no.  5H.  —  CiifKs,  Key,  1872,  '.'84  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  487  ;  'M  ed.  188'->,  no. 

700  ;  Hirds  N.  W.  1874,  558.  -  Xvi..  &  Sai.v.  I'.  Z.  S.  1870,  374  (monographic). 
Dendrocyauiautumnalis,  lUuow.  Xom.  N.  Aiu.  li.  1881,  no.  51U>. 

Had.  Middle  America  ond  .^uulliwestern  border  of  United  States  ;  West  Indies.  Replaced 
in  South  America  by  the  D.  uutumiKilin  discohn: 

Sp.  Char.  Adult :  Pileum,  neck,  back,  scapulars,  ju>;uluin,  and  hreast  cinnamon-brown  ;  the 
forehead  puler,  the  occijiut  jiassin^'  itosteriorly  into  black  (which  is  continued  in  a  narrow  stripe 


;  back  and 
ite.  Wing. 
2.S0.  Hah. 
u\,  Buenos 


7).  mttumnalis. 


r.  1873,  73  ; 


down  the  nape),  and  the  dorsal  region  more  i'erru,!,'inou8.  Head  and  upper  part  of  the  neck,  except 
as  described,  pale  ochraceous-ashy.  Abdomen,  Hanks,  rump,  and  lininj,'  of  the  wing  deep  black, 
abruptly  defined  against  the  cinnamon  of  the  breast  ;  crissum  white,  spotted  with  black.  Lesser 
wing-coverts  light  cinereous,  overlaid  by  an  ochraceuus-olive  wash  ;  ndddle  coverts  purer  ash  ; 
greater  and   primary  coverts  pure  white,  the  lower  feathers  of  the  latter  dusky  ;  secondaries,  pri- 

'  Dendrocycna  viduata. 

Anas  viduata,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1760,  205. 

Dendroajgna  viduata,  Evton,  Monog.  Anat.  1838,  110.  —Set.  &  Salv.  Nom.  Neotr.  1873,  129  j 

P.  Z.  S.  1876,  376  (nionogniphic).  —  CoUES,  B.  N.  W.  1874,  559  (synonymy). 
Caiiard  du  maragnon.  Buff.  PI.  Enl.  808. 
Pato  caro  bianco,  Azara,  Apunt.  III.  1805,  no.  435. 
Hah.     .South  America  in  general ;  Cuba. 
VOT,.   I.   —  CA 


'It? 


482 


LAMEl.LlltOSTRAL   SWIM.MEKS  -  ANSEKES. 


marii'ti,  and  tail  dwit  black,  the  roi't rices  pure  wliite  liasally.  Hill  ami  I'l'i't  brifjht  llesh-coloi-,  the 
former  yellow  near  the  nostrils  ami  black  on  the  nail ;  iris  brown.*  Sexes  alike,  youmj:  Much  like 
the  ailult,  but  with  the  patteru  less  ilistiiicl  and  the  colors  duller.     Cinnamon  replaced  by  dinj,'y 

},'ray,  more  or  le.ss  linj,'ed  with  rusty  ocliraceous. 
AlKlomeii,  Hanks,  and  crissum  ^,'rayisli  wliite, 
tiuf^ed  with  deeiier  {,'ray.  Hill  dusky  ;  leel 
dark  reddish.  Ihtvnij  ijottiiij :  Above,  blackish* 
brown,  varied  by  larjj;e  ureas  of  sulphury  bulf, 
as  follows  ;  u  supraloral  streak  extendinj,'  over 
the  eye  ;  a  wide  stripe  from  the  bill  umler  the 
eye  and  e.xtendin;;  across  the  occiput,  the  black- 
ish K'low  it  extendiuf,'  forward  only  about  as  far 
as  directly  beneath  the  eye,  and  confluent  pos- 
teriorly with  the  nuchal  loii^'iliulinal  stripe  of 
the  same  color  ;  a  i)air  of  sulphury  bull  patches 
on  each  side  of  the  back,  and  another  on  each 
side  the  rump  ;  posteriiu'  half  of  the  win^,'  whit- 
ish bull',  the  end  of  the  win;,'  blackish  ;  the  black 
of  the  upper  parts  sends  olf  two  lateral  pro- 
jections on  each  side,  the  tii'st  on  each  side  the 
croj),  till!  secoml  over  the  Hanks  to  the  tibiie  ; 
tlie  bulf  of  the  abdomen  extending'  ui)ward  in 
front  of  this  last  stripe  as  far  as  the  middle  por- 
tion ot  the  bulf  sjpot  on  the  side  of  the  back. 
Lower  parts  wholly  whitish  liulf,  paler  and  less 
yellowish  aloni^  the  middle.  [Described  from  a  specimen  "about  four  days  old,"  obtained  by 
Dr.  J.  V.  Merrill,  U.  8.  A.,  at  Fort  Hrown,  Texas,  Au^.  14,  1ST7.  "Hill  bluish  above,  yellow 
below  ;  le};s  t)live."] 

Wing,  5).-_H>-<).T(>  inches  ;  eulmen,  l.DO-L'.ir)  ;  t;irsus,  2.2r)-2.(U);  middle  toe,  -J.ao-ii.TO. 
The  cinnamon-color  of  the  breast  varies,  in  this  species,  from  a  vinaceous  to  a  rich  rufous  ca.st, 
but  that  of  the  lower  neck  is  always  continuous  with  that  of  the  back  ;  (he  while  of  the  wing- 
coverts  is  sometimes  clouded  with  jiale  ash.  The  South  American  reiuesentative,  /'.  ilinfoloi;  Sei.. 
&  S.VLV.,  dilfeis  conspicuously,  in  the  lower  neck  and  breast  being  fulvous-gray,  strongly  and 
abrujjtly  contrasted  against  the  dark  chestnut-brown  of  the  back,  the  black  instead  of  whitish  liliiu', 
and  dilferent  propiutions.  It  is  pcrliaps  s[)ecilically  distinct  ;  but  in  the  aliseuce  of  specimens 
from  the  region  in  which  intergradation,  if  existing,  would  occui',  we  for  the  present  consider 
it  a  geographical  race  of  thi!  sanie  species.  Three  examples  in  the  "ollcclion  nu'asure  as  fullows  : 
wing,  i).  U)-!>.;j(t  inches;  eulmen,  1.8()-l.iK» ;  width  of  bill  across  middle,  .TO-.To  ;  tarsus,  i.dO- 
2.25  ;  middle  toe,  2.25-2.:{.">. 

Tills  .spt'cics  of  Tret'  Duck  obtains  a  place  iti  tho  Nortli  American  fauna  from  its 
occurrciit'c  on  the  IJio  (iramlc  and  in  Sontlicrn  California.  It  is  found  tliroiighont 
Mcxito,  Central  Ann'riea,  the  northern  jHU'tions  of  South  America,  and  many  of  tho 
West  India  Islands. 

In  Texas  it  is  known  as  the  "  Lotifj-legj^eil  Duck."  Air.  Dresser  mentions  it  as 
bi'in^  found  occasionally  near  Matainoras  (hiring  the  snninier;  and  he  was  assured 
by  a  person  residing  in  Monterey — one  well  ac(iuaintc(l  with  the  bird  —  that  it 
breeds  in  the  neighborhood  of  that  place.  At  Galveston  a  (Jernian  hunter  infovined 
Mr.  Dresser  that  it  is  ipiite  coiiinion  there  (hiring  the  winter,  arriving  in  Novciiiber 
siiid  dei)arting  in  Mar(  h. 

Ill  regard  to  its  j)resence  in  Sontlicrn  (California,  nothing  more  is  known  beyond 

•  "The  soft  parts  in  ii  full-phiiiiagcd  living  iiialc  were  as  follow  :  iris  brown  ;  bill  coral  red,  orange 
above;  uuil  of  l)ill  blaish  ;  legs  and  feci  pinkish  white."  —  Mkuuill,  Proc.  IT.  .S.  Nat.  Mils.  Vol.  I. 
p.  170. 


AXSKRTX.K  —  TIIH  GKESK  —  nHNDROCYCNA. 


483 


i-color,  the 
Miuh  like 
.1  by  iliiiKJ' 
oclinii'i'ous. 
visli  whili', 
nsky  ;  Ici'l 
io,  Miukisir 
{ihury  ImlV, 

L'llllill^  OVlT 
11  UIhU'V  till' 

t.tlu-liliiik- 
iilioiit  as  tar 
iiilucnt  i>(irt- 
lal  striiH'  of 

buff  IWtillL'S 

luT  oil  I'acli 
L'  will-,'  wliit- 
h  ;  till'  lilack 

lateral  pro- 
.•arli  siile  the 
)  the  tibiif  ; 
ij,'  ui>\vartl  ill 
!  miiUlli'  l»>i'- 
1)1"  till-  back, 
laler  ami  less 

obtaiiu'il  by 
bove,  yellow 

"0. 

I  lulous  I'ast, 
of  the  wiiij;- 
di.icoliiv,  St'l.. 
stiiiniilv  aiitl 


itish  tibia', 
sl>eeiliieli» 


lit   eiilisider 

as  follows  : 

tarsus,  :J.'2(>- 


iiii  from  its 
thn)Uf,'liiiut 
laiiy  of  the 

itioiis  it  as 
as  iissuvi'd 

(1  — that  it 
r  iiii'ov'.m'il 
Novt'iulxT 


)\v 


u  bfjoiul 


nil  ii'il,  orange 
Mils.  Vol.  I. 


tlu'  jiriH'urin!^  tif  a  siiigU'  siiccinicii  at  Fort  Tejon  liy  Mr.  Xantns,  who  rogarchMl  it  as 
of  rai'f  and  iiiiusiial  occiin't'ix'c. 

Spt'i'inu'Hs  wt'iv  ohtaiui'd  by  Mr.  CJ.  C.  Taylor  on  tin-  I.akc  of  Tojoa.  in  Honduras. 
The  birds  Averc  very  jdi'iitiful.  easy  of  approach,  and  wen-  very  ,u;ood  catinj,'.  Mr. 
K.  t'.  Taylor  found  this  siu'cii's  almnihint  in  the  Island  of  J'orto  Hico.  when'  it  was 
lirot'din};. 

Mr.  Salvin  niontions  havini,'  nu't  with  a  flock  on  tlic  i'aciflc  coast  of  (Juatcniala. 
He  could  plainly  distinguish  the  clear  whistlini,'  note  wliicli  this  bird  utters  as  it 
flies.  According  to  licotand  it  is  a  permanent  resident  of  Trinidad.  It  certainly  is 
known  to  breed  there,  and  it  is  also  to  be  met  with  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  but 
generally  in  very  limited  numbers,  in  tlie  coursi-  of  duly  and  August  it  regularly 
visits  Trinidad  in  large  numbers.  The  swamps  then  contain  but  very  little  water, 
and  certain  aqtuitie  jdants  which  grow  on  the  edges  of  iiools  jiroduce  seeds  of  which 
this  Duck  is  very  fond.  This  undoubtedly  is  what  attracts  these  birds,  for  it 
cannot  be  tliat  they  are  driven  by  cold  from  the  neigliboring  iiortions  of  the  South 
American  continent,  where  they  abound.  On  the  other  hand,  there  seems  to  be  some 
evident  necessity  for  this  movement,  for  at  that  jicriod  hardly  an  individual  remains 
behind.  This  Duck  is  always  seen  in  flocks  more  or  less  considerable  in  size.  It 
utters  a  very  peculiar  wliistling  .sound,  said  to  resemble  the  syllables  oii'i-ki-ki ;  and  by 
this  name  the  bird  is  known  in  Trinidad.  It  is  not  infrcipiently  known  to  perch  on 
the  limbs  of  trees,  in  captivity  it  will  freely  niiugle  with  the  other  inhabitants  of 
the  barnyard,  appearing  to  be  (|uite  contented  with  its  lot;  but  it  will  not  breed. 
Its  flesh,  like  that  of  all  the  Ducks  of  South  America,  is  deservedly  considered  a  great 
delicacy  by  eiiicures. 

Colonel  .\.  .1.  (irayson,  quoted  by  Mr.  Lawrence  in  his  pajior  on  the  Mirds  of 
Western  Mexico,  states  that  the  history  of  the  habits  of  this  species  would  be  almost 
identical  with  that  of  its  near  ally,  />.  fitfnr.  It  is,  however,  more  nocturn:il  in 
juu'suit  of  subsistence,  visiting  the  ilry  cornflclds  during  the  night  in  great  innnbers. 
and  doing  considerable  damage  there.  Colonel  (irayson  adds  that  he  has  al.'^o  met 
with  these  birds  in  the  night-time,  as  they  were  walking  along  the  road,  far  from  any 
water,  jucking  up  the  grains  of  corn  which  had  been  drojipcd  by  the  packers. 

This  species  is  said  to  be  nnu'c  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  Ma/.atlan  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  dry  .season  than  the  JKfii/ni,  but  in  Aiuil  and  May  it  migrates  during 
the  night  toward  Sonora.  Many,  liowev  .-,  remain  iind  breed  in  the  neighborhood 
(d'  Mazatlan  during  the  suninier,  Avhere  they  are  seen  during  every  month  (d'  the  yt^ar, 
breeding  in  the  hollows  of  large  trees,  and  laying  friuu  twelvi'  to  lifteen  eggs.  The 
young  are  lowered  to  the  ground,  one  at  a  time,  in  the  moidh  of  the  mother:  after 
all  are  safely  landed,  she  eautiou.sly  leads  her  young  brood  to  the  nearest  water. 

This  Duck  peridii's  with  facility  on  the  branches  of  trees,  and  when  in  the  eorn- 
iidd.s,  upon  the  stalks,  in  order  to  reach  tlic  ears  of  corn.  Large  flocks  spend  the  day 
on  Mie  bank  of  sonu*  secluded  lagoon,  densely  bordered  with  woods  or  water-flags,  also 
sitting  anuuigst  the  branidies  of  trees,  not  often  feeding  or  stirring  about  during  the 
day.  AVhen  ujion  the  wing  this  bird  eonstantly  utters  its  jieculiar  whistle  of  pv-rhc- 
t'hv-uc,  from  which  its  native  name  is  derived.  Colimcl  (Jrayson  noticed  that  it  siddom 
alights  in  doop  water,  always  ineferring  the  shallow  edges  or  the  ground ;  the  cans*' 
of  this  may  be  the  fear  of  the  numerous  alligators  that  usually  infest  the  lagoons. 

When  this  Duck  is  taken  young,  or  when  its  eggs  are  hatched  under  the  common 
Barnyard  Hen.  it  becomes  very  tame,  and  does  not  reijuire  to  bo  confined;  it  is 
very  watehtul  during  tlu^  night,  aiul,  like  the  (loose,  gives  the  alarm  by  a  shrill 
whistle   when   any  strange  aninuil  or  person  comes  about  the  house.     A  lady  of 


I 


484 


LAMKLLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


Colonel  Grayson's  acquaintance  possessed  a  ])air  of  these  Ducks,  which  she  said 
were  as  good  as  the  best  watch-dog ;  he  himself  had  a  pair  which  were  equally 
vigilant,  and  very  docile. 

Dr.  J.  C.  jMerrill  writes  me  tliat  this  large  and  handsome  Duck  arrives  from  the 
South,  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Brown,  in  April,  and  soon  thereafter  becomes  abundant 
on  the  river-banks  and  lagoons.  Migrating  at  night,  it  continually  utters  a  very 
peculiar  chattering  whistle,  which  at  once  indicates  its  presence.  The  Mexicans  call 
it  Pato  mah:al,  or  Corntield  Duck,  from  its  habit  of  frecpienting  those  localities.  It 
is  \)y  no  means  shy,  and  large  nund)ers  are  offered  for  sale  in  the  Brownsville  market. 
It  is  easily  domesticated,  and  beccnnes  very  tame,  roosting  at  night  in  the  trees  with 
the  Chickens  and  Turkeys.  AVhen  the  females  begin  to  lay,  the  males  leave  them 
and  gather  in  large  Hocks  on  sandliars  in  the  river.  Dr.  S.  M.  Finley,  U.  S.  A.,  who 
had  had  ample  opportunity  of  observing  these  birds  at  Hidalgo,  informed  Dr.  Merrill 
that  the  eggs  are  deposited  in  hollo\v  trees  and  branches,  often  at  the  consideralile 
distance  of  two  miles  or  more  from  water,  and  from  eight  to  thirty  feet  above  the 
ground.  They  are  placed  on  the  bare  wood,  and  are  from  twelve  to  sixteen  in  number. 
Two  broods  are  raised  in  a  season,  and  the  parent  carj  ies  the  young  to  water  in  her 
bill.  Twelvt!  eggs  received  from  Dr.  Finley  average  LMl  inches  by  1.58,  with  but 
little  variation  in  size ;  they  are  of  the  usual  Duck-shape,  and  in  color  are  a  rather 
clear  yellowish  white.  The  birds  usually  depart  in  September,  but  a  few  very  late 
broods  are  seen  even  in  November. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  from  the  Berlandier  Collection,  from  Tamaulipas,  Mexico 
(Smithsonian  Institution,  No.  743),  are  of  an  ivory-white  color,  with  a  greenish 
tinge.  In  their  shape  they  are  of  a  rounded  oval.  Three  eggs  have  the  following 
measurements :  2.00  by  1.50  inches ;  2.30  by  l.GO ;  2.10  by  1.60. 

Dendrocycna  fiilva. 

THE  FULVOUS-BELLIED  TREE  DUCK. 

Penelope  mexicnna,  Bltlss.  Oni.  VI.  17()0,  390  (Mexico). 

Anas  /iclva,  Gmkl.  S.  X.  I.  ii.  1788,  .''.30  {ex  P,uiss.  1.  c). 

Bendrocygna  fit/va,  Brr.M.  lirise  La  I'lutii,  1856,  51,").  —  Bairb,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  770;  ed.  1860, 
I>1  dO  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  H.  1S59,  no.  575.  —Coves,  Key,  1872,  284  ;  Clieck  List,  1873,  no.  486; 
2d  ed.  1882,  no.  705  ;  B.  X.  W.  1874,  558. 

Dendroi'ijcna  fu/vn,  I{ii><!\v.  Xom.  X,  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  600. 

A)ws  vinjnta,  5L\.x.  Iteise  Briis.  L  1820,  3'22. 

Pato  roxo  ij  nrrjrn,  AzAKA,  Apunt.  IIL  1805,  no.  430. 

Anas  hicolor,  Vikim,.  Xouv.  Diet.  V.  136  (o.\  Azaha,  1.  v.). 

Anas  eoUaris,  Mf.pukm,  in  Krseh  u.  Orul).  Ene.  Sel.  i.  Vol.  XXXV.  31. 

}  Bendrocygna  major,  Jeiidon,  Birds  India,  III.  790  (India  !). —Sci,.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  148  (Madagas- 
car !), 

Hab.  Southern  border  of  the  United  States,  north  to  Central  Ciililbrniu  and  Western  Nevada 
(Washoe  Lake),  east  to  Louisiana.  Me.xieo;  Soutliern  South  America.  India?  Mada;,'ascar ?  Not 
recorded  from  Northern  South  America  (except  Trinidad),  Central  America,  or  the  West  Indies. 

Sp.  Char.  Adidt :  Head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  deep  reddisli  oclu-aceous,  passing  into  cinna- 
mon on  the  flanks,  where  the  longer  featliers  liave  a  broad  medial  slvip(>  of  pale  ochraceous,  bor- 
dered bj'  dusky.  Crown  inclining  to  I'erruginous  ;  nape  with  a  distinct  black  stripe,  connnencing 
at  the  occiput.  Middle  of  tlie  neck  dirty  whitisli,  minutely  streaked  with  du.sky,  beneath  the  sur- 
face. Prevailing  color  above  brownish  black,  the  dorsal  and  scapular  leathers  broadly  tipped  with 
the  color  of  the  lower  parts  ;  k-sscr  wing-coverts  tinged  with  rusty  chestnut.  Upper  tail-coverts 
immaculate  M'hite  ;  crissum  yellowisii  white.  Bill  and  feet  black,  in  the  dried  skin  ;  in  life,  "  bill 
bluish  black,  legs  light  .slaty  blue"  (Merrim,).     Sexes  alike.     Young  not  seen. 


til- 


AXSERIX.E  —  THE  GEESE  —  DEXDROCYCNA. 


486 


Wing,  8.10-8.90  inches  ;  eulnien,  1.65-1.95  ;  tarsus,  2.1()-2.Jii ;  niidilk-  too,  2.3(»-:i.h(i. 
The  chief  vumtion  noticed  in  this  species  is  u  .sli;,'ht  one  in  tlie  precise  simde  of  the  tints. 
Specimens  from  Buenos  Ayres  are  larger  tiian  those  from  Mexico,  1)Ut  are  otlierwise  similar. 

The  Brown  Tree  Duck  has  a  very  (Iiff(M'Piit  geographical  distribution  from  that  of 
the  D.  atitiimiKilis,  as  it  is  not  known  to  occur  in  the  nortluM'u  iiortions  of  South 
America  (excepting  Trinidad),  Central  America,  or  the  West  India  Islands.  It  is 
found,  however,  in  Mexico,  and  extends  northward  near  the  J'acific  coast  of  tlie 
United  States  through  portions  of  California  and  Nevada,  and  has  also  been  met 
with  in  Texas  and  Louisiana. 

Mr.  J.  Hepbnrn  met  with  this  species  breeding  in  the  extensive  marshes  near  the 
junction  of  the  Sacramento  and  the  San  Joaqnin  rivers,  in  the  summer  of  lvS(;4 ;  Dr. 
Cooper  also  mentions  seeing  a  flock  of  this  species  flying  over  the  Sacramento  east- 


Avard,  in  June,  IcSGi");  and  Mr.  JF.  1>.  Morse  ])rocure(l  an  example  near  San  Francisco, 
which  is  now  in  the  nuiseum  of  the  Boston  Xatui'al  History  Society. 

A  single  individual  of  this  species  was  killed  near  Xew  ( )rleans  on  the  22d  of 
January,  187<>,  by  ^Ir.  X.  J>.  ^Foore,  -and  was  by  him  ]iresent(Ml  to  the  Smithsonian 
Institution.  This  is  the  flrst.  and  at  ]n'esent  the  only,  recorde<l  instance  of  the  occur- 
rence of  tliis  species  so  far  to  tlie  east,  although  it  has  been  known  for  some  time 
as  an  inhabitant  of  California.  The  first  instance  on  record  of  its  occurrence  in  that 
State  was  the  capture  of  a  sjiecimen  near  Fort  Tejon  by  Mr.  Hunter. 

^[r.  Dresser  refers  to  this  as  the  '' liui'dus  Long-legged  Duck.''  stating  that  he 
observed  it  occasionally  near  lirownvilli',  in  Texas.  In  June  lu'  found  it  in  great 
abundance  on  Galveston  Island.  A  German  whom  he  saw  carrying  one  told  him  that 
birds  of  this  species  were  found  there,  and  afterward  took  him  to  their  chief  place 
of  resort,  a  lake  in  the  middle  of  the  island,  and  toM  him  also  that  it  bred  there,  but 
very  late  in  the  season.  This  was  in  the  month  of  June,  and  breeding  had  not  then 
begun.  Dr.  J.  C.  ^Ferrill  states  that  this  Duck  is  about  as  common  as  the  I),  autuw- 
nafls  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Brown,  Texas.  Like  that  species,  it  is  only  a  summer 
visitor,  ami  both  siM>cies  frequent  the  same  localities ;  but  their  notes  while  flying 
are  quite  different.     Dr.  Finley  did  not  meet  with  this  species  at  Hidalgo. 

This  Duck  is  spoken  of  as  occurring  sparingly  in  Southern  South  America.     Bur- 


486 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  -  ANSERES. 


1      I 


meister  cites  it  as  having  been  noticed  in  varying  numbers  in  all  the  easterly  and 
northerly  regions  of  La  Plata,  on  the  Rio  Uruguay,  and  on  the  I'arana  as  far  up  as 
Tucuran.  This  Ihiek  —  su|)i)os('d  by  Lrotaud  to  be  the /n'ro/nr  oi  Vieillot  —  is  said 
bj''  the  former  to  occur  in  Trinidad,  but  to  be  found  there  chiefly  as  a  bird  of  passage, 
visiting  that  island  very  irregularly.  Occasionally  it  comes  in  considerable  numbers, 
nests  in  the  island,  rears  its  young,  and  even  has  a  second  and  sometimes  a  third 
brood  before  it  departs.  It  then  abandons  the  island,  and  is  gone  for  several  years 
without  repeating  its  visit.  Its  habits,  so  far.  us  Leotaud  observed  them,  are  pre- 
cisely the  same  as  tiiose  of  the  autumnaUn,  and  its  flesh  —  like  that  —  is  also  very 
highly  esteemed  by  epicures. 

Colonel  Grayson  —  cpiotcd  by  Mr.  Lawrence  —  gives  very  full  notes  of  the  habits 
both  of  this  species  and  of  the  (lafuvinal'is,  as  observed  by  him  in  Western  Mexico. 
Both  species  much  resend)le  each  other  in  their  general  appearance,  as  well  as  in 
their  habits;  and  both  are  (piite  abundant  in  Western  Mexico  as  far  north  as  tSonora. 
The  present  species  is  the  most  numerous  in  that  region. 

At  the  end  of  the  rainy  season,  or  in  the  month  of  October,  this  bird  makes  its 
appearance  in  the  vicinity  of  iLazatlan  in  large  flocks,  inhabiting  the  fresh-water 
lakes  and  ponds  in  the  coast  region,  or  fi'i-mi  enUento,  during  the  entire  winter,  or 
dry  months,  subsisting  principally  uj)on  the  seeds  of  grass  and  weeds,  and  often,  at 
night,  visiting  the  corn-flelds  for  grain.  During  these  nu)nths  Colonel  (Jrayson  has 
found  it  in  the  shallow  grass-grown  ponds  in  very  large  numbers,  affording  excellent 
sport  to  the  hunter  and  delicious  game  for  the  table.  Its  flesh  is  white  and  juicy, 
and  also  free  from  the  strong  or  rank  flavor  whi(!h  Ducks  not  feeding  exclusively  on 
grain  and  seeds  usually  have.    This  bird  is  large  and  heavy,  and  often  vei\y  fat. 

It  is  more  easy  of  approach  than  our  northern  Ducks  ;  and  Colonel  Clrayson  states 
that  he  has  often  shot  as  many  as  fifteen  Avith  two  discharges  of  his  double-barrelled 
gun.  When  only  winged,  it  is  almo.st  sure  to  nuike  its  escajie,  which  its  long  and 
stout  legs  enable  it  to  do  by  running  and  springing  with  extraordinary  agility,  idti- 
mately  eluding  pursuit  by  dodging  into  the  grass  or  nearest  thicket.  It  che  water  is 
deep,  it  dives,  and  when  it  rises  to  breathe,  raises  only  the  head  abo/e  the  water, 
remaining  concealed  among  the  aquatic  vegetation,  where  it  battles  the  hunter's  efforts 
to  find  it. 

Although  its  geographical  range  is  almost  entirely  within  the  trojiics,  yet  this 
species  has  its  seasons  of  periodical  migration  from  one  ])art  of  the  country  to  the 
other.  During  the  month  of  April  its  well-known  peculiar  whistle  may  be  heard 
nightly  as  northward-bound  flocks  are  passing  in  ajiparently  large  numbers  over 
Mazathan.  At  first  Colonel  Grayson  Avas  not  a  little  puzzled  by  this  movement, 
especially  as  he  had  been  assured  that  this  bird  is  not  seen  north  of  the  tropic, 
except  as  an  occasional  straggler;  but  by  frequent  in(piiries  of  the  natives  he  was 
enlightened  as  to  the  point  of  destination  of  these  Ducks,  and  was  satisfied  that 
they  go  no  farther  north  than  the  JIayo  and  Taqui  rivers,  in  Sonora,  and  the  adja- 
cent lakes  and  lagoons,  and  that  they  breed  there.  Some,  however,  remain  and  breed 
in  Sinaloa  and  in  the  adjacent  region ;  and  Colonel  Grayson  fo\uid,  as  late  as  Xovem- 
ber,  young  broods  near  San  Bias  which  were  unable  to  fly.  They  doubtless  raise  two 
or  more  broods  during  the  season ;  but  he  was  never  able  to  discover  whether  they 
nest  in  holiow  trees,  as  the  autumnitHn  does,  or  on  the  ground,  among  the  grass.  He 
was  informed  by  the  natives,  however,  that  the  latter  is  the  case ;  and  they  assured 
him  that  this  bird  lays  from  ten  to  fifteen  pure  white  eggs.  Though  it  inhabits  the 
region  near  the  sea-coast,  this  Duck  is  never*  met  with  on  the  sea,  and  very  seldom 
in  the  estero,  or  salt-water  lagoon,  it  being  an  exclusively  fresh-water  bird. 


ANATIN^E  —  THE  DUCKS. 


487 


>asterly  and 
IS  far  up  as 
[)t  —  is  said 
of  passage, 
lie  numbers, 
mes  a  third 
^veral  years 
HI,  are  pre- 
is  also  very 

:  the  habits 
eru  Mexico, 
i  well  iis  in 
1  as  Sonora. 

(1  makes  its 
fresh-water 
e  winter,  or 
nd  often,  at 
i  ray  son  has 
iig  excellent 
'  and  juicy, 
clusively  on 
ry  fat. 
lyson  states 
)lo-barrellcd 
ts  long  and 
igility,  nlti- 
le  water  is 
th(>  water, 
tor's  efforts 

s,  yet  this 
try  to  the 

be  heard 

lubers  over 

movement, 

the  tropic, 

es  he  was 

isfied  that 

the  adja- 
and  breed 
as  Novem- 
s  raise  two 
ether  they 
^rass.  He 
ey  assured 
habits  the 
ry  seldom 


Mr.  L.  Belding  informs  us  that  this  species  arrives  in  the  vicinity  of  Stockton, 
Cal.,  from  April  1  to  May  9;  his  latest  fall  record  of  its  occurrence  there  being 
November  1,  "  when  two  immature  birds  or  young  of  the  year  weri'  noticed  in  the 
market." 


Sub-family  AKATTX.^.  —  Thk  Ducks. 

The  Anatinm  differ  from  the  Anserinm  in  having  the  tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  instead 
of  longer,  and  scutellate,  instead  of  reticulate,  in  front.  Most  of  the  Ducks  are  of  smaller  size  than 
the  Geese  ;  in  many  species  the  males  are  adorned  with  a  very  beautiful  pluiuage,  with  a  metallic 
wing-specuhun,  tlie  sexual  diffea'uce  in  plumage  being  usually  well  uiarkeil.  The  North  Ameri- 
can genera  may  he  defined  as  f(jl!ows  * ;  — 

A.    Hind  toe  without  a  membraneous  lobe  (Anatew). 

1.  Anas.     Bill  broad,  about  as  long  as  the  head,  the  eilges  parallel,  the  middle  of  the  culmen 

concave,  the  terndnal  part  (behind  the  nail)  convex  ;  laniellie  scarcely  exposed  ;  scapu- 
lars, tertials,  and  rectrices  broad,  not  acuminate  ;  s])eculum  brilliant. 

2.  Ctaaulelasmus.     Hill  rather  narrow,  shorter  than  the  head,  tho  edges  nearly  parallel,  cul- 

men gently  concave  in  the  middle,  straight  before  and  beliind  ;  Luuinaj  distinctly  exposed  ; 
scapulars,  etc., as  in  Anas;  speculum  dull-colored  —  black  and  white. 

3.  Mareca.     Bill  as  in  Chaulclasmus,  but  lamelhe  scarcely  exposed  ;  scapulars,  etc.,  lanceo- 

late, the  middle  rectrices  slightly  elongated  ;  speculum  chiefly  lilack  ;  a  white  patch  on 
the  lesser  wing-covert  region. 

4.  Dafila.     Similar  to  Mareca,  but  neck  very  long,  bill  ionger  than  the  head,  narrow,  the 

edges  nearly  parallel,  the  terminal  two-thirds  of  the  culmen  quite  straight  and  nearly 
horizontal,  the  basal  portion  rapidly  ascending.  In  the  adult  male,  scapulars,  etc.,  elongated 
and  lanceolate,  and  the  middle  rectrices  projecting  far  beyond  the  rest. 

5.  Nettion.     Size  very  small  (wing  less  than  six  inches)  ;  in  form  nmch  like  Dafila,  but 

neck  nuich  .shorter,  scapulars  and  middle  rectrices  broa<ler  and  less  elongated,  bill  shorter 
than  the  head,  the  lamella)  completely  concealed  ;  nape  with  a  small  mane-like  tuft. 

6.  Querquedula.     Small,  like  Nettion,  but  bill  longer  (longer  than  the  head),  broader,  less 

ilepressed,  the  culmen  decidedly  convex  anteriorly  ;  lesser  wing-coverts  pale  dull  blue 
(in  North  American  species)  ;  nape  without  a  tuft.         , 

7.  Spatula.     Bill  nuich  longer  than  the  head,  compressed  at  the  base,  very  broad  toward  the 

1  Some  South  American  gmmn  of  Ducks,  which  for  present  purposes  it  is  \uuiecessary  to  iuclude  in 
the  above  synopsis,  arc  the  following  :  — 

1.  Genus  HETEUONEri'A,  Salvadori. 

Ihtevonctta,  S.\i.va1).  Atti  dc  la  Soe.  Ital.  d.  Sci.  Nat.  Vlll,  1865,  574  (type,  AiU(S  melanocepkala, 
ViKii.1,.).— Sc'i,.  &  Sai.v.  p.  Z.  S.  1876,  382. 

2.  (ienus  Metoimana,  Bonaparte. 

Metopiana,  Bonap.  Compt.  Keud.  XLIII.  1856,  146  (type,  Ams  peposaca,  ViEiLL.).  —  ScL.  &  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1876,  308. 

3.  Genus  Caiuis'A,  Flemiiig. 

Cnirim,  Fi.e.mixo,  Phil,  of  Zool.  1822,  260  (type.  Anas  moschnta,  Linn.). 
Moschata,  Less.  Traite,  I.  1831,  633  (same  type). 
Oijmnathus, 'NvTV.  Man.  IL  1834,  403  (snnic  type). 

4.  Gomis  Tacuyer?;s,  Owen. 

" Micropla-Hs,"  Less.  Truite,  U.  1831,  630  (tyjie,  Anas  cinerea,  Gmel.).    (Preoccupied  in  Ichthy- 

ology. ) 
Ti  hyeres,  Owen,  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  L\.  1875,  254  (same  tyiw). 

6.  Genus  MER(iANETTA,  Gould. 

Merganetta,  Gouui,  P.  Z.  S.  1841,  95  (type,  M.  annata,  Gould). 

Raphipterus,  Gay,  Fauna  Ciiil.  1848,  450  (type,  "It.  chilnms,  Gay,"  =  .1/.  armata,  Goui.d). 


488 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


end,  where  the  edge  of  the  ninxiUii  overhangs  the  mandible  on  each  side  ;  behind  this, 
the  fine  huueUu'  completely  exposed.  Otherwise  much  like  Querquedula  (the  wings  colored 
exactly  the  same),  but  linger. 

8.  Aiac.     Bill  nmcli  shorter  tlitin  the  liead,  deep  through  the  base,  depressed  terminally,  the 

edges  gently  convex,  anil  converging  terminally  ;  nail  very  large  ;  base  of  the  maxilla 
produced  backward  and  ui>ward  into  an  elongated  angle,  extending  on  each  side  the  fore- 
head nearly  half-way  to  the  eye.    Tail  lengthened,  composed  of  broad,  rounded  feathers. 
Male  with  a  full,  elegant  pendant  crest  of  silky  feathers. 
B>    Hind  toe  furnished  with  a  membraneous  lobe. 

a.  Bill  broad,  depressed  terminally  ;  tail  short,  the  fi-athers  moderately  rigid,  rounded  at  ends, 

and  more  than  half  concealed  by  the  coverts  (Fidiguhe). 

9.  Fuligula.     Bill  decidedly  broadest  at  Itast-,  nuich  deiiressed  terminally,  the  vertical  thick- 

ness just  behind  the  nail  being  only  about  one  fourth  that  at  the  base  ;  nail  large  and 
very  broad.  Adult  male  witli  the  head  rufous,  the  pileum  ornamented  by  a  full  and  very 
soft,  bushy,  rounded  crest. 

10.  Fuliz.  Bill  about  as  long  as  the  inner  toe  (with  claw),  the  nail  small  and  narrow.  Head 
and  neck  black  in  adult  males. 

11.  JBythyia.     Bill  longer  than  inner  toe,  with  claw.    Head  and  neck  reddish  in  adult  nudes. 

b.  Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  rather  compressed,  the  depth  through  the  base  considerably  exceed- 

ing the  width  near  the  end  ;  terminal  portion  of  the  bill  not  at  all  depressed.  Tail  as  in 
Fidi(jid(K  (the  central  pair  of  rectricus  much  elongated  in  J/arelda).     (Cluiigida'.) 

12.  Clangula.  Bill  much  shorter  than  the  head,  compressed,  and  tapering,  both  laterally  and 
vertically,  to  the  end,  the  nuil  small  and  narrow.  Plumage  chieHy  black  and  white  in  the 
male  ;  grayisli  and  white,  with  brown  head,  in  the  female. 

13.  Histrionlcus.  Bill  as  in  Choxjida,  but  the  nail  very  largo  and  broad,  forming  the  end 
of  the  bill,  the  rictus  overhung  by  a  small  wrinkled  membrane.  CoLjr  plumbeous,  with 
white  collar  and  otliei'  bands  and  markings,  in  the  male  ;  dull  grayish  brown,  with  white 
sjiots  on  head,  in  female. 

14.  Harelda.  Bill  much  shorter  than  the  head,  nearly  as  broad  as  deep,  the  nail  lai'ge  and 
broad,  the  feathering  at  the  base  forming  a  nearly  straight  liiu;  running  obliipiely  from 
the  base  of  the  culmeii  to  the  rictus.^  Middle  pair  of  rectrices  and  posterior  scapulars 
nuuh  elongated  and  lanceolate  in  the  male.     Colors  variable. 

15.  Eniconetta.  Bill  .shorter  than  the  head,  nuicli  compressed,  the  edges  of  the  maxilla 
inllexed  so  as  partly  to  inclose  the  mandible  ;  nail  very  large  and  broad,  forming  the  end 
of  the  bill,  which  is  not  at  all  "  liooked."  Male  with  the  feathers  of  the  lores  and  occiput 
stiff  and  bristly,  the  tertials  strongly  falcate,  the  plumage  beautifully  variegated  ;  female 
dull  chestnut-brownish,  variegated  with  black. 

16.  Camptoleemus.  Bill  nearly  as  long  as  the  head,  the  edges  of  the  maxilla  furnished 
terminally  with  a  thickened  membraneous  appendage,  the  base  of  the  nuixilla  encased 
with  overlying  skin,  including  the  nostrils.  Feathers  of  the  cheeks  stiffened  and  bristly. 
Color  black  and  white  (head,  neck,  jugulum,  and  wings  chiefly  white,  under  parts,  ring 
round  lower  neck,  and  other  parts  black)  in  the  male  ;  nearly  uniform  brownish-plumbeous 
in  the  female. 

c.  Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  tapering  both  laterally  and  vertically  towai-d  the  end  ;  the  base 

of  the  maxilLi  continued  in  a  lengthened  angle  or  broad  lobe  on  each  side  of  the  fore- 
head, or  else  (in  Arctonct(a)  densely  feathered  as  far  forward  as  the  nostril.  Males  with 
areas  of  stiff",  bristly,  greenish  teathei-s  about  the  head,  the  tertials  strongly  falcate,  the 
plumage  chiefly  white  and  black,  or  plumbeous.  Females  brownish,  barred  with  black 
(Somakriw). 

17.  Arctonetta.  Feathering  at  base  of  the  maxilla  extending  as  far  forward  as  the  nostril, 
and  forming  a  continuous  obliciue  line  from  the  cuhnen  to  the  rictus  ;  feathera  of  the 
lores  dense  and  velvety  ;  eyes  surrounded  by  a  dense  roundish  "cushion"  of  short,  soft, 
velvety  feathers. 

1  In  some  si>eciniens  there  is  a  distinct  feathered  angle  projecting  toward  the  nostril,,  the  bare  skin  of 
the  bill  forming  an  obtuse  angle  iilwivc  it. 


ANATIN.E  —  THE  DUCKS  —  ANAS. 


489 


;  behind  this, 
wings  colored 

jnninally,  the 
f  the  maxilla 
side  the  Ibre- 
nded  feathers. 


iided  at  ends, 

■erticrtl  thick- 

lail  large  and 

full  and  very 

larrow.    Head 

II  adult  males. 

uraMy  exeeed- 

d.    Tail  as  in 

lula:) 

1  laterally  and 

1  white  in  the 

niing  the  end 
imbeous,  with 
vn,  with  white 

[nail  lai-ge  and 

hliijuely  from 

ior  scapulars 

the  maxilla 
ining  the  end 

and  occiput 
jated  ;  female 

ilia  furnished 

ixilla  encased 

and  bristly. 

er  parts,  ring 

h-i)lumbeous 

nd  ;  the  base 
of  the  fore- 
Males  with 
y  falcate,  the 
id  with  black 

IS  the  nostril, 
ithers  of  the 
){  short,  soft, 

e  bare  skin  of 


18.  Bomateria.  Feathering  at  base  of  maxilla  exceedingly  irregular,  the  frontal  and  loral 
regions  being  separated  by  a  backwaiil  extension  of  the  bare  skin  of  the  maxilla  ui  the 
form  of  an  elongated  angle  or  broad  lobe. 

d.  Bill  more  or  less  gibbous  at  the  base,  nnich  depressed  at  the  end,  which  is  formed  entirely 

by  the  broad,  Hat  nail  ;  nostrils  usually  anterior  to  the  middle  of  the  maxilla.  Color 
black,  with  or  without  white  on  the  head  or  wing,  in  the  male  ;  dusky  grayish  brown  in 
the  female  (jEdemiw). 

19.  (Sdemia.  Feathering  on  forehead  extending  only  slightly  in  advance  of  that  on  the  lores, 
or  only  to  the  base  of  the  gibbosity ;  nostrils  linear,  about  the  middle  of  the  maxilla.  No 
white  in  the  plumage  of  either  sex. 

20.  Melanetta.  Feathering  on  the  lores  advancing  as  far  forward  as  that  on  the  forehead 
(nearly  to  the  nostrils).  Bill  extremely  broud  and  dei)ressed  at  the  end.  Wing  with  a 
white  speculum. 

21.  Pelionetta.  Feathering  on  the  forehead  extending  forward  almost  or  quite  to  the  nos- 
tril (an  inch  or  more  in  advance  of  that  on  the  lores)  ;  sides  of  the  maxilla  greatly  swollen 
in  the  adult  male  ;  end  of  bill  rather  pointed,  much  narrower  than  the  middle  portion.  No 
white  on  the  wing,  but  head  with  white  patches  (indistinct  or  obsolete  in  the  female). 

e.  Bill  very  broad  and  depressed  terminally,  as  in  the  Ftdiijulea:.     Tail  rather  long,  graduated, 

the  feathers  narrow  and  very  rigid,  their  shafts  grooved  on  the  undjr  surface  ;  tail-coverts 
very  short,  scarcely  covering  the  base  of  the  tail  (^Erismatuna;). 

22.  Erismatura.  Nail  of  the  maxilla  very  small,  narrow,  and  linear,  the  terminal  half  bent 
abruptly  downward  and  backward,  so  as  to  be  invisible  from  above. 

23.  Nomonyz.  Nail  of  the  maxilla  huge  and  broad,  gradually  bent  downward  terminally, 
and  wholly  visible  from  above. 

/.  Bill  narrow,  sub-cylindrical,  terminated  by  a  conspicuous  hooked  nail,  the  edges  serrated 
(^Mergc(e). 
/'.   Bill  as  long  as,  or  longer  than,  the  head,  its  depth  through  the  base  much  less  than  half 
its  length,  the  serrations  prominent. 

24.  Mergus.  Bill  much  longer  than  the  head,  the  serrations  acute,  curved  ;  tarsus  nearly 
three  fourths  the  middle  toe  (with  claw)  ;  crest  depressed,  or  jjointed. 

25.  liophodytes.  Bill  about  as  long  as  the  head  (without  crest),  the  serrations  short  and 
conical  (viewed  laterally)  ;  tarsus  about  two  thirds  the  middle  toe  (with  claw)  ;  crest 
compressed,  with  a  semicircular  posterior  outline  (when  erected). 

/".   Bill  much  shorter  than  the  head,  its  depth  through  the  base  equal  to  about  half  its  length, 
the  serrations  small  and  inconspicuous. 

26.  MergelluB.  Serrations  of  the  bill  very  fine,  conical ;  tarsus  about  two  thirds  the  mid- 
dle toe  ;  crest  somewhat  as  in  Lophodijks,  but  very  much  smaller. 


Genus  ANAS,    Linx^us. 
Anas,  Linn.  S.  N.  ed.  10,  I.  1758,  122;  ed.  12,  I.  17t56,  194  (type,  by  climhiiition,  A.  hoschas,  Linn.). 

Char.  Usually  rather  large-sized  Ducks,  with  the  bill  a  little  longer  than  the  head  or  foot, 
rather  broad,  depressed,  the  edges  parallel,  the  end  rounded  ;  speculum  metallic  green,  blue,  or 
violet,  in  both  sexes,  usually  bordered  posteriorly  by  a  black  band,  this  generally  succeeded  by  u 
white  one. 

Only  four  species  of  true  Aims  are  found  in  America,  these  being  easily  distinguished  by  the 
following  characters :  — 

A«    Size  large  (wing  not  less  than  10  inches). 

a.     Adidt  male,  except  in  breeding-season,  very  different  from  the  female,  the  plumage  varied 

and  brilliant  ;  secondaries  tipped  with  white,  and  greater  coverts  crossed  by  a  subtenninal 

bar  of  the  same. 
VOL.  I.  —  G2 


490 


LAMELLIUOSTUAL  SWIMMKKS  —  ANSKUES. 


tl 


A.  boBOhas.  Adult  male  in  winhr:  Four  inidiUc  tail-i'uuthers  Htroiigly  recurved  orcurluil ; 
liuml  1111(1  neck  brilliant  velvety  green  ;  jiij,'uluin  rich  chestnut,  with  u  white  collar  between 
it  and  the  1,'reen  ol'  the  neck  ;  siieculuni  rich  metallic  violet,  bounded  anteriorly  by  a 
black  bar,  this  ju'eceded  by  a  while  one,  and  posteriorly  by  a  black  Hubteriniiial  and  while 
tenuinal  band.  Adult  fiumk  and  mak  in  brccdimj season :  Wings  as  in  the  above  ;  else- 
where, variegated  with  dusky  and  ochraceous,  the  liirnier  on  the  centres  of  the  feiitherH, 
and  predominating  on  the  upper  parts,  the  latter  on  the  borders,  and  prevailing  beneath. 
Wing,  l().2r)-12.()(l  inches  ;  culmen,  2.(H»-2.4(» ;  tarsus,  1. 5(1-1. ao;  middle  toe,  l.!K)-2.15. 
llah.   AVholi^  noithern  hemisphere. 


6.     Sexes  alike,  at  all  ages  and  seasons  ;  no  white  on  the  outer  surface  of  the  wing. 

2.  A.  obBOura.     Prevailing  color  dusky,  the  feathers  bordered  with  dull  ochraceous  ;  head 

and  neck  dull  bull",  everywhere  streaked  with  dusky ;  no  black  at  base  of  the  bill  ; 
speculum  usually  d(i|i  violet.  AVing,  1()..5()-11.,')(>  inches  ;  culmen,  2, 0()-2.3o  ;  tarsus, 
I.7()-I.8();  middle  toe,  l.»()-2.1().     Hah.    Eastern  North  America. 

3.  A.  fulvigula.     Prevailing  color  ochraceous,  the  feathers  marked  centrally  with  dusky  ; 

entire  chin  and  throat  immaculate  creamy  ochraceous  or  bulf ;  base  of  the  maxilla,  espe- 
cially below,  black  ;  speculum  usually  green.     Wing,  10, 00-10. 50  inches;  culmen,  2.05- 
2.35;  tarsus,  1.70-1.80;  middle  toe,  1. 00-2. 00.     Ilab.    Florida. 
I.     Size  small  (wing,  8.50). 

4.  A.    Aberti '  9  ■     Prevailing  color  ochraceous,  spotted  above  and  streaked  beneath  with 


1  Anas  AnKini,  HiixiWAV. 

1  Amis  obscurii,  l.Awa.  Mcin.  Rcstoii  Soc.  II.  pt.  iii.  no.  ii.  1874,  314  (Tcplc,  W.  Mexico). 
Anna  Aberti,  Hinow.  Proc.  U.  S.  Nnt.  Mas.  Vol.  I.  1878,  2.')0  (Mazatlnn). 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  fcnwh  :  Size  of  Qucrquednia  discws  and  cyanoptcra,  but  in  coloration  closely  resem- 
bling A .  fuhirjula.  Prevailing  color  oclmiccous-buff,  but  this  cvciywhere  relieved  liy  brownish-black  spots 
or  streaks.  Head,  neck,  iiml  lower  pait-s  streaked,  the  streaks  finest  on  the  neck  and  sides  of  tlic  head, 
Inwuleston  thejuguluni  and  crissuni,  which  is  .soiiK'what  tinged  with  rusty,  and  assuming  the  form  of 
oblong  spots  on  the  abdomen,  thigh.s,  and  anal  region  ;  throat  iininaculate.  Hack,  scaindars,  and  rump 
with  the  blackish  predominating  ;  the  feathers  bordeivd  witli  ocliiaceous  ;  those  of  the  back  and  the  sciip- 
ulai-s  with  inegulnr  indentations  and  occasional  bars  of  the  same.  Lesser  wing-coveits  brownish  slate, 
bordered  with  dull  earthy  brown  ;  middle  coverts  with  their  exposed  portion  velvety  black,  fcaming  a 
distinct  bar.  Secondaries  widely  tijipi'd  with  pure  white  (forining  a  consiiicuous  band  alwut  .3,')  of  an  inch 
wide),  this  preceded  by  a  velvety  black  bar  of  about  e(pial  width,  the  basal  half  or  more  (of  the  exposed 


ANATIN.K  —  THE  DUCKS  —  ANAS. 


491 


pveil  or  ciulud ; 
collur  between 
iinteriorly  by  ii 
iiml  mill  wliile 
e  above  ;  else- 
)f  llie  I'eatliel'H, 
iiiliiiy  beneath, 
toe,  l.!K)-2.15. 


racemis  ;  lieail 
ise  ol'  the  bill  ; 
l)-2.35  ;   tttinus, 

y  with  dusky  ; 
maxilla,  espe- 
eulineii,  2.05- 


il  beneath  with 


Mexico). 

on  closely  rcsem- 
iiish-blnck  spots 
(les  of  the  head, 
ling  till'  form  of 
uliiis,  and  nimii 
lUid  the  scap- 
■i  brownish  slate, 
lilack,  forniiiifj  a 
ut  .35  of  an  inch 
(of  the  exposed 


brownish  black,  tin-  throat  inimaculati'  ;  liill  li^'ht  yfliowisii  brown,  darker  on  culnien  ; 
speenluin  dark  },'''i"''^-Kii'»'ii,  ciian^jiii^'  to  blue  and  violet,  followed,  succe.'fsively,  by  a 
velvety  black  siibtcrniiiial  and  a  pure  white  terminal  bar,  each  alioiit  .3.")  of  an  inch 
wide.  Wiiif,',  8.,')()  inches;  culnien,  l.(i"i  ;  tar.sus,  1.30;  middle  toe,  1.70.  Jlub.  Western 
Mexico  (Ma/atlau). 

Anas  boBchas.^ 

THE   MALLABD. 


/.■i  lioschns,  I,|N\.  S.  N.  I'd.  I'J,  I.  17<iti,  M.^.  —  Wii.s.  Am.  (tin.  VIII.   ISM,   n-j,  |il.  70,  f 
Auii.  Din.  liiog.  HI.  183'!,  KJl,  pi.  2'.»1  ;  Synop.  ISIiit,  27(1  ;  II.  Am.  VI.  l.sl.i,  2:ii;,  pi.  1 
lUiKii,  B.  N.  Am.  l.S.")S,  774  ;  Cat.  \.  Am.  H.  18".!),  no.  .071).  —  CouK.s  Key,  1872,  285  ; 
List,  1873,  no.  188  ;  M.  N.  W.  1874,  .ir.li. 


Andu  htiinis,  WiiAKTiis,  Ibi.s,  187i»,  4.''>;i.  —  liiixiw.  Nom.  N.  Am.  15.  1881,  no.  (jol.  —  CofK.s,  Check 

List,  2il  ed.  1882,  no.  707. 
AnuHdimiHtiiii,  (iMKi,.  8.  N.  1.  ii.  1788,  ,f.;t8. 

Anas  (Uuschitu)  ihmrstica,  Sw.  &liii  ii.  K.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  442.  —  Xrrr.  Man.  II.  1834,  378. 
Anns /era,  "  Buis.s."  —  Lk.aiii,  (at.  Brit.  Mus.  181(),  30. 
Anasadunat,  Linn.  S.  \.  cil.  12,  I.  1760,  20(i.  —  (!.Mi;i..  S.  N.  1.  ii.  1788,  538. 

Hak.  North  America  in  },'eneral,  south  to  I'anaina  ;  Cuba;  ISahamas  ;  (ireeiiland.  Pahearetic 
Rej^ioii. 

Si'.  CiiAU.  Adult  male  in  fidl,  winter,  nnd  sjmvg :  TFcad  and  neck  continuous  suit  brilliant 
metallic  j^'ieen,  showiii;^  purple  and  f^olden-bron/.e  rellectimis  in  dill'ereiit  lij,'hts.  A  riii;,'  of  ])uie 
white  round  the  lower  part  of  the  neck  interrupted  on  tint  nape  ;  ju;,'iilum  and  upper  part  of  the 
bri'iist  rich  dark  chestnut.  Interscapulars  brownish  uvuy,  liiiely  waved  with  ^;iayisli  white  ;  scaii- 
iilars  and  lower  parts  grayish  white,  delicately  waved  with  dark  ash.     Outer  webs  of  tertials  dark 

portion)  I'onsistiiip;  of  a  metallic  speculum  of  ilaik  grnss-f,'roeii,  varying  to  blue  nml  violet  in  ccitaiii  lights. 
Tertials  opaiine  velvety  black  cxtcrioily,  the  inner  webs  browni.sh  .slate  ;  priinaiy-cnvcrts  ami  primaries 
brownisli  slate,  the  latter  edged  with  lighter.  Tuil  browni.sh  gray,  the  feathers  eilgiil  ami  coarsely  spotted 
with  light  bull'.  1)111  light  yellowish  brown,  darker  on  the  ciilmcn,  the  unguis  dusky  ;  feet  light  yellowish 
(probably  orange  in  life).  'Wing,  8.50  imlics  ;  tail,  3.25  ;  culnien,  l.fiS  ;  greatest  width  of  the  bill,  .00  ; 
depth  of  nia.\illa  tliioiigh  the  base,  .50  ;  tarsus,  1.30  ;  niiiKlle  toe,  1.70. 

Type,  No.  12,7811,  l'.  S.  Nut.  Mus.  ;  Ma/.atlaii,  Mexico  ;  Colonel  AliKirr. 

liKMAliKs.  This  remarkable  little  Duck  is  very  dilb'rent  from  any  other  known  species.  In  its  .small 
size,  and,  to  a  certain  extent,  the  narrow  bill,  it  is  like  the  s]iecies  of  Qiierqiiriliiln,  but  its  coloration  calls 
instantly  to  mind  the  Aiiasfiifviriiild  from  Florida,  and  the  species  (//.  It'iivillicnw)  from  the  Sandwich 
l.slanils  recently  describeil  by  Mr.  Selater.  The  specimen  is  marked  as  being  a  feninle,  .so  it  is  i)os.sil)lc 
that  the  male  may  be  more  brilliant  in  ]iluiiiage. 

In  addition  to  the  characters  given  above,  it  may  bo  mentioned  that  there  is  a  distinct  indication  of  n 
narrow,  dusky,  postocular  .streak,  and  of  a  wider  and  less  distinct  loial  .stripe,  thus  .separating  a  light 
siiperciliaiy  stripe  from  the  light  color  of  the  checks.  The  lining  of  the  wing  and  the  axillars  are  pure 
white,  the  latter  with  a  segregation  of  dusky  spots  near  the  earpo-nietacarpal  joint. 

1  TIk^  following  names  also  have  Iweii  referred  to  this  species,  as  designating  varieties  or  hybrids  with 
other  species  :  — 

"  Anns  cui-virostra,  Pai.i.."     ((Iuay.  ) 

"Anas  Frnjcincti,  Bonai'."     (Okay.) 

Anas  archiboschas,  sublmschas,  conhnschas,  BnF.IIM,  Viig.  Dcutschl.  802,  864,  865. 

Anas piirpttrcnviridis,  Sciiinz. 

Anas  maxima,  (iossi;.  Birds  .lain.  1847,  300  (=  hybrid  with  Cairina  moschrita). 

Anas  bicnlnr,  Donovan,  Br.  Birds,  IX.  (il.  212. 

Anas  llirvrri,  Ari).  Orii.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  302,  pi.  338  ("(/A)C(V«»s")  ;  Syiiop.  1830,  277  ;  B. 

Am.  VI.  184.3,  252,  ])\.  387.     [Perhaps  adult  f  of  A.  Imschas  in  changing  plumiige.] 
Anas  Andubmii,  Bonai'.  List,  1838,  50  (' '  Inmamlata  ").     (Same  as  Brcweri.) 
FHligula  viola,  Bkm,.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  V.  1852,  210. 
Anas  inparcia,  Pllll,.  Wiegiii.  Archiv,  I.  1860,  25  ;  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  531. 


W:    .'. 


492 


LAMELLin0STl;AL   S^Vr^r^fRUS—  AXSERES. 


umber-brown,  this  also  tingin^,'  theadjoininj,'  seuimlui's  ;  wMig-coverts  luiironii  deep  brownifli  ^Tny, 
till'  last  row  tipped  with  opiuiui'  velvety  black,  luid  with  a  siibteriniiial  bar  t>i  ymv  white  ;  specu- 
liiiii  rich  metallic  vioh't,  with  a  Hubtermiual  velvety  black,  and  terminal  jmre  white  liar;  primaries 
plain  brownish  gray.  Hump,  upper  tail-covevts,  and  cris^um,  intense  velvety  black,  showin},'  faint 
rellections  of  bluish  green.  Tail  white,  the  feathers  grayisli  centrally.  'J'wo  middle  feathers  iilack, 
slightly  recurved  ;  the  two  longer  upper  tail-coverts  greatly  recurved.  JJill  olive-yellow  or  ochra- 
ceous-olive  (in  life),  the  nail  black  ;  iris  hazel  ;  tarsi  and  toes  line  rich  orange-red  (changing  to 
yellowish  in  dried  skin).  Length,  about  iA.W  inches;  e.xtent,  :}8.()()  ;  wing,  1I.(H)-11.85;  cul- 
men,  2.10-2.40;   tarsus,  l.dO-l.Wi ;   middle  toe,  2.oO-2.lf).      Adult  male  in  summer:   "Chi.sely 

resembling  the  female,  being  merely 
somewhat  darker  in  color.  This 
plumage  is  donned  by  degrees  early 
in  June ;  and  in  August  the  full 
rich  winter  dress  is  again  resumed" 
(Shaki'K  &  DitKwsKR).  Adult  Je- 
nudc:  Wing  as  in  the  male.  Above, 
brownish  dusky,  much  variegated  by 
broad  pale  ochraceous  eilges  to  the 
feathers ;  ))eneath  \)nh'  ochraceou.s, 
the  feathei's  dusky  centrally,  ]iro- 
ducing  a  thickly  sjiotted  or  striped 
ap])earance.  On  the  top  of  the  head 
the  dusky  predominate.s,  as  it  idso 
does  in  a  loral  and  auiicular  linn, 
forming  a  lighter  superciliary  stripe 
'  between  this  and  the  crown.  Wing, 
10.2.')-11.50  ;  culmen,  2.00-2.35  ;  tar- 
sus, l.i50-1.80;  middle  toe,  1.90-2.05. 
Downy  jitiinnj:^  Above,  deep  oli- 
vaceous, relieved  by  two  pairs  of  yel- 
lowish bufT  sjKits,  the  firet  pair  on  the 
i)ack,Ju.st  behind  the  wing.s,  the  second 
at  the  base  of  the  tail,  the  first  not 
confluent  with  the  buff  of  the  lower 
parts  ;  wings  deep  olivaceous,  varied 
on  both  edges  with  dull  greenish  yel- 
low ;  pileum  and  nape  olivaceous, 
darker  on  the  occiput,  lighter  on  the 
forehead  ;  a  broad  sujierciliary  stripe, 
including  the  sides  of  the  forehead, 
sides  of  the  head  and  neck,  and  entire 
lower  parts,  yellowish  bull",  deepest  on 
the  head,  paler  on  the  anal  region  and  crissum  ;  sides  more  grayish,  and  crossed,  between  the  wings 
and  thighs,  by  two  wide  patches  of  tlark  olive  projecting  from  that  of  the  back.  Side  of  the  head 
marked  by  a  narrow  but  very  distinct  stripe  of  dark  brown  from  the  upper  ba.sal  angle  of  the 
maxilla  to  the  eye,  thence  back  to  and  confluent  with  the  olivaceous  of  the  occiput ;  beneath 
the  latter,  almost  directly  over  the  ear,  an  isolated  spot  of  the  same. 

The  adult  males  in  winter  plumage  vary  chiefly  in  the  extent  and  richness  of  the  chestnut  of 
the  jugulum.     Sometimes  this  is  restricted  to  the  jugulum,  hut  occasionally  it  spreads  over  the 

1  Described  from  No.  77546,  Washoe  Lake,  Nev.,  May  22,  1877:  H.  W.  Heksiiaw.  This  specimen 
represents  the  youngest  stage,  not  long  from  Ihe  egg,  and  is  less  than  6  inches  in  total  length,  the  bill 
about  half  an  inch  long.  Older  specimens  are  larger,  the  size,  of  course,  proportioned  to  the  age,  while  as 
they  increase  in  size  the  bright  yellowish  tints  become  gradually  replaced  with  pale  dingy  grayish ;  the 
oliTaceous  of  the  upper  parts  also  becomes  more  gray. 


^f((>t^ 


tirowninli  (jrnvi 
white  ;  spncu- 
liitr;  iiriiimrieH 
sliowiiif,'  faint 
rfiitliiTM  lilack, 
■lliiw  or  oc'lira- 
I  (i'liaii>,'ing  to 
Kt-11.85;  ciil- 
wr :   "  ( 'Instcly 
liciiij,'  meri'ly 
color.     This 
(l('},'r('CM  early 
;,'iisl   the    full 
aiii  re.sunieil " 
I.      Adult  fe- 
iialu.     Ahove, 
varie},'ate(l  by 
edf^es  to  the 
■    ochraceouK, 
■iitruUy,    ])ro- 
ed  or  wtriped 
J)  of  the  head 
SK,   as  it   also 
iiriculnr  line, 
rciliary  strijie 
•own.     Win;,', 
.00-2. .%  ;  tar- 
oe,  l.!)0-2.()5. 
ive,  deep  oli- 
»  pairs  of  yel- 
St  pair  on  the 
ij,'s,  the  second 
the  first  not 
of  the  lower 
iceous,  varied 
greenish  yel- 
olivaceous, 
ighter  on  the 
ciliary  stripe, 
;he  foreliead, 
;k,  and  entire 
ff,  deepest  on 
len  the  wings 
e  of  the  head 
angle  of  the 
)ut ;  beneath 

e  chestnut  of 
ads  over  the 


This  specimen 
ngth,  the  bill 
ngc,  while  as 
grayish  ;  the 


ANATTX.K  —  TIFK   DUCKS  —  A.VAS. 


493 


Its 
e 


breast,  as  in  No.  liiTlH,  Washington,  1).  ('.  (December),  in  which  the  entire  lower  parts  ex.ci.t 
the  sides,  are  tinged  with  ridi  cream-color.  ' 

The  single  European  specimen  in  the  coji.rtiou  differs  from  nil  the  North  American  males  in  it> 
considerably  smaller  size.  It  measures  ;  Wing,  l().20  inches  ;  .ulmen,  2.(io  ;  tarsus,  j.no  ;  nii.l.ll 
toe,  1.8((.  The  smallest  North  American  male,  muoi.g  a  large  series  of  specimens,  measures. 
Wing,  ll.(M)  inches;  culnien,  2.10  ;  tarsus,  1.00;  midille  toe,  2.(M) ;  while  the  average  is  rousidrr^ 
ably  larger.  The  Kuropean  specimen  differs  also  in  markings,  ilu,  speculum  being  umch  narrower 
(the  violet  less  than  1.00  inch  wide,  instead  of  1.50  or  more),  while  black  and  while  bars  on  each 
si.le  of  it  are  not  nearly  so  broad.  There  is  no  difference,  however,  in  color.  Two  females  from 
Europe  measure  :  Wing,  !».70-l().0() 
iuclu's;  (Mdinen,  2.00-2.10  ;  tarsus,  1  .(i.'i 
-1.70;  middle  Inc,  l.8o-|.,sr).i  The 
only  tangible  dilfcrcMce  in  pattern  of 
coloration  consists  in  the  narrower  bars 
of  tliespe(;uluui,  the  terminal  white  one 
being  reduced  to  a  narrow  line,  instead 
of  a  <iuite  broad  bar. 

Even  in  its  feral  state,  the  Mallard 
varies  greatly  in  si/e  an<l  markings,  al- 
though the  pro])ortionate  number  of 
"  abnormal  "  e.xamjiles  is  of  course  small. 
Many  of  these  variations  are  diu;  to  hy- 
bridism with  other  species  ;  but  very 
many  examples  occur  in  which  no  con- 
nection with  another  s])ecies  can  be 
traced.  The  lattca'  are  usually  consid- 
erably larger  than  the  ordinary  wild 
bird,  and  the  colors  wholly  indetermi- 
nate, tlie  range  of  variation  in  this  in- 
spect being  fully  etiual  to  that  in  the 
domesticated  bird.     .Sitch  examjdes  are 

frecpiently  killed  during  the  migrations,  either  mixed  singly  with  flocks  of  the  ordinary  biril,  or  in 
companies  by  themselves.  Without  going  into  further  details  in  regard  to  these  feral  varieties,  we 
will  proceed  to  describe  a  few  of  the  more  remarkable  specimens  and  hybrids  which  are  now 
before  us  :  — 

(!)  An  autumnal  female  from  Mount  Carmel,  III.,  is  so  different  from  all  other  specimens  exam- 
ined tiuit  there  is  some  doulil  whether  it  is  ]iure  A.hnschan  ;  the  dill'ereuces  from  the  normal  female  of 
A.  boschas  involve  the  pro]iortions  as  well  as  the  colors.  The  bill  is  very  broad,  measuring  1. 00  inch 
in  width  near  the  end,  and  .9.5  at  the  base  ;  its  length  along  the  culmen  being  2.00  inches,  and  its- 
height  through  the  base  .!).").  Its  color  is  black,  except  the  terminal  third,  which  is  bright  orange, 
the  nail  jet  black  ;  the  feet  are  bright  orange-red.  The  ground-color  of  the  entire  plumage,  except 
the  wings,  is  a  deep  and  very  uniform  ochraceous  ;  the  head  and  neck  arc  very  finely  streaked  with 
narrow  lines  of  black,  excej)!  on  the  <liin  and  throat,  which  are  immaculate  ;  this  streaking  is  so 
uniform,  that  there  U  no  ImUrutinn  of  a  darker  Inred  stripe  or  lif/hter  one  (d)ore  it,  the  post-orliital  light 
stripe  alone  being  jieiceptible.  Each  feather  of  the  lower  jiarts  has  a  medial  stripe  of  black,  these 
marliiiirifi  being  of  unij'nrm  si::e  ttnd  xhiipe  thrnuyhmt  the  entire  lomr  surface.  The  back  and  scapulars 
are  more  irregularly  variegated,  the  black  being  nearly  in  the  form  of  V-shaped  markings,  though 
they  vary  on  different  feathers.  Tlu-  runi])  and  upper  tail-coverts  are  almost  cinnamon-color,  each 
feather  being  broadly  black  medially,  these  black  markinijs  having  a  bright  green  reflection.  The 
wings  are  normal  in  coloration,  exce])t  that  the  coverts  are  more  conspicuously  bordered  with  white 
than  is  usual.  The  measurements  (jf  this  specimen  are  as  follows  :  Wing,  10.00  inches  ;  culmen, 
2.(M) ;  tarsus,  1.95  ;  middle  toe,  2.30. 

»  Mes,srs.  Sharpe  &  Dn^sscr,  liowcver,  in  their  "History  of  the  Binls  of  Europe"  (pnrt  xvii. )  give 
the  measurements  of  Europenii  A.  boschas  as  follows  ;  "  Total  length,  23.00  inches  ;  culmen,  2.60  ;  wing, 
10.50  ;  tail,  4.00  |  tarsus,  1.85." 


FenuUe. 


I 

i    I 


494 


LAMELUROSTUAL  SWIMMERS  -  AXSERES. 


\ 


(2.)  A  iiioliuintic  variety  <>f  the  ili)nii'Kticatt'<l  nn'c  in  priiiiii-^iitt'd  nt  Mnimt  Auburn,  Miixt*.,  and 
in  otlicr  locaiiticM  in  tlu'  Noilhi'rn  Sliitcs.  A  line  juliilt  niair  Ironi  tiie  t'nrnicr  iiiatc,  iiri'scnti'ii  by 
Dr.  IJrcwur  to  tin:  Natiunal  MuMi-uni  (N'o.  (I(i2:)l),  liat  tin'  billowing'  ciiarariiTu  ;  Entire  |ilunia;^o 
intun^c  roal-black,  witii  an  irregular  iiatcli  of  |iuru  whitu  on  the  breast,  ami  a  smaller  one  on  the 
miiMle  ol'  tli(!  b)rene('k.  Lower  NUiliice  oiiaijiie,  anil  with  a  slij,'lit  l>riiwniHh  ciihl  ;  l)ut  entire  U|)]ier 
Hurtaee  (exicpt  priniaiies  ami  reclriio),  incliulinj,'  tlie  lu'ail  ami  neelc,  |,'lo»Me(l  with  a  brilliant  j,'reen 
reflection,  ehauKinj,' to  violet  in  certain  li^ilits;  the  s|ieculnni  is  of  the  same  chan;;eal)le  (,'reen  or 
vioh't  as  tile  \vin^,'-coviTls,  l)ut  is  liroadly  li|)|)c(l  uilb  o|iai(Me  bhiik  ;  the  head  and  neck  are  more 
brilliant  ^reen  than  tlie  other  iioilions.  This  s|uMiinen  nicisures,  winj,',  [l.2't  inches;  culnien,  2.  i(> ; 
tarsus,  l.tM) ;  niiildle  toe,  2.ir>.  Tlie  bill  is  blackish  olive,  and  the  feet  bhick.  The  latter  are  much 
stouter  than  those  of  the  wild  bird  ;  l>ut  this  is  said  to  be  a  peculiarity  of  the  Domestic  Mallard  as 
distinj,'uislied  from  the  uiltl  binl.  The  size  and  iiro|iorlions  of  this  siiecimen  prove  it  to  lie  a  true 
Mallard,  and  not  a  liyl)ri<l  with  another  species,  though  the  prevalence  of  the  metallic  rellections 
over  the  whole  of  the  ujiper  parts  caused  an  early  comparison  with  Vairimi  momihatit,  on  Hus|pieit)n 
that  it  mi;,dit  be  part  "  Muscovy ''  —  which,  however,  jiroves  to  be  not  tiie  caHe.  The  curled  upper 
tail-coverts  and  middle  tail-feathers  are  precisely  as  in  the  ordinary  Mallard,  The  charactei-s  of 
this  variety  are  saiil  to  be  very  constant. 

(3.)  Anions;  the  undoubteil  hybrids  lietweeu  the  Mallard  and  other  species  of  Ducks,  there 
are  tnree  liefore  us,  represented  liy  four  examiiles.  That  of  most  common  occurrence  is  a  cross 
with  the  Muscovy  {Cuirina  moncluitit '),  a  Tropical  American  .species,  but  common  in  domestication. 
These  hybrids  are  no  doubt  produced  in  the  barnyard  ;  but  it  is  saiil  that  such  l)inl»donot  inherit 
the  tameness  of  their  proj,'enitors,  but  revert  to  tlie  (U'iginal  wildiiess  o!'  both  species,  and  escape  by 
flij,']it.  Certain  it  is,  tliat  they  are  frequently  shot  by  gunners  along  our  coast.  The  two  speci- 
mens before  us  possess  the  tollowing  characters  :  No,  17142,  g  ad.  has  the  large,  broad  speculum, 
and  broad,  lengtheniil  tail  specially  characteristic  of  the  Muscovy,  ami  lacks  the  recurved  feathers 
of  the  Mallard.  Head  and  uipper  liilf  of  the  neck  black,  with  a  dull  green  reflection,  mixed  with 
white  on  the  throat  and  beneath  the  eye  ;  lower  half  of  the  neck,  except  behind,  white  ;  breast  and 
sides  deep  rufous-chestnut  ;  rest  of  h)Wer  ])Mrts  white,  the  flanks  and  post-tibial  region  lualulated 
with  slate-color  ;  erissum  brownish  black,  tinged  with  rufous.  Above,  brownish  black,  griz/.led 
with  transverse  sprinkling  of  grayish  brown,  becoming  uniform  black  on  the  rump  and  ujiper  tail- 
covert.s,  which  have  a  rich  dark-greeii  rellectiou.  Wing-coverts  uniform  slate-color  ;  speculum 
uniform  bottle-green,  narrowly  tipped  with  white  ;  primaries  entirely  immaculate  pure  white  ;  tail 
uniform  dark  .slate.  J'ill  yellow  (pink  in  life  I),  mottled  with  black  ;  feet  orange.  Head  com- 
pletely feathered.     Wing,  1.3.20  ;  eulmen,  2.3(>;  tarsus,  2.20  ;  middle  toe,  2.60. 

No.  06()17,  J  ad.,  with  the  same  general  appearance,  differs  in  .«ome  important  particulars.  It 
is  destitute  of  the  albinotic  indication  seen  in  the  white  primaries  and  neck-iiatch.  The  head  and 
neck  are  continuous  greenish  bronze  of  a  peculiar  tint,  intermediate  between  the  purplish  of  G. 
moschata  and  the  pure  green  of  .1.  boschas.    The  lower  ]iortiou  of  the  neck,  the  breast,  and  sides 


1  Caibina  moschata. 

Ams  moschain,  Link.  S.  X.  od.  10,  1.  IT.'iS,  124;  cd.  12,  I.  1760,  199. --Nutt.  Man.  Water 

Birds,  1834,  40.3  (Lower  Missi.ssipiii  ami  (lulf  Coast  of  U.  S.  I). 
Cairina  mo/n-luita,  Fi.km.  Phil.  Zool.  1822,  260  ;  Br.  Anim.  1828,  122.  —Sol.  &  Salv.  Nom. 

Neotr.  1873,  129;  I'.  Z.  S.  1876,  378  (monographic).  —  Coue.s,   Birds  N.  W.  1874,  559 

(synonymy). 
Cairina  siilvfdris,  SrF.riir.xs,  .Shaw's  Ocn.  Zool.  XII.  ii.  1824,  69. 
Lr,  Canard  Musqiu;  Buff.  PI.  Enl.  986. 
El  Palo  grande  n  Heal,  AzAitA,  Apunt.  III.  1805,  no.  437. 
«  Anas  Mariana-,  SuAW,  Nat.  Mi.so.  II.  t.  69. 

Hab.     The  whole  of  tropical  America,  except  West  Indies. 

This  species  is  most  likely  yet  to  be  detected  in  the  wild  state  along  our  southern  Iwrder  —  in  fact, 
Nuttall,  as  quoted  above,  .says  that  it  is  "  ocwisionally  .seen  .ilong  the  coasts  of  the  Mexican  Gulf,  in 
the  lower  part  of  Mississipjii,  ami  stragglers  are  frequently  observed  along  the  coasts  of  the  warmer 
parts  of  the  Union."  In  its  habits  it  much  resembles  the  common  Wood  Duck  {Aix  sponsa),  its  favorite 
haunts  being  swampy  woods  and  the  forest-border  of  streams,  where  it  nests  in  hollows  of  the  trees,  and 
perches  on  the  branches  in  true  arboreal  faahioii. 


I,   MllKH.,   Iklld 

pn'sciitcd  by 
lire  |>luiiui;^o 
r  I  me  on  l}if 
fiitiro  upper 
illiiiiit  ^rt'i'ii 
lie  j^rci'ii  ill' 
•ck  iiri'  mori! 
iliiicii,  2.1(1 ; 
tor  arc  iiiiicli 
I'  Mill  lard  as 
to  1)1'  a  truo 
c  retlt'ctioiiH 
on  suspicion 
'urk'd  upper 
characters  of 

Ducks,  tlK^re 
ice  is  (1  cross 
)nu'sticntion. 
onot  inlierit 
id  escape  liy 
le  I  w  1 1  speci- 
id  speculum, 
ved  featliers 
mixed  with 
;  breast  and 
II  undulated 
ick,  },'rizzled 
1  U])per  tail- 
;  speculum 
whitt!  ;  tail 
Head  com- 

ulars.     It 

le  head  and 

plish  of  C. 

,  and  sides 


Man.  Water 

Sai.v,  Norn. 
1874,  559 


r  —  in  fact, 
ivn  Gulf,  in 
he  warmer 
its  favorite 
trees,  and 


ANATIN Ji  —  THE  DUCKS  —  ANAS. 


496 


are  chestiiut-rufous,  the  feathers  haviiiK  narrow  white  borders,  and  those  in  frunt  with  a  central 
bluck  dot  on  euch  ;  the  i  rissuiu  is  lilack,  tinned  with  chestnut  j  remaining'  lower  parts  white, 
sli^^hlly  grizzled  laterally.  Doiwd  iv;;ion  black,  tlie  feathers  bordered  leniiiiiully  with  white,  and 
yri/./.led  iiasally  with  the  same,  nome  of  them  tinned  with  iiil'nu>;  rump  ami  upper  tail-coverts 
continuous  intense  j,'reenisli  black  ;  tail  uniform  ilark  slate,  with  a  violet  rellection.  Win"-coverts 
white,  mottled  transversely  with  lilack,  the  last  row  dusky, shar[ily  iiordeied  with  white  ;  speiiiliini 
brij^ht  bi)ttle-;;reen,  narrowly  tipped  with  white  ;  jirimaries  dusky,  tiie  outer  webs  white,  liill  and 
feet  deep  Mack.  Hcail  normally  feathered.  Win;;,  13. (M)  inches;  culmen,  2,35;  tarsus,  iJ.lO" 
middle  toe,  2.50. 

A  beautiful  hybri<l  Initwceu  the  Mallard  and  the  Pintail  [Ihifdn  m-utu)  was  sent  to  the  National 
Museum  (No.  (i()(tls)  liy  \)\\  ,(.  W.  Velie,  from  ('hicaj^o.  It  corresponds  very  do.selv  with  that  ti"- 
ured  and  described  by  Professor  Newton,  in  the  "  Troceediiijis "  of  the  London  Z()olo},'ical  Sncictv, 
June,  I8(in,  pi.  cl.wiii.,  and  in  both  form  and  cidoration  is  throu;,dioHt  a  perfect  combinalicui  of 
both  species.  The  head  and  neck  are  continuou-*  brownish  ^,'ieen,  raii;,'inj,' from  the  brown  of  i>, 
acuta  on  tin;  anterior  part  of  the  lie.id  to  the  brilliant  green  of  .1.  Ixiscltan  on  the  back  of  the  neck. 
The  white  collar  is  broader  than  in  .1.  hn^chan,  and  imsteriorly  sends  upward  on  each  side  of  the 
nape  a  short  arm,  correspoiidiiij,'  to  the  lengthened  stripe  of  I).  (ichIii.  The  jugulum  is  pide  cinna- 
mon ;  the  wings  are  those  of  //  (tnilu,  e.\cept  the  teitials,  wliiih  are  tlio.sc  of  ^1.  Imsiltus  ;  the  uiiper 
tail-coverts  are  purplish-bLick,  edged  with  ]iale  fulvous  ;  the  two  middle  tail-feathers  are  elongated 
about  half  as  much  as  in  D.  ((nthi,  and  curled  lialf  as  tightly  as  in  .1.  Imschan  !  The  bill  is  dark 
lead-color,  and  the  feet  are  dark  reddish.  Wing,  1 1 .0(1  inches  ;  culmen,  2.20  ;  tarsus,  1.5.")  ;  middle 
toe,  l.!>0. 

The  remaining  supposed  hybrid  is  an  adult  inaU',  intermeiliate  between  .1,  hoschtis  and  A.  obscura, 
])urcliased  liy  Professor  iSaird  in  the  Washington  market,  Jan.  2.5,  l^^Tl,  and  is  apparently  much 
like  the  biril  de.scrilied  by  Audubon  as  Anun  Brnnri.  AVitli  the  prevalent  aspect  of  .1.  olm-tira,  it 
has  the  side  of  the  occiput  and  nape  brilliant  green,  and  the  jiigulum  and  breast  strongly  tinged 
with  chestnut.  The  lateral  upjicr  tail-coverts  are  black  with  a  violet  reflection,  as  are  also  the 
terminal  and  lateral  lower  coverts;  while  the  middle  tail-feathers  curl  ujiward,  though  not  so 
much  so  as  in  pure  .1.  '"tov/id.f.  The  white  bar  anterior  to  the  s])eculiim  cjf  6(mi7((I,«  is  ol)S(dete,  or 
very  faintly  indicated,  ami  the  while  collar  round  the  neck  is  wanting.  It  measures,  wing,  10.75 
inches;  culmen,  2.0");  tarsus,  1..')");  middle  toe,  1.0.');  and  before  skinning  was  23..')0  inches  in 
total  length,  and  4H..")0  in  e.Ktcnt  of  wings.  Tlu^  liill  was  grayish  olive-green  on  teiininal  half  and 
along  culmen,  greenish  olive-yellow  ba.sally  ;  nail  and  most  of  lower  mandible  black;  iris  brown  ; 
legs  and  feet  dull  saluion-orange,  the  webs  purplish. 

Probably  no  Duck  lias  a  Avitler  ilistributioii.  or  is  foiiiul  in  greater  numbers  where 
it  occurs,  than  tlic  (Jommuii  Mallard,  the  tindoubtcd  origin  of  the  doniosticated  inmates 
of  our  poultry-yards.  It  is  found  throughout  Xurtli  Anierica,  from  Mexico  to  the 
Arctic  Ocean,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  racific.  It  occurs  in  every  part  of 
Europe,  breeding  from  Southern  Spain  to  Lapland  on  the  west,  and  from  Greece 
to  Siberia  on  the  east.  Xo  part  of  Asia,  except  the  more  southern  liortions  of  India, 
is  supposed  to  be  without  it,  and  it  is  more  or  less  abundant  in  all  the  northern  por- 
tions of  Africa.  And  wherever  found,  the  birds  of  this  species  are  more  or  less 
resident,  some  remaining  all  winter  as  far  north  as  they  can  find  open  inland  water, 
and  breeding,  in  limited  uunibers,  in  localities  where  the  larger  pnjportion  spend 
their  winter. 

This  Duck  is  cited  by  Professor  lleinhardt  as  among  the  birds  which  breed  in 
Greenland.  Captain  Blakiston  found  it  on  the  Saskatchewan,  and  abundant  through- 
out the  interior.  Mr.  lloss  met  with  it  along  the  entire  course  of  the  ^Mackenzie,  even 
as  far  north  as  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  It  is  abundant  in  Vancouver  Island ; 
and  Dr.  Cooper  found  it  very  connnou  in  the  liocky  Mountains  in  Montana,  where 
it  breeds. 

In  Hearne's  time  (1790)  flocks  of  this  Duck  visited  Hudson's  Bay  in  great  num- 


mmmn^vs 


496 


LAMELLIKOSTJtAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSEUES. 


|(  1 1' 


bers,  and  wore  distvilmtt'd  over  the  regiuu  extending,'  from  the  sea-coast  to  the  remot- 
est west.  Near  Cninberhiiid  House  these  birds  were  found  in  vast  multitudes.  At 
their  first  arrival  on  the  sea-eoast  their  flesh  was  good ;  but  when  the  bird  was  moult- 
ing, it  beeauie  s'>  rank  that  few  Europeans  could  eat  it.  This  peculiarity,  however, 
was  confined  to  (hose  Ducks  which  bred  near  the  sea-coast. 

This  species  is  not  common  in  Eastern  North  America.  Mr.  Boardman  has  seen 
it  in  New  l^runs^vick  and  Eastern  Maine,  but  it  is  only  an  occasional  and  rare  visitor 
to  that  region,  and  is  by  no  means  connuon  in  Massachusetts.  It  is  found  in  small 
nundjers  on  Cape  Cod,  and  may  possibly  breed  there.  I  am  not  aware  that  it  has 
been  si'cn  tliere  in  winter.  Only  a  single  specimen  is  reported  as  having  been  met 
with  in  Bernuula.  Dr.  Bryant  speaks  of  it  as  being  very  common,  during  the  winter, 
in  the  Bahamas. 

Dr.  Kenncrly,  in  ^Farcli,  ISno,  found  this  Duck  abundant  along  the  Conalitos  and 
Janos  rivers,  occurring  generally  in  flocks,  but  sometimes  singly.  It  was  also 
common  along  the  Kio  San   I'cdro  of  Sonora. 

Professor  Kundien  finds  the  Mallard  (piite  common  in  Southern  Wisconsin,  where 
it  breeds  in  the  marshes.  The  nuiles  gather  in  flocks  in  Lake  Koskonong,  while  the 
fenuilcs  take  the  entire  charge  of  the  nest,  eggs,  aiul  young.  In  some  cases  these  Ducks 
remain  during  mild  winters,  gathering  around  open  spriug-holes.  Tliey  are  much 
more  abundant  in  the  fall  than  at  any  other  time,  when  they  visit  the  cornflelds  of 
the  prairies  in  large  numbers,  anu  commit  great  dej)redations  on  the  crops. 

]Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  found  this  bird  very  common  in  the  valley  of  Great  Salt  Lake. 
In  California,  according  to  Dr.  Coojjcr,  it  abounds  during  the  wet  season  on  all  the 
fresh  waters  of  that  region,  but  rarely  appearing  on  those  that  are  salt.  It  is  sup- 
posed to  breed  in  nearly  all  [)arts  of  that  State.  It  also  breeds  along  the  inland  lakes 
and  streams  up  to  the  very  summits  of  tlie  mountains,  and  northward  up  to  and  be- 
yond the  sixty-eighth  parallel.  This  remarkable  power  of  auaptation  to  life  in 
various  climates  and  conditions  seems  to  flt  this  sjjccies  for  domestication.  Moreover 
its  flesh  is  not  surpassed  by  that  of  any  other  species ;  fed  with  the  same  food,  even 
the  renowned  Canvas-back  is  not  its  su])crior. 

Mr.  Dall  found  it  to  be  one  of  the  most  abundant  winter  visitants  at  Unalashka, 
where  it  occurred  in  hi"';;.:  ni"  ibers  as  early  as  (October  12,  remaining  until  the  suc- 
ceeding nu)nth  of  April,  when  it  migrated  northward.  It  was  seen  near  Mazatlan, 
in  Western  Mexico,  by  Colonel  Grayson,  but  was  not  abundant,  and  was  met  with 
only  during  the  wintt-r  montlis. 

According  to  jMr.  Bidgway,  this  is  the  most  common  Duck  throughout  the  in- 
terior, where  it  breeds  abundantly  in  all  suitable  localities,  and  wliere  it  is  also  a 
winter  resident.  Mr.  Osbert  Salviu  found  this  species  common  at  Zaue,  in  North- 
eastern Africa.  It  was  noticed  in  the  Sahara  Begion  by  Mr.  Tristram,  and  was  seen 
by  Mr.  E.  C.  Tay^ejr  in  Egyi)t.  Captain  E.  (r.  Shelley  states  ("Ibis,"  I.S71)  that  he 
found  it  very  abundant  in  Egypt  and  Nubia,  and  frequently  remaining  there  to 
breed.  According  to  M  •.  T.  L.  I'owys,  the  marshes  of  E[)irus  and  Albania  swarm 
with  it  throughout  the  winter;  and  Mr.  H.  Saunders  describes  it  as  breeding  in  the 
"  Marisnia,"  or  salt-water  lagoons,  in  Spain.  Mi'.  C.  W.  Shepard  ol)served  it  breeding 
in  the  north  of  Iceland,  on  the  shores  of  Lake  My-vatn.  It  was  wild  and  unsociable, 
and  nested  in  (juiet,  swampy  places  on  the  shore  of  the  lake,  or  on  the  islands  not 
frequented  by  other  species.  Mr.  Swinhoe  adds  this  Duck  to  the  fauna  of  Formosa, 
and  also  states  that  he  found  it  near  Amoy,  in  China.  Mr.  Godwin  notes  its  presence 
in  all  the  lakes  throughout  all  the  islands  of  the  Azores  grouj),  and  found  it  breeding 
anu)ng  the  mountain  lakes  and  marslies  in  Flores.     Middendorff  includes  this  species 


ANATIN.E  —  THE   DFCKS  —  ANAS. 


497 


)  the  reuiot- 

itudes.     At 

was  luoult- 

y,  however, 

an  hfis  seen 
ran'  visitor 
lul  in  small 
that  it  has 
ig  been  met 
:  the  winter, 

malitos  and 
It  was   also 

jnsin,  where 
t^,  while  the 
these  Ducks 
■y  are  much 
•orntieltls  of 

IS. 

t  Salt  Lake. 
)n  on  all  the 
;.  It  is  sup- 
inland  lakes 
ij)  to  and  be- 
a  to  lite  in 
Moieover 
_•  food,  even 

Unalashka, 
til  the  suc- 
^lazatlan, 
is  met  with 

lout  the  in- 

it  is  also  a 

,  in  Nortli- 

nd  was  seen 

71)  that  he 

ng  there  to 

ania  swarm 

eding  in  the 

it  breeding 

unsociable, 

islands  not 

jf  Formosa, 

its  presence 

it  breeding 

this  species 


among  the  birds  of  Siberia,  wliert-  he  found  it  breeding  in  the  wooded  districts  and 
forests.  It  is  also  given  l)y  Wheelwright  as  the  most  common  of  all  the  Ducks 
throughout  the  whole  of  Scandinavia. 

In  no  pcu'tion  of  Eastern  North  America  is  it  a  common  species  in  the  summer. 
Even  on  Long  Island  Giraud  saw  but  a  single  pair  —  in  duly,  l.SoT  —  and  was  unable 
to  Hud  their  nest.  lie  met  with  this  bird  in  large  muubers,  however,  in  North  Car- 
olina, where  it  freciueuts  the  rice-iields ;  and  also  found  it  common  in  the  bayous 
of  the  Lower  Mississippi,  and  still  more  numerous  in  Alabanui.  The  voice  of  the 
Wild  ^Mallard  is  not  distinguishable  from  that  of  the  donu'sticated  bird. 

While  uu)re  or  less  common  on  all  our  rivers,  fresh-water  ponds,  and  lakes,  it  is 
seldom  met  with  near  the  sea-coast.  In  the  winter  it  is  found  in  hirge  nundjcrs  in 
all  the  Southern  waters,  and  especially  in  the  rice-lields,  where  it  becomes  very  fat, 
and  acquires  a  delicate  Havor.  It  prefers  vegetable  matter  to  any  other  kind  of  food, 
and  its  flesh  is  almost  universally  c.xceUent.  It  is  easily  brouglit  within  gunshot  by 
means  of  decoys.  At  certain  seasons  it  is  abundant  on  the  Delaware,  where  it  feeds 
on  the  seeds  of  the  wild  oats,  of  wldch  it  is  very  fond,  and  which  eoutribut<!  greatly 
to  the  delicacy  of  its  flavor. 

It  is  abundant  in  all  parts  of  Great  IJritain  and  Ir.'land ;  and  in  many  parts  of 
Scotland,  where  it  is  protected,  it  exhibits  great  fearlessness,  and  even  fandliarit}'.  Mr. 
liobert  Gray  mentions  that  in  walking  tlimugh  the  policies  of  Duff  House,  in  Uaiift- 
shire,  he  saw  many  hundreds  of  ^Mallards,  in  a  particular  pool  in  the  Devcron.  wliich 
were  so  tame,  that  on  being  apjjroached  they  merely  swam  to  tlir  other  siile  of  the  river. 
He  also  witiu'ssed  a  remarkable  assemblage  of  Mallards,  in  tlie  spring  of  1870,  on  a 
pond  at  IKmglas  Castle,  Lanarkshire,  which  weri'  so  unsuspicious  as  to  allow  even 
strangers  to  approach  witiiin  si.K  or  eight  yards  of  tlie  bank  where  they  sat  jireening 
their  feathers. 

Mr.  Ciray  was  also  infornu-d  by  'Slv.  D.  Macdonald  that  he  has  seen  hundreds  of 
^Mallards,  on  a  null-daai  in  Aberdt'cnshiri',  so  tame  as  to  come  at  the  call  of  the  milier 
who  fed  tlieni.  Tliis  man  no  sooner  api)earetl  and  uttered  a  peculiar  wiiistle,  than 
the  Ducks  canu'  flying  from  all  parts  of  the  pond  and  alighted  within  a  few  yards  of 
where  he  stood.     Hut  no  stranger  could  ])revail  upon  them  to  approach. 

Mr.  li.  E.  Dresser,  who  luijoycd  fav(n'al)le  op[iortunitii's  for  studying  the  habits  of 
the  Mallard  in  Northern  I'inland,  noticed  certain  peculiarities  that  have  escai)ed 
other  observers.  Like  its  very  near  relative,  the  .luan  o/iscKru.  it  was  ol)scrved  to 
feed  chiefly,  if  not  entirely,  by  night.  When  found  in  the  marshy  lowlands  during  the 
daytime,  it  was  resting,  and  not  feeding;  but  began  to  nuive  as  soon  as  evening 
approached.  Mr.  Macgillivray  states  that  around  Edinlmrgli  it  resorts  at  night,  from 
October  to  April,  to  open  ditches  and  l)rooks  to  feed.  As  it  discovers  its  food  by 
nu'ans  of  the  sense  of  touch  rather  than  of  sight,  it  can  feed  e(|ually  well  by  inght 
or  day;  but  in  iiopulous  districts  it  is  compelled  to  feed  in  tlie  dark. 

Marshy  places,  the  nuirgins  of  ponds  and  streams,  pools  and  ditches,  are  its  favor- 
ite resorts.  It  walks  with  ease,  and  can  even  run  with  considerable  speed,  or  dive,  if 
forced  to  do  so;  but  never  dives  in  order  to  feed.  Its  food  consists  chiefly  of  the 
seeds  of  grasses.  1il)rous  roots  (d'  idants,  worms,  nu)llusks.  and  insects.  In  feeding  in 
shallow  water  it  keeps  the  hind  ])art  of  its  liody  erect,  while  it  searches  the  muddy 
bottom  with  its  bill.  When  alarmed  and  made  to  fly,  it  utters  a  loud  i/mirh;  the  cry 
of  the  female  being  the  louder.  It  feeds  silently ;  but  after  hunger  is  appeased,  it 
amuses  itself  with  various  jabberings,  swims  aliout,  moves  its  head  backward  and 
forward,  throws  the  water  over  its  back,  shoots  along  the  surface,  half  Hying,  half 
running,  and  seems  cpiite  jdayful.     If  alaruu'd,  it  si)rings  up  at  once  witii  a  bound, 

vol..  1.  —  (i3 


'.'ii'  .^   : 


I 


498 


LAMELLIllOSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


rises  obliquely  to  a  considerable  height,  and  Hies  off  with  great  speed,  the  wings  pro- 
ducing a  whistling  sound.  It  Hies  by  rci)eated  flaps,  without  sailing  or  undulations ; 
and  when  in  full  flight  its  speed  is  hardly  less  tiian  a  hundred  miles  in  an  hour. 

The  Mallard  pairs  early  in  the  spring,  and  soon  disperses,  each  pair  seeking  its 
breeding-place,  and  nesting  on  the  ground,  in  the  midst  of  marshes  or  among  ■water- 
plants,  occasionally  on  higher  ground,  but  always  in  the  vicinity  of  water.  Its  nest 
is  usually  large,  and  rudely  constructed  of  sedges  and  coarse  grasses,  rarely  lined 
with  down  (n'  feathers.  It  has  been  known  in  rare  instances  to  nest  in  a  tree ;  in  such 
cases  occu])ying  the  deserted  nest  of  a  Hawk,  Crow,  or  other  large  bird.  The  eggs, 
usually  six  or  eight  in  number,  are  pale  dull  green  or  greenish  white,  and  measure 
2.25  inches  by  l.(!0  inches. 

The  female  alone  incubates,  the  nuile  leaving  her  to  imdergo  his  annual  moult. 
The  female  sits  very  closely,  and  will  sometimes  even  allow  herself  to  be  taken  on  the 
nest,  or  permit  the  eggs  to  be  removed  Avhile  she  is  sitting.  When  she  leaves  the 
nest  she  conceals  the  eggs  with  hay,  down,  or  any  convenient  material.  The  period 
of  incubation  is  four  weeks.  The  young,  when  hatched,  immediat-dy  follow  their 
mother  to  the  water,  where  she  attends  them  di^votedly,  aids  them  in  procuring  food, 
and  warns  them  of  the  api)roach  of  danger.  While  they  are  attempting  to  escape,  she 
feigns  lameness,  to  attract  to  herself  the  attention  of  the  enemy.  The  young  are 
extremely  a<'tive,  dive  with  siu'iirising  celerity,  and  remain  under  the  water  with  only 
the  bill  above  the  surface.  When  the  young  are  full-grown,  the  male  rejoins  the 
brood ;  and  several  families  unite  to  form  a  snudl  flock. 

The  breeding-season  lasts  from  April  to  June,  though  few  nest  south  of  40°  north 
latitude  after  the  middle  of  May.  Dr.  E.  Hey,  of  Leipzig,  informed  !Mr.  Dresser  that 
he  has  known  as  many  as  tifteen  eggs  in  a  nest. 

The  j\tallard,  both  in  the  wild  and  in  the  domesticated  state,  readily  hybridizes 
with  other  species.  The  Aims  niii.iiinn  of  (Josse  is  a  hybrid  between  this  species  and 
the  Muscovy  Duck.  A  highly  esteemed  race  of  Domestic  Duck,  known  to  fanciers  as 
the  Cayuga  Duck,  is  uni[uestionably  the  ])i'oduct  of  a  luiion  between  a  male  ISIallard 
and  a  female  JFuscovy.  Hybridisms  between  the  Malku'd  and  the  Godwell,  the 
Shoveller  and  the  Dusky  Duck,  and  other  s])eeies,  are  on  record. 

Tlie  following  statements  in  regard  to  this  species  are  abridged  from  the  very  full 
Arctic  notes  of  the  late  Mr.  Kol)ert  Kennicott :  — 

The  Mallard  is  found  as  far  north  as  the  .shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean.  Being  a 
strictly  fresh-water  Duck,  it  does  not  breed  immediately  upon  tlie  sea-coast,  but  pre- 
fers the  inland  livers  and  lakes.  Nor  does  it  frequent  the  great  lakes  and  rivers  as 
much  as  it  does  the  smaller  streams  and  grassy  lakes  and  marshes.  It  breeds  sjiaringly 
as  far  south  as  Mexico,  and  its  nests  are  not  rare  in  the  Xortlujrn  Ignited  States,  but 
occur  in  greatest  abundance  between  the  Xoi'thern  United  States  and  the  Arctic 
Circle.  In  summer  this  is  the  most  common  Duck  from  the  United  States  northward 
to  Great  Slave  Lake.  It  is  also  abundant  on  the  Yukon  and  at  IVel's  River,  and 
Mr.  MacFarlane  also  found  it  common  at  Fort  Anderson,  ncu-th  of  Bear  Lake. 

At  Great  Slave  Lake  and  on  tht>  Yukon  it  arrives  among  the  first  of  the  Water 
Birds,  the  earliest  comers  being  seen  in  tiie  latter  part  of  April,  though  the  greater 
number  do  not  appear  until  early  in  May.  At  Fort  Good  Hope  it  arrives  a  little  later. 
When  it  reaches  Slave  Lake,  about  the  10th  of  May,  it  is  already  paired.  A  few 
begin  to  nest  before  the  middle  of  May ;  but  there  and  on  the  Yukon  the  greater 
number  nest  early  in  June,  the  ycmng  hatching  about  the  1st  of  July.  It  leaves  its 
northern  breeding-grounds  for  the  south,  without  collecting  in  large  flocks,  about  the 
last  of  September. 


ANATIN.E  —  THE  DT'CKS  —  AXAS. 


499 


e  wings  iM'o- 
Liudulatious ; 
11  liour. 

seeking  its 
inong  water- 
ev.  Its  nest 
rarely  liiu^d 
tree ;  in  such 
.  The  eggs, 
and  measure 

nnual  moult, 
taken  on  tlie 
lie  leaves  the 
The  period 
follow  their 
^curing  food, 
;o  escape,  she 
le  young  are 
ter  with  only 
e  rejoins  the 

of  40°  north 
Dresser  that 

y  hybridizes 
s  species  and 
to  fanciers  as 
male  Mallard 
Godwell,  the 

the  very  full 

an.  Being  a 
)ast,  but  pre- 
iiid  rivers  as 
!tls  sparingly 
States,  but 
(1  the  Arctic 
s  northward 
River,  and 
Lake, 
of  the  Water 

I  the  greater 
a  little  later. 

ircd.     A  few 

II  the  greater 
It  leaves  its 

cs,  about  the 


i 


At  the  north  its  nest  is  always  found  among  trees,  and  within  two  or  three  rods 
of  the  water  —  never  in  moist  i)laces  among  marshes  unprotected  l)y  trees,  nor  at 
any  considerable  distance  from  water.  The  nest  is  large,  the  base  very  unartiticial. 
consisting  usually  uf  a  simple  depression  among  the  leaves,  but  warmly  lined  with 
down  and  feathers.  In  Northern  Illinois  it  was  frequently  found  nesting  on  the 
prairie  at  the  edges  of  sloughs. 

At  the  nortli  the  old  males  moult  while  the  females  are  incubating,  the  females 
moulting  some  two  weeks  later,  after  the  young  are  hatched.  Tlui  males  remain 
near  the  nest  some  time  after  the  females  begin  to  incubate ;  but  before  the  young 
leave  the  nest  they  collect  in  small  j)arties  of  tliree  or  four,  and  go  off  by  themselves. 
He  rarely  observed  them  aitcoinpanying  the  mother  and  her  young.  The  young  broods 
seek  the  protection  of  the  reeds  and  grass,  and  are  rarely  seen,  like  the  Sea  Ducks, 
on  open  rivers  or  lakes.  In  summer,  the  young,  before  tiiey  can  Hy,  ami  while  tlie 
old  birds  are  moulting,  are  very  fat,  and  are  killed  in  great  numbers  l)y  tlie  Indians. 
The  hunter  stands  erect  in  his  canoe,  paddling  silently  along  the  lakes  they  frequent. 
Upon  his  approach  they  seek  the  grassy  edges,  where  they  cannot  so  readily  dive, 
and  the  movement  of  the  grass  betraying  tlieir  course,  they  are  easily  killed  with 
arrows,  or  even  with  the  paddle.  At  Fort  Yukon  he  saw  lui  Indian  kill  thirty  young 
Ducks  in  two  or  three  hours. 

In  the  United  States  this  Duck  ranks  among  the  first  as  an  article  of  food,  and 
when  fattened  on  wild  rice,  in  autumn,  is  superior  even  to  the  Canvas-back  fed  on 
ixtUi'sneria  ;  but  in  the  far  north  it  loses  its  fine  flavor.  In  the  spring  it  is  lean  and 
tough ;  and  in  summer,  until  after  it  leaves  for  the  south,  its  flavor  is  siioiled  by  the 
stagnant  marshy  water  in  which  it  feeds. 

The  northern  Indians  acknowledge  this  species  as  the  type  of  all  Ducks,  simply 
railing  it,  in  their  various  languages,  "Hig  Duck."'  The  Canadians  and  French  half- 
breeds  call  it  tlu'  '•'  ('(inurdfnon'ais;"  while  the  English  call  it  the  "Stock  Duck." 

Mr.  Dall  states  that  its  Indian  name  at  Xulato  is  Xlntala  ;  it  is  one  of  the  first 
of  the  Ducks  to  arrive  in  spring,  it  generally  aiipearing,  about  the  1st  of  May,  in  com- 
pany with  liucophala  al/mo/a.  It  is  cominoii  b(jth  on  the  sea-coast  and  in  the  interior. 
Ho  found  its  eggs,  eight  in  number,  in  a  rotten  stump  about  six  inches  above  the 
level  of  the  ground,  laid  directly  on  the  wood,  and  covered  with  dead  leaves  and  a 
few  feathers. 

The  eggs  of  the  Mallard  are  usually  grayish  white,  with  a  more  or  less  decided 
tinge  of  green ;  in  some  the  green  is  cpiite  prominent.  Three  eggs  from  Dubuque, 
la.  (Smithsonian  Institution,  No.  98.31),  measure  respectively,  2.-3")  by  1.70  inches ; 
2.20  by  1.70;  2.40  by  1.70;  two  from  the  Yukon  (Smithsonian  Institution.  No.  (5570) 
measure  2.45  by  1.75,  and  2.55  by  1.80.  The  least  length  is  2.10  inches,  and  the 
smallest  breadth  1.50. 

Anas  obscura. 

THE  BLACK  MALLABD;  OUSKT  DUCK. 

Ams  obscura,  Gmei.  .S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  541.— ■\Vn.s.  Am.  Oin.  VIII.  1814,  141;  pi-  72.  f.  5. — 
NCTT.  Miin.  II.  1834,  392.  —  Aun.  Oin.  liiop;.  IV.  1838,  1,5,  pi.  M'l  ;  .Syiiop.  1839,  270  ;  B. 
Am.  VI.  1843,  244,  pi.  386.  —  BAiitn,  H.  X.  Am.  1858,  775;  Cat.  X.  Am.  I!.  1859,  no.  577. — 
CouES,  Key,  1872,  28.".  ;  Clicck  List,  1873,  no.  489  ;  2d  od.  1882,  no.  708  ;  B.  X.  W.  1874,  560. 
—  RiDOW.  Nom.  X.  Am.  li.  1881,  no.  (i02. 

Hau.     Eiistem  North  America,  west  to  Utah  ami  Texas,  north  to  Lahrailor.    Cuba  i 
.Sp.  Char.     Adult  :  Prevailing  color  lirownisli  black  or  dusky,  the  feathers  edged,  more  or  less 
distinctly,  with  pale  grayish  fulvous.     Head  and  neck  about  efpially  streaked  with  grayish  white 


500 


LAMELLIKOSTKAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


(more  oohraccous  near  tlip  liill)  and  dusky  ;  iiiknim  nearly  iinitbriu  dusky,  and  a  dusky  stripe  back 
from  the  eye.  Speculum  violet,  cliau;;in^'  to  ^reeu  in  some  lij,'lits,  narrowly  tipped  with  white, 
and  with  a  hroad  suhtermiuul  bar  of  velvety  black  ;  last  row  of  coverts  dusky  brownish,  broadly 
tipi)ed  with  black.  Sexes  alike.  "Bill  yellowish  ^Meen,  the  un;,'uis  dusky  ;  iris  dark  brown  ;  feet 
orauf^e-red,  the  webs  dusky"  (Aududon). 

Down]!  ;/o(/ii(/:'  Above.  olivaceous-Virown,  faintly  relieved  l)y  six  inconspicuous  marking.s  of 
light  brownish  bulf,  situated  as  follows  :  one  on  the  posterior  border  of  each  arm-winf; ;  one  (.small, 
and  sometimes  nearly  obsolete)  on  each  side  of  the  back,  behind  the  wings,  and  one,  more  distinct, 


A.  obscura. 


on  each  .side  the  rump,  near  the  base  of  the  tail.  Pileuni  and  najje  (longitudinally),  brown,  like 
the  back  ;  rest  of  the  head  and  neck,  with  lower  parts,  light  dingy  brownish  buff,  paler  on  the 
abdomen  ;  side  of  the  head  niarked  with  a  narrow  iltisky  .stripe  running  from  the  upper  basal  angle 
of  the  maxilla  to  the  eye,  thence  back  toward  the  occiput,  but  scarcely  confluent  witii  the  brown  on 
the  latter  ;  an  indistinct  spot  on  the  auricular  region,  with  a  still  less  distinct  dusky  mark  extending 
back  from  this  to  the  nape. 

Wing,  10..5()-ll.r)()  inches;  culmeii,  i'.()()-:'.3.">  ;  tarsus,  1.70-1.80  ;  middle  toe,  1.90-2.10. 

A  summer  specimen  from  Moo.<e  Factory,  [fivlson's  Bay  Territory  No.  17071,  (JoHX  McKenzie), 
differs  from  United  States  (fall,  winter,  and  spring)  e.Kamples  in  having  the  pale  edges  of  the 
feathei-s  nearly  all  worn  off,  so  that  the  plumage  appears  to  be  nearly  uniform  black,  while  the 
lower  parts  are  strongly  tinged  with  rusty,  this  approaching  a  bright  ferruginous  tint  on  the  breast. 
Some  examples  have  a  slight  tinge  of  metallic  green  on  the  sides  of  the  head,  behind  the  eye. 

The  Dusky  Duck  appoars  to  be  coufiiied  to  tlio  pastern  portions  of  North  America. 
It  is  found  from  the  Atlaiitio  coast  to  the  western  parts  of  the  ^Mississippi  Valley, 
occurring  along  tlu^  tributary  streams  to  an  extent  not  fully  ascertained.  It  is  abun- 
dant throughout  the  British  Provinces  of  Canada,  New  Brunswick,  and  Nova  Scotia, 
and  indivi(bials  have  been  occasionally  taken  farther  north.  It  is  also  more  or  less 
abundant  during  the  winter  months  in  all  the  I'^astern  and  Southern  States,  including 
South  Carolina,  Florida,  and  Texas.  It  has  been  taken  near  Fort  Anderson  in  June, 
where  the  species  was  reported  as  being  tolerably  numerous.  This  is  the  most 
northern  point  to  which  it  has  been  traced. 


'  Described  from  No.  523ii'J,  Calais,  Me.  ;  O.  A.  Boardman. 


ANATIX.E  -  THE  DUCKS  —  ANAS. 


501 


iky  stripe  back 
il  with  white, 
rt'iiish,  broadly 
k  brown ;  feet 

s  markings  of 
S  ;  one  (sninll, 
more  distinct, 


),  brown,  like 
paler  on  the 
icr  basal  angle 
the  brown  on 
ark  extending 

10-2.10. 
McKenzie), 
edges  of  the 

ek,  while  the 

on  the  breast. 

the  eye. 

th  America, 
ippi  Vallcj*, 
It  is  abun- 
fova  Scotia, 
nore  or  less 
s,  including 
on  in  June, 
s  the  most 


It  has  not  been  taken  on  the  Pacific  coast,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  nor  is  it  known 
west  of  the  iMissi.ssippi  Valley.  A  single  specimen  is  reported  by  Blakiston  as  hav- 
ing been  taken  near  York  Tactory,  on  Hudson's  Bay.  That  the  species  occurs  in 
Labrador  and  breeds  there,  is  attested  by  a  set  of  eggs  in  my  cabinet  collected  there 
by  a  correspondent  of  iMr.  Aliischaler,  of  Herrnhut,  Saxony. 

It  is  very  abundant  in  Xova  Scotia,  especially  in  the  vicinity  of  Halifax,  where 
It  has  been  successfully  reared  in  confinement,  and  domesticated  by  Mr.  Andrew 
Downes.  Mr.  Boardman  informs  me  that  it  is  very  numerous  in  tlie  summer  near 
Calais,  breeding  there  in  great  abundance.  It  is  more  or  less  common  in  all  parts  of 
New  England,  and  is  present  in  j\Iassa- 
chusetts  all  the  year.  The  birds  found 
in  winter  are  said  to  be  of  a  smaller  and 
different  race  from  the  summer  visitants  ; 
but  I  can  find  no  evidence  of  the  correct- 
ness of  this  statement.  In  severe  winter 
weather  they  are  driven  to  the  open  sea, 
and  their  numbers  are  then  greatly  re- 
duced. This  bird  is  known  to  our  hunters 
only  as  the  "Black  Uuck." 

According  to  (Jiraud,  it  is  only  partially 
migratory  on  Long  Island,  but  is  more 
abundant  in  winter  than  in  summer.  In 
the  latter  season  it  is  rarely  seen,  as  it 
keeps  concealed  in  the  tall  grass,  which 
grows  luxuriantly  in  the  i)laces  it  selects 
for  its  abode.  As  it  subsists  on  roots  and 
small  shelltish,  so  abundtriit  on  the  salt- 
marshes  during  the  season  of  reproduc- 
tion, it  has  no  occasion  to  leave  its  secluded 
retreats  in  quest  of  food,  either  for  itself 
or  its  young.  In  the  selection  of  its  sum- 
mer residence  it  so  carefully  avoids  places 
visited  by  man,  that  its  nest  is  seldom 
met  witli.  A  friend  of  Mr.  Giraud  is  stated  to  have  found  on  the  19th  of  May,  on 
the  south  side  of  tlie  island,  two  nests,  both  made  of  very  coarse  materials.  One 
contained  seven,  the  other  nine  eggs,  all  of  a  dull  white  color.  They  were  placed 
under  a  hen,  and  eleven  of  the  sixteen  were  hatched.  Their  foster-mother  could  not 
restrain  them  from  their  prolonged  visits  to  tlie  creek,  and  it  became  necessary  to 
confine  them  in  a  pen.  There  they  were  very  uneasy,  and  refused  to  eat  any  kind  of 
grain,  but  eagerly  devoured  clams  and  all  kinds  of  shelltish.  When  seven  weeks  old 
they  were  given  to  another  g(>ntleman,  who  succeeded  in  domesticating  them.  In 
their  wild  state,  however,  this  species  is  not  infrequently  "  baited  "  with  corn  and 
other  kinds  of  grain. 

Mr.  (liraud  states  that  the  most  successful  mode  of  procuring  this  species  on  Long 
Island  is  what  is  there  known  as  "  dusking."  This  is  jiractised  on  moonlight  evenings 
by  lying  concealed  in  places  it  is  in  the  habit  of  frequenting.  Perfect  silence  must 
be  observed,  as  tlie  slightest  noise  will  frighten  it  away.  By  this  method  of  hunting 
large  numbers  are  frequently  killed.  Two  celebrated  hunters  residing  at  South  Oyster 
Bay  informed  Mr.  Giraud  that  while  dusking  one  evening  they  killed  ninety-nine 
birds,  and  would  have  killed  more,  but  for  the  want  of  ammunition. 


502 


LAMELLIliOSTUAL  SWIMMERS  —  AXSERES. 


This  Duck  keeps  eontiimullj  inovin<,'  about  in  small  jjarties  all  night.  When 
■woiin.led  it  fretiuently  escajjes  by  divin};,  aiitl  often  tlies  a  great  distance  before  fall- 
ing, even  when  fatally  hit,  and  not  infreipicntly  strikes  the  water  at  least  half  a  mile 
from  where  it  was  shot.  In  stormy  or  very  severe  weather  this  species  seldom 
ventures  out  to  sea,  and  at  such  times  hies  low,  affording  a  good  opportunity  to  the 
hunter. 

In  mild  winters,  when  food  is  easily  procured,  it  is  in  tine  condition,  and  is  highly 
esteemed.  It  does  not,  like  other  Ducks,  always  rise  against  the  wind,  but  will 
spring  up  in  any  direction,  and  continue  to  ascend  until  out  of  reach.  Its  voice  gen- 
erally resembles  that  of  the  common  Domestic  Duck,  but  at  times  it  gives  utterance 
to  a  loud  whistling  note. 

Mr.  ( riraud  nu^ntions  that  when  he  was  at  Niagara  Falls,  Oct.  1(>,  1840,  eighty -three 
Dusky  Ducks  were  killed  by  flying  into  the  Falls,  anil  were  picked  up  by  the  boatmen 
in  attendance  a  short  distance  below.  This  is  said  to  be  a  not  unusual  occurrence  in 
foggy  weather,  when  many  Ducks  lose  their  lives  by  alighting  a  short  distance  from 
the  precipice,  being  carried  over  and  killed  before  they  can  rise. 

Mr.  Lewis  states  ("  American  Sportsman  ")  that  this  Duck  is  brought  in  innumer- 
able quantities  into  the  New  York  and  riiiladelphia  markets,  where  it  meets  with  a 
ready  sale ;  though  he  regards  its  Hesh  as  inferior  to  that  of  most  other  wild  species 
of  Ducks.  In  this,  however,  I  cannot  agree  with  him ;  as  when  brought  to  market 
from  fresh-water  regions,  during  the  fall,  it  is  usually  excellent.  In  severer  weather, 
when  it  feeds  in  the  salt  water,  and  in  the  spring,  when  vegetable  food  is  not  procur- 
able, the  character  of  its  flesh  is  changiMl,  and  it  is  then  less  desirable. 

JMany  are  shot  in  the  salt-marshes  of  the  Delaware ;  here,  however,  they  become 
very  wary,  and  cannot  be  decoyed.  They  feed  on  small  bivalves,  so  abundant  in  these 
waters.  They  swim  and  fly  with  great  velocity.  Their  notes  are  not  distinguishable 
from  those  of  the  ^^allard ;  but  their  flesh,  owing  to  the  character  of  their  food,  is  at 
times  inferior.  On  the  Delaware,  as  on  Long  Island,  they  are  killed,  on  moonlight 
nights,  by  hunters  who  lie  in  wait  for  them  as  they  return  from  the  sea  to  the  marshes 
to  feed. 

Major  Wedderburn  states  that  this  Duck  occasionally  visits  the  l>erniudas  in  the 
fall  and  winter,  making  its  appearance  about  the  middle  of  September,  and  being  last 
seen  in  December.  Mr.  Kobert  Kennicott  met  with  a  few  individuals  of  this  species 
in  Northern  Minnesota,  where  they  were  feeding  on  wild  rice  in  company  with 
Mallards. 

In  Southern  Wisconsin,  where  nearly  all  the  other  fresh-water  Ducks  are  so  abun- 
dant, Professor  Kumlien  informs  me  that  this  species  is  by  no  means  common.  It  is 
more  frequently  met  with  in  the  fall  than  in  the  spring.  He  has  never  seen  it  there 
in  the  summer,  and  he  does  not  believe  that  it  breeds  in  that  region.  INIr.  Audubon 
found  it  breeding  in  the  Bay  of  Fundy  on  the  10th  of  May,  1833,  where  he  met  with 
young  birds  apparently  not  more  than  a  week  old. 

The  flight  of  this  Duck  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Mallard,  but  is  even  more  powerful 
and  rapid,  and  equally  well  sustained.  It  maj^  always  be  readily  distinguished  from 
that  species  by  the  whiteness  of  its  lower  wing-coverts,  which  strongly  contrasts  with 
the  dark  tints  of  its  general  plumage. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  deep  grayish  white,  usually  with  a  slight  tinge  of 
green.  Three  eggs  obtained  north  of  Rupert  House  (Smithsonian  Institution,  No. 
4348)  have  the  following  measurements :  2.50  inches  by  1.76 ;  2.35  by  1.75 ;  and  2.50 
by  1.85. 


ANATIN.E  —  THE  DL'CKS  —  AXAS. 


603 


ht.  When 
before  fall- 
half  a  mile 
ies  seldom 
nity  to  the 

(1  is  highly 

1,  but  will 

voice  geu- 

i  utterance 

ighty-three 
ic  boatmen 
'urrence  in 
lance  from 

II  innumer- 
'ets  Avith  a 
ild  species 
to  market 
T  weather, 
lot  procur- 

ey  become 
it  in  these 
iiguishable 
food,  is  .at 
moonlight 
le  marshes 

das  in  the 
being  last 
lis  species 
laiiy  with 

e  so  abun- 
on.  It  is 
n  it  there 
Audubon 
met  with 

powerful 
lied  from 
•asts  with 

t  tinge  of 

tion,  Xo. 

and  2.50 


Anas  fulvigula. 

THE  FLOBUA  DU8KT  SUCK. 

Anas  obscura,  var.  fulvigula,  Kidow.  Aiu.  Nat.  VIII.  Fub.  1S71,  111  (St.  John's  U.  Fla.). 

Alias  obscuni,  b.  /ulvigula,  Couks,  liirds  N.  W.  1874,  5G1. 

Anas  uhscurn  fulvi(jula,Co{:ii.!i,  Check  List,  'Id  vd.  l&S'i,  no.  709. 

Anasfulviijula,  IUdgw.  Proc.  V ,  S.  Nat.  Mus.  Vol.  I.  1878,  251  ;  Noiii.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  603. 

Hab.     riorida  (resident)  ;  Cuba  ? 

Si'.  Chau.  Adult :  Colors  brownish  black  and  ochraceous  in  nearly  equal  amount,  the  former 
in  the  centre  and  the  latter  on  the  margin  of  tlie  i'ealheis  ;  many  of  the  featliers,  especially  tlie 
scapulars  and  long  feathers  of  the  sides  and  flanks,  with  a  second  V-shaped  mark  of  ochraceous 
inside  the  marginal  one.  Entire  throat  an<l  chin  iuunaculate  delicate  ochraceous,  or  deep  cream- 
color.  Speculum  deep  metallic  green  (rarely  purplish),  with  a  faint  purple  or  blue  tinge  in  some 
lights,  tipped  broadly  with  velvety  black  ;  last  row  of  coverts  brownish  black,  hnnully  tippeil  with 
Velvety  black  and  with  a  subterminal  bar  of  deep  ochraceous.  Bill  olive-yellow,  the  maigin  and 
base  of  the  maxilla,  esi)ecially  below,  black  ;  feet  deep  orange-red.  Wing,  l().(K)-l(t.50  inches;  tail, 
5.00;  culnien,  ^Oit-i.-io  ;  widtii  of  the  bill,  .90;  tarsus,  1.70-1.80  ;  middle  toe,  1.90-2.00. 

This  well-marked  and  ap|iarently  very  local  species  resembles  A.  obscura  in  general  appearance, 
particularly  in  the  absence  of  white  bars  on  the  wing,  but  is  very  nuich  lighter  in  color,  the 
entire  chin  and  throat,  as  well  as  the  greater  part  of  the  foreneck,  being  iuunaculate  creamy 
bull',  whereas  these  parts  in  .1.  nbscum  are  thickly  streaked  with  dusky  ;  the  speculum  is  more 
often  gieen  than  violet,  the  contrary  being  tin;  case  in  ..1.  alisfura.  An  apparently  constant  point 
of  distinction  is  to  be  found  in  the  bill,  the  maxilla  in  A.  obscura  being  olivaceous  to  the  extreme 
base,  while  in  A.  fulrigula  the  base  is  margined  ly  a  narrow  black  line  which  widens  out  into  a 
triangular  space  near  the  rictus  or  beneath  the  feathering  of  the  lores. 

Specimens  vary  chiefly  in  the  color  of  the  speculuu),  which  ranges  from  bright  grass-green  to 
violet,  the  former  being  the  usual  color.  As  in  the  Dusky  Duck,  the  under  wing-coverts  and 
axillars  are  pure  white. 

AVhat  has  been  supjjosed  to  be  only  a  smaller  southern  race  of  the  common  Dusky 
Duck  has  for  some  tiiiu'  been  known  to  exist  in  Florida,  It  is  now  recognized  as  a 
distinct  and  valid  resident  form,  contiiied  to  southern  regions  exclusively.  It  is  also 
probable  that  the  Dusky  Ducks  known  to  be  resident  in  South  Carolina  may  also  be 
referable  to  this  species  rather  than  to  A.  obscura. 

For  the  history  of  its  peculiar  habits  I  am  indebted  to  !Mr.  N.  B.  Moore ;  its  exist- 
ence being  first  made  known  to  him,  in  18(51).  by  his  killing  several  adults  and  meeting 
with  ii  brood  of  nine  young.  An  informant  of  Mr.  Moore,  who  has  lived  sixty -six  years 
in  I'lorida  —  and  for  twenty-five  yjars  on  Sarasota  l?ay  —  informed  him  that  it  was 
unknown  to  him  until  within  the  last  six  years,  when  he  killed  a  few  on  the  Sarasota. 
This  Duck  hatches  in  Florida  from  the  first  to  the  last  of  April,  only  one  set  of  eggs 
l)eing  laid  in  a  season,  unless  it  fails  in  raising  its  first  brood.  The  nest  is  always 
placed  on  the  ground,  and  the  number  of  eggs  is  usually  nine  or  ten.  In  one  instance 
a  nest  was  discovered  which  was  nea  ly  three  hundred  yards  from  water,  and  other 
nests  were  met  with  still  farther  froin  water.  The  one  first  referred  to  was  cautiously 
concealed  in  a  thick  mass  of  dead  grass  held  upright  by  green  palmettoes,  about  two 
feet  high.  Jlr.  ^loore  once  noticed  a  i>air  of  Ducks  fly  from  a  pond,  near  which  he 
was  seated,  and  pass  over  the  pine-barrens.  One  of  them  dro])ped  among  the  grass  ; 
the  other  returned  to  the  water.  Suspecting  that  the  birds  might  have  a  nest,  he 
visited  the  locality  the  next  day,  when  the  birds  behaved  as  before.  He  soon  made 
his  way  to  the  spot  where  the  female  alighted,  and  found  her  in  a  somewhat  open 
space.     On  her  return  to  the  pond  he  soon  discovered  her  nest.     It  was  carefully 


Jj|;, 


504 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


^' 


screened  from  view  on  all  siili's,  and  so  canopied  by  the  standing  grass  that  the  eggs 
were  not  visible  from  above.  There  was  a  rim  of  soft  down,  from  the  mother's  breast, 
around  the  eggs,  partly  covering  those  in  the  outer  circle.  On  viewing  the  nest  the 
next  day  this  down  was  found  to  have  been  drawn  ovc  r  all  the  eggs.  Mr.  Moore  took 
them  and  placed  them  under  a  hen  ;  and  six  days  alter  Jicy  were  hatched.  This  was 
early  in  April.  It  would  appear,  therefore,  that  the  statement  that  the  male  forsakes 
his  mate  during  incubation  is  not  well  founded;  for  in  this  instance  the  male  bird, 
about  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  incubation,  still  kept  in  the  vicinity  of  the  nest.  It 
is,  however,  the  universal  belief  that  he  does  not  assist  in  rearing  the  young. 

Mr.  Moore  also  informs  me  that  in  August,  September,  and  the  first  part  of  Octo- 
ber, parties  of  from  five  to  twenty  of  this  species  leave  the  fresh  ])on(ls  and  fly  across 
the  bay  to  sand-bars  on  the  inner  sides  of  the  Keys,  where  they  spend  the  night  in  the 
pools  or  coves  near  the  mangroves,  and  return  at  sunrise  the  next  morning.  Those 
shot  at  this  time  were  all  males ;  but  in  January,  February,  and  March  nuitcd  birds, 
flying  in  pairs,  spend  their  nights  in  the  same  places.  In  one  instance  Mr.  iloore 
came  suddenly  on  a  flock  of  three  old  birds  and  nine  ycnuig;  the  latter  were  only  a 
few  days  old.  Two  of  the  old  birds  flew  off;  but  the  mother  remained,  and  led  the 
Ducklings  from  the  shallow  pond  over  a  dry  and  bare  bed  into  a  tangled  mass  of 
palmettoes  and  grass. 

Mr.  Moore  has  no  doubt  that  this  Duck  would  be  a  much  more  common  bird  in 
Florida  but  for  the  sweei)ing  tires  that  are  set  to  burn  ofl'  this  coarse  growth  of  grass, 
to  allow  a  fresher  growth  to  spring  up  for  the  cattle.  In  these  fires  a  great  many  of 
the  birds  must  be  destroyed.  Mr.  Moore  has  not  succeeded  in  inducing  this  Duck  to 
breed  in  confinement,  although  in  1874  he  was  in  jwssession  of  nine  of  this  species, 
in  their  third  summer,  all  of  which  had  been  hatched  out  under  a  hen. 

Mr.  Audubon  mentions  finding  the  nest  of  a  Dusky  Duck,  probably  this  species, 
on  the  SOtli  of  April,  1837,  on  Galveston  Island,  Texas,  formed  of  grass  and  feathers, 
and  containing  eight  eggs.  These  were  surrouiuled  and  partially  covered  with  down. 
On  the  same  island  others  were  si!en  that  evidently  had  nests.  Mr.  Audubon  was 
informed  that  those  which  l)reed  in  Texas  are  resident  there  throughout  the  year.  In 
South  Carolina  he  was  informed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  liaclnnan  that  this  species,  once  rare, 
was  Ijecoming  more  and  more  abundant,  attracted  probably  by  the  rice-fields;  and 
farther  inland  it  was  even  more  plentiful.  Hybrids  between  tliis  and  the  Domestic 
Duck  had  been  reared,  and  their  eggs  were  jiroductive,  the  ott's])ring  being  larger 
than  either  parent.  The  young  of  this  species,  in  the  oj)inion  of  Mr.  Audubon,  aiford 
delici(ms  eating,  and  arc  said  to  be  far  suj)erior  to  the  more  celeljrated  Canvas-back. 

An  egg  of  the  Florida  Dusky  Duck,  collected  by  Mr.  Maynard,  measures  2.33  inches 
in  length  by  1.70  in  breadth.  It  has  a  general  resemblance  to  the  eggs  of  the  common 
A.  ubscura,  but  is  of  a  lighter  shade  of  greenish  white. 


Genus   CHAULELASMUS,  Ghay. 

Chautelasmns,  Ghay,  183b  (type,  Amis  strcjiera,  LiSN.). 

Chauliodus,  Swaixs.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1831,  440  (typo,  Anas  strepcm,  LiNN.).     (Not  of  Bloch,  1801.) 

CiMuliudcs,  Eyton,  Moil.  Anat.  1838,  43  (same  type).     (Not  of  Latueille,  1798.) 

But  two  species  of  this  geiuis  are  known,  the  conuuou  ami  widely  diffused  G.  streperus,  and  the 
more  recently  discovered  C.  Couesi,  Streets,  of  Wusliingtou  Island,  in  the  South  Pacific  Ocean. 
The  latter  is  very  similar  to  C.  strepcnis,  having  the  same  form  and  essentially  tlie  same  coloration, 
but  is  much  smaller,  with  several  differences  in  ]iluninge.  The  sides  are  white,  coarsely  spotted 
with  grayish,  instead  of  finely  undulated  with  the  same,  as  is  the  case  with  the  adult  male  of 


ANATINJJ  —  THE  DUCKS  —  C11AULELA8MUS. 


605 


lit  tlie  eggs 
er's  breast, 
lie  nest  the 
Moore  took 
.  This  was 
lie  forsakes 
male  bird, 
10  nest.     It 

irt  of  Oeto- 
(1  fly  aeross 
light  in  the 
ng.  Those 
latr.cl  birds, 
Mr.  !Moore 
were  only  a 
md  led  the 
ed  mass  of 

iTion  bird  in 
th  of  grass, 
i'dt  many  ot 
his  Duck  to 
;his  species, 

his  species, 
id  feathers, 
■with  down. 
Liduboii  was 
le  year.    In 

once  rare, 
flehls ;  and 
Domestic 

ing  larger 
ibon,  afford 
ivas-back. 
'J.'43  inches 
he  commou 


G.  streperus;  but  this  may  very  possibly  be  owing  to  a  ilifferuiici!  of  age,  us  the  type  of  Uuuesi  is 
iniuiaturc. 

U.  Coucsi  in  very  distinct,  however,  and  much  smaller,  the  measurements  being  us  follows  : 
Wing,  8.20  inches  J  culmen,  1.40;  width  of  bill,  .55;  depth  at  base,  .UO  ;  tarsus,  1.40;  middle 
toe,  1.60.> 


ocu,  1801.) 

lerus,  and  the 
Licific  Ocean, 
le  coloration, 
rsely  spotted 
dult  male  of 


C,  strrperus. 

J  Chaulelasmus  Couksi,  Streets. 

Chaulclusmus  Cuuesi,  Stuekts,  Bull.  Nutt.  Orii.  Club,  I.  no.  2,  July,  187(3,  40  (Washington  and 
New  Yolk  islands,  Funning  Group)  ;  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  no.  7,  1877,  21  (do.). 

"  Bill  nearly  iis  long  as  the  head,  about  as  deep  as  broad  at  the  base,  dc[irt'ss('il  anteriorly,  sides  nearly 
parallel,  but  converging  slightly  toward  the  base,  tij)  rounded,  and  unguis  abrujitly  curved  ;  frontal  angle 
short  and  obtuse  ;  dorsal  line  at  lirst  sloping,  rather  more  so  than  in  C.  slirpcrus,  anterior  portion  broad, 
straight,  and  flattened.  Internal  latnellie  numerous,  small,  and  closely  packed,  about  seventy-five  in  num- 
ber —  in  streperus  only  about  fifty.     Nostrils  sub-basal,  lateral,  large,  and  oblong. 

"PluiiuKjc  (immnlurc)  :  Head  above  dark  brown,  the  featliers  tipped  with  a  lighter  shade;  frontal 
feathers  with  the  central  ])ortion  black,  and  edged  with  brownish  white  ;  throat  and  sides  of  head  brown- 
ish white,  shafts  of  the  feathers  brown,  a  small  brown  spot  at  the  extremity  of  each  ;  lower  jwrtion  of 
the  neck  and  breast  all  around  with  the  feathers  marked  with  concentric  bars  of  black  and  light  reddish 
brown  ;  under  surface  of  the  body  white,  each  feathi^'  with  a  broad  dark  band  near  the  extremity,  which 
gives  to  this  region  a  mottled  aspect  ;  toward  the  tail  the  white  of  the  abdomen  assumes  a  dull  reddish- 
brown  tinge  ;  the  browiiisb-riMl  color  becomes  more  decided  on  the  ilanks  and  siites  of  the  body  where 
covered  by  the  wings.  On  the  back  the  plumage  is  more  mature.  Color  dark  brown  marked  transversely 
by  fine  wavy  lines  of  black  and  white  ;  scapulars  dark  brown  and  fringed  with  a  narrow  rim  of  reddish 
brown.  Middle  wing-coverts  chestnut  ;  greater,  velvet  black  ;  speculum  pure  white,  the  inner  web  of  the 
white  feathers  grayish  brown  ;  in  the  third  feather  in  the  speculum,  counting  from  within,  the  white  gives 
place  to  a  hoary  gray  with  a  black  outer  margin  ;  the  primaries  light  brown,  the  portion  of  both  webs 
nearest  the  shaft  lighter  ;  shaft  light  brown.  Tail  contaiidng  fourteen  feathers,  hoary  iilumbeous  gray, 
under  surface  lighter  and  shining  ;  under  tail-coverts  crossed  by  transverse  bars  of  black  and  whiter ;  upjier 
coverts  composed  of  dark-brown  and  black  feathers  nungled.  Under  wing-coverts  and  axillars  pure  white. 
Bill  and  feet  black,  .somewhat  lighter  on  the  inner  side  of  the  tarsus.  Tibia  bare  for  about  half  an  inch. 
Length,  17  inches  ;  wing,  8  ;  tarsus,  1.40  ;  commissure,  ].6,'>  ;  culmen,  1.1."  ;  height  an<l  breadth  of  bill 
at  base,  .55  ;  average  width  of  bill,  .55  ;  first  toe,  .30  ;  second,  1.48,  including  claw,  shorter  than  third 
toe  without  claw  ;  third  toe,  1.88,  without  claw,  longer  than  outer  toe  without  claw  ;  outer  toe,  1.75. 

"  A  female  is  similar,  but  with  little  trace  of  the  peculiar  wing  naukings,  both  the  chestnut  and  black 
being  wanting,  and  the  speculum  being  hoary  gray  instead  of  white.  Both  the  specimens  before  mo  are 
immature  ;  the  adults,  it  is  presumed,  will  show  the  peculiar  vermiculated  appearance  of  C.  slrejicrus. 
They  resemble  the  inunature  condition  of  C.  streperus  so  closely  that  one  desciiption  of  the  coloration 

VOL.  I.  —  G4 


506 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWLMMEUS  —  ANSERES. 


Chaulelasmus  streperus. 

THE   OADWALL;    OBAT   DUCK. 

Anas  strepera,  LisN.  S.  N.  ud.  10,  I.  1758,  125  ;  cd.  VI,  1.  1700,  200.  — Wils.  Am.  Orn.  VIII.  1814, 
120,  i>l.  71.  —  NVTT.  Mini.  II.  1834,  383.  —  Aitd.  Oni.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  353,  \\.  348  ;  Synop. 
183i),  378  ;  H.  Am.  VI.  1843,  254,  \t\.  388. 

Ama  (Chauliodus)  slirpcnis,  Sw.  &  Uicii.  F.  H.  A.  II.  1831,  440. 

Chaithinsmus  sircjwrw,  "Okav,  1838;"  List  B.  Br.  Mus.  1844,  139.  —  Baiud,  B.  N.  Am.  1858, 
782  ;  ("at.  N.  Am.  B.  185!t,  no.  584.  ~  Couks,  Koy,  1872,  286  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  4Ul  ;  2d 
ed.  1882,  no.  711  ;  liinls  N.  \V.  1874,  5<i3.  —  RiDow.   Norn.  N.  Aui.  B.  1881,  no.  604. 

Anas  strepera  nmcriatnii,  Max.  .Four,  fiir  Oin.  II.  1842,  109. 

"Chaulelasmus  amerieana,  Hi-."    ((iiiAv). 

"Anas  cincrea  et  subulata,  H.  (i.  (Jmei.is."    ((!i!AY). 

Anas  Lrkusehht,  Gmei,.  S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  531. 

"Anas  nutil,  Huua.soN  "   ((Jiiay). 

"Anas  capensis,  Swaixson"    ((!kay). 

Had.     Nearly  co.snioi)()litiui  (Europi',  Asia,  Africa,  and  North  America).     Teinpenxte  North 
America  in  };;eneral,  breeding'  diii-fly  within  the  United  States  ;  West  Indie.s  (8cL.  &  Salv.). 

Sp.  Char.     Adult  male  in  fall,  vinter,  and  spring :  Ground-color  of  the  head  and  neclv  pale 
brown,  or  brownish  white,  thickly  speckled  with  black  ;  on  the  pileuni  the  brown  deeper  and 

more  uniform,  and  the  specks  ob.solete  ;  on  the  occiput, 
when  present,  they  incline  to  the  form  of  transverse 
barf.  Ju!,nilum  marked  with  greatly  curved  bars,  or 
crescents,  of  white  and  black,  the  bars  of  the  latter 
wider.  Lateral  portion.s  of  the  body  beneath,  back, 
and  scapulars  finely  undiilated,  in  curved  transverse 
lines,  with  slate-color  and  white.  Many  of  the  longer 
scapulars  plain  browni.sh  yray,  broadly  edyed  with  n 
li},diter,  more  fulvous  tint.  Rump  plain  dull  slate. 
Tail-coverts,  above  and  below,  intensu  opa(|Ue  velvety 
black.  Tail  cinereou.s,  faintly  edged  with  white. 
Middle  row.s  of  wing-coverts  bright  chestnut,  the 
anterior  coverts  brownish  gray,  and  the  po,sterior  ones 
deep  black  ;  last  row  deep  velvety  lilack.  Speculum 
immaculate  pure  white,  the  lower  feathers  cinereous 
(some  with  black  on  outer  webs),  narrowly  tipped 
with  white  terliuls  plain  pale  ash,  the  primaries  a 
darker  shad,  of  the  same.  "Bill  bluish  black.  Iris 
reddish  hazel.  Feet  dull  orange-yellow,  claws  brown- 
ish black,  webs  dusky"  (AuDUDOx).  Adult  viale,  in 
sumvier:  "Crown  brownish  black,  with  a  greenish  tinge  ;  an  indistinct  streak  through  the  eye, 
dark  brown  ;  rest  of  the  head  and  neck  dull  brownish  white,  marked  with  blackish  brown,  as  in  the 
previously  described  bird  [adult  male  in  .spring] ;  back,  rump,  and  upper  tail-coverts  dark  blackish 
brown,  each  feather  margined  with  rusty  red ;  wings  and  tail  as  in  the  bird  above  described; 
breast  dull  rusty  reil,  each  feather  with  a  central  black  spot ;  ilanks  dark  brown,  broadly  marked 
and  mai-gined  with  dull  rufous  ;  the  rest  of  the  under  parts  dull  .vhite,  each  feather  having  a 
central  blackish  brQwu-drop-shajJed  mark"  (Sharpe  &  Dresser). 

Adult  female:  Coloi-s  chiefly  brownish  dusky  and  brownish  white,  in  longitudinal  streaks  on 


Male. 


would  answer  for  both  species  ;  but  the  C,  Couesi  is  immediately  distinguished  by  its  greatly  inferior  size, 
which  hardly  exceeds  that  of  a  Teal,  the  different  color  of  the  bill  and  feet,  and  the  singular  discrepancy 
in  the  lamellic  of  the  bill,  which  are  much  smaller,  and  one  third  n;ore  numerous. 

"  Habitat :  Washington  Island,  one  of  the  Fanning  Group,  situated  about  latitude  6°  N*  and  longitude 
160»  W." 


ANATIN.E—  THE  DUCKS  _  CIIAri.HLASML'S. 


507 


n.  VIII.  1814, 
348  I  Synop. 


N.  Am.  1858, 
3,  no.  4Ul  ;  2d 
).  (504. 


iperate  North 

&  Salv.). 

md  neck  pale 

n  deeper  and 

on  llie  occiput, 

of  transveree 

urved  bar.«,  or 

!  of  the  lilt  lev 

joneath,  back, 

ked  transverse 

y  of  the  longer 

edged  with  a 

un  dull  .slate. 

laque  velvety 

with   white. 

chestnut,  the 

po.sterior  ones 

k.     Speculum 

iers  cinereous 

rowly  tipped 

primaries  a 

h  black.    Iris 

claws  brown- 

lult  viale,  in 

)U<,di  the  eye, 

Dwn,  as  in  the 

lark  blackish 

ve  described  ; 

adly  marked 

ther  having  a 

al  streaks  on 

y  inferior  size, 
nr  discrepancy 

mid  longitude 


J'einaU'. 


thp  head  and  neck,  and  in  inv!,'ular  transverse  spots  and  bars  on  other  portions.     On  the  upper 

surface  the  dusky  prevails,  and  on  the  lower  parts  the  whitish  predominates.     Wiuj,'  nearly  as  in 

the  male,  lint  tlie  chestnut  usually  absent,  the  black  less  extended,  and  tiie  j^ray  of  tiie  coveits  ;.en- 

erally  more  or  less  ))arred  and  tipped  with  wiiite.     Abdomen  and  lower  part  of  the  breast  pure 

white  ;  throat  linidy  streaked  with  dusky,    fhwmj 

young:    "Covered  witli  soft  short  d<i\vii  ;   head, 

nape,  back,  and  rump,  dark  dull  lirown.  on  eaidi 

siile  of  the  rump  and  back  of  eacli   wing-joint  a 

sulphur-yellow  spot,  the  wing-joints  being  marked 

with  that  color;    forelieail,  spac(^  round  the  eye, 

throat,  and  chest   pale   sulphur-yellow  ;  alxlomen 

white-,  shaded  with  sulphur-yeUow,  on  tlii'  lower 

part  sooty  gray"  (SiiArti'M  iV:  Dkkssku). 

jl/rtic,  wing,  l().2.")-li.(tn  inclies  ;  culmeli,  l.tiO- 
1.7');  wiiltii  of  bill,  .GO-."")  ;  tarsus,  1.4.'')-l.7() ; 
middle  toe,  I.8()-l.!)(>.  Fimde,  wing.  lO.dd-Kt.lO  ; 
culmen,  l..")5-l.(!5 ;  width  of  bill,  .(!()-.7()  ;  tarsus, 
I. GO;  middle  toe,  1.7")-I.Ht. 

Although  one  of  the  aljove  diagnoses  will  fit 
almost  any  exam[)le  of  this  tpecies,  iliere  is  yet  a 
very  consi(k'rable  extent  of  individual  variation 
noticeabh-    in  a   large   series.     Thu. .    No.   17040 

(Washington,  D.  ('..  Keb.  2.'),  18(i0 ;  C.  DmoxMiit)  has  the  unifoini  iirown  of  the  pileum  coming 
down  over  the  fide  of  tlie  hciid  to  a  line  on  a  level  with  the  lower  eyelid,  tlu'  wii(de  u]p[)er  half  of 
tlie  iiead  i)eing  tiius  nearly  free  from  specks  ;  while  that  jiortion  behind  tlie  eye  has  a  faint,  but 
very  perceptible,  rose-purple  reflection  --this  part  of  the  head  calling  strongly  to  mind  the  head- 
jiattern  of  Nrttinn  and  Manm  anfriatuu.  On  tlie  other  hand,  an  adult  mah;  from  I'liihidelphia 
(No.  4GC.J8,  J.  KitiiiKu)  has  even  the  top  of  the  head  spotted.  Xo.  <J7!)1,  $  ad..  Fort  ."-^teilacoom, 
W.  T.  (Dr.  Geouue  Sucki.ev),  has  the  pileum  almost  chestnut,  the  brown  having  there  such  a 
deeph'  reddish  cast  ;  the  lower  neck  is  nearly  plain  pale  ochrai'eous,  abruptly  defined  against  the 
darkly  colored  jngulum.     Specimens  from  Cajpe  St.  Lucas  and  Utah  present  no  unusual  features. 

All  American  specimens  differ  uniformly,  from  the  single  European  pair  before  us,  in  several 
very  tangilde  respects.  The  European  male  has  the  neck  (juite  ileeply  ochraceous,  while  in  the 
American  ones  there  is  seldom  more  than  a  mere  tinge  of  this  color  ;  tiie  jiigulum  is  also  pervaded 
by  a  wash  of  a  more  pinkish  tinge  of  the  same,  while  there  is  aiijirecialdy  less  regularity  and  clear- 
ness in  the  markings  of  that  region.  Tlie  longer  scapulars  are  more  deeply  tinged  with  fulvous, 
and  the  finely  undulated  portions  are  pervaded  with  a  brownish  wash,  entirely  wanting  in  the 
American  .series.  The  me.isuremeiits  of  this  b[)ecimen  (Xo.  .57187,  Europe  ;  Schliiter  Collection) 
are  as  follows  :  AVing,  10.80  indies;  culmen,  I.G.")  ;  width  of  bill.  .70;  tarsus,  1.5.");  middle  toe, 
1.85.  The  female  specimen  from  Europe  is  very  .similar  to  North  American  examples,  but  is 
rather  more  deeply  colored,  the  dark  centres  to  the  featheis  being  nearly  deep  black.  The  whole 
throat  is  immaculate  white.  The  measurements  are  as  follows  :  Wing,  9.5t)  inches  ;  culmen, 
1.50;  tarsus,  1.35;  middle  toe,  1.60. 

The  Gadwall,  or  (Jray  Duck,  like  the  ]\rall;ivd,  tlio  Pintail,  the  Shov<'llor,  and  one 
or  two  other  fresh-water  Ducks,  has  a  general  distribution,  nearly  or  quite  throughout 
the  northern  hemisphere.  It  is  more  or  less  common  in  nearly  all  parts  of  North 
America,  from  the  Fur  Eegion  to  Central  America,  tind  from  Elaine  to  the  Vacific. 
Its  presence  in  several  extended  districts,  however,  remains  to  be  confirmed.  It  is 
found  in  all  parts  of  Europe,  from  Iceland  to  Gibralttir,  occurs  throughout  North 
Africa,  and  is  distributed  over  the  larger  portion  of  Asia. 

Mr.  Robert  Kennicott,  in  liis  maiuisoript  notes  on  the  Anutkhr  of  North  America, 
states  that  this  Duck,  like  tlie  Ai/tlnja  americana  and  some  otlier  birds,  thougJi  ex- 
tending west  of  the  mountains  \vithin  the  United  States,  ai^parently  i)asses  in  its 


508 


i-ami:llihosti{ai,  swimmhhs  —  axseuks. 


iiii^'rivtions  to  the  iiDi'lli  wliolly  to  the  c.stwanl  uf  Slave  Lake,  lie  was  iinulilc  to 
(li'tcct  it  ill  rithcr  the  Viikoii  or  Mackcn/.ii'  lv(';,'i(tii.  It' (iccurrin^  at  all,  cvi'ii  at  Slave 
Lake,  lie  believes  he  hIiouM  at  least  liavc  lieani  of  it  I'roiii  the  Indians,  for,  nnobsor- 
vant  as  they  are  of  the  snialii'r  hinls,  thev  jiay  attention  to  anything,'  that  atfonls  tlieni 
food,  and  the  ( tpipiu'wayans  of  Slavt  Lake  shoot  lar^''  numbers  of  Ducks.  The  (iad- 
wall  is  not,  so  far  as  he  knew,  an  abundant  species  in  any  part  of  North  Americu» 
thou.ifh  it  is  not  uncommon  in  October  in  Northern  Illinois;  and  IJi'diardsoii  mentions 
it  as  eomnion  in  summer  on  the  Saskatchewan.  Mr.  .Merrill  found  it  breeding  at 
Antieosti,  in  the  (iuif  of  St.  Lawrence.  Dr.  Suckley  observed  it  in  summer  in  Min- 
nesota, aiul  ('ai)tain  liendire  found  it  lircedinj,'  in  EasttM'U  Oregon. 

According  to  Mr.  Dall,  a  single  specimen  was  jiroeured  in  Uritish  Columbia  by  Mr. 
Elliott,  and  he  believes  that  its  range  extends  as  far  as  the  vicinity  of  Sitka. 

This  species  is  inehuU'd  by  Mr.  I{.  lirowno  among  tlu!  birds  of  Vancouver  Island  ; 
and  it  was  found  on  the  I'acitic  coast  of  Mexico  by  Colonel  (Jrayson,  who  speuks  of 
it  as  being  abundant  from  November  until  late  in  the  spring  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Mazatlan.  According  to  Dr.  Cooper,  it  is  also  conunon  in  the  winter  throughout 
California,  in  company  with  other  fresh-water  Ducks,  and  sometimes  in  distinct 
flocks.  This  Duck  is  said  to  be  generally  shy  and  (piiet,  feeding  mostly  in  the  twi- 
light, and  hiding  much  of  the  time  amoug  the  reeds  and  bu.slies.  It  has,  however, 
considerable  power  of  voice,  and  in  the  spring  is  at  times  ([uite  noisy. 

Dr.  Ileermann  states  that  it  breeds  in  small  numbers  in  the  marshes  of  the  Sacra- 
mento Valley,  and  Dr.  ( 'ooper  found  two  nests  at  San  Tedro  on  the  L'Oth  of  July.  The.se 
were  constructed  chiefly  of  feathers,  and  one  contained  nine  eggs.  As  a  ride,  however, 
this  species  breeds  in  the  more  northern  parts  of  the  ITnited  States,  especially  about 
the  lakes  of  Minnesota,  and  beyond  latitude  (>8°  X.  Mr.  .1.  A.  Allen  met  with  a  soli- 
tary individual  on  the  Platte  River,  in  South  Park,  Colorado;  he  afterward  found 
it  very  abundant  in  the  valley  of  Salt  Lake,  Utah.  It  is  also  included  by  ^Ir.  H.  W. 
Parker  in  his  List  of  the  Birds  of  Iowa,  and  given  as  occurring  in  the  counties  Polk 
and  Clinton. 

A  female  of  this  species  was  obtaiiKMl  in  liermuda  in  December,  1849.  She  was 
kept  in  confinement,  became  ([uite  tame,  associated  with  the  domesticated  Ducks,  r-nd 
laid  quite  a  number  of  eggs.  Although  a  persistent  sitter,  none  of  her  eggs  ever 
hatched. 

According  to  the  experience  of  Mr.  Poardman,  this  Duck  is  not  uncommon  in  the 
fall  in  the  vicinity  of  Calais,  Me.  It  is  occasionally  found  on  the  ponds  and  streams 
of  Massachusetts,  but  is  rare,  and  of  irregular  ajjpearance. 

Mr.  Giraiid  considered  it  as  ([uite  rare  on  Long  Island,  where  it  was  very  shy, 
seldom  came  to  the  decoys,  and  was  very  difticult  of  approach,  unless  the  hunters 
advanced  under  cover  of  reeds  and  rushes.  At  Egg  Harbor,  New  Jersey,  a  few  of 
this  species  ;ire  seen  every  fall  and  spring,  and  are  there  known  as  the  •'  Welch 
Drake  "  and  the  "  German  Duck."'  This  Duck  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  active 
of  its  tribe,  flying  swiftly,  and  being  an  excellent  diver.  It  is  exceedingly  timid,  and 
the  superior  quality  of  its  flesh  would  seem  to  show  that  its  food  must  be  chieflj' 
vegetable. 

Throughout  Europe  and  in  all  the  countries  of  Northern  Africa  the  Gadwall 
appears  to  have  a  very  general  distribution,  especially  during  its  migrations.  Mr. 
Salvin  mentions  finding  it  common  near  Zara,  in  Northeastern  Africa ;  it  was  also 
noticed  in  the  Sahara  by  Mr.  Tristram  ;  and  Captain  E.  G.  Shelley  met  with  it  in 
Egypt  and  Nubia  —  where,  however,  it  was  not  abundant.  The  latter  saw  one  small 
flock  of  these  birds  near  El-Kab  on  February  26,  and  obtained  a  single  specimen. 


AXATIN'^  —  THK   m'CKS  —  CirArLKLASMUS. 


509 


llUillllt'  to 
1  at  Slave 
',  uiiobsor- 
Drds  thiMU 
Tht'  (iiid- 
Aiiicricii. 
nicntions 
■t't'ding  at 
Br  in  Min- 

i)ia  by  ]\Ir. 
I. 

•V  Island  ; 
spciiks  of 
)orh()od  of 
lii'()uj,'liout 
ti  distinct 
m  the  twi- 
,  however, 

the  Sacra- 
ly.  Those 
.  however, 
ally  al)ont 
rith  a  soli- 
ard  found 
fVlr.  II.  W. 
OS '     Polk 

She  was 
)uck8,  r.nd 
eggs  ever 

ion  in  the 
d  streams 

very  shy, 
e  hunters 
,  a  few  of 

•'  Welch 
nst  active 
imid,  and 

le  chief!}' 

Gadwall 
ons.     Mr. 

was  also 
with  it  in 
one  small 
imen. 


Mr.  T.  Ti.  I'owys  found  the  (ladwall  common  in  the  winter  in  the  Ionian  Islands. 
I'nlike  most  other  writers,  he  speaks  of  it  as  the  easiest  to  a|i|iroaeh  of  all  the  Kuro- 
peaii  Ducks,  and  lie  also  regarded  it  as  the  liest  for  the  tai)le.  It  is  given  liy  .Mr.  11. 
Saunders  in  his  !,ist  of  the  Itirds  of  Southern  Sjjain.  where  it  was  abundant  tlirough- 
out  the  winter  unl         |iril.  and  be  adds  that  it  certainly  breeds  at  Santa  Olaga. 

According  to  .Mu.ilendorff,  it  is  found  in  the  forest  regions  of  Siberia.  Its  presence 
in  Iccdand  was  fir.st  positively  announced  by  Professor  Newton,  Mr.  (i.  C.  Fowler 
having  obtained  a  pair,  with  their  ne.st  and  eggs,  in  ISdL',  and  Mr.  i'roctor  having 
recicived  skins  from  there.  More  re<'ently  Mr.  ('.  W.  Sbepard  has  found  it  breeding 
in  the  northern  part  of  that  island,  on  the  shores  of  the  My-vatn  Lake.  It  was  shy 
and  nns()ciai)le.  and  its  nests  were  found  only  in  (piiet  swampy  places  on  the  shores 
of  the  lake  or  on  islands  not  fre(iuented  by  any  other  species  of  Duck. 

In  Ireland  and  (Ireat  Itritain  this  Duck  is  comjjarativtdy  rare,  occurring  in  winter, 
but  nnu'c  frequently  in  spring,  and  then  only  in  very  limited  numbers.  In  lloUiind, 
on  the  other  hand,  in  the  months  of  September  and  October,  it  is  the  most  common 
Duck  in  the  markets. 

Mr.  Dresser  did  not  nu-et  with  tliis  bird  in  Finland,  though  it  is  su^iposed  to  occur 
in  the  southeastern  i»art  of  that  coiuitry.  It  has  been  procured  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Archangel,  but  is  rare  in  the  northern  part  of  Russia.  It  is  mcu'c  numerous  in  South- 
eastern Uussia,  inhabiting  large  marshy  localities,  where  reeds  and  rushes  abound, 
and  also  freipienting  the  swampy  banks  of  rivers.  In  the  autumn,  during  the  evening 
and  in  the  night,  it  Hies  about  the  fields.  It  nests  in  swamps  or  on  the  banks  of 
lakes  and  rivers,  and  the  usual  number  of  its  eggs  is  from  eight  to  twelve. 

In  Asia  it  has  i»een  obtained  as  far  east  as  China  and  Jai)an.  Throughout  India, 
during  the  whole  of  the  cold  season,  according  to  Mr.  Hume,  it  is  the  most  plentiful 
species  of  Duck. 

Like  all  the  Ducks  with  long-jiointed  M-ings,  the  Gadwall  has  a  strong  and  rapid 
flight.  It  is  generally  regarded  as  a  shy  species,  di.sliking  exposure,  and  hiding  itself 
among  thick  reeds  and  acpiatic  jdants.  This,  Mr.  Yarrell  states,  was  ooscrved  to  be  the 
habit  of  a  pair  in  the  (Jarden  of  the  Zoological  Society,  which  concealed  themselves 
in  the  long  grass  of  the  islands.  These  birds  bred  there  in  the  season  of  18.39,  and 
again  in  1S41,  laying  seven  or  eight  eggs.  They  fed  on  vegetable  matter,  aquatic; 
insects,  and  small  fish. 

In  general  habits  this  species  very  closely  resembles  the  ]\Iallard.  It  is  essentially 
a  fresh-water  Duck,  frequenting  streams,  lakes,  and  ponds  where  suitable  food  is 
to  be  found,  this  consisting  chiefly  of  the  leaves,  buds,  and  roots  of  water-plants. 
While  feeding  this  bird  sometimes  utters  a  low  quacking.  In  confinement  it  readily 
eats  oats,  bread,  pieces  of  cabbage,  turnip,  potatoes,  and  various  other  vegetables.  A 
pair  kept  at  ]\Iount  Auburn,  !Mass.,  ate  greedily  the  roots  of  the  common  celery. 

It  bioeds  throughout  Ctmtral  and  Southern  Europe,  making  a  nest,  like  that  of  the 
Mallard,  close  to  the  water's  edge,  on  the  borders  of  fresh-water  lakes  and  streams. 
T'he  nest  is  a  mere  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  dry  leaves  or  hay  and  down. 
The  eggs  are  from  nine  to  thirteen  in  number,  of  a  i)ale  creamy  yellow.  Those  in 
Mr.  Dresser's  coll(>ction  averaged  2.10  inches  in  length  and  l.oO  inches  in  breadth. 

Dr.  Bachman  informed  Mr.  Audubon  that  in  the  year  1812  he  saw  in  Dutchess 
Co.,  New  York,  about  thirtj'  of  these  Ducks  in  a  single  flock.  He  was  informed 
that  three  years  previously  a  i)air  of  Gadwalls  had  been  captured  alive  in  a  mill-pond. 
They  were  kept  in  the  poultry -yard,  and  were  easily  tamed,  one  joint  of  the  Aving 
having  been  broken,  to  prevent  their  flying  away.  In  the  following  spring  they  were 
suffered  to  go  into  the  pond,  but  returned  daily  to  the  house  to  be  fed.     They  built 


610 


LAMELLIROSTIIAL   SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


>ii 


their  nest  on  the  edge  of  the  ]iond,  and  reared  a  hirge  brood.  The  yoimg  were  per- 
fectly domesticated,  and  made  no  attiunpt  to  Hy  away,  even  though  tlieir  wings  were 
perfect. 

This  species,  as  Professor  Kunilien  informs  me,  occurs  both  in  the  spring  and  fall 
at  Lake  Koskonong,  but  is  rather  rare.  He  lias  a  mounted  specimen  shot  Nov.  14th, 
1874.  He  has  never  seen  it  there  in  summer,  but  has  met  with  it  in  spring  in  marshes 
covered  with  water,  and  in  the  fall  on  the  mud-bars  and  among  the  wild  rice.  It  is 
very  seldom  seen  far  from  the  shore.  .Mr.  li.  F.  tJoss,  of  l'ew;iukee.  Wis.,  writes  me 
that  it  breeds  rarely-  in  his  vicinity.  About  May  L'4,  1808,  he  spent  several  days  on 
an  island  in  Horicon  Lake,  where  the  (xadwall  had  just  begun  to  lay.  He  found 
three  nests,  two  containing  one,  and  one  three  eggs.  The  nests  did  not  differ  in  their 
construction  from  the  ^Mallard's,  but  were  more  concealed,  all  of  them  being  in  thick 
cover,  one  perhaps  ten  feet  from  the  water,  the  farthest  about  three  rods.  The  eggs 
were  smaller  und  lighter  colored  than  the  jMallard's.  It  was  found  breeding  on  Shoal 
Lake  in  1865  by  !Mr.  I^onald  Gunn,  and  at  New  Westminster  by  ^Ir.  H.  W.  Elliott. 
Dr.  Kennerly  speaks  of  finding  it  very  common  in  April  in  the  vicinity  of  Janos  River, 
Chihuahua,  going  in  large  flocks.     IJeyond  that  point  it  was  not  observed. 

Eggs  of  this  species  in  the  collection  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  (Xo.  12723) 
from  Shoal  Lake  are  of  a  uniform  cream-color,  and  range  from  2.05  inches  in  length 
to  2.20  inches,  and  from  1.45  to  1.55  inches  in  breadth. 


Gexus  DAFILA,  Stephens. 

Dafila,  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.  XII.  ii.  1824,  126  (type,  Anas  acuta,  Linn.). 
P/iasianunis,  Waol.  Isis,  1832,  123r>  (same  t^vpe). 

Char.  Bill  longer  than  the  head,  narrow,  the  edge?  parallel,  deep  through  the  biise,  but  other- 
wise much  depressed,  the  basal  portion  of  the  culiueu  much  ascending.  In  the  male,  the  scajiulars, 
tertials,  and  middle  rectrices  lanceolate,  the  latter  elongated  considerably  beyond  the  other  tail- 


/>.  acuta. 


feathers.     The  adult  nude  in  winter  plumage  very  different  from  the  adult  female,  but  the  sexes 
much  alike  in  summer. 

As  defined  above,  the  genus  Dafila  includes  but  a  single  species,  the  D.  acuta,  or  Common  Pin- 
tail, of  the  northern  hemisphere.     Several  .South  American  species  have  been  referred  to  it ;  but 


ANATINiE  —  THE  DUCKS  —  DAFILA. 


511 


they  all  differ  in  having  the  sexes  alike,  in  the  dull  (iiuicli  spottu.l)  coloration,  and  in  the  very 
slight  elongation  of  the  middle  reetrices.  They  constitute  a  groiip  somewhat  intermediate  between 
Dujlla  and  Ncttion,  and  are  again  directly  connected  with  the  latter  ))y  several  small  Ducks  of  the 
southern  hemisphere,  usually  referred  to  the  genus  Qucrqumlula  (e.g.  (.).y/af(Vos/ci»-,  of  South 
America,  and  Q.  Eatoni,  of  Kerguelen  Island).  The  genus  l\vcilonctta  (type.  Anus  bahamensis, 
Linn.)  was  proposed  for  this  group  by  Kauj),  and  should  probably  be  retained  for  it. 


Dafila  acuta. 


THE  PIN-TAIL;  SFBIO-TAU. 

Anas  acuta,  Linn.  S.  N.  I.  1766,  202.  —  Wii.s.  Am.  Oin.  VIII.  1814,  pi.  68,  fig.  3.  —  Nutt.  Man. 

II.  1834,  380  —AfD.  Orn.  Hiog.  III.  183;".,  214  ;  V.  1839,  615,  pi.  227  ;  Synop.  1839,  279; 

Birds  Am.  VI.  1843,  206,  pi.  390. 
Dafihi  acuta,  BiixAi'.  Comp.  List,  1838,  ;'iO.  —  H.uiiu,  15.  X.  Am.  1S.")8,  776  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859, 

no.  578  ;  Con;s,  Koy,  1872,  286  ;  C'licck  Li;,t,  1873,  no.  490  ;  2d  cd.  1882,  no.  710  ;  Birds  X.  AV. 

1874,  561.  — HiDGW.  Nom.  X.  Am.  IJ.  ISSl,  no.  605. 
Amis  alandica,  Sl'.\liu.M.  Mus.  ('ails.  III.  ,  pi.  00. 

Amis  Spa7Tina)ini,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  II.  1790,  876. 
Anas  camlociifii,  Pall.  Zoog.  Itosso-.Vs.  II.  1826,  280. 
Amis  lui.gkauili,  Bimss.  Oiii.  VI.  1700,  3(i0,  pi.  34,  figs.  1,  2. 
Anas  caudata,  Biikum,  Viig.  Deiitsuhl.  800. 
Dafila  acuta,  var.  nmcricami,  Bonai".  Coinpt.  Bond.  XLTI.  1856. 

Had.    The  whole  of  North  America  ;  Europe.     Breeding  chiefly  far  north,  migrating  south  in 
winter  as  far  as  Panama  ;  Cuba. 

Sp.  Chak.  Adult  male  in  ivinhr:  Head  and  upper  half  of  the  neck  hair-brown  or  grayish 
umber,  the  upper  surface  darker,  often  inclining  to  deep  burnt-umber  ;  all  the  feathers  (usually) 
appreciably  darker  centrally,  producing  an  indistinctly  an<l  minutely  speckled  appearance;  on 
each  side  of  the  occiput  the  brown  has  a  metallic  gloss  of  dull  green,  showing  a  faint  jmrple  i-eflec- 
tion  in  some  lights.  Up  er  half  of  the 
nape  opa(iue  intense  black,  separated  from 
the  brown  by  an  upward  extension  of  the 
white  of  the  lower  neck  nearly  to  the  occi- 
put, .^tripe  on  each  side  of  the  nape  (as 
described  above),  lower  half  of  the  neck 
frontally  and  laterally,  jugulum,  breast, 
and  abdomen  immaculate  white.  Lower 
half  of  the  nape,  with  entire  dorsal  region 
and  lateral  lower  parts,  [inely  waved  with 
transverse,  rather  zigzag,  lines  of  white 
and  black,  of  nearly  ei^ual  width.  Longer 
scapulars  opaque  velvety  black  centrally, 
edged  broadly  with  grayish  white  ;  outer 
scapulars  with  exposed  etids  of  their  outer 
webs  entirely  velvety  black.  T.riials 
silvery  asli,  with  a  medial  stripe  of  intense 
velvety  black.  Speculum  dull  green,  va- 
rying to  dull  lu'onzy  pur[ile,  with  a  sub- 
terminal  bar  of  velvety  black  and  a  tip  of 
white.  Wing-coverts  very  uniform  brown- 
ish gray,  the  last  row  broadly  tipped  with 
cinnamon-rufous.      Primaries  dull   .«laty. 

Upper  tail-coverts  with  outer  webs  black,  the  inner  ones  grayish  white  ;  lower  coverts  deep  opmpie 
velvety  black,  the  (jxterior  row  with  their  outer  webs  white ;  post-femoral  space  delicate  cream-color, 
Tail-feathei-s  dark  cinereous  edged  with  while,  the  elongated  middle  pair  unil'orm  deep  black.    Bill 


512 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  -  ANSERES. 


Femah'. 


plumbeous-bluu,  the  uiigui,  base,  and  strip  aloni^  culmeii,  black  ;  iris  brown  ;  feet  dusky.  Adult 
male  in  suvimer:  "  H(.'ad,  neck,  and  under  parts  generally  as  iii  the  adult  lenmle,  except  that  the 
abiloinen  is  duller  in  color  and  less  marked  ;  liack  iluU  dark  brown,  each  feather  luiving  one  or  two 
irregular  dirty-white  bars,  and  some  being  irregularly  verniiculated  with  that  color  ;  rump  washed 
with  gray  ;  tail  similar  in  color  to  tliat  of  the  bird  last  described  [i.e.  adult  male  in  winter],  but  the 
two  central  feathei-s  are  but  slightly  elongated  ;  wings  also  as  in  the  last-descriiied  stage  of  jilu- 
mage,  but  the  elongated  secondaries  and  scapulars  are  shorter  and  blunter,  and  in  color  dark  gray, 

black  along  the  centre,  some  of  the  latter  being 
marked  like  the  back  ;  flanks  grayish  brown,  every 
feather  having  broad  yellowish-wliite  bars  ;  under 
tail-coverts  as  in  tlie  female"  (Shari'E  &  Dres- 
ser).  Adult  female:  Above,  idumbeous-dusky, 
N'ariegated  transversely  with  yellowish  white  or 
pale  ochraceous  ;  these  markings  sometimes  irreg- 
ularly bar-like,  but  oftener  of  U-shaped  form,  one 
on  the  edge,  and  one  in  tlie  middle  portion  of  each 
feather.  Wing  much  as  in  the  male,  but  metallic 
color  of  the  speculum  duller,  the  ochraceous  bar 
anterior  to  it  paler,  and  the  white  terminal  bar 
tinged  with  buff ;  wing-coverts  narrowly  tipped 
with  whitish.  Upper  tail-coverts  broadly  edged 
with  whitisli,  and  more  or  less  marked  with 
ii'regular  —  usually  V-shaped  —  lines  of  the  same. 
Tail-feathei-s  dusky,  edged  with  whitish,  and  with 
more  or  less  disthict  indications  of  distant  bars 
of  the  same.  Head  and  neck  dingy  whitish,  tinged  with  brown  on  the  superior  surface,  which  is 
heavily  streaked  with  blackish,  the  other  portions  more  finely  and  thinly  streaked,  the  tliroat  ijeing 
nearly  immaculate.  Rest  of  the  lower  ])arts  dingy  white,  tlie  feathers  more  grayish  beneath  the 
surface  ;  crissum  and  Hanks  streaked  with  dusky,  but  abdomen,  etc.,  usually  immaculate.  Yuung 
vudc :  Similar  to  the  i'emale,  but  markings  on  U])per  ])arts  more  bar-like,  and  lower  parts  some- 
times nearly  wholly  streaked.  Yaioiif  femde  (No.  r)4()33,  Kadiak,  Alaska,  Aug.  1,  18(!8 ;  F. 
Bischoef)  :  Speculum  dilute  raw-umber,  marbled  toward  base  of  feathers  with  dusky.  All  the 
feathers  of  the  ujiper  parts  conspicuously  and  broadly  bordered  with  bully  white  ;  lower  parts 
everywhere  densely  streaked  with  dusky.  Downy  young:  Above,  grayish  raw-umber,  with  a 
white  stripe  along  each  side  of  the  back,  a  white  space  on  the  wing,  and  a  white  superciliary  stripe. 
Beneath,  grayish  white,  with  a  very  faint  yellowish  tinge  ;  an  umber-brown  stripe  behind  the  eye, 
and  an  indistinct  s])ace  of  the  same  over  the  ears. 

Male,  total  length,  about  :2().(M)-28.(tO  inches  ;  extent,  3(5.00;  wing,  10.25-11.10  ;  tail,  7.-25-y.5() ; 
culmen,  1.85-i'.15  ;  width  of  bill,  .TO-.SO  ;  tarsus.  1.55-1.85;  middle  toe,  1.70-2.10.  Female, 
wing,  !».()0-10.10  ;  tail.  4.50-,").00  ;  culmen,  1.80-2.10;  width  of  bill,  .Co-.To  ;  tarsus,  l.t)5  ; 
middle  toe,  1.80. 

The  range  of  individual  variation  of  the  colors  in  this  species  is  very  slight,  consisting  of  differ- 
ences that  are  scarcely  worthy  of  mention.  European  specimens  dill'er,  however,  very  appreciably 
from  North  American  ones  in  narrower  speculum,  but  not  in  other  respects.  Two  males  measure 
as  follows  :  Wing,  10.30-1  l.(X1  inches  ;  tail  (elongated  miildle  feathers),  8.50  ;  culmen,  1.85-1.95  ; 
width  of  bill,  .70-75  ;  tarsus,  l.-40-l.(iO  ;  middle  toe,  1.85-1. !)().' 

Tlu'  I'in-tail  l)m-k  is  oosniui)()litan.  and  t'njoy.s  a  distribution  exceeded  in  extent  by 
few  birds  of  any  kind.  In  Nortli  America  it  is  t'i)und  from  Greenland  and  the  Arc- 
tic coast  almost  to  the  Istlnnus  of  I'anania.  Less  abundant,  Avlicrevev  found,  than 
the  Mallard,  its  distribution  appears  to  be  quite  as  extensive.  In  the  Old  World  it 
is  found  throughout  Euro])e,  in  .Vsia  as  far  south  as  Ceylon,  in  Japan,  in  ditt'erent 
portions  of  China,  ami  in  Northern  .\f'rica. 

*  Shiirpu  &  Dresser  ("  History  of  the  Birds  of  Europe,"  Part  XIX. )  give  tlie  diniensions  of  the  Europenn 
Pin-tail  oh  follows  :   "Total  length,  2  I'tet ;  culmen,  2.2  inches  ;  wing,  11.2  ;  tail,  7..') ;  tarsus,  1.6." 


ANATIX.E  —  THE  DUCKS  —  DAFILA. 


618 


Mr.  Salvin  obtained  it  at  Kalize,  and  found  it  common  throu-rliout  the  winter  in 
the  Lake  of  Diiefuis.  It  is  given  by  Mr.  11.  Browne  in  his  ].ist  of  the  15ird.s  of  Van- 
couver Island ;  and  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  found  it  in  abundance!  in  the  valley  of  Great 
Salt  Lake.  :>rajor  Wedderburn  mentions  the  occurrence,  in  November,  1847,  of 
several  specimens  —  all  young  birds  —  in  Bermuda. 

According  to  Ur.  Cooper,  the  Pin-tail  migrates  in  winter  to  the  extreme  southern 
limits  of  California,  being  then  numerous  along  the  Colorado,  and  at  San  Diego.  He 
found  it  frequenting  fresh-water  ponds  and  inundated  meadows,  rarely  appearing  on 
the  salt  water.  Being  one  of  the  best  for  the  table  of  all  the  wild  Ducks,  it  is  much 
hunted ;  and  although  very  vigilant,  great  numbers  are  killed  for  the  market.  "When 
associated  with  other  species,  it  is  the  first  to  give  the  alarm.  Unlike  most  writers, 
Dr.  Cooper  speaks  of  it  as  very  noisy,  quacking  mucli  like  the  Mallard,  but  not  so 
loudly,  diving  but  little,  and  feeding  chief.y  on  vegetable  food.  In  April  it  departs 
for  the  far  north,  where  it  breeds  about  the  lakes  in  latitude  oO°,  and  farther  north, 
laying  eight  or  nine  bluish-green  eggs.  It  returns  southward  in  October,  and  winters 
in  large  numbers  in  Puget  Sound  and  on  the  Columbia  Iviver. 

It  was  found  in  Avinter  near  ^razatlan.  Western  Mexico,  by  Colonel  Grayson, 
where,  during  that  season,  it  is  common.  It  was  also  found  at  Coahuana  by  ilr. 
John  Xantus. 

In  Dakota,  Idaho,  and  ;^[ontalu\  it  is  said  to  breed  in  all  the  reedy  prairie  sloughs, 
and  to  be  more  abundant  in  that  region  than  any  other  of  the  Ducks.  By  the  1st  of 
July  nearly  all  the  broods  are  hatched,  and  some  of  the  young  are  nearly  I'cady  to  fly. 

Dr.  Walker  met  with  this  species  on  the  coast  of  Greenland,  near  (xodthaab ;  and 
Professor  Ecinhardt  mentions  it  as  accidental,  but  not  rare,  being  found  in  North  as 
well  as  in  South  Greenland.  Captain  Blakiston  found  it  inhabiting  the  Saskatche- 
wan, and  the  Ked  Eiver  to  lIudson'.s  Bay.  It  Avas  also  met  with  on  the  Mackenzie 
by  Jlr.  Eoss.  Dr.  Kichardson  fimnd  it  frequenting  chiefly  the  clear  lakes  of  the 
northern  districts,  and  breeding  in  the  Barren  Grounds,  being  found,  in  spring  and 
autumn  only,  in  large  iniml)ers  in  the  more  .southern  wooded  districts. 

The  evidence  of  its  almost  universal  ])resencc  in  Asia.  Europe,  and  Xorthern  Africa 
is  very  abuiulant,  and  so  voluminous,  that  one  is  embarrassed  in  selecting  from  the 
many  authorities.  Mr.  Swinhoe  found  it  both  in  Pormosa  and  at  Amoy.  It  Avas 
found  in  Egypt  by  ]\[r.  E.  C.  Taylor;  and  Captain  E.  (i.  Shelley  afterward  met  Avith 
it  in  considerable  numbers  both  in  Egyjjt  aiul  in  Nubia  ("  Ibis,"'  1871).  It  Avas  no- 
ticed in  the  Sahara  by  ^Nfr.  Tristram,  and  ilr.  T.  L.  Powys  found  it  common  in  winter 
in  Greece.  Mi'.  H.  Whitely  mentions  nu'cting  Avith  it  at  Ilakodadi,  in  Jajjan.  It 
AA'as  also  procured  by  the  Perry  Expedition  on  the  Island  of  Niphon,  near  Veddo.  and 
Middeiulorft'  found  it  abundant  in  Sil)eria.  chiefly  in  the  Avooded  regions.  Mr.  11. 
Saunders  records  it  as  a  not  uncommon  Avintcr  A'isitant  in  Spain. 

Mr.  C.  W.  Shei)ard  found  it  breeding  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  ]\ly-vatn,  hi  the 
northern  part  of  Iceland.  The  birds  were  seen  in  considerable  numbers ;  but  their 
nests  Avere  not  so  easily  found,  being  placed  singly  at  some  distance  from  the  lake, 
in  lava-streams  that  Avere  overgroAvn  Avith  bushes  and  grass. 

In  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  though  occurring  every  Avinter,  the  Pin-tail  is  no 
longer  an  abundant  species.  It  is  found  mostly  on  the  eastern  coast  of  Scotland,  and 
in  Ireland  is  a  regular  visitant,  both  on  the  coast  and  the  inland  waters.  It  breeds 
in  various  ])arts  of  NorAvay,  uj)  to  and  within  the  Polar  Circle  ;  and  some  remain  all 
winter  on  the  southern  coast.  It  also  breeds  throughout  Sweden.  Lapland,  Finland, 
and  Northern  Kussia,  in  Poland,  the  northern  parts  of  Gennany.  Denmark,  and  other 
countries.     During  its  migrations  it  is  found  in  CA'ery  portion  of  Europe. 

VOL.   I.  —  Gii 


514 


LAMELLIKOSTliAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSEllES. 


Ill  general  liabits  it  differs  little  fioiii  the  Mallard,  but  is  found  more  commonly  on 
open  water,  and  is  more  wary.  Its  slender  antl  graceful  figure  renders  it  conspicu- 
ously easier  in  its  movements.  It  swims  high  out  of  the  water,  and  more  in  the 
manner  of  a  Swan.  Its  food  is  essentially  the  same  as  the  Mallard's.  According  to 
Jlontagu,  its  note  is  soft,  ;iud  it  is  less  noisy  than  other  fresh-water  Ducks,  being 
rather  a  silent  bird.     It  is  said  generally  to  breed  later  than  the  Mallard. 

According  to  Mr.  Dresser,  the  nests  found  by  him  in  l<'inland  were  mere  dei)res- 
sions  in  the  soil,  ofttni  under  the  shelter  of  a  bush,  usually  not  far  from  the  water, 
and  lined  with  small  Hags  and  grass-bents.  Within,  down  and  feathers  form  a  soft 
bed,  on  which  the  eggs  are  deposited.  These  were  from  seven  to  nine  iu  number, 
colored  like  tliose  of  tlii'  Jlallard,  but  more  elongated  in  shape,  and  smaller  iu  size. 
The  eggs  obtained  by  Mr.  Dresser  in  Finland  average  2.00  by  1.50  inches. 

Mr.  Hoardman  informs  me  that  this  Duck  0(!curs  in  the  vicinity  of  Calais  iu  the 
fall,  but  is  not  found  there  in  the  spring.  In  Massachusetts  it  is  not  very  common, 
but  is  not  at  all  rare,  and  is  met  with  both  in  the  spring  and  the  fall.  A  fine  male 
was  shot  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  in  April,  1873,  whi(;h  had  alighted  in  a  pool  of  water 
in  a  small  yard  near  a  dwelling,  apparently  unconscious  of  danger. 

In  Long  Island  it  is  well  known  to  hunters  as  the  "  Sprig-tail ''  and  the  "  Spindle- 
tail."  Although  shy  and  timid,  it  is  often  brought  within  reach  of  the  fowler's  gun 
by  deiioys.  When  surprised  by  the  hunter's  rising  to  fire,  the  birds  crowd  close  to- 
gether, presenting  what  is  called  a  "doublet;"  and  many  fall  by  a  single  discharge. 
Though  not  known  to  dive  for  its  ft)od,  it  will  attempt  to  escajjc  in  this  way  when 
wounded.  When  finally  couiiJcUed  to  rise  to  the  surface,  it  will  try  to  hide  under 
the  bow  of  a  boat,  or  will  skulk  in  the  grass  of  the  marsh,  often  concealing  itself  so 
well  as  to  escape  detection.  Its  flesh  is  always  sweet,  and  highly  esteemed.  Mr. 
N.  B.  Moore,  who  met  with  it  in  abundance  in  Florida,  writes  me  that  he  has  fre- 
qut>ntly  seen  it,  when  in  contiuement,  j)lunge  into  the  water  to  the  depth  of  two  feet, 
when  dressing  its  plumage. 

Mr.  Bannister  found  it  common  on  the  small  ponds  on  the  Island  of  St.  ^lichael's 
and  the  adjacent  mainland.  Mr.  Dall  speaks  of  it  as  extremely  common  on  all  parts 
of  the  Yukon,  and  on  the  marshes  near  the  sea-coast.  In  the  early  spring,  arriving 
at  Nulato  about  May  1,  it  is  gregarious ;  but  about  May  20,  when  it  begins  to 
breed,  it  is  generally  found  solitary  or  in  pairs.  Its  nest  is  said  to  be  usually  in  the 
sedge,  lined  witli  dry  grass ;  and  when  both  parents  are  absent,  the  eggs  are  covered 
with  dry  leaves  and  feathers. 

The  Tin-tail  is  said  to  fly  more  swiftly  than  any  other  Duck,  and  is  very  hard  to 
shoot  on  the  wing.  It  lays  from  six  to  ten,  and  even  twelve,  eggs.  As  soon  as  tlie 
young  are  hatched,  it  withdraws  from  the  river  into  the  small  creeks  and  rivulets, 
where  it  remains  until  the  Ducklings  are  fully  able  to  fly.  Then  they  all  rejjair  to 
the  great  maishes,  where,  on  tlie  roots  of  the  Enmsetum,  they  become  exceedingly 
fat.  They  all  leave  about  the  end  of  Sei)tember.  This  species  was  also  obtained  at 
Sitka  and  at  Kadiak  by  lUschoff. 

The  following  valuable  notes  relative  to  the  summer  distribution  and  breeding  of 
this  Duck  are  abridged  from  the  pajjcrs  of  my  late  esteemed  friend,  Kobert  Kennicott : 
In  America  the  summer  liome  of  the  Pin-tail  is  within  the  Arctic  regions,  farther  to 
the  northward  than  that  of  any  other  of  our  fresli-water  Ducks,  com])aratively  few 
breeding  south  of  Great  Slave  Lake.  In  their  spring  migrations  to  the  northward 
they  move  in  immense  flocks,  which  only  disperse  upon  their  arrival  at  tlieir  breeding- 
grounds.  A  few  reach  that  lake  about  May  1 ;  but  the  main  body  arrive  about  a 
week  or  so  later,  and  mostly  pass  directly  on  across  the  lake  to  the  northward.     On 


ANATIX.E  —  THE   DUCKS  —  DAFILA. 


515 


larcl  to 

iis  the 

■ivulets, 

■IKiiv  to 

Hliugly 

lined  at 


the  Yukon  the  first  specimens  were  seen  in  tlie  hitter  part  of  Ai)ril;  and  liefore  the 
10th  of  May  they  had  arrived  in  immense  tiocks,  which  remained  some  time  together 
in  that  vicinity  before  jjassini,'  fartlicr  north  or  separating  to  breed.  At  tiiis  time 
the  l)irds  wei'c  fat,  and  their  Hesli  delicious,  mucli  superior  to  that  of  any  other 
Duck,  except  the  Widgeon.  At  the  Yukon  tlie  Pin-tails  are  the  latest  in  nesting  of 
any  of  the  fresli-water  Ducks,  and  generally  hatch  a  weifk  or  two  after  tlie  ^Fallard. 
He  found  them  breeding  in  the  same  grounds,  and  at  about  the  same  time,  with 
Fiiflx  ({(finis,  though  th.y  do  not  associate  Avith  that  species.  He  always  f(mnd  their 
nest  in  low  b\it  dry  ground,  under  the  shelter  of  trees  or  busiies,  though  never  among 
thick  large  trees,  and  not  more  than  two  or  tliree  rods  from  water.  They  never  build 
on  hummocks  in  the  water,  nor  on  high  land,  but  always  just  u])on  the  edge  of  a 
marsh  or  lake. 

The  nest  is  usually  idaced  at  the  foot  of  a  willow,  among  grass,  rather  than  leaves 
or  moss,  and  is  extremely  simple,  being  composed  of  merely  a  few  bits  of  broken  dry 
grass  and  sticks,  but  w(dl  lined  with  (h)wn. 

In  observing  t\n'.  breeding-habits  of  the.se  ])ucks,  Mr.  Kennicott  was  struck  with 
the  remarkable  persistence  in  the  individuals  of  each  sjjecies  in  always  choosing  pre- 
cisely similar  localities  for  their  nests,  so  far  as  was  possible;  and  he  was  therefore 
somewhat  particular  in  descril)ing  minutely  the  peculiar  nesting-place  chosen  by 
each. 

The  eggs  are  from  seven  to  nine  in  number,  and  rather  small  in  sizt>.  At  the 
Yukon  the  young  are  mostly  iiatclie<l  in  the  early  part  of  July.  The  old  males  moult 
before  this  tinu'.  and  tiie  females  somewhat  later.  During  the  summer  and  fall,  as 
in  tiie  spring,  the  Hesh  of  this  species  is  superior  ti>  that  of  any  other  Duck  in  that 
region.  It  leaves  the  Y\dvon  and  the  Mackenzie  liiver  Jiegion  a  little  later  than  the 
other  fresh-water  Ducks,  except  the  Widgeon.  It  does  not  collect  in  such  large  flocks 
in  autumn  as  on  its  arrival  in  the  sjtring. 

^Fr.  Kennicott  found  l)ut  few  I'in-tails  feeding  on  the  wild  rice  in  Xorthern  Minne- 
sota, where  Mallards.  Widgeons,  and  Green-winged  Teals  were  plentiful.  He  saw  the 
young  of  this  Duck  in  considerable  immbers  as  early  as  June  14. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  found  it  breeding  in  large  numbers  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort 
Anderson,  anil  furidshcs  notes  in  regard  to  many  nests  with  their  eggs,  identified  by 
him.  I'he  nests  were  invariably  iijion  the  ground,  usually  near  the  water,  rarely 
more  than  thirty  or  torty  yards  therefrom.  The  nest  was  usually  a  mere  dejiression 
in  the  ground,  lined  with  down,  with  a  few  decayed  feathers  under  the  eggs.  The 
female  sits  very  closely.  In  one  case  he  api)roached  within  four  feet  before  she  flew 
off.  The  eggs  were  usually  from  six  to  eight  in  number;  and  the  male  bird  was 
frequently  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  n(!st.  Mr.  MacFarhme  states  that  the  Tin-tail 
is  an  abundant  Duck  in  that  (piarter,  and  among  the  first  to  arrive  in  spring.  It 
deserts  its  nest  almost  immediately  after  the  young  are  hatched,  and  takes  to  the 
water  with  them.  From  personal  observations  he  was  convinced  that  this  species, 
as  Avell  as  the  liitnlda  rjInrlnHs.  invariably  sek\  land-locked  sheets  of  water  for  the 
purposes  of  rearing  its  young ;  while  other  species  give  the  preference  to  small  streams 
of  running  water. 

Mr.  L.  Kuudien  informs  me  that  this  is  one  of  the  first  of  the  Ducks  to  arrive  in 
the  spring' in  Southern  AVisconsin.  and  is  then  quite  common.  Some  remain  all 
summer ;  but  he  has  never  found  them  breeding,  nor  seen  any  very  young  birds  —  as 
would  in  all  probability  be  the  cas(>  if  any  bred  in  that  neighborhood. 

The  ])oints  in  the  .Vrctic  Regions  from  which  this  Duck  was  reported  to  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,  are  Fort  Resolution  ami  the  Yukon,  by  Mr.  Kennicott ;  mouth  of 


516 


J.AMEI.LIUOSTUAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


El 

Irii 


the  Porcupine  River,  by  ^Mr.  Jones ;  Fort  Yukon,  by  Mr.  J.  S.  Ibbiston  and  Mr. 
Lockhart ;  Anderson  Kiver,  Fort  Anderson,  tlie  Lower  Anderson,  Rendezvous  Lake, 
the  Rarreu  (J rounds,  etc.,  by  Mr.  MacFarlane ;  Kadiak  and  Fort  Kenai,  by  Mr, 
Bischoff;  and  New  Westminster,  by  Mr.  H.  W.  Elliott. 

They  are  mentioned  by  Mr.  Adams  as  the  first  Ducks  to  arrive  —  April  28  —  in 
Alaska  ("  Ibis,"  1878),  and  the  only  fresh-water  species  there  that  vas  numerous. 
Tliey  frequent  all  parts  of  tlie  marslies  in  groujjs  of  three  or  four,  are  very  wary,  and 
can  only  be  procured  by  ambush  in  the  lines  of  its  flight.  The  nests  were  placed  in 
the  rough  grass  of  the  marshes,  and  very  carefully  concealed;  the  eggs,  nine  in 
number,  were  of  a  i)ale  green,  almost  white. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  oval  in  shape,  and  of  a  pale  grayish-green  color. 
Three  eggs  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection  (Xo.  4242),  from  St.  George's  Island,  in  St. 
James's  Bay,  measui'e  2.30  by  1.55  inches ;  2.25  by  1.55 ;  2.20  by  1.55. 


Genus  MARECA,  Stephens. 

Marcca,  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.  XII.  ii.  1824,  130  (type,  Aiuxs penelope,  Lisn.). 

Char.  Bill  small,  sliortcr  than  the  head,  rather  narrow,  the  edges  parallel  to  near  the  end, 
where  they  gradually  converge  to  a  rounded  tip  ;  culnien  gently  concave  ;  lamella)  of  tlie  niaxillaj 
almost  concealed  ;  feet  small,  the  tarsus  aliout  as  long  as  the  hill ;  sexes  very  different  in  winter, 
much  alike  in  summer.  Adult  male  in  winter  with  the  scapulars  and  tertials  (in  the  North 
American  species  the  tail-coverts  and  rectrices  also)  lanceolate. 


Af.  penelope. 


The  three  known  species  of  Mareca  (all  American,  but  one  peculiar  to  the  southern  continent) 
may  be  distinguished  as  follows  :  — 

Com.  Char,  (adult  males  in  winter  dress).  Forehead  white  ;  posterior  lialf  of  the  middle  wing- 
covert  regions  white,  forming  a  large  patch  of  this  color  ;  sides  and  flanks  reddish  ;  abdomen 
immaculate  white  ;  speculum  velvety  black,  with  or  without  green. 

A.    Speculum  metallic  green  anteriorly  ;  juguluni  plain  pinkish  vinaceous  ;  sides,  flanks,  scapu- 
lars, and  back,  delicately  undulated  with  dusky  upon  a  lighter  ground  ;  crissum  black. 
Tail-feathers  acuminate,  the  middle  pair  projecting  considerably  beyond  the  rest. 
1.  M.  penelope.     Hear'  and  neck  plain  rufous,  the  forehead  and  part  of  the  crown  white  ; 


ANATIN^E  —  THE  DUCKS  —  MARECA. 


517 


ground-color  of  the  dorsiil  region,  .sides,  and  Hunks,  whitish.  Wing,  10.(H)-11.(K)  inches  ; 
c  ilnien,  1.35-1.45  ;  tarsns,  l.-J5-l.(i()  ;  middle  toe,  l.()5-1.75.  Hah.  Pidicurctic  Region  ; 
ocLUsional  in  Eastern  Nortii  America,  more  frequent  in  Alaska. 

2.  M.  amerioana.     Head  and  neck  whiti.sh,  speckled  with  Mack,  and  with  a  dark  metallic- 

green  space  on  the  side  of  the  occiput  (sometimes  continued  down  the  nape)  ;  ground- 
color of  the  dorsal  region,  sides,  and  tlank.s,  vinaceous  or  pinki-sh  cinnamon.  Wing, 
10.25-10.75  inches;  culiuen,  1.30-1.50;  t.irsus,  1.45-1.65;  middle  toe,  1.G5-I.85.  Ilab. 
North  America. 
S.  Speculum  whollj'  velvety  Mack  ;  jnguluin  and  anterior  part  of  back  Mack,  irregularly  barred 
with  whiter  ;  sides  and  ilanks  light  rufous;  scapulars  and  back  black,  the  feathers  widely 
bordered  with  white  ;  crissum  white,  tinged  with  rufous.  Tail-feathers  not  acuminate, 
the  middle  pair  scarcely  projecting. 

3.  M.  sibilatriz.'     Forehead,  lores,  and  cheeks  white,  the  latter  finely  barred  with  dusky  ; 

posterior  part  of  the  crown  and  middle  of  the  occiput  (longitudinally)  browni.sh  dusky  ; 
a  space  of  metallic  green,  varying  to  violet-purple  on  each  side  the  occiput,  from  the  eye 
to  the  middle  of  the  neck  ;  neck,  including  throat,  dusky  black.  Wing,  10.40  inches  ; 
culmen,  1.50  ;  tarsus,  1.60  ;  middle  toe,  l.SO.'^    llab.    Southern  South  America. 

Mareca  penelope. 

THE  EUBOPEAN  WIDGEON. 

Anna  pcnclopc,Liss.  S.  N.  cd.  10,  I.  17.">8,  12S  ;  ed.  12,  I.  17<56,  202  {pnielope).  —  'S\v\i.  Viig. 

Deutschl.  XI.  1842,  724,  pi.  30,5.  —  Keinh.  Ibis,  III.  1861,  13  (Greenland). 
Mareca  penelope,  SKi.itv,  Rr.  Oru.  II.  324.  —  lUiuii,  B.   X.  Am.  1858,  784;  I'at.  N.  Am.  B.  1859, 

no.  586.  — CouEs,  Pr.  Essex  lust.  V.  1868,  2'J!)  (New  Knghuid)  ;  Key,   1872,  268  ;  Check  List, 

1873,  no.  492  ;  2d  cd.  1882,  no.  712  ;  B.  N.  W.  1874,  564  (footnote). —  Uidgw.  Noni.  N.  Am. 

B.  1881,  no.  606. 
Anas  caijolca,  S.  G.  (iMKi..  licise,  I.  1770,  77. 

Mareca  fislular is,  Stepuexs,  Sliaw's  Gen.  Zool.  XII.  ii.  1824,  131,  pi.  50. 
Wigcon,  Yaiui.  Brit.  B.  cd.  2,  III.  286,  fig.  ;  od.  3,  HI.  287,  fig.  ;  et  Auct. 

Had.  Palaiarctic  Kegion  in  general,  and  occasional  in  Eastern  North  America  (several 
records  —  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  Florida,  Wisconsin,  etc.)  ;  breeding  in 
the  Aleutian  Islands,  Alaska. 


^  Mauec'A  sinii.ATitix.     The  ('iiiliiiii  Widgeon. 

Anas  sibilalru;  Poki'pic,  Fror.  Not.  1820,  10,  no.  530  (f'hili). 

Mareca  sibilaln'j;  Sci..  &  Sai.v.  I'.  Z.  S.  Apr.  4,  1876,  395  (monographic). 

Anas  chilansis,  Kino,  P.  Z.  S.  1830-1831,  15. 

Mareca  chilwnsis,  Kvtox,  Moiiog.  An.it.  1838,  117,  pi.  21. —Cass.  U.  S.  Astr.  Exp.  II.  1856, 

201.  —  Si;i,.  &  Sai.v.  Nom.  Ncotr.  1873,  130. 
Palo  pica  pequenn,  Azaiia,  Ajjunt.  III.  1805,  no.  432  (Buenos  Ayres). 
Anas  parvirostris,  Mkukem,  Er.scli,  u.  Grub.  Enc.  .sect.  i.  xxxv.  1341,  43  (ex  Azaiia,  1.  c). 

Hab.     South  Americn. 

Tliis  species  diners  from  both  M.  pniclope  and  .)/.  aincricana  in  details  of  form  and  rolor,  which, 
however,  arc  merely  of  sjwciric  importance.  The  bill  is  (piitn  similar,  though  the  commi.ssurc  it  more  ele- 
vated basnlly  and  more  depressed  in  the  middle,  and  its  greatest  width  is  through  the  ba.se.  The  middle 
tail-feathers  are  not  more  elongated  than  tlie  rest,  and  tlie  ujiper  tail-coverts  are  less  lanceolate.  The  color- 
ation is  yet  more  different,  the  only  similarity  lieing  in  the  white  wing-covert  patch,  as  in  both  M.  amcri- 
cana  and  .V.  penelope,  and  the  green  space  on  the  side  of  the  occiput,  as  in  the  fonucr.  The  forehead,  but 
also  the  lores  and  cliecks,  are  white.  In  other  respects  it  differs  totally  from  the  two  northern  si)ecies  as 
follows  :  Neck  black  ;  jiigubim  with  liroad  transverse  bars  of  black  and  white  ;  sides  and  ilanks  plain 
rufous  ;  upper  tail-coverts  iimnaculate  white  ;  speculum  jdain  opaque  black  ;  crissum  rusty.  An  adult 
male  moasurcs  as  follows  :  wing,  10.30  inches  ;  tail,  4.50  ;  culmen,  1.50  ;  tarsus,  1.60;  middle  toe,  1.80  ; 
width  of  bill,  .70  —  the  size  being  thus  about  the  same  as  that  of  M.  penelope  and  M.  nmericana. 
*  Only  one  example  measured. 


518 


LAMELLIHOSTUAL  SWIMMERS  —  AN8EUE.S. 


Male. 


Sp.  Char.  Adult  male  in  mnter:  IIciul  ami  neck  plain  brif^ht  rufous,  ubniptly  tlefiiiwl  below, 
and  becoming  paler  next  the  bill  ;  t'orehead  and  pileuui  medially  immaculate  white  ;  n  few 
blackish  feathers  around  the  eyelids.  Ju}j[uluiu  and  sides  of  the  breast  pinkish  vinaceous,  the  tips 
of  the  feathers  paler.  Sides,  flanks,  and  entire  dorsal  surface  delicately  undulated  with  transverse, 
zig-zag  bars  of  black  and  pure  white,  the  bars  of  the  latter  rather  the  narrower.  Wing-cnverts  im- 
maculate pure  white,  except  the  anterior  jiortion  of  the 
lesser-covert  region,  which  is  deep  cinereous  ;  last  row 
of  coverts  lipped  with  velvety  black  ;  tertials  velvety 
black,  shafted  and  edged  with  pure  white  ;  the  lower 
iiiie  with  till!  entire  lower  web  pure  white.  Speculum 
soft  metallic  green  on  the  anterior  half  or  two  thirds, 
the  terminal  portion  velvety  black.  Primaries  plain 
cinereous.  Tail-coverts  (both  ui)per  and  lower)  deep 
black,  with  a  very  faint  bluish  gloss  ;  rest  of  the  lower 
l)arts  immaculate  white.  Tail-feathers  dark  cinereous, 
edged  with  a.shy  white.  Bill  "  light  grayish  blue,  with 
the  tip,  including  the  unguis,  bhick;"  iris  "hazel 
brown;"  legs  and  feet  "light  grayish  blue  "  (Macgil- 
livuay). 

Wing,  1(M)()-11.(H)  inches  ;  culmen,  1.35-1.45;  tar- 
sus, 1.45-1.()()  ;  middle  toe,  l.(i.j-1.75. 

Ailidl  fiiiiide :  "Much  smaller  and  ditt'erently  col- 
ored. The  bill,  iris,  and  feet,  however  are  as  in  the 
male.  The  head  and  ujiper  neck  are  yellowish  red, 
with  small  greenish  Idack  spoLs,  the  feathers  being 
barred  with  that  ci '  r.  of  which  there  is  more  on  the  upper  part  of  the  head.  The  feathers 
of  the  upper  parts  in  general  are  dusky  brown,  edged  with  brownish  red  or  whiti.sh,  and  barred 
with  the  same.  The  wings  are  du.sky  gray  ;  the  coverts  in  the  part  which  is  white  in  the  male 
tipped  with  that  color,  the  secondary  coverts  with  an  indication  of  a  dark  terminal  bar  ;  the 
speculum  grayish,  without  lustre  ;  the  inner  secondaries  marked  somewhat  as  in  the  male,  but 
with  dark  gray  in  place  of  black.  The  tail-feathers  brownish  gray,  edged  with  lirownish  white.  On 
the  lower  fore]jart  and  sides  of  the  neck  the  feathers  are  obscurely  barred  with  reddish  brown  and 
brownish  gray  ;  the  sides  are  similar  ;  the  breast  and  abdomen  white  ;  the  feathers  under  the  tail 
white,  barred  with  brown,  as  are  the  smaller  lower  wing-coverts  ;  the  larger  pale  gray  "  (Macgilli- 
VRAY).  Length,  about  19.25  inches  ;  extent,  .32.50;  wing,  lO.(H)  ;  tail,  4.00;  culmen,  L.'iO  ;  tarsus, 
1.50;  middle  toe,  1.25.  Young  male:  Head,  neck,  jugulum,  sides,  and  flanks,  umber-brown, 
varying  to  a  cinmimon  shade,  the  head  and  neck  thickly  streaked  with  black,  and  the  feathers  of 
the  jugulum,  sides,  etc.,  centred  with  dusky.  Back  and  scapulars  dusky,  the  feathers  broadly  bor- 
dered with  dull  fulvous  ;  crissuni  irregularly  streaked  and  spotted  with  dusky  ;  rump  and  upper 
tail-coverts  slaty  brown,  bordered  with  dull  whitish.  Wing  as  in  the  adult,  excejtt  that  the 
coverts  are  dull  cinereous  broadly  bordered  with  white.  Lower  parts,  except  as  described,  pure 
white. 

An  adult  male  from  Alexandria,  Va.  CNo.  29519),  has  the  rufous  of  the  head  jierfectly  uniform, 
with  only  a  few  blackish  feathers  immediately  around  the  eye,  and  a  suffusion  of  the  same  on  the 
chin;  while  the  phikish  of  the  jugulum  Joins  the  rufous  of  the  neck.  No.  1271,  New  York 
market,  has  the  sides  of  the  head  speckled  minutely  with  greenish  black,  the  nape  and  entire  throat 
clouded  with  the  same,  and  the  pinkish  of  the  jugulum  se]iarated  from  the  rufous  of  the  neck  by  a 
narrow  indistinct  collar  of  whitish,  undulated  with  blackish.  No.  10376,  from  Florida,  ap})roaches 
still  more  closely  to  M.  nmericana  in  having  also  the  occiput  spotted  with  black,  the  eye  more 
broadly  surrounded  with  greenish,  the  gro\uid-color  of  the  cheeks  nearly  white,  and  the  sides  per- 
vaded by  a  tinge  of  the  pinkish  of  the  jugulum.  No.  62525,  from  St.  Paul's  Island,  Alaska,  is 
most  like  the  Alexandria  specimen. 

A  young  male  (No.  57119,  Europe)  has  the  brown  of  the  head,  neck,  sides,  and  Hanks,  almost 
chestnut ;  the  wing  as  in  the  adult,  and  the  dorsal  region  mostly  clothed  with  feathers  of  the  adult 
dress. 


ANAT1X.E  —  THE   DUCKS  —  MAKECA. 


519 


pure 


more 


The  Coiumoii  Widgeon  of  the  I'ahuarctic  Region  is  entitled  to  a  phice  in  the  fauna 
of  Nortli  America  on  ratlier  more  than  tlie  ordinary  grounds  of  an  occasional  straggler. 
It  has  been  found  on  different  occasions  in  (.ireeuland,  has  been  taken  on  Long  Island, 
is  not  infrequently  seen  exposed  in  the  New  Vork  markets,  and  comes  within  our 
fauna  on  the  i'acitic  coast.  Two  instances  are  on  record  of  its  occurrence  in  Illinois. 
HolbiiU  mentions  its  presence  in  Greenland  —  a  young  male  procured  in  18r»l,  and 
sent  to  the  Itoyal  Museum  of  Coi)enhagen.  Hcsidcs  this,  I'rofesscu-  Reiidiardt  men- 
tions having  seen  two  other  specimens  —  young  birds  obtained  in  South  Greenland. 

Mr.  Giraud  refers  to  an  individual  shot  in  the  Bay  of  Long  Island  in  December, 
1842.  This  is  now  in  the  collection  of  Mr,  George  X.  Lawrence,  of  New  York.  Itich- 
ardson  was  coutident  that  this  si)ecie3  occiurs  in  tht^  wooded  distri(!ts  of  the  Fur 
Country,  and  that  it  breeds  northward  to  latitude  08°  N. 

According  to  Dr.  Goo[)er  this  bird  is  a  not  infre(|uent  visitor  to  California.  He 
has  seen  quite  a  numljer  in  the  collections  of  Mr.  F.  Gruber  and  of  Mr.  Lorquin  in 
San  Francisco,  where  they  are  frequently  sold  in  the  market.  Thtnr  hal)its  are  said 
to  be  similar  to  those  of  the  M.  aitievkuna. 

According  to  Mr.  Dall,  this  species  is  not  uncommon  among  the  Ducks  brought  in 
by  the  native  hunters  of  Unalashka.  One  was  obtained  there  Oct.  12,  1871.  It  is  a 
winter  visitor,  and  migrates  about  May  1.  Ft  was  also  met  with  by  Mr.  Elliott  on 
the  Pryl)ilof  Islands,  where,  as  he  .states,  it  is  seldom  seen,  never  in  pairs,  does  not 
breed,  the  few  individuals  observed  being  ajjparently  wind-bound  or  astray. 

In  the  Pahearctic  Region  it  has  a  very  extended  distribution,  occurring  throughout 
Europe  and  Asia,  from  Iceland  and  Siberia  southward,  and  as  far  eastward  as  China 
and  Japan.  It  was  foiuid  in  Formosa  l)y  Mr.  Swinhoe,  and  at  Ilakodadi  in  Japan  by 
Mr.  H.  Whitely  ("  Ibis,"  1.SG7).  In  Siberia,  acicording  to  Middemlorff,  it  occurs  in 
the  wooded  or  forest  regions.  Mr.  C.  W.  Shepard  met  with  a  few  breeding  in  the 
north  of  Iceland  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  M^-vatn,  where  it  Avas  the  rarest 
of  the  birds  found  breeding  in  that  locality.  Occasionally  one  or  two  were  seen, 
but  they  were  very  shy,  and  it  was  impossible  to  say  in  wliat  numbers  they  existed 
there.  Only  one  bird  with  its  nest  was  obtained;  but  during  the  night  the  .shrill 
whistle  of  this  Duck  coulil  be  heard  above  the  general  chorus  of  cooings  and 
quackings. 

Captain  tr.  E.  Shelley  includes  it  among  the  birds  of  Egypt  ("Ibis,"  1871).  He 
met  with  it  on  Lake  Menzaleh,  while  stopping  at  Tort  Said,  and  frequently  saw 
specimens  in  the  market  at  Alexandria. 

Mr.  Wheelwright  found  it  one  of  the  nu)st  common  of  all  the  northern  Ducks  in 
Scandinavia,  breeding  in  almost  all  the  still  waters  to  far  u})  within  the  Polar 
Circle.  The  eggs  are  described  as  being  of  a  clear  yellowish-white  color,  about  2.25 
inches  in  length  and  1.50  in  breadth. 

According  to  Yarrell  the.  Widgeon  visits  Great  Britain  in  immense  numbers  during 
the  winter  season.  It  frei^uents  the  shores  all  around  the  coast,  as  well  as  the  rivers, 
lakes,  and  fens  of  the  interior,  and  is  held  in  great  esteem  for  the  table ;  but  from 
its  great  abundance  generally  sells  for  a  moderate  price.  Its  habits  in  some  re- 
spects resemble,  those  of  the  Common  ilallard,  and  great  numbers  are  taken  with 
that  bird,  by  means  of  decoys.  For  coast  night-shooting  Colonel  Hawker  thinks 
this  Duck  furnishes  the  finest  sport  in  Great  Britain. 

It  nuikes  its  first  appearance  on  the  coast  of  that  country  about  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember or  the  beginning  of  October,  and  flocks  continue  to  arrive  until  the  weather 
becomes  severe.  It  differs  from  nearly  all  its  congeners  in  the  nature  of  its  food, 
and  in  tlie  time  when  this  is  ])r()cured.     While  the  other  species  obtain  nearly  the 


520  LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 

whole  of  their  nourishment  during  the  night,  the  Widgeon  procures  its  food  —  con- 
sisting of  grass  —  in  the  daytime;  and  while  the  Mallard  and  the  Teal  are  sporting 
on  the  water  or  reposing  on  the  banks,  the  Widgeon  is  devouring  with  avidity  the 
same  kind  of  short  grass  on  wliieh  the  Geese  are  found  to  feed.  Though  many  tiocks 
of  Widgeons  are  known  to  aecomi)any  the  other  Waterfowl  in  their  nocturnal  wan<l('r- 
ings,  the  larger  number  of  them  pass  the  Avhole  night  where  they  have  spent  the  day. 
This  is  shown  by  their  singular  whistling  noise,  wliieh  is  heard  at  all  hours. 

In  March  and  April  the  Wiilgeons  again  move  northward  for  the  breeding-season, 
a  small  nund)er  remaining  in  the  northern  part  of  Scotland  to  breed  about  the  lakes 
of  Sutherlaudshire.  Mr.  Selby,  in  his  paper  on  the  birds  of  that  region,  writes  that 
he  was  much  pleased  to  observe  several  pairs  of  this  species  upon  the  snuiller  lochs 
near  Lairg.  They  probably  had  their  nests  among  the  reeds  and  other  herbage  which 
grew  in  their  vicinity.  Mr.  Selby  was  not  so  fortunate  as  to  find  any  of  them,  but 
afterward,  upon  one  of  the  islands  of  Lake  Laoghall,  he  shot  a  female  upon  a  nest  of 
seven  eggs.  This  was  placed  in  the  midst  of  a  large  collection  of  rushes,  and  was 
made  of  decayed  rushes  and  reeds,  with  a  lining  of  Avarm  down  from  tlie  bird's  body. 
The  eggs  are  described  as  being  smaller  than  those  of  the  Mallard,  and  of  a  rich 
creamy  white  color.    They  measure  2.13  inches  in  length  and  1.50  in  breadth. 

The  note  of  the  Widgeon  is  a  shrill  whistle,  and  on  this  account  it  is  known  in 
some  parts  of  England  as  the  Whew  Duck,  and  in  France  as  the  Canard  >S!{ffeur. 

According  to  the  observations  of  Mr.  Kichard  Dunn,  the  Widgeon  is  the  most  abun- 
dant of  all  the  Duck  tribe  in  Lapland,  frequenting  the  grassy  swamps,  lakes,  and 
rivers,  appearing  in  pairs  with  the  lir.st  breaking-up  of  the  ice.  As  soon  as  the  female 
begins  to  lay,  the  male  loses  his  beautiful  plumage,  and  secretes  himself  in  the 
swamps  and  inaccessible  morasses.  The  female  la3'S  from  five  to  eight  eggs.  The 
young  keep  among  the  rushes  and  reeds  in  the  lakes,  the  old  birds  betaking  them- 
selves to  the  shallows  on  the  coast.  The  AN'idgeon  leaves  for  the  south  early  in 
September,  appearing  in  great  fio(;ks  on  the  coast  of  Norway  and  Sweden ;  it  entirely 
leaves  Sweden  in  the  winter. 

Mareca  americana. 

THE   AMEBICAN  WIDGEON  ;   BALD-FATE. 

Anas  americana,  Omel.  S.  X.  I.  ii.  1788,  526.  — Wils.  Am.  Oin.  VIII.  1814,  86,  pi.  69,  f.  1.  —  AuD. 

OiTi.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  337,  \>\.  345  ;  Syiiop.  1839,  279  ;  B.  Am.  VI.  1843,  259,  pi.  389. 
Mareca  americana,  Stei-iikxs,  Shaw's  Ouii.  Zool.  XII.  ii.  1824, 135. —Sw.  &  Rich.  V.  B.A.  II.  1831, 

445.  —Baikd,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  783  ;  Cat.  X.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  58.'*.  —  Couem,  Key,  1872,  286  ; 

Check  List,  1873,  no.  493  ;  2d  ctl.  1382,  no.  713  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  564.  —  IUdgw.  Xom.  N. 

Am.  B.  1882,  no.  607. 
Mareca  penclo^K,  b.,  Blasiits,  B.  Eur.  1862,  21. 

Hab.  North  America  iu  general,  north  to  Arctic  Ocean,  south  to  Guatemala  and  Cuba.  Acci- 
dental in  Europe.     Breeds  nearly  •  iroiighout  its  range. 

Sp.  Chak.  Adult  -male  in  wit  .r.-  Forehead  and  middle  of  crown  (longitudinally)  white, 
generally  inmiaculate  ;  ground-color  of  bead  and  neck  white,  sometimes  more  or  less  soiled  with 
grayish  or  brown,  and  thickly  speckled  with  black  ;  a.  broad  space  of  metallic  blackish  green  on 
the  side  of  the  occiput,  miming  forward  to  the  eye,  and  sometimes  down  the  nape,  where  the 
two  spaces  are  confluent.  Juguluiu  plain  pinkish  viimceous  ;  sides  and  flanks  the  same,  delicately 
undulated  with  black  ;  lower  tail-coverts  velvety  black  ;  rest  of  lower  jiarts  pure  white.  Btick 
and  scapulars  grayish  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  the  color  of  the  sides,  and  similarly  imdu- 
lated  with  black.  Wing-coverts  immaculate  pure  white,  the  anterior  portion  of  the  lesser-covert 
region  cinereous,  and  the  lai>t  row  tipped  with  velvety  black  ;  sijeculum  soft  metallic  green  ante- 


ANATIN.E  —  THE  DUCKS  —  MARECA. 


521 


ii()rl3',  vulvL'ty  black  jMistLTiorly  ;  turtialH  velvety  black,  sliariily  l'(1),'i;(1  uitli  whilt",  the  lower  one 
with  its  lower  e(l},'e  entirely  ])uru  while  ;  priniarics  plain  dark  cinereous.  Hiiinii  cinereous,  niinutelv 
undulated  ou  the  edj,'es  of  the  I'eathui-s  ;  upjier  tail-coverts  velvety  bluck,  the  inner  webs  mostly 
grayish  ;  '  il  hoary  cinereous.  Bill  light  grayish  blue,  the  end  black  ;  iris  brown  ;  legs  and  feet 
light  bluish.     Wing,  10.2.'j-l().75  inches  ;  culnien,  1.."}()-1..50  ;  tarsus,  lAb-lM  ;  middle  toe,  1.65- 


J/.  americana. 


-  AuD. 


Acci- 


1.85.  Adult  feimde  :  Above,  dusky  grayish  brown,  with  transverse,  rather  distant,  bars  of  dull  white 
or  light  ochraceous.  U'ing-coverts  dark  dull  cinereous,  broadly  tijjped  and  bordered  with  white  ; 
speculum  dull  black.  Head  and  neck  streaked  with  blackish  ujion  a  dull  whitish  ground,  the 
former  color  prevailing  on  the  nape  and  behind  the  eye.  Jugulum  pale  grayish  vinaceous,  the 
feathers  darker  beneath  the  surface  ;  sides  and  Hanks  deeper  vinaceous  ;  lower  tail-coverts  trans- 
versely spotted  with  l)rown  ;  rest  of  lower  j)arts  pure  white,  i'niuuj  imih' :  Similar  to  the  adult 
female,  but  the  c(dors  more  pronounced  and  the  pat- 
tern better  defined,  especially  on  tlie  wing.  Downy 
young :  Above,  dark  olive,  with  a  sepia  tinge  ;  a  spot 
of  pale  greenish  fulvous  on  the  posterior  half  of  the 
wing,  one  on  each  side  of  the  back,  and  one  on  each 
side  of  the  rump.  Lower  parts,  including  head  and 
neck,  pale  fulvous ;  a  distinct  blackish  olive  stripe  from 
bill  to  and  back  from  the  eye,  with  a  wide  and  con- 
spicuous superciliary  stripe  of  fulvous  above  it. 

The  chief  variation  in  the  plumage  of  adidt  males 
of  this  species  consi.sts  in  the  extent  of  the  green  patch 
and  the  amount  of  black  spotting  on  the  head,  the 
pureness  of  the  white  on  the  forehead,  and  the  extent 
of  the  white  patch  on  the  wing-coverts.  The  green 
patch  on  the  side  of  the  occiput  is  usually  poorly  de- 
fined, and  broken  up  by  lighter  spotting  ;  but  in  No. 
21-120,  Washington,  D.  C,  and  No.  84712,  from  South- 
ern Ohio  (Dr.  F.  W.  Langdon),  it  is  as  conspicuous  as 

in  the  adult  male  of  Nettion  carolinensis,  and  of  very  similar  extent  and  form.  Anteriorly,  it  sur- 
rounds the  eye,  and  posteriorly  it  pa.sses  down  the  nape  (where  the  two  opposite  spaces  are  con- 
fluent for  the  entire  length  of  the  neck);  its  outlines  are  firm  throughout,  and  its  surface  is  entirely 
unbroken  by  admixture  of  white.  In  the  former  specimen  the  black  spotting  is  so  aggregated  on 
the  throat  that  the  gular  region  is  almost  uniformly  dusky,  while  the  spots  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  white  portion  of  the  neck  are  s       .ge  as  almost  to  blend  into  a  collar,  uniting  the  green  of  the 

VOL  I.  —  60 


Male. 


522 


LAMELLIUOSTIUL  SWIMMERH  —  ANSERES. 


nape  with  the  hlack  ol'  tlie  tlirout.  All  the  other  clmmcteM  of  the  BiifiieH  iire  very  much  exuf,'K'er- 
nti'tl  in  this  Hpecinien.  Youn;,'er  HiK-ciniens,  just  iws.seHsed  of  the  iiiUilt  ilress,  are  usually  ilJHtin- 
yui^'lied  liy  Imviii;,'  the  while  winj,'-((ivert  iiatch  tloudeJ  with  nsh,  the  green  of  tho  head  poorly 
deliued,  and  the  white  of  the  foivhead  more  or  lew*  speckled. 


Female. 


The  IJald-piitc,  or  Aini'riciin  \Vi(l},'t'un,  is  distrilmted  nearly  throughoiit  North 
Anii'i'ica,  is  found  in  winter  a.s  far  to  the  soiitii  as  Central  America,  and  in  siini- 
iner  yoes  to  liiijli  northern  latitudes  to  breed.  It  is  a  strat,'yler  to  Kurope,  specimens 
having  been  taken  in  the  London  markets.     In  its  migrations  it  j)asHes  tlirougji  the 

interior  as  W(dl  as  along  the  coast.  A*;  Lake 
Koskonong,  Wis.,  Mr.  Kumlien  lias  found  it 
abundant  both  in  tiie  spring  and  fall.  A  few 
remain  in  the  lake  during  the  summer,  but  these 
are  always  in  Hocks,  iinnmtt'd,  and  in  imma- 
ture plunuige.  No  broods  of  young  have  been 
met  with. 

Mr.  f^alvin  found  this  Duck  common  on  the 
Lake  of  Atitlan,  where  it  was  seen  in  May, 
1858 ;  and  it  was  also  observi'd  near  the  vil- 
lage of  Laguna,  about  a  day's  journey  from 
Guatemala.  IVIr.  Salvin  afterward  met  with  it 
also  among  the  lagoons  on  the  i'aeitic  coast. 
It  was  found  abundant  on  the  eastern  coast  of 
jNIexico  and  on  the  southern  coast  of  Texas  by 
Mr.  Dresser;  and  Ccdoiiel  (Jrayson  found  it 
abundant  on  the  coast  of  Western  INlexico,  near 
Mazatlan,  from  November  until  late  in  spring. 
It  occurs  more  or  less  numerously  in  most  of  the  West  India  Islands,  having  been 
noted  in  St.  Thomas,  Cuba,  Jamaica,  and  Trinidad.  In  the  last-named  island  it  is 
said  by  Lootaud  to  arrive  in  December  and  January,  leaving  for  the  north  in  April ; 
but  in  some  years  is  not  met  with.  Its  flesh  is  held  in  high  esteem,  especially  when 
the  birds  are  young,  and  after  they  have  been  for  some  time  on  the  island. 

Mr.  Ilearne  states  that  this  Duck  was,  a  century  ago,  a  Vi'vy  uncommon  visitor 
to  Hudson's  Hay.  It  usually  kept  in  pairs,  being  rarely  seen  in  flocks,  and  was 
most  frequently  observed  in  rivers  and  marshes  near  the  sea-coast.  Mr.  Iloss  found 
it  common  on  the  Mackenzie ;  and  Captain  lUakiston  also  met  with  it  in  Hudson's 
Bay,  and  saw  it  in  large  numbers  on  the  Saskatchewan.  It  occurs  in  tln'  spring  and 
fall  near  Calais,  Me.  —  where,  however,  ^Ir.  Hoaidman  regards  it  as  rather  rare.  It  is 
an  occasional,  rather  than  a  common,  visitor  to  New  England.  Ac-cording  to  Giraud, 
it  is  lu't  numerous  on  Long  Island,  though  so  abuiulant  farther  south. 

Mr.  Allen  found  this  bird  (piite  common  in  the  valley  of  the  Salt  Lake ;  Mr.  R. 
Browne  mentions  its  occurrence  on  Vancouver  Island  ;  and  Mr.  Dall  found  it  not 
uncommon  near  Nulato  and  on  the  Yukon,  but  rar*"  at  St.  Michael's.  Its  eggs  and 
nests  were  not  distinguishable  from  those  of  the  Dnfila  acuta,  but  the  bird  is  less 
active  than  that  species,  and  slower  in  flight. 

On  the  coast  of  Norton  Sound  —  according  to  Mr.  Adams  —  the  Widgeon  does  not 
arrive  until  the  IL'th  of  May ;  but  later  a  considerable  number  were  always  to  be  met 
with  about  the  inland  marshes.  It  appeared  to  live  very  much  upon  insects,  which 
it  captures  on  the  water  and  about  the  rushes.  The  small  inland  lakes  were  its  prin- 
cipal places  of  resort,  and  its  nests  were  generally  upon  the  grassy  banks.     The  eggs 


ANATIN.R  -  THE  DUCKS  -  M.VRECA. 


623 


aro  (losrril)P(l  as  Ihmiik  small,  imich  rlonj^atcd.  },'rn(Mally  laiK't'r  at  mii'  ciid,  and  of  a 
pale  Hca-f^rt't'ii  color. 

ApoonliiiR  to  Dr.  ('ooin-r,  this  species  is  one  o|'  the  most  alnindant  fresh-water 
Ducks  found  duriiii,'  the  winter  in  Calil'ornia.  and.  lirin;,'  easily  shot,  is  one  of  the 
most  conunou  kinds  in  the  market,  it  is.  unlike  the  Kuropean  species,  very  rarely 
seen  on  salt  water;  hut.  like  the  Teals,  resorts  to  every  little  pool  and  swamp.  It 
is  generally  supposed  to  keep  a  sentinel  on  j^uard  while  feeding.  Imt  may  he  decoyed 
within  easy  ^junshot  by  imitatinj,'  its  notes.  It  has  been  found,  duriiif;  the  summer, 
amonfi;  the  IJocky  Mountains,  in  latitude  41.'°  N..  and  is  .said  hy  l»r.  Siickley  to  breed 
among  the  inland  lakes  of  ( )re<j;on.    At  that  season  it  usually  ranges  from  latitude 

r»o°  to  «;s°. 

During  the  violent  revolving  gab-  which  visited  the  l?ermudas,  Oct.  I'li,  lHu4  —  as 
Mv.  Ilurdis  states  —  a  large  number  of  Ducks,  including  this  species,  took  refuge  in 
the  creeks  and  nuirshes  of  the  islanils.  where  several  JSald-pates  were  shot  by  dif- 
ferent persons  and  brought  to  him  for  ins])ecti(m.  In  Xovember  of  the  same  year 
a  single  example  —  a  female  —  was  shot.  These  were  the  only  ones  taken  on  the 
Islands  during  his  residence  there. 

From  the  f\ill  iind  interesting  notes  of  the  late  ^Ir.  Hobert  Keinucott  ndative  to 
this  species  we  gather  tlie  following  observations  :  A  l>ald-pate"s  nest  was  taken 
near  Fort  Yukon,  June  7,  some  thirty  rods  from  the  river,  on  high,  dry  ground, 
among  large  sjjruces  and  poplars.  This  species  always  nests  on  high,  dry  ground, 
among  trees  or  bushes,  at  a  consiilerable  distance  from  water.  The  Dufi/a  aritta 
nests  in  somewhat  similar  situations  —  though  not  generally  .so  far  from  water  —  and 
sometimes  in  dry  spots  in  grassy  meadows.  Sputid'i  vli/jwdta  breeds  in  the  woods ; 
Bucpphiihi  iilhrithi  in  holes  in  trees;  Qiirvi/Ki'diih  ili'sntrs  and  Xiftinu  niro/iiiciisi's  in 
high,  dry  grounil  among  trees ;  Fiifir  nffiiiis  and  F.  marUa  in  gr.'issy  edges  of  lakes, 
in  water,  but  never  in  deej)  water,  unless  the  nest  be  on  a  tussock.  ^Ethi/ia  vallisneria 
nests  in  rather  dee])  water,  among  grass.  Mclnnetta  velrctino  and  PcHonctfo  perspi- 
cillata  breed  here  —  the  former  very  abundantly  —  nesting  among  large  spruces  close 
to  the  water.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Ivivtn-  Ducks  nest  generally  on  dry  land, 
and  the  Sea  Ducks  in  water,  or  just  on  the  edge  of  water.  Hfrfmii-ffd  nests  the  latest 
of  all  the  Ducks,  and  the  Mallard  the  earliest,  ^fr.  Kennicott  adds  that  the  Hald- 
pate  is  generally  known  to  the  voi/aijeiirs  throughout  the  Fur  Countries  by  the  name 
of  "Smoking-Duck,"  or  by  its  Cree  name  of  Ximimipikhtwaii,  Avhich  signifies  a 
smoker ;  and  its  soft,  gentle  whistle  may  be  easily  imagined  to  resemble  the  Cree 
words. 

The  Widgeon  breeds  rather  .abundantly  throughout  the  whole  of  British  America, 
as  far  north  as  the  Arctic  Ocean,  but  only  rarely  in  the  extreme  northern  parts  of 
the  United  States,  both  east  and  west  of  the  Kocky  Mountains.  In  October  and 
April  it  visits  in  large  numbers  the  rivers  and  marshes,  as  well  as  both  sea-coasts, 
of  Northern  United  States,  and  is  much  sought  by  hunters,  its  flesh  being  excellent, 
and  the  bird  generally  in  good  condition.  It  winters  in  the  Southern  States,  Mexico, 
and  the  West  Indies.  Though  in  winter  the  Widgeon  collects  in  very  large  flocks, 
it  passes  over  the  northern  parts  of  the  INIississippi  Valley  in  small  bands,  and  usually 
arrives  at  the  Mackenzie  and  the  Yukon  in  pairs,  or  in  small  parties  of  three  or 
four  together.  It  reaches  Slave  Lake  and  the  Yukon  early  in  May,  and  begins  to 
nest  .about  the  middle  of  that  month,  though  some  do  not  do  so  till  the  early  part 
of  June.  It  is  rather  more  common  west  of  the  moiuitains  than  in  the  Mackenzie 
Region,  and  considerable  numbers  are  foTuid  in  the  breeding-season  on  Lake  Winni- 
peg, where  several  were  obtained  by  INIr.  Donald  Gunn.     In  the  north  the  Widgeon 


524 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 


exhibits  a  greater  preference  for  rivers  and  oj)en  liikos  than  most  of  the  other  fresh- 
water Ducks,  which  ])refer  the  grassy  hikes  and  nuuslies.  Most  of  the  nests  wliieh 
3lr.  Kennioott  obsei,>..  were  near  rivers  in  places  not  frequented  by  other  Ducks, 
except  sometimes  by  the  MaHard.  The  favorite  situation  for  the  nest  is  remarkable ; 
for  while  the  other  Ducks  —  except,  jierhaps,  the  Teal  —  choose  the  immediate  vicin- 
ity of  water,  he  found  the  AVidgeon  always  breeding  at  sonu^  considerable  distance 
from  it.  Several  of  the  nests  obtained  on  tlu'  Yukon  were  fully  half  a  mile  from 
the  river  —  the  nearest  water.  He  invariably  found  the  nest  among  dry  leaves,  upon 
high,  dry  ground,  cither  under  large  trees  or  in  thick  groves  of  small  ones  —  fre- 
quently among  thick  spruces.  The  nest  is  rather  small  —  simjjly  a  dej)ression  among 
the  leaves  —  but  thickly  lined  with  down,  with  which,  after  incubation  is  begun,  the 
eggs  are  covered  when  left  by  the  parent.  The  nest  is  usually  i)laced  at  tlie  foot  of 
a  tree  or  bush,  with  generally  no  attempt  at  concealment.  The  fenuile,  when  started 
from  her  nest,  ri.ses  silently  into  the  air.  and  usually  Hies  to  the  nearest  water,  though 
sometimes  she  will  alight  on  the  ground  a  few  rods  distant.  The  males  renuiin  nuire 
or  less  in  the  vicinity  for  some  time  after  the  females  begin  to  incubate ;  but  when 
the  time  of  moulting  arrives  they  retire  to  the  grassy  marshes  and  edges  of  lakes  for 
concealment,  leading  a  solitary  life.  The  yoving,  while  unable  to  fly,  are  frequently 
found  seeking  the  shelter  of  grassy  lakes.  As  soon,  however,  as  they  can  fly  they 
return  to  their  favorite  river-shores  and  open  feeding-places,  where  they  obtain 
aquatic  insects,  a  few  small  shells,  and  tiic  seeds  and  roots  of  various  plants.  In  the 
fall  the  broods  often  sejjarate  before  leaving  for  the  south  ;  this  they  do  about  the 
middle  of  September.  Mr.  Kennieott  several  times  found  perf.  st  eggs  of  this  spe- 
cies—though never  of  any  other  Duck  —  dropped  along  the  shores  of  rivers,  at  their 
feeding-places.  This  bird  is  said  to  make  its  first  appearance  on  the  Chesapeake 
about  the  last  of  Octoljer. 

While  the  Canvas-backs  and  the  Black-heads  dive  and  ]pull  up  by  the  roots  the 
vallisnerid  grass,  the  IJald-itates  manage  to  obtain  their  full  share  of  it,  and  at  times 
succeed  in  robbing  them  of  the  whole.  At  this  time  the  flavor  of  the  liald-jiate  is 
considered  preferable  to  that  of  even  the  far-fanu'd  Canvas-backs.  Of  all  the  ducks 
that  are  found  in  the  Chesapeake,  the  Widgeon  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  difficult 
to  attract  to  the  shore  by  the  process  known  as  "toling."  In  wing-shooting  it  is 
regarded  by  the  Inciters  ius  a  great  nuisance.  It  is  not  only  so  shy  that  it  avoids  the 
points  of  land,  but  by  its  whistling  and  confused  manner  of  flight  it  alarms  the  other 
species.  During  its  stay  in  those  waters  it  is  the  constant  com))anion  of  the  Canvas- 
backs,  upon  whose  superiority  in  diving  it  dejjcnds  in  ;>  large  degree  for  its  food, 
stealing  from  them,  as  they  rise  to  tlie  surface  of  the  water,  the  tender  roots  of  the 
plant  of  which  lK)th  are  so  fond.  When  in  good  condition  the  flesh  of  the  liald-pate 
cannot  easily  be  distinguished  from  that  of  the  Canvas-back.  It  is  also  thought  that 
birds  killed  on  other  waters,  tho\igh  excellent  eating,  are  far  inferior  to  those  from 
the  flats  of  the  Chesaiieake.  The  liald-jjate  is  said  to  visit  the  rice-lields  of  the  South 
during  the  winter  in  considerable  numbers. 

The  places  in  the  northern  regions  from  Avhich  this  Duck  has  been  reported  in  its 
breeding-sea.son  are  the  Yukon  liiver  ami  Kort  Yukon,  by  .Mr.  J.  Loekhart  and  3Ir. 
S.  Jones;  Fort  Resolution,  by  Mr.  Kennieott;  Fort  Anderson,  Ander.son  River,  tlie 
Lower  Anderson.  Swan  River,  etc.,  by  JFr.  MacFarlane  ;  Selkirk  Settlement,  by  Mr. 
Donald  Gunn ;  Nulat')  anil  the  Lower  Yukon,  by  jMr.  Dall ;  New  Westminster,  by 
Mr.  H.  W.  Elli.  ■ .. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  creamy  ivory  wliite  color,  and  vary  in  length  from 
2.1/i  to  2.20  inches,  and  from  1.4i»  to  1.50  in  breadth. 


ANATINJ:  —  THE  DUCKS  —  SPATULA. 


525 


Genus  SPATULA,  Boie. 

Spatida,  Boie,  Isis,  1822,  564  (type,  Anaschjimita,  Li.w.). 

RUyncluispis,  "Leach,"  Stepiiens,  Slmw's  Gen.  Zool.  XIL  ii.  1824,  114  (same  typo). 

Char.  Bill  longer  than  the  head,  much  expanded,  or  almost  spatulate,  terminally,  where  about 
twice  as  wide  a.s  at  the  compressed  base  ;  maxillary  laiuelho  very  thin,  len<,'theiied,  almost  com- 
pletely exposed  posteriorly,  where  resembling  the  teeth  of  a  fine  comb.  Tail  short,  the  leathers 
acute. 

Of  this  very  curious  and  well-marked  genus,  in  which,  however,  there  is  littl"  that  is  jieculiar 
except  in  the  form  of  the  bill,  about  five  species  are  known  —  one  occurring  throughout  the  north- 
ern hemisphere,  tiie  others  peculiar  to  Soutii  America,  South  Africa,  Australia,  and  New  Zealand. 
In  the  two  American  species  and  that  from  Australia  there  is  a  very  close  resemblance  in  the 
coloration  of  tiie  wing  to  certain  species  of  Qncrquahda  (e.  g.  discors  and  njanoptcm)  ;  while  in 
the  Australian  species  (,S'.  rlnjuchotis)  this  curious  analogy  is  carried  still  farther,  the  coloration  of 
the  head,  including  the  white  crescentic  bar  across  the  lores,  being  almost  exactly  as  in  Q.  discors. 

The  characters  of  the  two  American  and  the  Australian  species  are  as  follows  :  — 


.-jr^»Vfl»' 


S.  clypeaUt. 

Com.  Char,  (adult  males).  Le.sser  wing-coverts  pale  dull  blue  ;  middle  coverts  Ijroadly  tipjied 
with  white  ;  s])eculum  bron:',e-green  ;  tertials  striped  centrally  with  white  ;  lower  parts  chestnut- 
rufous  ;  a  white  patch  at  the  base  of  the  tail,  on  each  side. 

A<    Culmeu  nearly  straight,  slightly  ilepressed  in  the  middle  ;  feathering  at  base  of  maxilla,  on 
each  side  extending  forward  as  far  as  that  im  the  foreheail. 

1.  S.  olypeata.    Head  and  neck  dull  dark  green  ;  jugulum  white.     Hah.  Northern  hemi- 

spiiert'. 

2.  S.  rhynohotlB.     Head  and  neck  dull  brownish  gray,  faintly  glossed  with  glaucous-green 

on  the  nape  ;  the  anterior  i)art  of  the  head  marked  on  each  side  by  a  white  crescentic 
bar  across  the  lore  ;  jugulum  dusky,  marked  with  buff.     Jhdt.  Australia. 
B>    Culmen  decidecUy  concave  in  the  middle  portion  ;  feathering  at  the  lia.se  of  the  maxilla  on 
each  sidi',  furming  a  stniight  vertical  line. 

3.  S.  platalea.     Head  and  neck  buff,  speckled  with  ilusky  ;  jugulum  light  cinnamon,  spotted 

with  black.     Hnh.  Southern  South  America. 

The  genus  Spatula  has  a  near  relative  in  the  cm'um'*  Midnrnrhjinehuii  mfvihranaceiui  of  Aus- 
tralia, which  has  tt  somewhat  similar  but  still  more  nmarkable  bill,  and  differs  further  in  the 


526  LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 

following  particulars  :  The  maxilla  is  Ifs.s  expaiuled  tenniiially,  the  edges  being  nearly  parallel  ; 
but  on  each  side,  near  the  end,  i?;  a  nienibrauoous,  soniewliat  angular  lobe,  tiie  end  of  the  mandible 
being  nearly  truncated,  and  tiie  nail  muih  ."mailer  and  narrower  than  in  Spatula ;  the  nostrils  are 
much  smaller,  and  near  the  base  of  the  bill  ;  the  tertials  and  rectrices  are  broad  and  rounded, 
instead  of  acute. 

The  two  American  species  of  Spatula  differ  more  particularly  as  follows  :  — 

1.  S.  clypeata.    Mah-:  Head  and  neck  dark  metallic  green  ;  jugulum  white  ;  abdomen  and 

sides  chestnut,  unspotted  ;  back  and  inner  scai»ulars  dusky  ;  outer  scapulars  white. 
Female:  Back  and  scapulars  nearly  uniform  dusky;  bill  brown,  the  mandible  dull 
oiiin;,'e. 

2.  S.  platalea.*    Male:  Head  and  neck  buff,  streaked  witli  black  ;  jugulum,  back,  and  scap- 

ulars (outer  08  well  as  inner)  deep  cinnamon-buff,  thickly  marked  with  roundish  spots  of 
black;  abdomen  and  sides  chestnut,  speckled  with  black.  Female:  Back  and  .scapulars 
dusky,  the  feathers  broadly  bordered  and  otherwise  \ariegated  with  bulf ;  bill  wholly 
black. 

The  female  and  young  male  of  .S'.  plntaJea  may  also  be  readily  distinguished  from  those  of  S.  cly- 
peata by  the  much  longer,  more  cuneatc  tail,  the  rectrices  being  almost,  if  not  (juite,  as  acuminate 
as  in  the  species  of  PcceUonetta  ;  thus,  while  the  middle  rectrices  in  a  female  of  S.  clypeata  measure 
alxiut  3.75  inches,  those  of  an  example  of  .S.  platalea  measure  4.25,  or  half  an  inch  longer. 


Spatula  clypeata. 

THE  SHOVELIEB;  SPOON-BILL  DUCK. 

Anas  c/ijjifatn,  LiNN.  S.  X.  ed.  10,  I.  1758,  124  ;  o<l,  12,  I.  1760,  200.  —  Wn.s.  Am.  Oin.  VIII.  1814, 

65,  i>l.  67,  fig.  7. —Sw.  &  \iuu.  V.   n.  A.  II.  1831,  439.  —  Xurr.  Man.  11.  lt«34,  375.  — Am. 

Orn.  lUog.  IV.  1838,  241,  pi.  327  ;  .Syiiop.  1839,  283;  B.  Am.  VI.  1843,  293,  j.l.  394. 
Sjtnlula  eltii>eata,  Boik,  Isi.s,  1822,  564.—  BAiiin,  B.  N.  Am.  1858,  781  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no. 

583.  —  Coi-Es,  Key,  1872,  288;  (luck  List,  1873,  no.  498;  2d  ed.  1S81,  no.  718;  B.  N.  W. 

1874,  570.  —  Uinow.  Noin.  N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  008. 
Anas  rubcns,  Gmel.  S.  N.  I.  ii.  1788,  419. 
?  Anns  mexieana,  LvTH.  Ind.  Orn.  II.  1790,  857. 
Chjjtc.nla  m'-.^iurhyticlws,  platyrhyneho.i,  }iomarina,  brachyrhynelios,   Brkhm,  Viig.    Deutschl.   876, 

877,  878,  879. 

Haii,  The  whole  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere  ;  Australia.  Breeding  from  Texas  to  Alaska  ; 
wintering  as  far  suuth  as  (Juatemala,  Cuba,  and  Jamaica. 

Sp.  ("hah.  Adult  male,  in  viiif-r:  Head  and  neck  dark  metallic  bluish  green,  much  duller  than 
in  Anas  hnschan ;  breast  and  outer  .scapulars  white,  the  former  sometimes  sputted  with  dusky ;  entire 
alxlomen  and  sides  uniform  che.stnut  ;  crissum  dark  metallic  bluish  green,  liounded  anteriorly  by 
a  band  of  finely  inidulated  grayish  wliite.  Back  iind  inner  scapulars  dusky,  the  featliers  sometimes 
bonlered  with  white  ;  longer,  lanceolate  scapulars  marked  with  a  niesiid  lanceolate  stripe  of  white  ; 
wing-coverts  light  grayisli  blue,  the  last  row  tipjied  with  white,  forming  a  narrow  band  across 
the  wing  ;  fii)eculum  bright  metallic  green,  very  narrowly  lipped  with  white;  tertials  dusky 
black,  with  faint  green  refle<tions,  and  marked  towaivl  tiie  end  witii  an  inilistiiut  mesial  stripe  of 
grayish  white  ;  primaries  ami  their  coverts  dull  sbite-gray  ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  black,  the 
former  with  faint,  the  latter  with  i)right,  green  reflections ;  rectrices  chielly  grayish  white,  the  middle 

•  Spatula  i-i.atai.ka. 

Pain  tsftatulalit,  AzAiiA,  Ajiunt.  HI.  1805,  431  (Buenos  Ay  res). 

Anas  pliitn lea,  ViEIl.l..  Niniv.  Diet.  V.  1816,  157  (ex  AzAItA,  1.  c). 

Sjxilulii  phliilea',  Hakti..  Ind.  A/ara,  1847,  27.  —  Set.  &  Sai.v.  Xnm.  Ncotr.  1873,  180  ;  V.  Z. 

8.  1870,  390  (monngnipiiic). 
Jihiinehaspis  mncuhtns,  "(inii.n,  M.S."  .Tahh.  &  SKi.nv,  Ilhistr.  Orn.  pi.  147. 
D(^/ila  eresio-scapulala,  Reiciie.nb.  Natnt.  pi.  61,  fig.  180. 


ANATIXiE  —  THE  DUCKS  —  SPATULA. 


627 


876, 


ones  dark  gray,  edged  with  white.    Bill  deep  black  ;  iris  bright  yellow  ;  legs  and  ieet  beautiful 

orange-red.     Adult  female :  Wings  as  in  the  male,  but  colors  rather  duller.     Othei- parts  grayish 

brown  above,  varied  with  brownish 

white ;  brownish  white  below,  the 

head  and  neck  streaked,  the  breast, 

alxlomen,  etc.,  spotted,  with  grayish 

brown.  Bill  brown,  mandible  or- 
ange; iris  yellow  and  feet  orange- 
red,  as  ill  the  male.     Young  male: 

Similar  to   the   adult  female,  but 

lower  parts  (always  ?)  tinged  with 

chestnut.    Young  female :  Similar  to 

the  adult,   but   wing-coverts    dull 

slate,  with  little,  if  any,  blue  tinge, 

the  speculum  dusky,  with  a  very 

faint  green   reflection,   and   rather 

broadly  tipped  with  brownish  white. 

Downy    young :     Above,     grayi:5h 

brown,  with  a  brownish-white  spot 

on  each  side  of  the  back,  and  a  cor- 
responding pair  on  the  rump  ;  pile- 

um  darker  than  the  back  and  nape  ; 

head  (except    pileuni)  and    entire 

lower  parts  pale   grayish   fulvous, 

or  dirty  grayish  buffy  white,  shaded 

with  brownish  gray  across  the  jugu- 

lum  ;  a  narrow  stripe  of  dark  brown 

from  the  upper  angle  of  tlie  base 

of  the  bill  to  the  eye,  and  contin- 
ued posteriorly  about  half  Avay  to 

the  occiput ;  another  similar  stripe 

beneath  the  last,  beginning  a  little  behind  the  posterior  border  of  the  eye,  and  extending  farther 

back  than  the  one  above  it.     [Described  from  No.  655C1,  Souris  R.,  Dakota,  Aug.  10,  1873  ;  Dr. 

E.  CouES,  U.  S.  A.] 

Total  length,  about  20.00  inches  ;  ex- 
tent, 31.00  to  33.00  inches  ;  wing,  9.00- 
10.00  ;  culnien,  2.t)0-2.90  ;  width  of  bill 
at  end,  1.10-1.20,  at  base,  .GO  ;  tarsus,  1.40- 
1.50;  middle  toe,  1.(5.5-1.75.  Specimens 
vary  considerably  in  colors  :  usually  the 
white  of  the  chest  and  scapulars  is  nearly 
'^^■^^iik' 'ii^B  or  (piite  immaculate  ;  but  not  infrequently 
y"  ^HIIR,\  ll'fl^V  thesis  portions  are  more  or  less  sj)otted  with 

du.sky.  The  chestnut  of  the  abdomen  is 
sometimes  immaculate,  sometimes  barred 
with  dusky. 


The    Shoveller    Duck,   while  no- 
whore  conspicuously  numerous,  ap- 
pears to   have   the    most    extended 
distribution  of    any   si)ecie3  of  the 
Female.  Duck  tribe.     It  is  found  throughout 

North  and  Central  America  as  far  to 
the  south  as  Panama ;  is  more  or  less  common  in  every  portion  of  Europe  and  Asia, 


528  LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSERES. 

except  in  the  extreme  north ;  is  found  in  Nortliern  and  Central  Africa ;  and  is  said 
to  liave  been  taken  even  in  South  Africa  and  in  Australia;  but  the  evidence  in  this 
regard  is  not  wholly  satisfactory. 

Mr.  Salvin  found  it  inhul)iting  the  Lake  of  Duenas  during  the  winter,  where  it 
remained  until  about  tiie  end  of  .March.  Colonel  (Jrayson  met  with  it  on  the  western 
coast  of  Mexico,  and  Dr.  Palmer  obtaint'd  it  at  Guaynuis.  The  fornuu-  speaks  of  it 
as  very  common  about  Mazatlan  from  Xovenil)er  to  May.  According  to  Dr.  Cooper, 
the  Shoveller,  or,  as  there  called,  the  '•  Spoon-bill  Duck,*'  is  common  in  winter  along 
the  entire  coast  of  California  and  throughout  the  interior,  as  far  nortii  as  the  Colum- 
bia, wherever  the  fresli  water  to  which  it  resorts  is  not  frozen  over.  Jt  arrives  from 
the  north  about  tlie  1st  of  October,  and  remains  until  March  or  April,  associating 
with  other  fresli-water  Ducks.  It  is  generally  silent,  and  has  at  all  times  but  a 
feeble  voice.  Its  food  (consists  of  the  same  vegetable  and  animal  substances  as  those 
eaten  by  the  allied  species ;  but  this  bird  has  the  advantage  of  a  more  expanded  and 
sensitive  bill  as  a  helj)  in  finding  them,  and  eonsecpieutly  becomes  very  fat ;  its  tiesh 
is  also  consitlered  well  flavored. 

From  tlie  late  Mr.  Uobert  Keunicott's  manuserij)ts  we  take  the  following:  "Tliough 
the  Shoveller  goes  in  smumer  nearly  or  (jiiite  as  far  to  the  north  as  Ihifihi  acuta,  a 
larger  proportion  nest  farther  south.  A  few  breed  within  the  United  States ;  and 
Dr.  Hoy  menti(ms  it  as  sometimes  nesting  in  S(mtlicrn  Wisconsin.  At  Slave  Lake  I 
first  observed  it  about  the  middli'  of  May.  when  tliey  had  already  paired.  It  is  highly 
probable  that  they  arrived  earlier,  but  from  their  small  nund)ers  escape  attention.  A 
pair  comnuauu'd  nesting  at  the  Vukon  about  the  L'dth  of  May.  I  found  it  rather  rare 
at  the  north,  tlu)Ugh  less  so  west  of  tlu'  mountains  than  in  the  Mackenzie  Region.  1 
did  not  see  more  tlian  a  pair  of  old  birds  together  at  any  time.  The  few  specimens 
observed  were  usually  feeding  in  sliallow  water  near  the  shore ;  though  they  appeared 
to  seek  the  grassy  sjiots  less  tlian  the  other  fresli-water  Ducks." 

^Ir.  liannister  states  that  tliis  species  was  frecpuMitly  seen  by  him  among  the 
birds  brouglit  in  by  tlie  hunters  of  the  Fort,  during  the  month  of  May,  at  St.  Michael's. 
Mr.  Dall  was  informed  tiiat  it  l)reeds  at  one  point  in  the  strait  between  St.  ^liduiel's 
and  the  nuiinland.  He  obtained  only  a  single  skin  at  Unalaklik  ;  and  thinks  this 
bird  cannot  be  abunchiut  anywhere  near  the  Yukon. 

Dr.  Ricluirdstm  states  that  this  sjiecies  chiefly  frequents  the  clear  lakes  of  the 
northern  districts,  and  breeds  in  the  Harren  (irounds;  but  is  found  in  consid- 
erable numbers,  in  spring  and  autumn,  in  the  nu)re  .southern  wooded  districts. 
Captain  Blakiston  procured  specimens  from  Hudson's  liay,  and  also  from  the  Sas- 
katchewan;  and  it  was  foinid  on  the  Mackenzie  River,  Avithin  the  Arctic  Circle,  by 
Mr.  Bernard  Ross. 

Major  Wedderburn  mentions  the  capture  of  a  single  sjtecin en  in  Bermuda  in 
December,  1844.  It  is  also  recorded  ns  occurring  in  several  of  the  West  India 
Islands,  Dr.  (Jundlach  noting  it  as  a  visitor  to  ('uba,  Mr.  Riisse  as  having  been  found 
in  St.  Thomas,  and  Lcotaud  as  being  (piite  a  regular  winter  visitant  to  Trinidad. 
In  th(^  latter  place  it  arrives  in  December  or  January,  and  leaves  in  Ajtril  or  May. 
It  occurs  rarely  in  flocks  ;  and  its  flesh,  owing  probably  to  some  local  food  wliieh 
impairs  its  flavor,  is  not  favorably  regarded. 

It  does  not  appear  to  be  at  all  abunthmt  on  any  part  of  the  eastern  coast  of  the 
United  States.  It  occurs  in  small  ninidters,  in  spring  and  fall,  in  the  neigld)orhood 
of  Calais,  but  is  not  recorded  from  farther  north,  it  is  found  occasionally  in  the  fall 
in  Massachusetts,  but  is  not  recorded  as  occurring  there  in  the  spring.  Two  were 
shot  at  Rye  Beaeli  in  Augiist,  1872. 


ANATIN^  —  THE  DUCKS  —  SPATULA. 


529 


this 

tlu" 

)iisi(l- 

icts. 

Siis- 

',  l)y 


According  to  Givaud,  it  is  met  with  in  small  numbers  ou  Long  Island,  where  it  is 
known  to  hunters  by  the  name  of  the  "Spoon-bill."  It  is  occasionally  met  with 
along  the  sea-coast ;  but  is  nmch  more  generally  found  in  the  lakes  and  fresh-water 
streams,  although  never  abundant  in  any  part  of  Long  Island.  Its  flesh  is  tender 
and  juicy,  and  is  deservedly  held  in  high  esteem.  Jlr.  J.  A.  Allen  met  Avith  tliia 
species  in  the  valley  of  Salt  Lake,  in  Utah,  where  he  found  it  common. 

Our  space  would  not  suttice  to  enumerate  the  various  records  of  its  presence  in 
different  parts  of  the  Old  World,  where  it  seems  to  have  an  almost  universal  distri- 
bution. Mr.  Salvin  met  with  it  in  small  numbers  near  Zara,  in  Xortheastern  Africa. 
^Ir.  Saunders  found  it  not  unconnuon  in  Soutli(>rn  Spain,  where  it  was  supposed  to  be 
resident,  and  to  breed.  Cajjtain  (i.  E.  Shelh-y  ("Ibis,"  1871)  found  it  one  of  tlu; 
most  abundant  of  the  Ducks  throughout  Egyjtt,  where  also  some  remained  to  breed. 
Mr.  E.  C  Taylor  met  with  it  in  Egypt ;  jNIr.  Tristram  in  Soutliern  Valestine  on  the 
Jordan,  and  in  the  region  of  the  Sahara.  Mr.  T.  L.  I'owys  records  it  as  common  in 
the  winter  in  (Jreece.  It  was  observed  in  Jaj)an  by  Mr.  II.  Whitely  ("Ibis,"  18(57); 
and  also  in  Japan  and  ('hina  l)y  other  authorities. 

According  to  Yarrell,  it  is  chiefly  ii  winter  visitant  in  Great  liritain,  inhabiting 
marshes,  lakes,  rivers,  and  muddy  shores,  gathering  its  food  in  shallow  water.  It  is 
most  iilentifnl  on  the  eastern  i)arts  of  England,  and  breeds  in  various  idaces,  from 
Essex  to  Lincolnshire.  Various  attempts  have  been  made  to  rear  this  bird  from 
the  egg,  but  generally  without  much  success.  During  the  sunnner  of  1841  a  i)air  of 
Shovellers  made  a  nest  and  brought  out  their  young  on  one  of  the  islands  in  the 
Garden  of  the  Zoological  Society.  The  bills  of  these  ducklings  were  as  narrow  and 
the  sides  as  parallel  as  the  bills  of  some  young  CJailwalls  hatched  at  the  same  time. 
The  egg  of  the  Shoveller  is  described  as  butty -white,  tinged  with  green,  2.17  inches 
long,  and  l.itO  wide. 

Yarrell  says  that  this  bird  is  not  common  in  Scandinavia,  where  it  is  chiefly  confined 
to  the  south  of  Sweden,  and  that  it  is  found  in  Russia  and  Germany,  is  abundant  in 
Holland,  and  breeds  regidarly  in  the  marshes  of  France.  It  also  occurs  in  various 
])arts  of  India,  .and  nearly  throughout  Asia.  Mr.  Dresser  states  that  it  has  not  been 
found  in  Southern  Africa;  lint  ilr.  Yarrell  refers  to  specimens  brought  from  there  by 
Mr.  Andrew  Smith.  Von  Ileuglin  sjieaks  of  it  as  a  permanent  resident  in  Abyssinia. 
In  Xnbia,  according  to  Captain  Shelley,  it  seemed  to  jn-efer  the  smaller  pools  and  the 
banks  of  lakes  and  rivers,  and  to  be  less  shy  than  other  species  of  ^Vater-Eowl.  He 
S])eaks  of  its  flesh  as  "very  inferior  eating."  Dr.  Jenlon,  in  recording  its  occurrence 
in  India,  speaks  of  it  as  feeding,  near  the  edges  of  tanks,  in  shallow  water,  among 
weeds,  chiefly  on  minute  worms  and  larvie,  which  it  sifts  from  the  mud. 

Althougli  a  fresh-water  Duck,  it  is  not  infre(pu'ntly  met  with  on  the  coast;  but 
its  favorite  resort  is  fresh  waters  overgrown  with  aquatic  plants.  It  is  not  particu- 
larly shy,  and  is  generally  seen  in  flocks.  It  feeds  on  the  seeds  of  various  watei- 
plants,  grain,  and  minute  water-insects,  for  wliich  last  its  fringed  mandibles  are 
especially  usefid,  enabling  it  to  expel  the  water,  and  yet  retain  the  minutest  insects 
gathered  in  at  the  sanu'  time.  On  account  of  its  fondness  for  insects  one  author  has 
nanunl  the  species  mnsrarhi. 

In  Europe  it  breeds  in  May,  June,  and  Jidy.  Its  nest  —  placed  close  to  some 
fresh-water  j)ond  or  lake  —  is  a  hole  scratched  in  the  soil,  lincil  with  a  few  grasses 
and  a  considerable  quantity  of  down  phu'ked  from  the  bird  itself.  In  Denmark  it 
breeds  near  the  coast,  and  on  islands  in  the  fiords.  The  nests  are  iisually  concealed 
in  the  high  grass  or  under  low  bushes,  and  ( antain  from  nine  to  f(mrteen  eggs. 
Eggs  have  been  found  as  early  as  the  2d  of  May  and  us  late  as  the  24th  of  July. 

vor,.  I.  —  fu 


530 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  ANSEUES. 


L'lu'y  are  described  as  paler  than  those  of  the  ^Mallard,  and  of  very  fine  texture ;  the 
(•(dor  is  greenish  gray  of  a  very  pah*,  soft  tone ;  in  shape  they  are  oblong  oval,  taper- 
ing slightly  at  one  end,  and  measure  from  J.'.»7  by  1.30  to  1}.03  by  1.40  inches. 
The  (^ohn-  sometimes  varies  to  grayisli  cream. 

I'rofessor  Kundien  informs  me  that  these  Ducks  are  common  in  Southern  Wis- 
consin, where  they  arrive  (piite  late  in  the  sjjring,  and  a  few  remain  to  breed.  He  has 
met  with  several  broods  of  young ;  but  has  found  only  one  nest,  which  was  placed  in 
the  midst  of  a  high  bog.  It  resembled  that  of  the  Mallard,  but  was  less  bidky,  and 
was  plentifidly  sufijAicd  with  down.  A  great  many  old  males  are  seen  in  the  early 
part  of  summer,  in  flocks ;  from  which  he  naturally  conjectures  that  their  females 
breed  sonunvhere  in  the  extensive  marshes  that  surround  Ijake  Koskonong. 

Near  I'ewaukee,  in  the  same  State,  this  Duck  has  been  found  breeding  by  Mr, 
B.  F.  Goss,  who  writes  me  that  on  May  24,  in  lioricon  Lake,  near  the  highest  jjart 
of  a  snudl  island,  some  five  feet  id)ove  the  water,  a  single  '■  S])oon-bill "  had  made 
her  nest.  Tlu^  Mallards  were  all  around  within  a  few  ft'ct.  As  the  ground  was 
quite  bare,  with  nu'rely  a  few  rocks  scattered  about,  the  birds  could  be  seen  from  the 
water  sitting  on  their  nests.  On  his  first  ai)proacli  he  noticed  the  Spoon-bill  rising 
with  the  rest ;  and  after  examining  the  nests,  selected  one  that  was  somewhat 
smaller  than  the  others,  with  smaller  eggs,  and  lined  with  feathers  of  a  little  dilTerent 
shade,  as  the  Spoon-bill's  nest.  He  set  a  snudl  stake  to  mark  the  place,  and  retired 
until  the  birds  returned  to  their  eggs,  when  he  again  a])j)roached,  Avatching  carefully 
the  indicated  spot,  and  had  the  good  fortune  to  kill  the  bird  as  she  rose.  The  nest 
contained  ten  eggs,  (piite  fresh,  a  little  snudler  than  the  Mallard's,  from  which  they 
differed  somewhat  in  color  and  in  shape. 

The  localities  in  the  Fur  llegion  from  which  this  Duck  has  been  reported  as 
breeding  are  Fort  Kesolution,  on  Great  Slave  Lake,  the  Yukon  Iviver,  Fort  Kae,  Big 
Island,  Lake  Winnipeg,  Anderson  lliver,  the  Lower  Anderson,  Shoal  Lake,  Unalakleet, 
Red  River,  etc. 

Eggs  from  iho  Yukon  River  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection  (No.  6G12)  are  of  a 
gi'cenish-white  color,  and  uu'asurc  from  2.0.J  to  2.10  inclu\s  in  length,  and  from  1.40 
to  1.50  in  breadth. 


Genus   QUERQUEDULA,   Stephens. 

Querqtiedtihi,  Stf.I'IIKNS,  Sliaw's  Cww.  Zool.  XII.  ii.  1824,  142  (tyin;,  Anas  querquedula,  LiNN.). 
Cyanopterm,  Kyiox,  Mon.  Aiiat.  1838,  38  (type?).     (Not  of  Hiillidny,  1835.) 
Plerm-nmim,  Bl'.  Cut.  Met.  1842,  71   (tyi>i!). 

Char.  Size  .iinull  (wing  less  than  8  inches).  Bill  slightly  longer  than  the  Lead,  the  edges 
nearly  parallel,  the  nuixillary  tomiuni  sinuated,  .so  as  to  (listinctly  expose  the  lamella)  for  tl  Ijasal 
half,  and  the  terminal  half  of  the  cidnien  slightly  but  distinctly  arched.  Otherwise  much  like 
Nettion. 

The  two  North  American  s])ecies  of  Querquedula  agree  very  closely  in  tlie  details  of  form,  in 
which  respect  they  scarcely  differ  from  tlie  type  of  tlie  genus,  tlie  Q.  circia  (L.)  of  Europe.  The 
cohjration  of  the  wing,  which  is  almost  exactly  tliat  of  Sjtnlula,  is  also  essentially  the  same  in  these 
three  species.  Tlie  females  are  very  different  from  the  males,  except  in  the  colors  of  the  wing, 
being  much  duller.  The  following  are  the  main  differential  characters  of  the  North  Americtm 
species  :  — 

1.  Q.  dlsoorB.  Adult  vutk :  Head  and  neck  dtdl  pluml)eous,  with  a  faint  lavender-pnrple 
gloss  on  the  sides  of  the  occi])ut ;  jiileum  blackish  ;  a  large  white,  somewhat  crescent- 
shapcil,  mark  before  the  eye,  entirely  across  fore  part  of  the  head  ;  lower  parts  pale 


ANATIN.E  —  THE  PttkS  -  IjUEUQUEDULA. 


531 


reddish,  spotted  with  bhick.    Hub.  Nnuli  Americii  f^eneruUy,  but  chiefly  the  Eastern 
Province. 
2.   Q'  cyaaoptera     Adult  mak:  Head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  rich  uniform  chestnut,  the 
alxlonien  duller  (sometimes  dusky),  the  jiilcum  blackish.     Hub.  Western  America,  from 
Chili  to  Wa8hinj,'ton  Territory. 


Q.  disci/rs. 


Querquedula  discors. 

THE   BLUE-WINGED   TEAL. 

Anas  discors,  LiNS.  S.  X.  cd.  12,  I.  1766,  20.'>  (based  on  Qiierq.  nmcric.  varicgata,  Catesii.  100; 
Buiss.  VI.  452.  —  Qufrq.  nmcric.  fuscn,  Catesd.  99.  —  Qiicrq.  virgininmi,  Biuss.  VI.  455). — 
Wn,s.  Am.  Oiii.  VIII.  1814,  74,  pi.  "„'.  4.  —  Aud.  Oni.  Biog.  IV.  1838,  111,  pi.  313  ;  Synop. 
1839,  282  ;  H.  Am.  VI.  1843,  2S7,  pi.  393. 

Jnas  {llosclws)  iliscrs,  S\v.  &  IMcn.  F.  B.  A.  II.  1S31,  444.  —  Xutt.  Man.  II.  1834,  397. 

Querquedula  discors,  Sir.i'Ui-.Ns,  .'^ha\v'3  C!on.  Zool.  XII.  ii.  1824,  149.  —  Baiud.  B.  N.  Am.  1858, 
779  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  581.  —Cons,  Key,  1872,  287  ;  Clicck  List,  1873,  no.  496  ;  2d 
od.  1882,  no.  710  ;  Birds  N.  W.  1874,  560.  —  Kincw.  Xom.  X.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  609. 

Sarcclli-  nuUc  dc  Caijcnnc,  dile  Ic  Soiicrourou,  BuFi".  PI.  Knl.  966  ((J  ad.). 

Had.    North  America  in  general,  but  chiefly  the  Eastern  Province  ;  i;,)Vth  to  Alaska,  south  to 
Ecuador,  and  tlirouj,diout  West  Indies.     Accidental  in  Euro])e. 

Sp.  Char.  Adnlt  mah:  Head  and  neck  dull 
plumbeous,  slightly  glossed  with  lavender-i>urplc  on 
the  side  of  the  occiput  and  nape,  and  marked  in  frmit 
of  the  eyes  by  a  large,  somewhat  crescentic,  patch  if 
white,  e.xtending  entirely  across  the  anterior  portion 
of  the  head  ;  jjilcum,  chin,  and  feathers  bordering  the 
white  patclies,  blackish  ;  h)Wer  parts  pah-  reddish, 
thickly  spotted  with  black,  thecrissum  uniform  black. 
Back  luid  anterior  scapulars  dusky,  marked  with  con- 
centric or  U-shaju-d  l)ai-s  of  ])ale  reddish  bulT  ;  lesser 
wing-coverts  and  outer  webs  of  some  of  the  longer 
scapulars  pale  blue  ;  middle  coverts  white  for  the 
exposed  portion,  forming  i\  bar  across  the  wing  ; 
speculum  bronzy  green,  dusky  terminally,  with  a 
very  narrow  white  tip  ;  tertials  black,  with  a  central 
stripe  of  buff ;  a  white  patch  at  the  base  of  the  tail 
on  each  side  ;  axillurs  imumculate  pure  white.  Bill  uniform  black  ;  iris  browti :  leet  yellowish. 
Adult  female :  Wings,  only,  as  in  the  male  ;  upper  j.arts  dusky,  the  feathers  ',  I  with  dull 


Male  a  not.  size). 


532 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  —  AXSERES. 


buff,  the  pileum  and  nape  finely  stronked  ;  rest  of  head  and  neck,  and  lower  parts  generally, 
laownish  white,  the  head  and  neck  Mreaked  with  dusky,  except  on  the  cliin  and  upper  part  of  the 
throat,  the  streaks  more  dense  immediately  before  antl  behind  the  eye,  thus  forming  an  indis- 
tinct stripe  on  the  side  of  the  head  ;  feathers  of  the  lower  parts  generally  with  dusky  grayish 
brown  centres,  forming  spots  when  exposed,  less  distinct  on  the  alxlomen,  where  sometimes 
obsolete. 

Total  length,  about  16  inches  ;  extent,  about  25  ;  wing,  7.00-7.50  ;  cuhnen,  1.40-1.65;  tarsus, 
1.20-1.30  ;  middle  toe,  1.4(>-1.4r). 

The  lilue-wiiigcd  Teal  has  a  more  restricted  distribution  than  the  Green-winged, 
and  is  also  a  much  more  southern  species.     It  is  rarely  to  be  met  with  north  of  60° 


Female  (nat.  sizej. 


N.  latitude,  and,  so  far  as  is  positively  knoAvn,  is  not  fomid  on  the  Pacific  coast 
betAveen  the  Gulf  of  California  and  Vancouver  Island,  although  occurring  on  the 
Pacific  coast  of  Mexico  and  Central  America,  as  well  as,  more  sparingly,  on  the  coast 
of  Alaska.  It  is  sujjposed  to  bri'cd  in  various  favor;ible  localities  from  Florida  to 
Labrador,  and  from  ^Mazatlan  to  the  Saskatchewan,  but  ]irincij)ally  between  latitudes 
42°  and  58°  N.,  and  most  abundantly  in  the  Mississippi  Valley.  It  occurs  sparingly 
at  Fort  Resolution,  Lake  Winnipeg,  Shoal  Lake,  and  even  at  Fort  Yukon. 

Mr.  Salvin  found  it  common  in  tlu'  winter  on  Lake  Duenas,  in  Guatemala,  but  not 
remaining  through  ^Landi.  Dr.  IJryant  gives  it  as  common  in  winter  at  Hahamas. 
It  was  also  seen  at  Sultana  Mixtlan,  in  the  I'acitic  coast  region.  Mr.  G.  C.  Taylor 
found  it  in  Honduras,  both  at  Tigro  Island  and  on  Lake  Yojoya. 

It  was  met  with  in  Western  Mexico,  near  Mazatlan,  by  Colonel  Grayson,  in  which 
region  he  speaks  of  it  as  being  a  very  common  species,  a  few  remaining  throughout 
the  summer,  and  probably  breeding  there.  ^Ir.  Dresser  found  it  common  throughout 
Northern  Mexico  and  Southern  Texas,  where,  as  supposed  by  Dr.  Ileermann,  it  breeds. 
Mr.  N.  P.  Moore  found  Ducks  of  this  species  abundant  in  Florida,  and  believes  that 
some  must  breed  in  that  State,  as  he  has  seen  them  in  fresh  ponds  near  Sarasota  Lake 
at  every  season  of  the  year,  and  has  killed  the  young  in  September  on  IVliska 
Lake.  He  thinks  it  probable  that  they  breed  on  the  islands,  or  about  the  shores  of 
Lake  Okeechobee. 

Mr.  Pernard  Koss  found  this  species  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  Great  Slave  Lake, 
where  it  was  much  more  abundant  than  the  Green-wing.  Mr.  Kennicott  met  with  it 
east  of  the  llocky  Mountains  only,  where  he  found  it  nesting  in  rather  open  ground ; 


ANATINiE  —  THE  DUCKS  —  QUERQUEDULA. 


533 


but  found  none  on  the  Yukon,  nor  north  of  Shave  Lake.  In  Illinois  and  Wisconsin 
he  found  it  nesting  in  the  prairie  sloughs.  Mr.  Dall,  however,  speaks  of  having  met 
with  it  sparingly  botli  at  Fort  Yukon  and  at  the  mouth  of  Yukon  Kiver,  but  it  was 
not  seen  at  Jiulato.  Captain  Smith  obtained  its  eggs  from  near  Cajje  Komanzoff.  Mr. 
Bannister  reports  it  as  not  uncommon  at  St.  ^lichael's. 

It  is  a  visitor  to  Cuba  and  other  West  India  Islands.  Leotaud  states  that  it 
arrives  in  Trinidad  about  the  1st  of  November,  and  remains  there  until  April.  It 
is  qiute  regular  and  constant  in  its  visits  —  with,  however,  occasional  intermissions. 
It  is  miu'h  sought  after  by  epicures,  and  in  the  opinion  of  Leotaud,  the  flesh  of  no 
othei-  Duck  can  b(;  compared  with  that  of  this  Teal  after  it  has  been  one  or  two 
months  on  tint  island. 

It  breeds  in  the  neighborhood  of  Calais,  Me.  — as  Mr.  Boardman  informs  rae  —  but  is 
not  common  tlu-re.  It  is  a  regular  fall  and  spring  visitor  in  Massachusetts,  but  I  am 
not  aware  that  it  stops  to  breed.  At  Fort  I'ond,  near  Montauk  Point,  Long  Island, 
it  is  said  to  breed  every  season. 

In  the  fall  of  the  year  this  is  one  of  the  first  of  the  Duck  tribe  to  leave  its  more 
northern  (piarters.  Subsisting  chieily  on  insects  and  tender  i)lants,  it  is  compelled 
to  seek  a  milder  climate  early,  and  usually  arrives  in  the  Middle  States  in  the  month 
of  Septendn'r,  selecting  for  its  abode  the  small  streams  and  mill-ponds,  where  an 
abundant  supply  of  its  favorite  food  is  fouiul.  In  a  shbrt  time,  however,  it  leaves 
for  more  southern  regions.  It  is  the  first  Duck,  in  the  fall,  to  visit  the  shores  of 
the  Delaware  and  the  Chesapeake  bays,  where  it  begins  to  arrive  in  Septend)er, 
and  remains  until  driven  farther  south  by  the  ai))»roach  of  winter,  being  found  in 
winter  only  where  the  weather  is  mild.  It  is  not  timid,  being  easily  approached  in 
a  boat  or  under  cover  of  any  simple  device.  Large  numbers  are  killed  among  the 
reeds,  on  the  Delaware,  by  means  of  what  are  termed  "  stool  Ducks,"  set  out  in  the 
mud.  The  birds  are  more  readily  attracted  by  these  decoys  if  they  are  set  in  the 
mud  than  if  placed  in  the  water. 

This  Duck  is  fond  of  the  seeds  of  wild  oats,  and  becomes  very  fat  after  feeding  on 
them  for  a  short  time,  and  it  is  caught  in  great  numbers  in  the  Southern  rice-fields 
by  means  of  traps  set  by  the  negroes.  It  flies  with  great  rapidity  and  considerable 
noise ;  and  is  said  at  times  to  drop  suddenly  among  the  reeds  in  the  manner  of  the 
Woodcock. 

Although  Dr.  Newberry  mentions  this  species  in  his  Report  as  a  bird  of  California, 
Dr.  Cooper  is  confident  that  he  is  in  error,  and  thinks  that  he  probably  mistook  the 
female  and  yomig  of  the  Q.  eijanopterfi  for  it,  as  they  greatly  resendile  each  other.  Dr. 
Kichardson  found  this  species  very  plentiful  on  the  Saskatchewan,  but  did  not  observe 
it  farther  north  than  the  flSth  parallel.  It  is  occasionally  met  Avith  in  the  autumn 
and  winter  in  the  Bermudas,  and  again  in  April,  according  to  Major  Wedderburn. 
^Ir.  Ilurdis  adds  that  it  not  infrecpiently  visits  these  islands  in  its  southern  migra- 
tions. It  is  first  seen  about  the  20th  of  September,  and  is  met  with  at  intervals  until 
the  24th  of  December.  It  is  most  numerous,  however,  in  the  month  of  October,  j)ar- 
ticularly  when  a  storm  is  raging  or  has  passed  between  those  islands  and  the  American 
coast.  A  large  number  were  shot  during  the  occurrence  of  the  great  gale  of  Nov.  22, 
1854.     It  is  very  rarely  seen  in  s]iring,  and  then  usually  about  the  end  of  IVIarch. 

The  mouths  of  the  Mississippi,  according  to  ]Mr.  Audubon,  are  a  great  rendezvous 
of  this  species  in  autumn  and  during  the  greater  part  of  winter,  where  those  arriving 
coastways  meet  other  multitudes  that  have  come  across  the  interior  from  the  north 
and  west.  These  Ducks  are  the  first  to  arrive  in  that  iiart  of  the  country,  frequently 
making  their  appearance  in  large  flocks  by  the  middle  of  September,  when  they 


534 


LAMKI.LIUOSTUAL  SU'IMMERS  —  AXSEUES. 


V 


are  exceedingly  tat.  They  depart,  liowever,  when  the  weather  Ijecomes  so  cohl  that 
ice  forms.  Toward  the  end  o.'  February  they  again  become  alxuuhint;  but  this  time 
they  arc  U'an,  though  in  their  sumnu-r  garb,  in  which  the  nude  is  very  beautiful. 
During  their  stay  they  are  seen  in  the  liayous  and  ponds,  along  the  banks  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  on  the  large  and  muddy  sand-bars,  feeding  on  grasses  and  their  seeds, 
particularly  in  autumn,  when  they  are  very  f(uul  of  the  wihl  pimento.  In  the  spring 
sonic  remain  as  late  as  the  l.'itli  of  May. 

On  the  liGth  of  April,  iSliJ,  in  his  visit  to  Texas,  Audubon  found  them  on  all  the 
ponds  and  .salt  bayous  or  inlets  of  Galveston  Island,  as  well  as  ou  the  watercourses  of 
the  interior,  where,  he  was  assured,  the}'  breed  in  great  numbers. 

The  Hight  ol'  this  Duck  is  extremely  rapid,  fully  as  swift  as  that  of  the  I'assenger 
Pigeon.  AVhen  advancing  against  a  stiff  breeze  it  shows  alternately  its  upper  and 
lower  surface.  During  its  Hight  it  utters  a  soft,  lisping  note,  Avhich  it  also  emits  when 
apprehensive  of  danger.  It  swims  biu)yantly,  and  when  in  a  Hock  so  closcdy  together 
that  the  indiviiluals  nearly  touch  each  other.  In  con.sequence  of  this  habit  hunters 
are  able  to  nuike  a  frightful  havoc  among  these  birds  on  their  Hr.st  appearance  in 
the  fall,  when  they  are  easily  approached.  Audubon  has  seen  as  many  as  eighty-four 
killed  by  a  single  discharge  of  a  double-barrelled  gun. 

It  may  readily  be  kejtt  in  conlincment,  soon  becomes  very  docile,  feeds  readily  on 
coarse  corn-meal,  and  might  easily  be  domesticated.  I'rofessor  Kundien,  however, 
has  made  several  unsuccessful  attempts  to  rai.se  this  Duck  by  placing  its  eggs  under 
a  Domestic  Hen.  He  informs  nu'  that  this  species  is  the  latest  Duck  to  arrive  in 
the  spring.  It  is  very  common,  and  breeds  abundantly  in  Southern  Wiseonsin,  espe- 
cially on  the  borders  of  Lake  Koskonong.  It  nests  on  the  ground  among  the  reeds 
{ind  coarse  herbage,  generally  near  the  water,  but  he  has  met  with  its  nest  at  least 
half  a  mile  from  the  nearest  water,  though  always  on  low  land.  The  nest  is  simply 
an  accunudation  of  reeds  and  rushes  lined  in  the  middle  with  down  and  feathers. 
This  Duck  prefers  the  dryer  marshes  near  creeks.  He  has  always  found  its  nests 
well  lined  with  down,  and  when  the  female  leaves  her  nest  she  always  covers  her 
eggs  with  down,  and  draws  the  grass,  of  which  the  outside  of  the  nest  is  composed, 
over  the  top.  He  does  not  think  that  she  ever  lays  more  than  twelve  eggs,  the  usual 
number  being  eight  to  twelve.  These  are  of  a  dear  ivory  white,  without  even  the 
slightest  tinge  of  green.  They  range  from  1.8U  to  1.95  inches  in  length,  and  from 
1.25  to  1.35  in  breadth. 


Querquedula  cyanoptera 

THE   CIRNAHOH   TEAL. 

j4nas  cyanoptera,  Vieii.l.  Nouv.  Diet.  V.  1816,  104. 

Querquedula  ajanopler/i,  Cass.  U.  S.  Astr.  Kxp.  II.  1856,  202  (Chili)  j  llhistr.  B.  Cnl.  Tex.  etc.  1855, 
82,  pi.  15.  —  Baiui),  B.  X.  Am.  1858,  780  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.  1859,  no.  582.  — Coces,  Key,  1872, 
288  ;  Check  List,  1873,  no.  497  ;  2d  cil.  1882,  no.  717  ;  B.  N.  W.  1874,  567.  —  KiDOW.  Nom. 
N.  Am.  B.  1881,  no.  610. 

Anas  Ilaffiesi,  Kino,  Zool.  Jour.  IV.  1828,  87  ;  Suppl.  pi.  29  (Straits  of  Magellan). 

Ptcrocyanea  cmntkata,  "Liciit."  Giiav,  Gen.  B.  III.  1849,  617. 


Had.  Western  America,  from  the  Cohuubia  River  to  Chili,  Buenos  Ayres,  and  Falkland 
Islands.    Casual  in  Eastern  North  America  (Louisiana,  Illinois,  Florida  ?) 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  male:  Head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  rich  purplisli  chestnut,  duller  —  some- 
times quite  dusky  —  on  the  abdomen  ;  pileum  and  crissum  black ;  scapulars  and  part  of  the  back 
chestnut,  marked  with  U-shaped  bars  of  black,  the  middle  of  the  back  more  dusky  ;  tertiala  black, 


ANATIX.K-  THE   Dl'CKS  —  QUERQrKDULA. 


535 


with  a  CL'iitml  Htiipe  of  Imff  ;  longer  Hcapulnrs  Himilnr,  tin-  outeniiost  fi'uthei's  witli  tliu  outer  webs 
li^'lit  lilne  ;  lessur  wiiij,'-(.'uvi;rt»  pliiiii  lij,'lit  IjIuu  ;  luiiltllu  covcil-*  iliisky,  tijuied  with  white  ;  specu- 
liiiii  uiiifonn  h'ri'L'ii,  varviiij,'  IVoiii  lui'tiillii'  f,'ras.s-j,'reL'n  to  inini/.i'  ;  prininiii'^t  ami  |iiiiii,ir\-fi)vert8 
dusky;  uj)j)or  lail-covuit^  liiiHky,  edj^iii  with  pule  fulvous;  ivctiiceH  du>ky,  ed^od  with  lirowninh 
white  or  pale  brownish  gmy  ;  iixillurs  iuinmculate  pure  white.  Bill  deep  block  ;  iri»  onuige ; 
feet  oruuge,  joints  and  welis  blackish.     Adult  fanulf  :  Sindlar  to  that  of  (J.  discon,  but  larger  and 


y.  cyantiplcra. 

deeper  colored,  only  the  upper  part  of  the  throat  (sometimes  o)dy  the  chin)  unstrcaked,  the  alxlo- 
nien  usually  distinctly  spotted  ;  juf,'ulum  deeply  tiiit,'ed  with  lij,'ht  brown.  Ymtnij  nutlc :  Similar 
to  the  adult  femalf,  but  markinjjs  on  tin;  lower  parts  all  distinctly  hurjfitudinal,  or  .streak-like. 
Downy  iiDUiuj  :^  Aliove,  dark  olivaceous,  ri'Iieved  by  a  longitudinal  oblong  obliciue  spot  of  deep 
greenish  bulf  on  each  side  the  back  (liehind 
the  wings),  and  a  similar  spot  of  clearer  yel- 
lowish on  each  side  of  the  liase  of  the  tail ; 
the  anterior  spots  eontluont  with  the  yellow 
of  the  sides,  the  ])osterior  ones  isdlated  by  the 
e.xtension  beneath  them  of  the  olivaceous  of 
the  tail.  Pileum  and  nape  similar  to  the  back, 
but  ilarker  ;  forehead,  broad  su|>erciliary  strii)e, 
and  rest  of  the  head  and  neck,  e.\ce|)t  as  de- 
scribed, with  entire  lower  jiarts,  deep  yellow- 
ish buff,  the  side  of  the  head  marked  with  a 
distinct  narrow  stripe  of  dark  brown  e.vtend- 
ing  from  the  upper  Ikisc  of  the  maxilla  to  the 
eye,  thence  back  to  the  occi]nit. 

Total  length  (adult),  about  15.50-16.50 
inches  ;  extent,  :i4.0(>-:J4.o(» ;  wing,  7.20-7.75  ; 
culmen,  l.Go-1.85;  tai^sus,  1.25-1.35 ;  middle 
toe,  1.4t)-1.5(). 

Examples  from  Chili  and  Buenos  Ayres  i-.re  larger  and  more  richly  colored  than  those  from  the 
Western  Unittnl  .States  ;  the  white  bar  acro.s.s  the  end  of  the  middle  coverts  narrower,  and  nearly 
concealed  by  the  overlying  last  row  of  lesser  coverts.  These  differences,  however,  may  not  prove 
constant. 

The  female  of  this  species  is  very  ditiiciilt  to  distinguish  from  that  of  Q.  discors,  and  it  is  prob- 
ably not  possible  always  to  se])arate  them  with  certainty.  The  present  species  aveiiiges  consid- 
erably larger,  however  ;  the  wing  in  the  adult  female  ranging  from  7.20  to  7..'>0  inches,  the  cidmen 
1.70  to  1.75,  against  G.70  to  7.(M),  and  1.40  to  1.50,  us  in  Q.  discors.     The  colors  are  also  deeiMjr, 


.)/((/(■  (i  nat,  size) . 


1  Described  from  No.  77549,  Wnslioe  Lake,  Nev.,  June  2,  1877  ;  H.  W.  Hes'shaw. 


n'66 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  8\VI.MMEUS  —  ANSERES. 


nearly  the   whole  tliroiit  being  Htreiikeil,  the  bruuHt  deeply  tinged  witli  light  brown,  und  the 
ubiloiuen  ulnioMt  ulwayH  dixtinclly  H]i<ittcd. 

The  Ked-hreasti'tl  Tciil,  so  cliiinuitcristic  of  Ciilit'ornia,  is  almost  exclusively  a 
western  speeies,  and  is  t'oiind  along  tho  Taeitic!  coast  from  I'uget  Sound  to  Chili,  and 
even,  at  certain  seasons,  to  tlie  Falkland  Islands.  It  occurs  eastward  to  the  Kocky 
Movuitains,  and  stragglers  have  l)een  taken  in  Louisiana,  in  Floriihi^  and  —  as  1  am 
assured  by  friends  who  have  met  with  it  there  —  in  the  inlets  of  North  Carolina. 

Colonel  (iray.son  met  with  it  at  Mazatlan,  where  it  was  rather  common,  but  where 
it  occurred  only  during  tho  winter  and  spring  months,  and  n(!ver  in  large  numbers. 


Female  (nat.  size). 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  mentions  finding  it  in  great  abundance  in  the  valley  of  Great  Salt 
Lake.  Captain  Abbott  speaks  of  meeting  with  it  at  Mare  Ilarlwr,  in  East  Falkland, 
where  he  obtained  seven  examples  in  one  day.  It  was  generally  very  wild,  and  far 
from  common.  Although  he  was  unable  to  find  its  nest,  he  had  no  doubt  that  it  was 
breeding  on  the  island,  he  having  noticed  it  in  pairs  during  the  summer  months. 
jNlr.  II.  Durnford  mentions  it  as  resident,  but  rare,  in  Central  I'atagonia,  where  he 
met  with  it  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sengel. 

According  to  Dr.  Cooper,  this  western  analogue  of  the  Blue-winged  Teal  of  the  oast 
is  common  in  winter  throughout  the  lower  portion  of  California,  assembling  in  con- 
siderable flocks,  though  everywhere  less  abundant  than  the  (ireen-winged  species.  It 
associates  with  that  and  other  species  on  all  the  fresh  waters,  and  has  similtir  habits 
in  respect  to  its  manner  of  flight  and  mode  of  feeding.  It  is  also  easily  shot,  and 
very  good  for  the  table.  In  summer  it  is  found  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  State,  and 
also  migrates  north  through  the  open  country  east  of  the  Caseadi>  iSIountaius  to  the 
Upper  Columbia,  it  having  been  obtained  by  Dr.  Suckley  at  Fort  Dalles  in  ISIay.  Dr. 
Cooper  nas  also  shot  it  in  October  near  the  Spokane  River  in  Washington  Territory. 
Dr.  Ileermann  was  of  the  opinion  that  this  species  leaves  the  central  portions  of 
California  in  winter ;  but  examples  were  found  there  at  that  season  by  Dr.  Kennerly, 
and  Dr.  Cooper  also  saw  it  in  small  numliers  near  the  Coloratlo,  in  latitude  36°. 


ANATIN.K  —  TIIK    Dll'KS  —  QUKKt/IKDULA. 


531 


Cii|it!iiii  I5('ii(lir<'  luiind  it  iiKirc  (•oimuoii  than  cither  of  tiic  otlicr  two  Hiiccics  of  Teal 
ill  Eastern  ()^e^,'oIl,  wliere  it  iu-eeds  in  hii^'e  iiiiiiiiieis.  It  lie^jins  hiyiii},'  al)out  May  Ifi, 
and  not  infrefiuentiy  lie  found  its  nest  jdaeed  a  limidred  yards  or  more  from  tho 
nearest  water.  J)r.  Merrill  states  that  it  passes  through  Texas  in  its  miK'rations,  lait 
is  more  ahiiudaiit  there  in  the  H]iriii}^'  than  in  the  autumn. 

Its  nest  is  rom|M)spd  of  eoarse  (,'rass  lined  with  feathers  from  the  breast  of  tho 
mother,  and  is  jilaced  in  the  nuirshes,  usually  near  ponds  and  still  water.  The  ej,'<,'s 
are  from  twelve  to  fouiteen  in  luimher,  and  are  descriltcd  by  some  writers  as  of  a 
pale  ^reen  color;  hut  I  have  lu'ver  seen  any  to  which  this  description  apjilics. 

Dr.  (!ooper  ohtaiiu'd  an  t'\ni,  just  ready  for  exclusion,  from  a  female  killed  on  the 
22d  of  .Finie,  at  a  jiond  close  to  the  sea-hcach  near  San  !)iej,'o.  lie  describes  it  as 
bluish  white,  and  as  measuring,'  l.(i(>  inches  in  lenj;th  and  l.'oJ  inches  in  breadth. 
After  tho  vfi^  is  laid  the  color  becomes  sonu'what  different.  EkK**  "t  this  H])ecies 
from  Fort  Crook,  Cal.  (Smithsonian  Institution,  No.  rt'J't'J),  .are  of  an  ivory-whito 
color,  with  a  deep  creamy  tin),'e.  Three  ej,'ji,'s  present  the  following?  nu-asurcmcnts  : 
1.85  by  1.40  inches,  l."^  by  l.;{")  inches,  l.i)()  by  I. .'{.">  inches. 


University  Press  :   John  Wilson  &  Son,  Cambridge. 


